Post originally by James A Beggs at 2003-04-27 10:59:35
Converted from Phorums BB System

Hahaha!

I've been researching a number of RPGs, including TRoS and HM, debating on what to move to.

I've also played Ars Magica (and I played HM some 10 years ago).

Ars Magica has, flat down, the best magic system I've ever seen, and I loved it for that, and the idea of covenants. But sometimes I wanted characters on relatively equal footing, and with Ars Magica's focus on magic, it seems that other things, such as playing a warrior, gets lost in the shuffle.

Not meaning its not unplayable, but it becomes kind of vanilla when the focus was so greatly on magic. Its GREAT for what it does, and I love playing Ars Magica when in that mood.

But.

I am tired of D20 and other, derivative games. I want something with more meat to it. On the other hand, i don't want a game bogged down with complexity - especially since I will have to drag my players kicking and screaming away from D20 and Palladium Fantasy. The harder the game, the more difficult the fight. Rolemaster goes too far, for instance.

Ars Magica was pretty good for this and did a good job - but again, I want a game that fleshes out and makes interesting all forms of play.

TRoS was one I was considering... from the quick start rules it doesnt tell me enough of the system, but from the reviews i read, its GREAT for combat except that it perhaps gets TOO detailed, and perhaps its TOO fatal; I heard it has great RP mechanics in the terms of passions, and it is tied with Mage for second place in a magic system, behind Ars magica. But that magic users could perhaps be TOO powerful. and i've heard the system glosses over anything else.

I've also heard it is perhaps too complex, and has a steep learning curve.


as a comparison, I've played Harnmaster, but many moons ago. I remember enjoying the character creation system - it was a bit complex, but I thought it was fun, and far easier than rolemaster, while still having more meat than D&D.

I also thought the idea of clerics and wizards as they worked in that system was neat - and I particularly liked the idea of characters as journeyman wizards, having to go and invent their own magics.

Magic wasn't as strong as Ars magica or, apparently, TRoS, but it was fun and interesting.

Although its been awhile, though, Combat seemed a little... complex. Perhaps not quite so bad as TRoS, and certainly not as bad as Rolemaster, but still, it was bulky. At least, thats how my ten years of old memory recall it.

What do you think?