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Originally Posted by jlaakso
Does the system work on non-fantasy (scifi, contemporary, action movies) well?
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You'd have to rewrite the entire character creation system to make it work. It's based on careers, not unlike Warhammer. As for Burning Wheel vs. D&D, this is really the same debate as 'character-driven games' vs. 'destroy all monsters!' Burning Wheel does more to promote the social side of role-playing and the development of a realistic character, although I'm not yet sold on the way your career path can alter your character's outlook on life. For instance, according to Burning Wheel, all Hospital Wardens are hypochondriacs. Easy enough to get around with house rules though, so forgivable. The thing is, these personality traits also give your character bonuses to certain actions, thus emphasising the importance of personality on more than just charisma checks. D&D, as I'm sure I'm not telling anyone any secrets here, is focused entirely towards combat.
Personally, I've always felt that D&D's balance suffered severely. Like the poor old rogue, who becomes entirely useless after a certain level since all of his 'unique' class features can be replicated with magic, prayer or spell-like abilities, many of which work automatically instead of requiring a roll. Doesn't seem fair does it, that the thief whose only real schtick is to find and disarm traps, sneak around, and pick pockets, can be outdone in seconds by a halfway competent wizard with a few spells. Sure he has to memorise them and the could be using other spells in their place, but most of the appropriate ones are pretty low level anyway.
Anyway, I'd rather play BW than D&D, but that's because I'm a character player, not a combat player. I RP for the social and the storytelling aspects, not the XP, dice-rolling and character-building aspects. I couldn't care less if we chucked the rules out of the window and indulged in a spot of interactive storytelling instead.
Ash