|
02-12-2018, 05:20 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Feb 2018
|
A Dungeoneering Fan, but a Total Gurps Newbie
Hello, everyone.
I've never played GURPS, before. My RPG experience is limited to all of the versions of D&D from Mentzer Basic, to 3.5, Pathfinder, and 5th Edition; but not 4E D&D. I've seen GURPS mentioned on the forums at Paizo and Enworld. Some say that it is more complicated than Pathfinder. So, my first question is, is GURPS really more complicated than Pathfinder? I've read GURPS Light, but haven't totally understood it, but I think the 3d6 system appears to be somewhat more balanced than Pathfinder and other forms of D&D. Is it more balanced? Also, Pathfinder has a lot of class options, however one of the drawbacks seems to be the class system, itself. I have players who take 3 or more classes just to realize a concept. Am I correct in thinking that GURPS makes it easier to realize a concept because it's not class and level based? Also, I've read parts of the threads here about converting things like Rappan Athuk to GURPS and it sounds like those in the know find it somewhat easy to do. How long would it take to gain enough system mastery with GURPS to convert the Swords & Wizardry version of Rappan Athuk to GURPS? I'm primarily interested in Dungeon Fantasy, but I can see my players eventually liking the idea of exploring other genres, which seems to be a strong point with GURPS. Having watched Pathfinder evolve into Starfinder and the subtle rules changes that were involved, I think I am in favor of a more stable system for all genres. GURPS seems like it will fit that bill. If I start with the GURPS Dungeon Fantasy Boxed Set will it provide the guidance I'd need to get used to the GURPS system, character generation, combat, exploration, etc... and prepare me to move to other genres using GURPS? That said, there are a lot of supplements to GURPS. Am I right in guessing that these forums would be a great place to ask for guidance on which supplements are recommended for a given genre? Thanks in advance. Hrothgar |
02-12-2018, 06:03 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Mar 2013
|
Re: A Dungeoneering Fan, but a Total Gurps Newbie
GURPS is best described as a toolkit for a system rather than a system. Herein lies the problem because there are dozens of supplements, which leads a bewildering array of choices. It's extremely helpful to get guidance for which supplements to use for given settings.
Based on your post, I recommend the DF set as a jumping off point because its self contained. It's also better at doing D&D than D&D is, in my opinion, specifically the system is better at combat and more interesting. A recurring theme that makes GURPS much easier to use for newer places and GMs is the notion of character templates. These are effectively a sort of quasi-'class'. So the template will be for a certain number of points, for a type of character (or NPC) and will specify certain pre-bought characteristics and guide optional points buys. To answer other questions: - GURPS is both more and less complicated than Pathfinder. It's a cleaner, more intuitive and more consistent system. The sheer number of possible game options is much broader, though there is a lot less 'class based' information. - 'more balanced' - possibly for a given value of 'balanced'. Being a points buy system you would think equal points = equal utility, but this depends vastly upon the setting and what restrictions a GM puts into place. - no classes, yes it's generally easier to realise a concept in GURPS than other systems. - 'system mastery' is a slippery term, it's going to depend on how quickly you come to grips with systems, how much time you spend doing so and how much effort you want to put into conversion. - these forums are an excellent resource for GURPS questions. The above answers hint at issues new GURPS users will encounter, which is why I recommend getting the DF box set. It will remove the problems of having to make rules choices. Again, these forums are an excellent resource for any GURPS-based questions you have. Last edited by mr beer; 02-12-2018 at 06:08 PM. |
02-12-2018, 06:04 PM | #3 | ||||||
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
|
Re: A Dungeoneering Fan, but a Total Gurps Newbie
Quote:
Quote:
So in GURPS and Dungeon Fantasy the chance of success doesn't increase linearly with each +1 to skill, it increases very slowly at the extreme low and high levels, and increases quickly for middle levels. In PFRPG, conversely each +1 is exactly +5%. Quote:
It does give the optional rule to allow characters to made off template, and buy everything à la carte. Quote:
If you are willing to make quick and dirty decisions like "every 20 gp in the original is one gold coin" then pretty much instantly, I think. Quote:
Quote:
Last edited by sir_pudding; 02-12-2018 at 06:08 PM. Reason: I thought this was in DFRPG, oops. |
||||||
02-12-2018, 06:06 PM | #4 | |||||
Aluminated
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: East of the moon, west of the stars, close to buses and shopping
|
Re: A Dungeoneering Fan, but a Total Gurps Newbie
I'll point out that there's a subtle distinction here. The Dungeon Fantasy Roleplaying Game is a stand-alone product which is 99% compatible with the full GURPS system. It contains a lot less than the full system, but it is much more focused on stuff that's relevant to dungeon delving. So, then, there are going to be different answers to some of these questions for GURPS and for the DFRPG.
Quote:
Building a character in the DFRPG is somewhat easier than in pure GURPS because it's template-driven. That is, you've got a series of ready-made menus. There are still some choices to make (say, pick 3 of these 4 skills and spend 20 points on anything in this category), but being far more focused, it's far easier to get up and running. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Sweet merciful Jebus, yes.
__________________
I've been making pointlessly shiny things, and I've got some gaming-related stuff as well as 3d printing designs. Buy my Warehouse 23 stuff, dammit! |
|||||
02-12-2018, 06:18 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
|
Re: A Dungeoneering Fan, but a Total Gurps Newbie
With players that are new to GURPS, I tend to make them give me a detailed outline of what they imagine the character is good at and a detailed background. I will make the character for them (it takes me half an hour at worst in most games) and then spend a half hour explaining to them the capabilities of their character. I usually give them five sessions to tweak the character to fit their specifications or to replace the character with one that they have designed (in which the original character becomes just another NPC).
|
02-13-2018, 07:27 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
|
Re: A Dungeoneering Fan, but a Total Gurps Newbie
I'm going to note that how this compares to the D&D family depends a lot on how you go about your D&D character building. If you just want to build a level one (or even maybe level 5) character, it may be a fair bit lighter than putting together your starting GURPS character. If you're planning 15-20 levels deep into your progression through a mildly intricate build in a 3rd/3.5/PF build, the GURPS character is going to look simple and straightforward...
__________________
I don't know any 3e, so there is no chance that I am talking about 3e rules by accident. |
02-13-2018, 12:16 PM | #7 |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
|
Re: A Dungeoneering Fan, but a Total Gurps Newbie
GURPS combat often feels simpler, there's no AoOs, there's a simple rule for shooting upwards and downwards that doesn't involve Pythagoras, actions are much less abstract so it is much easier to understand what is supposed to be happening, facing matters, injury is just injury, defense is defense, and armor reduces damage.
|
02-13-2018, 12:30 PM | #8 | |
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Behind You
|
Re: A Dungeoneering Fan, but a Total Gurps Newbie
Quote:
__________________
RPG Jutsu.com - Ninjas Play GURPS |
|
02-13-2018, 06:03 PM | #9 | |
Join Date: Feb 2018
|
Re: A Dungeoneering Fan, but a Total Gurps Newbie
Quote:
|
|
02-13-2018, 10:50 PM | #10 | |
Join Date: Feb 2008
|
Re: A Dungeoneering Fan, but a Total Gurps Newbie
Quote:
Never mind, tired and blanked out. Firing Upward and Downward (p. 407) Last edited by Stone Dog; 02-13-2018 at 11:09 PM. |
|
|
|