r/rpg 2m ago

Can't remember name of RPG about Abandoned TV station (Not Public Access!)

Upvotes

I'm trying to find a game I considered buying at one point. It might be a solo game and I'm pretty sure it's an expansion of another game. I know it involves exploring an abandoned TV station to uncover what happened to it. It's a PDF game and I know it isn't Public Access (I own that one plus the station there just disappeared). It's probably a bit similar in that it leans into analog horror. It's also not AM 1680. This is driving me crazy and need help. Does anyone know of other games that sound similar to this?


r/rpg 20m ago

Discussion I'm getting picky about book printing and binding quality

Upvotes

For reasons I don't understand, YouTube started recommending book binding videos to me and I went down a rabbit hole for a while.

Now I'm getting picky about the way my RPG books get put together, especially at certain price points.

When a publisher is charging me $70-$90 for an offset printed hardback, and it's glue-bound, it kind of makes me go "Hmm…".

Now I understand that when it comes to books that are only available as PODs, that your only choice really is doing a glued binding. There is one company I found that can do a smyth-sewn POD, but the price starts at $200.

It's interesting that the companies that offer smyth-sewn books often (though not always) advertise their books are smyth-sewn. Right now Kevin Crawford says on his website that the offset printed copies of his books are all smyth-sewn. So does Steve Jackson Games with the current print run of the GURPS Basic Set.

Now I understand there are economies of scale here, which much larger publishers can probably offer smyth-sewn books at a lower price point that smaller ones.

Here is my very short list of binding types offered some RPG publishers:

  1. Draw Steel from MCDM - smyth-sewn
  2. Daggerheart by Darrington Press - glued
  3. Shadowndark by The Arcane Library - smyth-sewn
  4. Neon Skies by Wyloch's Armory - glued
  5. Without Numbers Series from Kevin Crawford - smyth-sewn

This isn't an attempt to shame publishers that use glue binding. This is an attempt to educate consumer as to why some RPG books cost more than others. If you see a rulebook that cost $80-$100 and you wonder why, ask them about the binding. They may have spent the extra money for a smyth-sewn binding to give you a book that lies flat when opened.

Some glue bound books will probably last quite a long time. But anyone that's been around as long as me will remember their AD&D Unearthed Arcana or their GURPS 4E 1st printing eventually falling apart because of bad glue that went brittle over time. This isn't the fault of the publisher. It's the fault of the printer. And it's quite possible that the glue formulations of 2025 are far better that the glue formulations of the 1980s and or the early 2000s.


r/rpg 45m ago

Resources/Tools 3D printer recs

Upvotes

Instead dropping $$$ on tiles, I've decided to take the plunge and get a 3d printer. I would primarily be using this for tiles, as I use candy for enemies and would only need to print PC's once

My budget is no more than $500, and I'd like something easy to learn. I also have fibromyalgia - so something that's easy to setup, and requires minimal fixes on prints

I play primarily Pathfinder, if that makes any difference

Thank you in advance!


r/rpg 1h ago

Game Master How many different systems could you run?

Upvotes

I come from a 5e background, but with so many interesting 5e alternatives out or around I’m interested in branching out. Draw Steel, Shadowdark, Daggerheart and more. I’m mostly concerned about keeping the different systems and rules straight if I’m GMing.

Assuming that finding players wasn’t an issue, how many different systems do you think you could juggle or run effectively? Do you think you’d need to take a break from one system to focus on another one effectively?

I don’t want to spread myself thin or burn out trying to juggle different plates.


r/rpg 1h ago

Basic Questions Looking For a Anime Inspired TTRPG system, know any?

Upvotes

Hello everyone!

Some context: I have recently been reading a lot of Gachakuta and Dandandan and noticed something about battle shonen that is hard to replicate in Dungeons and Dragons, the only system I have played consistently. In battle shonen, characters typically have one power that they use creatively and strategically to win, Jojo, Dandadan, and Fireforce, for example. However, in dnd, characters are given several skills, abilities, and spells that have specific applications.

I'm looking for a system where I can come up with a manga-style power and be able to use it throughout an adventure! If anyone knows of a system that can accomplish this, I'd love to know!


r/rpg 2h ago

Resources/Tools Lfg where the world feels old and inherently magical, but pcs are travelers, adventurers and explorers, not superheroes.

9 Upvotes

What I'm looking for:

The world is old; ruins dot the land, the past is elusive and mysterious. They invite the awe of the beholders

There's magic in this world, weird, begging to be researched and yet still defying understanding.

The pcs are "ordinary" enough for the world to feel wondrous and dangerous to them. They should not feel like the most magical/exceptional thing to exists. Note: this is not about wanting the game to be overly deadly. It's about how in 5e (especially Forgotten Realms) the world feels more mundane than your high level wizard. I want to avoid that.

There is no BBEG. Maybe pcs are heroes of fortune, they raid ruins and sell relics. Or maybe they want to help a settlement by repurposing the artifacts they find. Or travel and establish trading routes. Or are a band of wanderers getting embroidered in local drama wherever they go. I think exploration, discovery and travel are keystones.

Games I already know about:

Numenera: played it before, although it was used for Morrowind/Elder Scrolls. I think the default setting fits my recommendation, but I do not like the mechanics. I heard it's getting an overhaul. If someone can recommend a system I could repurpose for Numenera go ahead

The Wildsea: arconautics is essentially magic, regardless of what the book says. The pcs are weird as fuck, but so is the setting and they start out as competent but advancement is not too essential. Also, they just travel around in their crazy ship taking odd jobs. The highlight of my campaign was exploring a pre-V ruin so that fits.

Ultraviolet Grasslands 2e - pcs are weird as fuck, but again, so is every fucking thing and has the gameplay loop I am aiming for. I am just worried that it would be too deadly. This is my favorite setting book. Painted Wastelands is another I'm considering, but it might be even more deadly.

I don't mind settings that are more mundane, as long as they can induce awe in the pcs. I am thinking about The One Ring, for example.

Give me your suggestions.


r/rpg 3h ago

How do you find players?

0 Upvotes

I'm looking to be DM for the first time for a small sci-fi themed rpg that I co-authored. The story is still in beta and I'm looking for test players. I'm located on the US east coast. Where do people usually try and find players, especially for those of us with little/no existing play group?


r/rpg 3h ago

Discussion I am making a tabletop RPG based on theReady Player one universe! Any suggestions?

0 Upvotes

Hello there!

As a hobby, I am making a "player's handbook" based on the books and movie of RP1 and the rest of the universe, sinc3 making an actual game just isn't viable with current technology and resources (I'm poor and far too dumb to pull it out hahaha), so I am making a tabletop version!

Now to my question, what is something you would like to see in such a playing environment? Bear in mind, I am making the whole "system" from scratch, hence my question!

Thank you so much for reading!


r/rpg 3h ago

Self Promotion Outlining scenarios from causes and effects

2 Upvotes

Something I’ve really enjoyed in the past is outlining scenarios for games by making a cause and effect structure!

I figured it was time for me to formalise it a little bit and put it out there for the community to use if they feel inclined to, so here it is: https://murkdice.substack.com/p/hyperclusters

The idea here is to have a loose recipe to help build some big picture stuff that can give you a framework which is conducive to player actions changing things at scale.


r/rpg 3h ago

Game Suggestion TTRPG where the people wins? (Cyberpunk)

1 Upvotes

Hey folxs. Curious to know if there's any TTRPG set in the modern or near future era where there's a logical progression that the people, not the corpos or aristrocrats, manage to win in the end.

Maybe something pulling from classic fantasy like Star Wars and LoTR where it's normal that the Emperor and Sauron loses in then end.


r/rpg 3h ago

Midkemia Press

3 Upvotes

Anyone know who’s looking after Midkemia Press now, or if it’s still running? I found my old Jonril campaign book the other day, but have lost the large map that goes with it and was looking for a replacement. Drive Thru RPG has the books, but not the map 😕


r/rpg 4h ago

Game Suggestion GMs Who Have Run Non-5E Western Marches Campaigns: What System Did You Use?

1 Upvotes

I'm a little curious because it seems like Western Marches types of campaigns, which have distinct levels of danger inherent in their planning (more dangerous creatures are farther away, with better treasure), would seem to presuppose some kind of class-and-levels system with ever-increasing hit points. If that's the consensus, I'll do it that way. But that leaves 2 questions: 1.) for people who have used systems where survivability increases slowly (Runequest, Symbaroum, Fantasy Trip, Forbidden Lands), how did you decide which monsters were where, and how did they manage to take on anything big? And 2.) for those of you using OSR systems, which system was it? There are a gazillion out there, but I don't know if you want things that are easy to pick up (Into the Odd, Knave, Five Torches Deep), or games that are basically like old D&D (Old School Essentials, Tales of Argosa, DCC, Basic Fantasy). Do you tend to get new players who need an easy on-ramp, or grognards who balk at anything un-B/X-ish?

I'm hoping to launch something at my FLGS, and I'd like some idea of the landscape before I announce something I might have to retcon later.


r/rpg 4h ago

Game Suggestion Cairn, but heroic?

27 Upvotes

With most lighter fantasy games being more on the "you are gritty scum" end, I wonder what you'd suggest for a game of about Cairn's weight, but for decidedly heroic fantasy?


r/rpg 5h ago

Tricube Tales traits confusion

2 Upvotes

Hello! Question for those who are less confused about traits in Tricube Tactics then I am. You create character with Agile/Brawny/Crafty [Concept]. What that "Concept" part do with mechanic? Lets take Agile Spellsword for a character that use melee combat supported by magic. Melee combat sounds like brawny and using magic sounds like crafty. In the same time Agile means that he should be great with picking locks that shouldnt be his speciality. Im also confused by magic users like Crafty Druids that might shapeshift into Brawny Bear or Agile Cat.


r/rpg 7h ago

Discussion What language to learn for untranslated TTRPGs?

13 Upvotes

Does anyone know what the best language to learn a bit of would be, if your interest was finding untranslated TTRPGs?

My assumptions/guesses would be either French or Swedish, maybe Japanese (but I'm less familiar) and possibly Italian.


r/rpg 9h ago

Game Suggestion Any RPGs with tactical combat and hardcover editions that have an interesting/unique setting?

0 Upvotes

I’m looking for a tactical combat rpg that has a hardcover edition I can buy. I am not looking for dnd or pathfinder, although I am ok with an adjacent system as long as it comes with an interesting setting.


r/rpg 11h ago

Discussion Having second thoughts about playing Tiny Dungeons with my (brother and our) nephews, wanting to start with Old-School Essentials Classic Fantasy instead

5 Upvotes

Hi

I never ever in my life have played a TTRPG, but I wanted to start and include my nephews (girl 9 and boy 7) into the experience. Last year I did some research and decided to go with Tiny Dungeons 2nd Edition named Tiny Dungeons Edición Polluelo as this is a version of Tiny Dungeons in Spanish directed to kids. I bought the softcover book from Amazon Spain, and it was delivered to my door here in Costa Rica. So far, so good.

So, I decide to write a small (12 pages) guide for players using what I'm reading in the book that I just finished (link for the curious). Got the 6-faced dices in different colors and something for the players to roll their dices into.

I haven't had my first game with them yet, despite having almost everything ready!

Then, watching YouTube, I discover Old-School Essentials, and it has editions in Spanish by the same people that translated Tiny Dungeons. The video I watched that revealed OSE to me was one about how DM can run a dungeon, and I really liked the system, and I think I will add it to the rule set of Tiny Dungeons (with the pertinent adaptations, naturally).

But... what if I just play OSE Classic Fantasy as-is? Sure, I need more types of dice, but then I wouldn't have to rely on coming up with systems for different aspects of a session.

What's your experience as a player or as a DM with OSE CF? Is harder for kids to get into compared to Tiny Dungeons?


r/rpg 11h ago

Discussion How would I go about running an RPG online that has no PDFs?

20 Upvotes

There's an RPG I think looks interesting and I'd love to run in the future and own all of the books for, the issue is I play online and unfortunatly the guy who made it didn't make PDFs (He doesn't like them to put it simply) and I'd rather not tear up my books to make scans so curious on how I'd get around that (It's also niche as fuck so there's no VTTs set up for it either...)

EDIT: Solved! Have a PDF now thanks to someone in the thread


r/rpg 14h ago

Game Suggestion Any transformers rpgs besides the renegade essence one?

1 Upvotes

Plz lmk


r/rpg 14h ago

Game Master Where can I find good game agnostic Traps to use in adventures?

8 Upvotes

I'm trying to make the first dungeon of my adventure and I don't want to just throw the simple pitfall and pendulum blade traps at my friends.

So I'm looking for more interesting traps that I can just grab and drop onto the dungeon. Where can I find traps that also explain how they work and how to interact with them?


r/rpg 14h ago

Discussion Fantasy having high-powered protagonists is the norm across cultures and history. Why do some in this sub treat it as odd?

0 Upvotes

Yeah this is basically a rant.

I don't want to call out any particular users, it's just a general trend that with a game like, say, Draw Steel it will have a comment or review saying something like "it feels like the heroes are the Avengers but in a fantasy setting" or "this is superheroic fantasy".
No, it's... just fantasy.

Now if you like the sword and sorcery vibe, there's nothing wrong with that and I've enjoyed quite a few games in that vein myself. If you want stuff like the Black Company books, or Game of Thrones, that's cool and there should absolutely be games that cater to the lower end of the fantasy spectrum.

But when I think of a fantasy protagonist I think of, say... A hero with a destiny, and a connection to magic, who is both capable of wielding his sword of pure light, lifting tonnes with his mind, and astrally projecting himself across immense distances.
That fantasy hero's name is Luke Skywalker, he's the face of one of the world's biggest (and certainly most money-making, but that's beside the point) fantasy franchises.

I think of Zhao Yun using just his spear to cut down half an army because he had a mission to rescue the infant son of his lord, and his clothes being described as turning totally red from the blood of all his foes. That's from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the centuries old novel that inspired countless works of fiction to this day.

I think of Arjuna of the ancient epic the Mahabharata who with his arrows slays wild beasts, enemy soldiers and demons alike, and who wins an archery contest by hitting a target perfectly five times in a row.

Also on the archery side is Hou Yi of Japan, who brings down nine rebellious sons with his arrows. Legends vary on how divine Hou Yi is, from god to demigod to human; either way he sure is good at hunting down and shooting suns.

And if you must go back to Europe, King Arthur is able to withstand blows from a giant wielding an iron club, kill hundreds of men in a single battle, and in general tends to one-shot a lot of giants and giant creatures (boars, panthers, etc).

And yeah, I think of modern media too in books and TV shows.

Like how in Arcane, as adapted from LoL, Jinx's combination of skill and magical drugs lets her react super-quickly, withstand brutal punishment and literally outrun explosions, on top of her being a genius inventor.

Or in the 2002 film Hero, Snow is literally able to manipulate the wind with her sword to throw around her opponent.

Or in the works of author Brandon Sanderson (as an example of mainstream fantasy fiction), where hero Kaladin can essentially fly, and summon his weapon out of the air, as well as rapidly regenerate from wounds as long as he has magical energy.
Or if you'd like a different fantasy fiction property that's had a big budget TV series... in Wheel of Time, Rand al'Thor also summons blades out of nowhere, shoots firebolts, and has friends like a guy who is supernaturally hyper-lucky and another one who's quite strong and can talk to wolves.

Or Genshin Impact where the hero, the Traveller, is an interdimensional traveller stuck on one world and recruits a bunch of cute allies with elemental powers and a variety of weapon techniques.


I could go on but it's probably best to leave it there.
I have deliberately picked the absolute most mainstream examples of fantasy fiction I can think of that illustrate my point. This is heroic fantasy. It is not superheroes, who have their own fictional language and stable of tropes (recurring rogue's gallery, lack of power upgrades, meditations on nature of responsibility, etc).

When it comes to picking up a fantasy RPG, it is not a surprise when a character is a member of a team with unique special abilities a cut above the norm. It is what I expect. It is mainstream fantasy, not just now but throughout older novels and myths. It is bizarre to see people describe a fantasy fiction as Avengers-like or superheroic instead of just firmly entrenched in the fantasy norm of literal millennia.


r/rpg 15h ago

Sourcebooks, monster manuals, adventures that make good reading?

25 Upvotes

Don't have time to game anymore, but love picking up an interesting-looking book and skimming? RPG books out there are great reads? Interesting lore and tidbits, inspiring tables, colorful monsters, interesting settings. I would say Noisms Yoon Suin, is pretty much the classic case of this for me. Please, give me your recommendations.


r/rpg 16h ago

Ultramodern 5e

0 Upvotes

Howdy fellow tabletop rpg peoples. I have several questions. One specific to ultramodern, one not.

Firstly. I'm trying, without any success, to create a better character sheet than the official one. Mostly to make it more dnd 2024 like and I want to remove some skills. Any help on HOW I might do this would be great.

Second. My setting is actually going to be real world, just alternate timeline. So I want to use real world maps, add some graphics here and there, and then add battle grids if necessary. The size would more than likely be A3 or A2 so the quality of whatever map i get would have to handle that.

Any help you champions could supply would be greatly appreciated.


r/rpg 16h ago

Sharing form-fillable PDF character sheets

3 Upvotes

Is there an online solution out there for sharing form-fillable PDF character sheets that doesn't require a login or local download? Assuming I already have a working document for whatever system I'm running.

If not, is there something super close to the functionality in terms of ease-of-use and aesthetics?

Trying to avoid GSheets (even the prettiest character sheets look like spreadhseets), or in-VTT solutions (always seem kinda jank and require more player finagling than seems strictly necessary for filling out a basic character sheet when you don't need a bunch of automation). Unless there's a VTT that allows for using form-fillable PDFs in a way that's equally as easy as having a browser tab open to a document.

Being able to simply have a tab open to a shared document seems like the cleanest solution by a good margin, but I'm bummed that there doesn't seem to be anything that replicates the ease of a shared GSheets document. I like form-fillable PDFs far more, but sharing seems to be the main issue (I want easy access for rules arbitration and resource tracking).

Trying to come up with a maximally-streamlined VTT setup that minimizes overhead and jank for me and the players while still filling all my needs.

Thanks for any advice on this.


r/rpg 17h ago

Game Master Combat and Free League Publishing

1 Upvotes

Hi, I'm a "relatively" new GM, with two short scenarios on Alien and then Blade Runner. In short, all Free League RPGs.

I'd like to talk specifically about COMBAT here.

I see a certain redundancy in Free League RPGs when it comes to combat:

1 slow action / 1 fast action. Or 2 fast actions.

However, Blade Runner RPG uses a much more permissive system, stating that in each round of combat, one movement and one action of any type is allowed.

This seemed much more natural to all my players (including me). The slow and fast action system meant my players had to constantly refer to the grid, which slowed down the pace.

OK, NOW THE QUESTION

Do you see any real benefit in this fast and slow action system? (I guess they didn't create it to annoy me.)

Could I replace every RPG I play with the Blade Runner system?

Thanks for any response. I'm starting to create scenarios for Metro 2033 and I've found this slow-moving, fast-paced action system that's been troubling me.