2 of 24

Write now Article Tools

I think the best RPG system going at the moment would be the Dungeons & Dragons system, version 3.5. This is produced by Wizards of the Coast.

This is actually a major concession on my part, because I really did not care particularly for previous editions of D&D, before 3.0. My favorite roleplaying system historically has been the Middle Earth Role Playing (MERP) system, produced by Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE). They are also known for being the creators of the Rolemaster system, which was a much larger and more complicated system. In fact, it earned the nickname "Chart-master" because of the numerous charts that required consultation after every roll...many of which then directed you to yet another chart to roll on.

At any rate, the new D&D system has really won me over. The system is extremely versatile. Each character class has enough variation and options that no two will be the same. You have a lot of control over your feats, spells, skills, and other abilities, so that you can really customize your character to suit your play style brilliantly. In previous roleplaying systems, fighters for example usually tended to look a lot alike. They all tended to wear a lot of armor, they all tended to not be very fast or bright, and they usually wielded whatever weapon tended to do the most damage. The rules didn't really do much, if anything, to develop their fighting "style".

The new D&D, by contrast, primarily by way of feats, can really give your fighter some personality in combat beyond just "I swing my sword and do 34 damage to the bugbear." Are you a finesse fighter, using Dodge and Mobility to avoid blows? Do you swing with such power that you can Cleave through the first orc into the second? Do you tend to fight more from horseback, using a mounted combat feat? Do you rely on your reach weapon and Combat Reflexes feat to make multiple attacks of opportunity during your opponent's turn? Those are just a few of the endless possibilities, and these possibilities increase with the release of each new supplement.

Other classes have a similar wealth of options present to them. Is your wizard a master of tricky illusions, or does he prefer to throw lighting and fire with deafening explosions? Does your rogue specialize in quick strikes from the shadows, or tumbling behind opponents in the open to get into more advantageous positions? Does your Druid prefer to cast spells to subdue foes, or wild shape into a ferocious dire bear and overwhelm enemies with sheer force?

Clerics,

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The best current RPGs?
We want to hear your view. Write now!