I started my pencil and paper gaming ways with D&D, specifically 3.5, which I stick to like glue. 4th edition can wait, since everyone I know still enjoys the old ways. Recently though I picked up Dark Heresy, a d100 system based off of the Warhammer 40K universe. Now the two systems thematically are worlds apart, but the systems themselves are very different. Which is why I’ve decided to say a few words on the matter, giving a good reason why I enjoy both systems.
Dungeons and Dragons is what everyone agrees on as the standard and most popular pen and paper RPG. It is the defining d20 system, even with its multiple incarnations. I can start with that. I love the 3.5 rules, though I’m sure people could point out its little problems. Still when you need three books at least to play, it would take a miracle to make me burn a hole in my pocket to upgrade, when I hear that they didn’t even release the stats for all of the classes yet. I keep seeing titles like Monster Manual 2 and groan. Not until they bring back the dinosaurs (literally) would I look at these new books. D&D has therefore got a massive fanbase of people who don’t play by the same rules, because of so many rule-changes over the years. I’m sure it wouldn’t take long to learn (or unlearn) old/new rules, but there’s still a lot of ground to cover. I understand the need for changes or new additions, but hopefully there won’t be a constant flow of new books to worry about.
Playing 3.5 is fun, and a blast to DM for. It’s a system that has so much out there to use that I never would run out of ideas for campaigns. The d20 system uses a fair number of different dice, from the d4 to the d12. Here all characters have a race, class, and alignment, plus all of their stats that follow. Skill points and magic levels are terms that should be very familiar to D&D players, (don’t talk to me about psionics that is just confusing) and there’s plenty more that I’m just skipping over for now.
Dark Heresy (and Rogue Trader) uses the d100 system, which only needs two dice, the d10 and d100 (also called the percentage die, but there are actual 100 sided dice). All characters are human, but have a home planet, and a class (alignment is sketchy, but there are certain Traits that define them better). Skills have to be trained, and experience plays part of a buy system that helps with character creation. Levels are now ranks, which also adds branches to a tech tree system of leveling up. This system is infamous for its critical damage tables, which are several pages of detailed effects of what can happen to wounded characters. Also there is only 1 book that you need if you want to start playing.
On the DM side, working with these systems has a lot to offer on both sides. For the main issue its what setting would you prefer to use. On one hand you have fantasy, and the other has grimdark science fiction. I of course would listen to my players opinion, since I want them to have fun too. I think trying new settings is good, since you can start with new characters In Space!
Well its the new year and I’m sure there will be more to talk about the subject, especially with the new campaign I have to spring on my group. More updates to come, since there’s always more I could ramble about.
-Minkus
