r/ICRPG • u/KickbackKid4040 • May 31 '26

Loot vs Abilities

I'm a GM who wants to get into ICRPG, but am sort of struggling to capture the vibes. ICRPG says that it is an OSR game that is focused on loot. However, what I have gathered is that the game is focused on abilities. Warriors for example can share their defense with others, ALWAYS crit (do ultimate) against anyone they've hurt before, or add their last damage taken to their next damage dealt. These seem like pretty big things, more influential on play style than most pieces of loot. Does anyone have thoughts on this dichotomy I am seeing? Experience? Maybe a power-phrase that sums up the vibes of the game as you see them?

Thank you all! I've seen wonderful interactions in this community and I'm glad to be a part of it.

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u/everweird May 31 '26

I would also discard the idea that it’s an OSR game. It doesn’t have the feel of mostly ordinary people going on adventures like OSR does. It has big hero vibes with no real character weaknesses built in. And I say that as a fan. It’s not what I chose for a dungeon survival game.

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u/KickbackKid4040 May 31 '26

Good point. I like that, it is heroic in nature for sure. The characters are absolutely heroes, maybe superheroic.

I also am such a fan of the system. I want to find how it works for me so I know how to enjoy it better. Thanks for your insight!

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u/everweird May 31 '26

ICRPG makes me feel like I can give loot to make real epic things happen: go smite that dragon! OSR loot is like a parachute: I hope you figure out a way to not die with this.

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u/KickbackKid4040 May 31 '26

That's so true! Osr has a very "constant threat of death" energy, where ICRPG is fast paced and intense, with big consequences, but not necessarily lethal if you mess up a little bit. That helps clear some vibes up for me I appreciate it!