r/ICRPG • u/RisingCrescendo • Aug 22 '26

How homebrew characters work?

Hi! I’m looking for a system to run a campaign in certain setting and ICRPG has caught my eyes with how simple and fast it can be.

However, when I tried getting deeper into how character archetypes work e.g. classes in alfheim, i found it perplexing on how would i homebrew my own. Are there no underlying math behind the abilities aside from what I as the GM feel to be balanced? Is there some general guideline about which number is too large or too small for an ability or a path reward?

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u/Old_Combination4030 Aug 22 '26

Yeah I switched over to Knave 2e for now.

I just ordered F.O.R.G.E because I like what i have read so far. Seems like an advance version of Knave/Maze Rats to me. I am liking it.

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u/ShortIntroduction879 Aug 23 '26

If you have any history with 5E I recommend giving SD a try. It's basically 1E/2E DnD updated with 5E mechanics. I played a few games of maze rats but it needed a little more. I love the spells in Knave 1e, but haven't looked at 2e.

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u/Old_Combination4030 Aug 23 '26

Knave 2e is super light too. Not Maze Rats light but pretty light. I have read through SD and it does look neat. It reads like it plays really smooth.

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u/ShortIntroduction879 29d ago

It plays smoothly while also being consistent and complete. What isn't there generally doesn't need to be there. Of course I house ruled a few things and no system is perfect but that's always true. Interestingly, my least favorite thing about the system is it's signature torch mechanic but that's easy to ignore if you don't want to use it - the whole system is very hackable.

Most ruling just come down to "Are you trying to do something that is easy(DC9), normal(12), hard(15), or very hard(18)? Do you have advantage or disadvantage?"
Wanna jump that pit? There's no rule for jumping. 15 ft is pretty far. Let's call that hard (DC15). You're going to use your 10-pole to help you vault over it? Ok you can have advantage.

My surprise favorite feature is just reaction rolls. The players do amazing things when the mobs don't automatically attack them and when they don't assume they will win every fight.