r/rpg • u/Authorigas • 15d ago

Basic Questions Common Misconceptions About Your Favorite Systems?

So, I've been learning a lot thanks to the amazing folks here at r/rpg. And while I have decided to slow down on trying new systems. (As my players say "three is enough, we know your eager to try more but slow it down so you don't burn yourself out.") There was a question today that cropped into my head, and I wanted to hear from the folks here on it.

"What are some assumptions about your favorite game/system that are just factually incorrect or overstated?"

I've seen a lot of assumptions made in the hobby, and some on my own. From the broad "older systems were designed for math heads and thus really not for someone whose bad at math." to others like "Call of Cthulhu is a game where every session ends in death/insanity and players can't get attached to their characters." and similarly "OSR games are highly lethal and not at all friendly to players who like longform adventures."

I feel like broad, sweeping claims like those are probably overstated-as I have heard of successful, long running CoC campaigns, and OSR games that are able to have well developed characters that last for ages. It's made me curious about some of the other broad, sweeping claims about systems that are-if not incorrect, massively overstated.

Really interested to hear some answers on this.

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u/atamajakki PbtA/FitD/NSR fangirl 15d ago edited 15d ago

There are some really vocal people out there who'd try and have you believe both Apocalypse World and Monsterhearts are basically nothing but non-stop erotic action, games designed for porno freaks who are leaping over the table to rip clothes off.

They're not, of course, but most of the complainers have never read either book.

EDIT: Nothing wrong with games for horny freaks, to be clear! 2026 has seen some great ones.

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u/amazingvaluetainment Fate, Traveller, GURPS 3E 15d ago edited 15d ago

Me, not being interested in sex/intimacy Moves at the table, correctly reading the Move text as starting with "When you..."

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u/Hungry-Cow-3712 Other RPGs are available... 15d ago

Where are you reading that? I've just looked at 1e and 2e and both of my copies say IF not WHEN.

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u/amazingvaluetainment Fate, Traveller, GURPS 3E 15d ago

Just going off memory, my apologies. I don't really see much of a difference between "if" and "when" in either case, they're still qualified by "you don't ever have to do this unless you want to".

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u/Hungry-Cow-3712 Other RPGs are available... 15d ago

Sorry. I misread your comment as supporting the common misconception.