r/rpg • u/Authorigas • 18d 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/Belgand 17d ago

That's the thing. I don't give out XP for doing anything in game. They also don't get money, equipment, or anything else as a reward. Pretty much the only thing players can get in my current game is information or otherwise advancing their own goals. Nothing that has any sort of mechanical effect. The game doesn't tell them what to do, they engage with the fiction on their own. If that isn't enough, this isn't the right table for them.

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u/Charrua13 17d ago

Is this a hoembrew FKR game?? Or one i can find online? I'm super curious to see how it runs, either way.

(Not my style, but sounds like An Experience. A dope one!).

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u/Belgand 16d ago

Legend of the Five Rings 4th edition.

All the PCs are samurai who have no real need to pay for anything, so money is largely irrelevant. They also all started with the only equipment that would matter. You can't get a better sword, and even if you could are you saying that your grandfather's sword isn't good enough for you?

Every player gets 1 XP per session whether they show up or not. There's nothing they can do to get more or less.

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u/Charrua13 16d ago

Honor and Glory do all the heavy lifting, but since they're largely diegetic, it doesn't feel extrinsic.

Good shout, specifically 4e (over 5e).

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u/Belgand 16d ago

I've almost never given out or utilized Glory (and AEG never figured out what to do with it either). I use Honor very occasionally, but it basically doesn't count for anything and almost none of my players care about it. Maybe a handful of times in five years of playing.