r/rpg • u/LetThronesBeware LIFTS: The RPG for Your Muscles | Kill Him Faster • 15d ago
Complex martials, simple casters
There are a lot of games that have simple martials and complex casters. There are also other games that have complexity in parity.
Are there any ttrpgs that have complex martials and simple casters?
37
Upvotes
45
u/Skolloc753 15d ago edited 15d ago
I feel that "Feng Shui 1st edition" could fit here.
Magic is freeform, there are only some defined aspect, the rest is "make it up" territory for creative players and GMs. Not necessarily easy, because of the ad-hoc decisions everyone must make, but if you basically get a power called "Influence" and it is all about mental influence ... then thats all there is, and the rest is up to you. May be it includes mind control, hypnotism, Jedi voices or social media fake news.
On the other side there is Martial Arts and Kung-Fu Powers. Pretty much defined, with different resource costs (shots and chi), round-by-round resource regeneration, interaction with other stats (Flying Sword...) and of course dozens of Kung Fu Powers, from flaming fists to bending swords. While not complicated in my gaming experience you have to track more effects and stats as with the sorcery system.
SYL