Is There a Level-less RPG?

Breakthrough · 10-07-2007, 12:34 AM

I would really like D&D if I could get to the part where I can hit what's in arm's reach and occasionally actually succeed in a fortitude save when my human fighter has the highest save score he possibly could have at level 4. Usually by level 6 I'm so tired of only landing one blow every three rounds that I say, "screw this shit". This applies to a lot of RPGs I try, though to a lesser extent in most cases.

So I ask if anyone has seen a game where the PC has passed basic training and is competent at his chosen job at the very beginning.

Professor Smarmiarty · 10-07-2007, 12:53 AM

DND characters are proficient at what they do at 1st level. The problem is you're trying to hit a moving, dodging, armourwearing, parrying opponent which is not the easiest thing in the world to do.
There's a good article on DnD links to real life but I not know where it is.

As for what you're looking for I'm not too sure exactly what you want. A game where characters hit each other all the time seems super lethal.

Demetrius · 10-07-2007, 12:54 AM

Legend of the Five Rings maybe, I can't remember a damn thing about it except that it is lethal.

Krylo · 10-07-2007, 01:33 AM

Just learn how to twink, hardcore. Then every system is like that.

EVILNess · 10-07-2007, 03:01 AM

In reference to Krylo's remark, I was gonna say something in defense of the RPG systems...

but then he's right. To quote WoW players... Lrn2play n00b.

Nah, I'm just kidding...

Anyway... most battle oriented systems where your character is a super-powered killing machine have levels. DnD, mutants and masterminds, etc.

You are probably looking for a game where the PCs are more normal people. They tend to be more "level-less" and rely more on roleplaying skill, but they tend to be less actiony-packedy by nature.

Its really a trade-off in playstyle.

And yes. I said actiony-packedy.

gurusloth · 10-07-2007, 03:50 AM

Try GURPS.

Professor Smarmiarty · 10-07-2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gurusloth

Try GURPS.

Only if you don't value happiness in your life.

BitVyper · 10-07-2007, 03:58 PM

Try that system that was made for Amber. Fights aren't even determined on a round by round basis. It works kind of like this:

My rank in War is 1
Your rank in War is 2

We are very close in terms of ability, so any (armed) fight between us will be prolonged, but I will be the eventual victor of any fair, one-on-one fight. However, you are under no obligation to just try and straight up take me, and because we're so close, you can definitely hold your own long enough to try different things or get away. You could even try to get my weapon away from me, and turn it into a contest of strength, where you might have the advantage. Or if you're more a wizard than a fighter, you might try that. You might have artifacts to even things out too. Since we're going to be fighting for awhile, external factors could intervene as well.

It's about the only diceless system I'm particularly fond of.

Nayno · 10-07-2007, 04:32 PM

Eh, I think it's more a matter of the GM not giving you appropriate enemies for you power level. Perhaps you were meant to parley and not to fight.

I always recommend BESM, and it has no levels. Characters are completely point based (no exp) and extra points are awarded by the GM (usually after each session)*. You can increase your accuracy by spending your points on stats, attributes, or skills.

*I'm not sure if they still do it this way in BESM 3rd edition, but that's the way it was in 2nd.

gurusloth · 10-07-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrel-Hating Sycophant

Only if you don't value happiness in your life.

Explain. I have played GURPS repeatedly and was, on average, happy during that time.

10-07-2007, 12:34 AM	#1
Breakthrough Smiling Alchemist Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 24	Is There a Level-less RPG? I would really like D&D if I could get to the part where I can hit what's in arm's reach and occasionally actually succeed in a fortitude save when my human fighter has the highest save score he possibly could have at level 4. Usually by level 6 I'm so tired of only landing one blow every three rounds that I say, "screw this shit". This applies to a lot of RPGs I try, though to a lesser extent in most cases. So I ask if anyone has seen a game where the PC has passed basic training and is competent at his chosen job at the very beginning.

10-07-2007, 12:54 AM	#3
Demetrius In need of a vacation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peoples Republic of Vermont Posts: 3,236	Legend of the Five Rings maybe, I can't remember a damn thing about it except that it is lethal. __________________ DFM, Demon seed of Hell who fuels its incredible power by butchering little girls and feeding on their innocence. Demetrius, Dark clown of the netherworld, a being of incalculable debauchery and a soulless, faceless evil as old as time itself. Zilla, The chick. ~DFM Wii bishie bishie kawaii baka! ~ Fifthfiend

10-07-2007, 01:33 AM	#4
Krylo The Straightest Shota Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: It's a secret to everybody. Posts: 17,789	Just learn how to twink, hardcore. Then every system is like that. __________________ I am very tired.

10-07-2007, 03:50 AM	#6
gurusloth Master of muthafu�%in' invisibility Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,224	Try GURPS. __________________ Mashirosen: I personally will not rest until I have turned NPF into ___________I"My Little Pony Collector's E-Snuggle Social Club - No Boys Allowed"

10-07-2007, 03:58 PM	#8
BitVyper History's Strongest Dilettante Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Arcadia Posts: 6,662	Try that system that was made for Amber. Fights aren't even determined on a round by round basis. It works kind of like this: My rank in War is 1 Your rank in War is 2 We are very close in terms of ability, so any (armed) fight between us will be prolonged, but I will be the eventual victor of any fair, one-on-one fight. However, you are under no obligation to just try and straight up take me, and because we're so close, you can definitely hold your own long enough to try different things or get away. You could even try to get my weapon away from me, and turn it into a contest of strength, where you might have the advantage. Or if you're more a wizard than a fighter, you might try that. You might have artifacts to even things out too. Since we're going to be fighting for awhile, external factors could intervene as well. It's about the only diceless system I'm particularly fond of. __________________ "There are worlds out there where the sky is burning, and the sea is asleep, and the rivers dream. People made of smoke and cities made of song. Somewhere there's danger, somewhere there's injustice, somewhere else the tea's getting cold. Come on, Ace; we've got work to do!" Awesome art be here. Last edited by BitVyper; 10-07-2007 at 04:04 PM.

10-07-2007, 12:53 AM	#2
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	DND characters are proficient at what they do at 1st level. The problem is you're trying to hit a moving, dodging, armourwearing, parrying opponent which is not the easiest thing in the world to do. There's a good article on DnD links to real life but I not know where it is. As for what you're looking for I'm not too sure exactly what you want. A game where characters hit each other all the time seems super lethal.

10-07-2007, 04:32 PM	#9
Nayno The Double Negative Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 198	Eh, I think it's more a matter of the GM not giving you appropriate enemies for you power level. Perhaps you were meant to parley and not to fight. I always recommend BESM, and it has no levels. Characters are completely point based (no exp) and extra points are awarded by the GM (usually after each session). You can increase your accuracy by spending your points on stats, attributes, or skills. I'm not sure if they still do it this way in BESM 3rd edition, but that's the way it was in 2nd. __________________ My NPF Mafia Record Games played: 12 (6/4/2) Wins: 2 town, 4 cult, 0 mafia, 0 self-aligned Highlights: Totally Rigged Mafia - Mafiate, cult-aligned, sole survivor Warcraft Mafia - Serial Killer, self-aligned, died night 5