Re: OOC IV Tolkeen
In reply to Mike (msg # 866):
Savage Worlds is a fairly good generic RPG system - you get a handful of stats which run from 1D4 to 1D12, some skills which run from 1D4-2 (I don't know what I'm doing) to 1D12 and to do 'stuff' you roll them and look for 4+ (max die roll and add). Heroes also roll a D6 off to one side, and if that makes a 4+, you're good. Raises add bonus results.
And that's the mechanic for almost everything, while initiative is done on a deck of cards.
Their Rifts adaption restricts actual Mega-Damage to basically 'anything that is a tank', and it's mostly one-way (MD weapons can hurt MD armour, but otherwise just do (lots of) normal damage to normal things). The magic is less extensive and gonzo (sadly) because it reskins their existing magic system, but on the whole it's good and lightweight.
One nice feature is that you level up gradually by gaining 'advances' and they generally result in a character getting broader rather than taller - which is to say you can be competent at a couple of things starting out and instead of getting hyper-competent at only those things, you usually get better in other areas.