RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to GURPS Community Lounge

19:48, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

The Lounge II.

Posted by Mad MickFor group 0
Mad Mick
GM, 53 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 14:19
  • msg #1

The Lounge II

The old Lounge thread filled up, so here's a brand-spanking new one to discuss anything that doesn't belong in any of the other threads, such as introductions, chit-chat, and non-GURPS-related discussions.
KnightSteve
player, 1 post
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 14:45
  • msg #2

Re: The Lounge II

Well, an intro sounds like a great way for me to get into the discussions. I just joined because I am interested in GURPS. I hope to get into some games once I learn the system, especially a 4e GURPS game, since I know 4e already. It's going to be different, yeah, but I guess it will be similar enough to not take too long to adjust to it.
MazVN
player, 16 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 08:57
  • msg #3

Re: The Lounge II

Welcome. :)
KnightSteve:
It's going to be different, yeah, but I guess it will be similar enough to not take too long to adjust to it.

Similar enough to what if I might ask?

Btw. IMO the best way to learn the rules is by playing. This is especially true for GURPS because GURPS has so many optional rules that even if you "know the rules" you won't know how the individual GM will use the rules.
If interested in learning the combat rules I suggest trying out some combat-examples. I'm sure someone here would be willing to help ;)
KnightSteve
player, 2 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 14:02
  • msg #4

Re: The Lounge II

In reply to MazVN (msg # 3):

I figure it's got to have some similarities to actual 4e, so it can't be a full learning process. Plus i know how to roll dice, and the other basics of playing a tabletop. It's being played by many people, so I also know it's not rocket science. I've seen some of the stupid people on the WotC forums who play 4e, so I'm sure that GURPS has some of them too.
Tortuga
player, 136 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 14:05
  • msg #5

Re: The Lounge II

...are you referring to DnD 4e as "actual" 4e?

GURPS really has nothing to do with any edition of DnD. Knowing one will not help you with the other.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Wed 27 June 2012.
MazVN
player, 17 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 14:13
  • msg #6

Re: The Lounge II

Tortuga:
...are you referring to DnD 4e as "actual" 4e?

I got that feel as well.
KnightSteve
player, 3 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 14:27
  • msg #7

Re: The Lounge II

In reply to MazVN (msg # 6):

Okay, so if they're nothing alike, then why do they have a GURPS 4e system? To me, that's like having two candy bars and one is chocolate but the other has no chocolate at all, but calling both chocolate. Very confusing. I may not want to try GURPS if I have to a complete learning phase from step 1. I was hoping for a few things to carry over, but the majority to have a new feel.
Tortuga
player, 137 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 14:34
  • msg #8

Re: The Lounge II

Okay, GURPS 4e is the 4th edition of the GURPS system, which came out in the mid-80s. It isn't based on Dungeons and Dragons at all. There are no classes or levels, and d6s are the only dice used.

You build characters with points rather than picking a race and class, and the setting can be anything from Fantasy (like DnD) to Sci Fi to superheros to realistic military combat simulations. Anything, really. GURPS does better with "realistic" campaigns... getting stabbed once can kill you, getting shot probably will, and unless it's a superhero game nobody can take more damage than somebody can take in the "real world".

That's an important point. GURPS is researched and designed to reflect the real-world wherever possible.

Ever play Fallout? It's kinda like that. Not in that it's post-apocalyptic (though you could run that kind of game in GURPS), but because you have attributes, skills, advantages or disadvantages.

The system is more like White Wolf's Storyteller system than like Dungeons and Dragons.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:35, Wed 27 June 2012.
steelsmiter
player, 78 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 19:23
  • msg #9

Re: The Lounge II

In reply to KnightSteve (msg # 7):

GURPS will shatter your expectations in an RPG if all you have is d20 experience. It could be for the better or worse but one can only hope for the better.
The_Wrathchild
player, 39 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 20:21
  • msg #10

Re: The Lounge II

KnightSteve:
In reply to MazVN (msg # 6):

Okay, so if they're nothing alike, then why do they have a GURPS 4e system? To me, that's like having two candy bars and one is chocolate but the other has no chocolate at all, but calling both chocolate. Very confusing. I may not want to try GURPS if I have to a complete learning phase from step 1. I was hoping for a few things to carry over, but the majority to have a new feel.


Hi Steve.

Well, sorry about the confusion, but as the others have already hinted, GURPS 4e and D&D 4e are two wholly separate roleplaying game systems/engines that are very different from each other. Both games just happen to be in their 4th edition of the give rulesets, like Shadowrun 4e is and HERO 4e used to be (that one now has a 5e and a 6e).

In other words, the suffix 4e cannot be taken to mean that a game has anything to do with D&D 4e, even if it's sometimes the case.

Being an old D&D'er myself I would entice you to look into GURPS 4e though, as it was quite a revelation for me back in the day. Of course, I was becoming dissatisfied with the then 2e D&D ruleset and was looking for something else. I found my home with GURPS.

Try looking at the abbreviated GURPS rules in the free GURPS Lite publication if you want to get a feel for how the systems are different: http://e23.sjgames.com/item.html?id=SJG31-0004
KnightSteve
player, 4 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 20:54
  • msg #11

Re: The Lounge II

In reply to Tortuga (msg # 8):

I love Fallout, so I may as well try GURPS. Our internet only allows us so much downloads per month, so when our percentage comes back down, I can download the rules. Then I'll read through them a time or two, and see what sort of game I would like to try. My first game will probably be as overwhelming as DnD was. The worst part was I picked a wizard as my first character, and they have too many cantrips and outside of combat actions to keep track of for a newbie. But thanks to the ones who have posted and given me insight for the system. I may be looking for some of you to get in a game in the future.
Tortuga
player, 138 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 21:23
  • msg #12

Re: The Lounge II

My advice is to start out with a real-world sort of game. If you're coming from DnD, I'd suggest not trying fantasy at first, because what works in DnD will get you killed in GURPS. It's a much more lethal system.

Besides, if it's the real world you can focus on learning the rules because the setting is something you're familiar with.
MazVN
player, 18 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 21:31
  • msg #13

Re: The Lounge II

Tortuga:
My advice is to start out with a real-world sort of game. If you're coming from DnD, I'd suggest not trying fantasy at first, because what works in DnD will get you killed in GURPS. It's a much more lethal system.

Besides, if it's the real world you can focus on learning the rules because the setting is something you're familiar with.

Agreed. Also if the people you usually play with are used to D&D then it's hard convincing them to try a new system just to play the same game.
A modern investigation game is something D&D really can't do well but GURPS excel at.
jason254
player, 7 posts
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 01:02
  • msg #14

Re: The Lounge II

I find playing a fighter, thief or some combination thereof is not difficult at all.  Sure you'll make mistakes in character generation, but that's how you learn.  The skills are pretty easy pickup, just use common sense when mapping an action to a skill.

KnightSteve, one thing to keep in mind is Gurps combat can be very deadly.  But of course it all depends on the gm too.  I've played in games where the combat was minimal and others where someone got a crippled limb seemingly in every fight.  Use a bucker, morningstar and a crossbow.  Take at least a 12 str and have fun with your warrior while he lasts.

I recommend staying away from magic until you've gotten a few characters under your belt.  Playing a mage is really tough.  They have great powers, even if many of them are highly specific, but are limited by how much fatigue (FP) they require.
KnightSteve
player, 5 posts
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 01:39
  • msg #15

Re: The Lounge II

In reply to jason254 (msg # 14):

A fighter sounds right up my alley. I'm not much for rogues/thieves, because I don't like to sneak. Grab a huge ass weapon and beat the hell of an enemy? Sounds good to me.

I don't really have anywhere in real life to be playtesting new systems, so most of my GURPS experience will be on here. My DnD DM is pretty busy, so we have been alternating campaigns so he has time to write his story for when he's the DM. I've been playing a pre-made campaign.
Mad Mick
GM, 54 posts
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 02:47
  • msg #16

Re: The Lounge II

GURPS Lite is a free download and will introduce you to the basics of playing.  If there's a friendly local games store in your area, they may have a hard copy of GURPS Lite for free (mine back in Alabama did, but not the one I go to here in Hong Kong).

Character creation can be a bit challenging because there are so many options (if you can imagine a character, you can build it in GURPS - whether the GM allows it is another thing entirely (=), but there are several programs and web apps available to do most of the work (some free, some not), and if you end up playing in a GURPS game, the GM may walk you through the process or have you answer some questions about what kind if character you'd like.

When I was starting out in a GURPS Traveller scifi game, I described my character, and the GM punched him up in GURPS Character Assistant in just a few minutes.

Playing is pretty easy.  Roll 3d6 and try to make or beat a target score.  There are a few other types of rolls (reaction rolls, damage rolls, quick contests where you try to beat an NPC's or another PC's 3d6 roll), but that's usually the most common type.

Fighters and thieves are probably the easiest type if you're playing in a fantasy game.  Modern games can be great fun, too.  =)
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:49, Thu 28 June 2012.
KnightSteve
player, 6 posts
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 03:13
  • msg #17

Re: The Lounge II

In reply to Mad Mick (msg # 16):

Sounds good. I may have to go to my local library and download the rules. I don't think there's even a game store that sells tabletop games, let alone DnD or GURPS. The part of Alabama I live in is kinda starved for good gaming. Alot of nerds, but most play WoW instead.
trooper6
player, 61 posts
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 04:34
  • msg #18

Re: The Lounge II

Welcome Steve!

Everyone is telling you that D&D 4e is really nothing like GURPS 4e...and that is true in the very specific sense. But on the other hand, GURPS is a roleplaying game. So there are a lot of things that are the same. I mean, you make a character and participate in stories. There are dice to roll...hit points are lost. Is it different? Sure. But it also isn't *that* different if you step back.

Okay, next thing. Everyone will tell you that GURPS is very, very deadly--watch out!! On the hand I want to say...sometimes...depends...maybe.

GURPS is a modular sort of game. A GM can turn up all the deadly switches and it can get really, really deadly. Or a GM can turn up all the cinematic switches and and it can be quite hard to die. Heck, even in a realistic sort of game, having a Health (HT) of 15 is going to keep you alive for a long time.

Also, I don't know how D&D 4e plays (I've only played 1-3.5E) but in all those other editions I've played D&D was always pretty deadly at low levels. I mean, how many 1st level characters have I lost? Many, many, many. I remember my sad AD&D 1e 1st Level Mage with 3hp and crap spells (Sleep and Light).  Yeah...I've never had that misery in GURPS.

But instead I want to bring up the things that I really love about GURPS. I love that there are really interesting combat options: I can try and cut off someone's leg, I can punch them in the face...and those choices matter. I love more than anything that the rules support rich non-combat options. I love that I can make a character who is rich and has lots of status...and have it have game rules effects. I can make someone ugly but really charming. I can make all sorts of things!

I love that I have played in GURPS games that were all combat all the time and in GURPS games where there were only 3 combats in over three years (and one of them was a staged combat to help smuggle our team out of Singapore when the triads recognized one of the PCs as an escaped former sex slave property of a triad boss from Mars with a price on her head--don't worry, we got out safely in the end and were able to cover our tracks. It wasn't easy.)

I love that in GURPS I have run games that went from Musketeers with Magic to a team of interstellar sci-fi merchants and smugglers. I love that I have played characters as varied as a single dad ex-cop detective bruiser to a 14-year old girl with psychic powers and social anxiety. I've had players play characters as varied as a woman who is a live action video game heroine to a grizzled, drug addicted former gladiator.

GURPS is awesome-sauce!
Magic Mushroomcloud
player, 7 posts
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 14:18
  • msg #19

Re: The Lounge II

trooper6:
Welcome Steve!

...

GURPS is awesome-sauce!


<kids in the hall>

Everything this man says is true.

</kids in the hall>
Mad Mick
GM, 55 posts
Fri 29 Jun 2012
at 01:45
  • msg #20

Re: The Lounge II

MM, I've found that to be true about pretty much anything trooper6 says.  =)
steelsmiter
player, 79 posts
Fri 29 Jun 2012
at 16:29
  • msg #21

Re: The Lounge II

And lets not forget about such topics as the Blurberry Muffin and the HP of Everest.
Gurpser
player, 18 posts
Sat 30 Jun 2012
at 03:59
  • msg #22

Re: The Lounge II

I'm thinking of starting up a new game, modern characters who get sucked into Cosmic Weirdness. Starting with 100/-50 points with a couple of point dumps along the way.

It would require players willing to roll with the weirdness who enjoyed "fish-out-of-water", Prisoner/Wonderland-esque confusion and no clear endgame.

Any interest?
MazVN
player, 19 posts
Tue 3 Jul 2012
at 09:43
  • msg #23

Re: The Lounge II

Does anyone know of a way to export GCA sheets so they align more neatly for posting here?

What I mean is that skills in a normal export looks like this:
Guns/TL9 (Light Machine Gun) DX/E - DX+3 15 [8]
Guns/TL9 (Pistol) DX/E - DX+1 13 [1]
Hiking HT/A - HT+1 14 [4]
Judo DX/H - DX+0 12 [4]
Jumping DX/E - DX+0 12 [1]
Knife DX/E - DX+1 13 [2]
Leadership IQ/A - IQ+3 14 [4]
Mechanic/TL9 (Automobile) IQ/A - IQ-1 10 [1]


But I would like it to looks like this:
Guns/TL9 (Light Machine Gun) DX/E  - DX+3 15 [8]
Guns/TL9 (Pistol) DX/E             - DX+1 13 [1]
Hiking HT/A                        - HT+1 14 [4]
Judo DX/H                          - DX+0 12 [4]
Jumping DX/E                       - DX+0 12 [1]
Knife DX/E                         - DX+1 13 [2]
Leadership IQ/A                    - IQ+3 14 [4]
Mechanic/TL9 (Automobile) IQ/A     - IQ-1 10 [1]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:44, Tue 03 July 2012.
KnightSteve
player, 7 posts
Tue 3 Jul 2012
at 13:03
  • msg #24

Re: The Lounge II

*nevermind, didn't see the word export. oops.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Tue 03 July 2012.
MazVN
player, 20 posts
Tue 3 Jul 2012
at 13:13
  • msg #25

Re: The Lounge II

In reply to KnightSteve (msg # 24):

Guess I'll just do it manually then :)
Sign In