Exploration of Alternative Fantasy Role-Playing Games instead of Dungeons & Dragons
Feel free to explore beyond the confines of Dungeons and Dragons with these exciting alternatives! The ever-growing role-playing game (RPG) universe has plenty to offer for fans of d20 rolling, character classes, and fantasy adventures. If you're ready to embark on a fresh journey, consider these popular choices:
Pathfinder Second Edition Remastered
Pathfinder came to life as a spin-off from Dungeons and Dragons' Third Edition, and it swiftly grew a devoted following. Known for its solid mechanical foundations and deep character customization, this game encourages players to explore creativity and build their ideal characters. The latest version, Pathfinder Second Edition Remastered, features an update that distanced itself from its roots—ditching elements like alignment to establish its own unique identity 1.
Paizo recently released an intriguing update to their "Guns and Gear" book, letting Game Masters integrate elements of steampunk with rules for firearms, classes like the gunslinger, and ways to blend magic and technology in unique ways 2. If you're hungry for a different take on the Pathfinder world, try out this compact but impactful addition to the base game.
Old-School Essentials
Long-time fans of Dungeons and Dragons stay true to their favorite editions, but companies continue to produce games inspired by these classic rules 3. Old-School Essentials is one of the highly regarded contenders in this realm. It takes a popular version of Dungeons and Dragons and improves upon it by focusing on organization, making it more suitable for tableplay. Old-School Essentials also supports a thriving third-party community, ensuring plenty of options for adventurers.
Mörk Borg
Mörk Borg is another OSR game that gained popularity after embracing outside contributions. This Swedish role-playing game simplifies mechanics, making character creation less about skills and more about flavor 4. In Mörk Borg, the world has already come to an end, and players must collaborate to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Two spin-off games, Pirate Borg and Vast Grimm, even venture into other terrains like nautical fantasy and sci-fi gameplay 5.
Shadowdark
Simple, speedy, and lethal, Shadowdark is a Fifth Edition skeleton with an old-school vibe that doesn't pull punches 6. The game is ideal for those who crave a classic dungeon crawl. By using a real-time clock system through a burning torch, players are forced to prioritize action and keep the treadmill turning.
Shadowdark offers three official expansions, each introducing new classes, spells, and areas for exploration 6. This spring, a kickstarter debuts for a new line of zines that will further expand the game's offerings. Shadowdark remains one of my personal favorites due to its straightforward yet challenging gameplay.
While these games share fundamental similarities with Dungeons and Dragons, like d20 rolling, class and level mechanics, and fantasy focus, they each bring unique features to the table. Take a step away from the norm and dive into these alternatives to broaden your RPG horizons.
[1]: Pathfinder 2nd Edition boasts tactical gameplay with deep character customization, a three-action system, and immersive world-building. It holds a steeper learning curve but offers rich strategic depth.[2]: Paizo’s recent Guns and Gear book adds steampunk elements, firearms, unique character classes (e.g., gunslinger), and magic-tech blend opportunities, allowing the game to distinguish itself from its original counterpart.[3]: Old-School Renaissance (OSR) games, such as Old-School Essentials, embrace caution, wits, and simulation over flashy magic and big combat, harkening back to the roots of classic Dungeons and Dragons.[4]: Mörk Borg highlights the importance of character flavor by doing away with skills and simplifying mechanics to make characters fragile yet compelling.[5]: Pirate Borg and Vast Grimm add immersive storylines to Mōrk Borg's steampunk and sci-fi settings, enabling players to navigate various terrains with ease.[6]: Shadowdark presents a take on Fifth Edition with a black-and-white, 70's-and-80's-inspired art style, real-time clock management using a burning torch, and lethal gameplay to keep adventurers on their toes.
- If you're a fan of Mördor Borg, you might be interested in its spin-offs, Pirate Borg and Vast Grimm, which offer new terrains like nautical fantasy and sci-fi gameplay.
- Old-School Essentials, a highly regarded choice for long-time Dungeons and Dragons fans, has a thriving third-party community, ensuring a wealth of options for adventurers.
- Those excited about multiclassing in role-playing games should consider Pathfinder Second Edition Remastered, which has distanced itself from its roots to establish its unique identity.
- If you're looking for a role-playing game with a lethal twist, Shadowdark might be the perfect choice for you, with its real-time clock management system and black-and-white art style.
- Old-School Essentials takes a popular version of Dungeons and Dragons and improves upon it by focusing on organization, making it more suitable for tableplay these days.
- For those who crave a classic dungeon crawl, Shadowdark offers three official expansions, each introducing new classes, spells, and areas for exploration.
- Tales of the Valiant, an OSR game, brings a more gritty and realistic feel to role-playing games, emphasizing the importance of caution and wits over flashy magic and big combat.
