Fighting Fantasy for your freeform game
Fighting Fantasy (the minimal gamebook rules) could be enough of a framework for rule-light, freeform gaming, with a little judgement and tweaking.Core RulesChoose your character type, such as WARRIOR, SORCERER, or ROGUE.Your initial SKILL is 7.Your initial STAMINA is 1d6+6Your initial LUCK is 1d6+6Choose three Special Skills to complete your character, and note any equipment your GM allocates (usually a weapon, a backpack, some coin and rations, and optional potions).Now, since most of the FF rules are easy to remember, you can start playing.Test for Skill when character abilities and Special Skills are on the line.Test for Luck when chance and happenstance are the deciding factor.Roll probability (x in 6) when the chance of success depends on a variety of factors, including the external circumstances and the soundness of the player's plan.In combat, the highest roll plus SKILL hits, and the standard wound is 2 STAMINA. Bigger creatures can ATTACK more than one target per round, but never roll more than once.Apply modifiers freely as the conditions and tactics on the battlefield change.Playing FF as a Freeform GameFrom then on, the GM is free to work like the author of an adventure gamebook to develop and extend the rules according to the direction the game takes.ExperienceAt certain key points in the campaign, characters advance 1 SKILL and 2 STAMINA. Advances in LUCK are rare and memorable.At first, SKILL 7 characters will be able to defeat only weaker creatures (goblins, orcs, rat men, wolves); choose their foes carefully, and encourage "inventive" tactics. Common Trolls have SKILL 8. In this world, many stronger creatures become deadly terrors, dreadful, lurking threats to be avoided or outwitted, at least until the adventurers gain a few SKILL points.Humans have a maximum of 12/24 in SKILL, LUCK, and STAMINA. Dragons are always terrifying.CombatSTAMINA damage is weariness as well as wounds and shock. Player characters are truly injured at zero STAMINA.Most weapons begin at 2 damage, but over time the characters may discover finer weapons, or come across armour with a x in 6 chance of stopping a point or two of damage.Arrows (test of Skill to hit) become an important strategy to wear down a foe before closing for battle.MagicAdd a MAGIC score (or another custom score, like RESOLVE, if your campaign requires it). Design a list of spells, set the cost in MAGIC, and continue. Perhaps learning spells leaves little time for sword-play (-2 SKILL in battle).
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Fighting Fantasy (the minimal gamebook rules) could be enough of a framework for rule-light, freeform gaming, with a little judgement and tweaking.
At first, SKILL 7 characters will be able to defeat only weaker creatures (goblins, orcs, rat men, wolves); choose their foes carefully, and encourage "inventive" tactics. Common Trolls have SKILL 8. In this world, many stronger creatures become deadly terrors, dreadful, lurking threats to be avoided or outwitted, at least until the adventurers gain a few SKILL points.
Humans have a maximum of 12/24 in SKILL, LUCK, and STAMINA. Dragons are always terrifying.
Most weapons begin at 2 damage, but over time the characters may discover finer weapons, or come across armour with a x in 6 chance of stopping a point or two of damage.
Arrows (test of Skill to hit) become an important strategy to wear down a foe before closing for battle.
Core Rules
Choose your character type, such as WARRIOR, SORCERER, or ROGUE.
Your initial SKILL is 7.
Your initial STAMINA is 1d6+6
Your initial LUCK is 1d6+6
Choose three Special Skills to complete your character, and note any equipment your GM allocates (usually a weapon, a backpack, some coin and rations, and optional potions).
Now, since most of the FF rules are easy to remember, you can start playing.
Test for Skill when character abilities and Special Skills are on the line.
Test for Luck when chance and happenstance are the deciding factor.
Roll probability (x in 6) when the chance of success depends on a variety of factors, including the external circumstances and the soundness of the player's plan.
In combat, the highest roll plus SKILL hits, and the standard wound is 2 STAMINA. Bigger creatures can ATTACK more than one target per round, but never roll more than once.
Apply modifiers freely as the conditions and tactics on the battlefield change.
Your initial SKILL is 7.
Your initial STAMINA is 1d6+6
Your initial LUCK is 1d6+6
Choose three Special Skills to complete your character, and note any equipment your GM allocates (usually a weapon, a backpack, some coin and rations, and optional potions).
Now, since most of the FF rules are easy to remember, you can start playing.
Test for Skill when character abilities and Special Skills are on the line.
Test for Luck when chance and happenstance are the deciding factor.
Roll probability (x in 6) when the chance of success depends on a variety of factors, including the external circumstances and the soundness of the player's plan.
In combat, the highest roll plus SKILL hits, and the standard wound is 2 STAMINA. Bigger creatures can ATTACK more than one target per round, but never roll more than once.
Apply modifiers freely as the conditions and tactics on the battlefield change.
Playing FF as a Freeform Game
From then on, the GM is free to work like the author of an adventure gamebook to develop and extend the rules according to the direction the game takes.
Experience
At certain key points in the campaign, characters advance 1 SKILL and 2 STAMINA. Advances in LUCK are rare and memorable.At first, SKILL 7 characters will be able to defeat only weaker creatures (goblins, orcs, rat men, wolves); choose their foes carefully, and encourage "inventive" tactics. Common Trolls have SKILL 8. In this world, many stronger creatures become deadly terrors, dreadful, lurking threats to be avoided or outwitted, at least until the adventurers gain a few SKILL points.
Humans have a maximum of 12/24 in SKILL, LUCK, and STAMINA. Dragons are always terrifying.
Combat
STAMINA damage is weariness as well as wounds and shock. Player characters are truly injured at zero STAMINA.Most weapons begin at 2 damage, but over time the characters may discover finer weapons, or come across armour with a x in 6 chance of stopping a point or two of damage.
Arrows (test of Skill to hit) become an important strategy to wear down a foe before closing for battle.
