Thread: Newbie to BRP and need some advice! Please HELP!

Hello everyone, I just recently stumbled across BRP and may be interested in purchasing it. I downloaded the free quick-start pdf to give it a look over, and have read many of the posts here. (Great community btw!) My group has been looking for a new system for a good while now. We started back in 2nd Edition DnD, played most of the 3rd in all it's varies stages, also Alot of 2nd edition White Wolf stuff, Shadowrun, and of course our last system we ran into the ground for the four years Legends of the Five rings. Just to highlight the primary games we come from.

Anyway, we've kinda burnt ourselves out on a lot of settings our there. So we tried just winging it and making our own worlds, which turned out to be a refreshing step and brought back that good old feeling. Well after doing this for awhile we decided we needed a system that lends itself well to custom world building, custom characters etc etc. So after much research I ended up purchasing a bunch of Hero System 6th edition books. Very nice system, very detailed, too detailed... it was a bust. We spent days just trying to make characters. And now when they see that stack of books they make up excuses to do something else. Safe to say, while I like the concept of Hero, it was vastly too complex and crunchy for our taste.

So I began my search elsewhere. I decided to look into Savage Worlds and while it looks neat, I worry it's too simple and won't allow the customization we crave. As a result of comparing this system with that I ran across a post mentioning BRP. Now. I never played BRP. Ever. I have however played Cthulhu, and loved it too death. Still one of my favorite settings. I like the percentile system on the surface. But am hesitant to buy into another system just to be disappointed again.

So here are my questions!

1. How would you compare BRP to HERO and Savage World?

2. Does BRP lend itself well to world building and unique characters?

3. I noticed they just released a hardcover copy, honestly I prefer soft to hard cover. Is there a difference between the two? It looks as if the hardcover has more pages? 384 soft 400 hard?

4. Does Chaosium keep the books updated with each printing like that did with Cthulhu?

5. Longevity! We tend to stick with a system for more than a few years. So how is this system holding out? It looks like you have a great community here and that's a super plus!

Those are my primary concerns right now. Anything any of you can tell me would be seriously appreciated by I and my group, thank you!

Originally Posted by MadFable

So here are my questions!

1. How would you compare BRP to HERO and Savage World?

Savage worlds I can't comment on as I've not used it, compared to HERO BRP is nowhere near as complex ( imo ) you can make it complex by adding stuff into it, but at heart the mechanics are pretty simple, You can model fairly complex activities and ideas but the rules are not as complex in a fiddly lots of stuff to remember sort of a way.

2. Does BRP lend itself well to world building and unique characters?

I would say yes, but then any halfway decent system will, it's more down to the gamesmaster and players to achieve this. Check out some of the settings both official and monograph to get an idea of what it's capable of.

3. I noticed they just released a hardcover copy, honestly I prefer soft to hard cover. Is there a difference between the two? It looks as if the hardcover has more pages? 384 soft 400 hard

4. Does Chaosium keep the books updated with each printing like that did with Cthulhu?

I don't own the hardback so I'll let someone else handle this one

5. Longevity! We tend to stick with a system for more than a few years. So how is this system holding out? It looks like you have a great community here and that's a super plus!

Well, BRP in it's current form has been around for about 4 years. Product has been pretty slow from Chaosium ( but that's chaosium for you generally speaking ) 3rd party stuff has been interesting, Alephtar Games have produced some stonkingly good historical supplements eg: Rome, Merrie England, Crusaders of the Amber coast and a BRP mecha supplement is in the works. Cubicle 7 have produced a modern Cthulhu style game which uses the BRP engine.

We do have a great community here ( well, I think so ), friendly, helpful, full of ideas. Enriched a great deal by the fact that a lot of BRP authors/designers/publishers post here regularly.

Those are my primary concerns right now. Anything any of you can tell me would be seriously appreciated by I and my group, thank you!

You're welcome.

Originally Posted by MadFable

1. How would you compare BRP to HERO and Savage World?

2. Does BRP lend itself well to world building and unique characters?

3. I noticed they just released a hardcover copy, honestly I prefer soft to hard cover. Is there a difference between the two? It looks as if the hardcover has more pages? 384 soft 400 hard?

4. Does Chaosium keep the books updated with each printing like that did with Cthulhu?

5. Longevity! We tend to stick with a system for more than a few years. So how is this system holding out? It looks like you have a great community here and that's a super plus!

1) More flexible and more intuitive and easy to learn, use and modify than Hero,
more granularity and detail than Savage Worlds.

2) Yes, it does, although there is the minor problem that the many options make
it easy to fit the system to a specific setting or type of character, but the choi-
ce of the right options can be somewhat confusing for a newcomer. The only
genre where BRP is not really suited for is science fiction, because it lacks the
rules for the design of high technology equipment (starships, etc.).

3) I do not have the hardcover, so I have to pass on this one.

4) As far as I know there is currently only one version of BRP available (but there
are of course many, many closely related d100 games out there), and I am not
aware that there have been any changes between the printings.

5) Many of the forum regulars have played BRP and its predecessors (the various
versions of Runequest) for decades, so I see no longevity problem.

Originally Posted by MadFable

I never played BRP. Ever. I have however played Cthulhu, and loved it too death. Still one of my favorite settings. I like the percentile system on the surface. But am hesitant to buy into another system just to be disappointed again.

Two things to separate here - system and setting. System is the game mechanics. Setting is the storyboard where those mechanics are applied. So if you've played CoC and liked the system, then you have played BRP - the systems are 99% the same. The setting is flexible - use one that already exists for a BRP based game, or use one that works with any game - BRP will work regardless.

1. How would you compare BRP to HERO and Savage World?

I haven't used the others so I can't compare. All I can say is that I've never seen the need to go looking past a BRP related game.

2. Does BRP lend itself well to world building and unique characters?

As I said above, the setting can be anything you want, so if you want to build your own, BRP will not stand in the way of that. Unique characters - absolutely. There are no classes, so you can make anything you want. Say you're playing in a modern world setting. Who can your character be? Anyone. Child, firefighter, boxer, pilot, politician, doctor, male, female, Australian, French, South African, Mongolian... the rules handle anything, or are EASILY adapted to do so. Want to make a boxer who isn't a very good boxer but knows a lot about chemistry for some reason? Go for it. Heck, the rules could handle it if you wanted to play a cat.

3. I noticed they just released a hardcover copy, honestly I prefer soft to hard cover. Is there a difference between the two? It looks as if the hardcover has more pages? 384 soft 400 hard?

The hardcover does have some corrections to the softcover.

See here: BRP Hardcover

There are a couple errata threads here:

Typos, Errata , Corrections, and Clarifications
BRP hardcover errata
Generic - Downloads - Basic Roleplaying Central (this one has compiled errata files you can download)

4. Does Chaosium keep the books updated with each printing like that did with Cthulhu?

Whether a more recent printing of the softcover exists with the corrections integrated, I couldn't say. I'm sure Chaosium sells a lot more CoC books than BRP, so they have more motivation to tweak and correct the rulebooks for CoC.

5. Longevity! We tend to stick with a system for more than a few years. So how is this system holding out? It looks like you have a great community here and that's a super plus!

Well, it depends how you want to count. The current version of the BRP BGB (big gold book) only go back to about 2008. Previous versions of the BRP being published as any sort of separate pamphlet or book go back to a booklet that was a piece of Runequest 2E in 1979.

If you want to consider the entire history of BRP related games, then you have about 35 years of back material that can be used - adventures, settings, supplements, etc. - and it will require trivial to minimal conversion. This isn't like D&D that has changed drastically over the years. I could grab the first Runequest adventure (Balastor's Barracks) from 1978 and run if using the current BRP rules with no problem.

So how much material is that?

BRP (~5 editions)
The Laundry
Stormbringer (5 editions)
Elric
Call Of Cthulhu (6 editions, plus many in between editions)
Worlds Of Wonder
Superworld
Ringworld
Elfquest (2 editions)
Nephilim
Other Suns
Pendragon (~5 editions)
Prince Valiant
Runequest (6 editions)
Privateers And Gentlemen
Mythworld
Worlds Beyond
GORE
Open Quest
Age Of Shadow
Legend
Wraith Recon
Age Of Treason
Clockwork & Chivalry (2 editions)
Renaissance Deluxe
...and I've probably forgotten something

Plus all their supplements, related setting material, years of magazine articles, and many online resources for both the above and BRP adaptations (BRP Star Wars, say). That's a ton of stuff!

Some of those are less connected to main BRP than others, but they all have enough BRP at their cores that you could mine for source material and not have to do much work on the system conversion.

Originally Posted by MadFable

1. How would you compare BRP to HERO and Savage World?

BRP is a more grounded and down to earth while HERO and Savage Worlds are more 'high fantasy" and cinematic. Kinda like a more realtistic sports game as opposed to a acrade style sports game.

BRP isn't quite as "crunchy" as HERO, although it can be depending on which options a GM goes with. Using all the RQ3 options that are in BRP would probably make it almost, but not quite, as crunchy than the core Hero system.

2. Does BRP lend itself well to world building and unique characters?

Ummm, sort of. It doesn't so much lend itself to world building so much as it is easier to push out of the way. BRP doesn't give you much help in crafting a setting, but it doesn't lock you into as many pre-cut assumptions as most RPGs. You don't get locked into a given culture, or religion, or magic system the way a game like D&D locks you in. So you get a lot more freedom to go your own way, do what you want, or adapt the system to a given setting. If you are a fledging GM, the lack of support will be a bit of a problem-you will have decide some things for yourself. On the other hand, if you are an experienced GM, the system doesn't "fight you" as much when you do know just what you want and have to tweak things a little to get it.


It doesn't lend itself to unique characters. At least not compared to RPGs like HERO or Savage Worlds. BRP is a skill-based RPG, meaning that characters improve by raising their skill scores (and even attributes, though those are harder to improve), rather than by obtaining and spending some sort of points (XP, character points, etc.). Depending on the setting, things like what magic, mutations, superpowers that are available may also allow for more uniqueness.

What BRP lacks, is some sort of advantage/disadvantage system. Well, mostly. It's is there as an option, but is more of a trimmed down version of Hero (the ad/disad system in BRP dates back to when Hero was still Champions).

3. I noticed they just released a hardcover copy, honestly I prefer soft to hard cover. Is there a difference between the two? It looks as if the hardcover has more pages? 384 soft 400 hard?

As mentioned the hardcopy is newer and has some errata and corrections. But it looks like most of those are available separately.

4. Does Chaosium keep the books updated with each printing like that did with Cthulhu?

Based on #3 above, yes. At least so far.

5. Longevity! We tend to stick with a system for more than a few years. So how is this system holding out? It looks like you have a great community here and that's a super plus!

Well, BRP is an offshoot of an RPG called RuneQuest, which came out in 1979. While RQ had gone in an out of print over the years, changed publishers, changed authors, and even changed large chunks of the rules, not to mention having many variants and spin-offs, it is still in existence in several forms. And Chaosium is currently the longest surviving RPG company, and probably the only RPG company that is still around from the 70s, although it's not as influential or innovative as it was in it's heyday.


As for community, it's hip deep in that. Many of us here are long time fans of one (or more) of BRP's parent or sibling RPGs. Most BRP-related systems are fairly similar to each other and there is a high degree of cross compatibility. FOr instance, if you are familiar with Call of Cthulu, Erlic!, RuneQuest 1-2, RuneQuest 3, Stormbringer, Elfquest, etc. you will already be familiar with about 80% of the rules in the BRP book. What you don't know will probably be only slightly differernt, or a new addition, rather than a radical change.



As for advice: If you like CoC "to death" then you will like the game mechanics in BRP. If you want a nice detailed setting, then BRP can't help you. It doesn't really come with one, you'd have to get that in a supplement.

The BRP core rule book is more like a kit to help a GM design his own game than a full fledge RPG with a richly detailed setting. What a Gm has to do is have a setting in mind, and then choose which features and options out of BRP that fits his setting. There are some nice, richly detailed settings out there. But the core rule book, is just rules, no setting. You get a lot of options, a couple of different magic systems, rules for superpowers, mutations, weapon stats ranging from stone age rocks and clubs to futuristic laser rifles, some NPC and animal stats, but no campaign setting to speak of. If you like to build your own setting, BRP could be ideal.

Thanks for all in the input guys. You've really helped me out. For the most part BRP sounds like something I and my group would enjoy!

My only hesitance now is I've noticed there is a 6th edition RuneQuest... is there a thread somewhere comparing the two? I thought I saw one before but cannot seem to find it!

Originally Posted by MadFable

My only hesitance now is I've noticed there is a 6th edition RuneQuest... is there a thread somewhere comparing the two? I thought I saw one before but cannot seem to find it!

Not sure if there is a comparison thread, but the question is not an uncommon one. Most BRP games (including the earlier Chaosium RQ editions) are about 95% compatible, that is, the core fundamental rule mechanics are the same, with a few different game mechanic options according to the flavour of the setting. Easy enough to ignore and port your favourite mechanics to any BRP setting.

RQ6 has strayed from the path moreso than other BRP games, although it is about 70% compatible (possibly more) with core BRP, so many people here in this forum would GM both systems, with players going between the two systems with relative ease.

BRP is a generic toolkit which attempts to cover many different genres, a dream for a GM who wants one system to hang all his worlds from. However, RQ6 specifically focuses on the fantasy genre, ideal for ancient/bronze age settings, sword n sorcery pulp settings, through to gritty late medieval settings.

So I think a good rule of thumb is to go for BRP if you want a one-stop shop, whereas pick up RQ6 if you want to specifically create fantasy world settings (Also note that Chaosium will be releasing a 'Magic World' line this year, apparently a series of resources for using BRP in the Fantasy genre, so that may also be worth considering if you decide BRP).

In the end it's a hard call between the BRP BGB and RQ6 - you'll could easily find yourself with both titles in your collection at some stage, just like many of us here...

Good luck with your world building!

Hero is pretty math intensive. I'm looking at the combat chapter of Champions, which is pretty much the version tailored for superheroes, and calculating a combat value (CV) has eight steps. Now I haven't actually played with the system, but it does look a little intimidating to a mathphobe like myself.

Savage Worlds is a good fit for games that feature a lot of gunplay. There are some simple mass combat rules, and their rules for autofire are much better than BRP, though perhaps the hard-cover addresses the infamous 'firehose of death.'

Oh, and the general consensus is that BRPs mechanic for for determing the SIZ (Size) characteristic for really, really big things and creatures is broken. Again, maybe the HC edition addresses this.

Originally Posted by 1d8+DB

Oh, and the general consensus is that BRPs mechanic for for determing the SIZ (Size) characteristic for really, really big things and creatures is broken. Again, maybe the HC edition addresses this.

If it doesn't a few of use have a house rule that does address it. Just keep the doubling with each +8 SIZ (used in the 8-88 range) and it seems to work out reasonably well.

It's a bit of a hard call. I've been conferring with my group. Here's a question they often ask me that I don't know the answer too. Do both or either of RQ 6th or BRP contain templates/examples specifically to make your own race, spells, powers/abilities, etc etc? I cant seem to find the answer for that.