Basic Fantasy A Review

I spent a couple hours today reading through Basic Fantasy. I really enjoyed it. D&D players could pick it up in a heart beat. That in a nutshell is what I like about it most -- the rules are simple! You don't have to memorize volumnes of RPG lore to get the game up in running. Ten minutes to make a a character tops. As I said in yesterday's post the game is a synthesis of Basic Dungeons and Dragons (90%) and a bit of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (5%) with some D20 thrown in the mix (5%). Here's some highlights of what I like best about the game...

Attributes

Only the classic six attributes are listed: strength, intelligence, wisdom, dexterity, constitution, and charisma. They are listed in the traditional Gygaxian order. These are determined by simply rolling 3d6 for each. Attribute bonuses are D&D Basic game throw backs.

Character Classses and Races

In Basic Fantasy there are only 4 player races and 4 classes to choose from. Mixing classes are possible but only one combination is explicitly suggested Fighter/Magic-user. The four races human, dwarf, elf, halfling go with fighter, magic-user, cleric, and thief. While some may see this as a limitation I see it as an advantage. Too many classes makes for too many rules which makes for a cumbersome game that is hard to learn and master. Here we see simple class choices like Basic Dungeons and Dragons but class race combinations like Advanced Dungeons and Dragons.

Alignment

Alignment has been all together removed. There is no mention in the manual of good or evil or anything in between. Good riddance. Alignment just complicates the game and doesn't add much to the entertainment.

Simplified Spell Lists

There are so many spells in D&D 3.5 that there is no way that any human being could memorize their effects and details. So the list has been shored up in Basic Fantasy. Just the basic spells are on the list.

Combat D20 Style

Combat in Basic Fantasy is done in D20 style. High roll wins! Which is more intuitive then subtracting from 10. Players have a base armor class of 10 and adjustments move the score higher. To hit rolls are made simply by beating the armor class score on a d20 roll. No THACO, and no charts. Each class gets a base to hit bonus determined by their level of experience.

Old School Saving Throws

No mention is made of attribute checks or DC. Instead saving throws are implemented in the traditional Gygaxian way. Hooray. Welcome back save vs. Death Ray!

Compact

The entire game is less then 200 pages. So the game is very easy to read and very approchable. I could play this game with 10 year old children no problem.

After reading through the manual, this game is awesome! So don't wait go download Basic Fantasy.