Re:Ask HN: Tabletop RPGs for 7-8 Year-Olds
by WorldMaker on Thursday June 14, 2018 @01:14PM
(#17313274)
Any system can work, depending on the kids' level of interest in math, and the willingness to fiddle with things as the GM. Most RPG system math is basic addition/subtraction and really applies to most age groups.
The best system is really some combination of: A) what setting do you think they will enjoy? B) what would you most enjoy running for them? C) given the huge variety in systems, what style of gaming are you aiming for? ("Crunch heavy" versus storytelling-focused, simulationist versus abstractionist, etc)
Some other ideas to throw into the pot of interesting starter systems:
Mice & Mystics is a self-contained boardgame version of an RPG with cool miniatures and an interesting story. Compares to the Descent boardgame mentioned by someone else, but with a stranger setting. (Mice adventurers battling roaches and cats, etc.) (https://www.plaidhatgames.com/games/mice-and-mystics)
Fiasco is a great rules-light storytelling game, that can be adapted to a younger audience (most of the playsets are relatively mature, given the basis in Coen Brothers cozy fiasco movies). (http://bullypulpitgames.com/games/fiasco/)
The Basic Roleplaying System is what it says on the tin (d100/2d10 percentile roles) and you can describe the system on a cocktail napkin almost. There's a ton of content already tuned for it, especially if you have interest in Lovecraftian settings.
I've been told that the Pip System of Third Eye Games was designed with young players in mind and built to scale up with player age/attention/interest. https://thirdeyegames.net/
Savage Worlds is the most "crunchy" system I would typically recommend, and there are a number of good settings. It's goal is "Fast. Fun. Furious.", and it has a pretty good ramp from very simple system rules to some more complex ones as Settings/Scenarios warrant them: https://www.peginc.com/product-category/savage-worlds/
A current infatuation of mine from a systems design standpoint (it is closest in spirit to an unfinished design of my own I've been meaning to finish) is CAPERS. It currently only has one setting (1920s "gangster" superheroes), but a unique, easy-to-learn system (press-your-luck playing card flipping): http://www.nerdburgergames.com/capers/
The best system is really some combination of: A) what setting do you think they will enjoy? B) what would you most enjoy running for them? C) given the huge variety in systems, what style of gaming are you aiming for? ("Crunch heavy" versus storytelling-focused, simulationist versus abstractionist, etc)
Some other ideas to throw into the pot of interesting starter systems:
Mice & Mystics is a self-contained boardgame version of an RPG with cool miniatures and an interesting story. Compares to the Descent boardgame mentioned by someone else, but with a stranger setting. (Mice adventurers battling roaches and cats, etc.) (https://www.plaidhatgames.com/games/mice-and-mystics)
Do: Pilgrims of the Flying Temple can be a gentle introduction to shared storytelling (and encourage some writing skills work): https://www.evilhat.com/home/do-pilgrims-of-the-flying-templ...
Fiasco is a great rules-light storytelling game, that can be adapted to a younger audience (most of the playsets are relatively mature, given the basis in Coen Brothers cozy fiasco movies). (http://bullypulpitgames.com/games/fiasco/)
QAGS is a very simple system (single D20 for each player and a bag of candy for the GM): http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/28315/QAGS-Second-Editio...
The Basic Roleplaying System is what it says on the tin (d100/2d10 percentile roles) and you can describe the system on a cocktail napkin almost. There's a ton of content already tuned for it, especially if you have interest in Lovecraftian settings.
I've been told that the Pip System of Third Eye Games was designed with young players in mind and built to scale up with player age/attention/interest. https://thirdeyegames.net/
Savage Worlds is the most "crunchy" system I would typically recommend, and there are a number of good settings. It's goal is "Fast. Fun. Furious.", and it has a pretty good ramp from very simple system rules to some more complex ones as Settings/Scenarios warrant them: https://www.peginc.com/product-category/savage-worlds/
A current infatuation of mine from a systems design standpoint (it is closest in spirit to an unfinished design of my own I've been meaning to finish) is CAPERS. It currently only has one setting (1920s "gangster" superheroes), but a unique, easy-to-learn system (press-your-luck playing card flipping): http://www.nerdburgergames.com/capers/