Recommend: Fantasy RPG without Minis

[elbkhm]

I'm wondering if there are any good fantasy role-playing games out there that are primarily designed around play without Minis/Battlemap? Yes, I know, theoretically you can play 3.5/4th/Pathfinder without Minis, but in my opinion it's a pain and it doesn't work very well.

Are there any games out there whose design assumes you AREN'T using minis? I know most (all?) D20 variants assume minis, but are there some that don't?

Game doesn't necessarily need to be currently supported, or even still in print. I'll take a look at anything, as long as the rules are decent.

Thanks!

 

[Gilladian]

Microlite 20 has no assumption of Minis. Its my favorite d20 variant in that regard. Combat is featless, fast and simple.

 

[saskganesh]

Any edition of D&D < 3.0 works well without minis. Or any of the retroclones or simulacra.

We just use rough maps & pencils (and erasers if needed). Fights tend to be short so the environment doesn't have to be elaborate.

 

[Lalato]

HeroQuest

 

[Argyle King]

GURPS does not assume you use minis. The second book of the Basic Set talks about using them, but the system does not assume you do use them.

GURPS Lite

 

[Water Bob]

I'm wondering if there are any good fantasy role-playing games out there that are primarily designed around play without Minis/Battlemap? Yes, I know, theoretically you can play 3.5/4th/Pathfinder without Minis, but in my opinion it's a pain and it doesn't work very well.

2E AD&D is specifically designed to take the game away from the graph-paper laden kitchen table and transplant it to the living room with the GM describing the situation and all visuals taking place in the players' heads based on the GM description.

Even the change in the combat round phases is based on this kind of play. The GM describes the situation then goes around the room asking the players what their characters will do. Then, the GM narrates, using initiative order, how everything happens.

You can easily play 2E AD&D without maps and still get that D&D feel.

 

[Ringlerun]

Rolemaster
Rolemaster Classic
Rolemaster Standard System
Rolemaster Fantasy roleplaying
HARP (High Adventure Roleplaying)
MERP
Palladium Fantasy
Fantasy HERO
Powers & Perils
DragonQuest
Runequest
Pendragon
Elfquest
Thieves World
Chaosium Basic Roleplaying
Stormbringer
Harn
OpenQuest from D101 Games
FGU Lands of Adventure
Chivalry & Sorcery
Earthdawn
Tunnels & Trolls
Dangerous Journeys
Arduin
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st & 2nd Edition
Hackmaster Basic
Dungeon Crawl Roleplaying Game from Goodman Games
The Dying Earth

Hope thats enough

 

[Argyle King]

I didn't see in the OP that you had specified fantasy.

GURPS Dungeon Fantasy

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

My picks are:

AD&D (1e) or Original D&D
Chaosium's Basic Roleplaying (or Stormbringer/Hawkmoon/Runequest)
Mongoose Legend (née Runequest II)
Rolemaster
Tunnels & Trolls
Lejendary Adventure

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

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