Re: (TFT) Is TFT a role playing or board game?

[David Jackson <azog@bellsouth.net>]

On Apr 28, 2008, at 10:31 AM, Christopher Brandon wrote:
> All of that (sorry so long) to say maybe the combat centric nature of
> adventures published to support TFT may be what creates in my mind a
> sense of limits to the system as originally written.  Thoughts?
>
> Cheers!
> Chris

Well, this brings up a few points:

1)  The programmed adventures were really designed to support solo  
play - not play with a group.  Play with a group is an "added  
feature".  I personally never use programmed adventures as anything  
other than something to pass some time.

2)  I've never been one to use rely heavily on published adventures  
for my sit-down, players-across-the-table games.  I rely instead on  
my rather lengthy campaign notes for my personal bastardized version  
of Greyhawk.

3)  Most games that I run feature combat.  They also feature lots of  
character interaction, but it's combat that drives the primary  
conflict, and conflict is what drives plots (some plots are a series  
of conflicts all strung together).

4)  The system is limited.  No-one is debating that.  It's one  
revision shy of being a complete game.  But there's a solid core of  
mechanics there.

So, what are you trying to say?

Our original argument was whether or not TFT was a "true" roleplaying  
game.  You provided us with a term that you created from whole cloth  
- "tactical RPG" - which exists in video games, but not in pen-and- 
paper games.

Tactical RPGs are essentially wargames (yes, wargames can be played  
where the players can only control one unit).  TFT started off as  
wargames (Melee / Wizard), but was developed into a full blown  
roleplaying game (Advanced Wizard / Advanced Melee / In the Labyrinth ).

So, I can see where your confusion may come from.  Just because it  
doesn't have the extraneous crap that D20 games come with doesn't  
mean that it's inferior.  Most of the work is left for you as the GM.

As for Ray, he's emotionally disturbed.

David Jackson
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