So I think I’m looking for an TTRPG system that would essentially run a soap opera. Rules light is a plus, really something from the old “one-page rpgs” would probably be perfect. I want to focus on the narrative part and have a simple resolution mechanic that’s favors social encounters because combat isn’t part of the game.
If you guys were about to run a soap opera game, what would you reach for?
This actually really works well, because the roll modifier is based on questions. Like if you want to manipulate a social superior, you ask “Have you caught them in a good mood”, “Does your well-being directly affect theirs?”, and another “class”-specific (actually a “playbook”, but similar) question. Each “Yes” gets a +1 to the die roll. So it’s all based on role play!
I’d probably use Pasion de las Pasiones or Hillfolk. Both games are all about drama, inter-character relationships.
If you want to add the meta of roleplaying the actors in the soap opera there’s an old system called “It Came From the Late, Late, Late Show”. It’s a small booklet, around 20 pages if I recall.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Came_From_the_Late,_Late,_Late_Show
Boss Dragons and Scrambled Eggs?
(yes, it’s a thing)
The Fraiser RPG
Boy have I got the game for you. https://rpggeek.com/rpg/3355/soap
This game is great. The way you handle secrets is so perfect for the genre, I love it so much.
I don’t know where you can get the actual game today, though
Turns out DTRPG has it for $1 https://www.drivethrurpg.com/m/product/17607
I’ll buy that for a dollar!
Thanks man
The forged in the dark system has a range of settings and it’s pretty rules light.
Maybe Fiasco?
If you don’t mind a little bit of legwork, 2400 should work pretty well. You can find it on DrivethruRPG. The rules are pretty straightforward and the setting does most of the heavy lifting for you
I’m newish to the RPG scene, mainly played 5e and recently pathfinder. Also watch Critical Role. That being said, they featured a new system recently called Candela Obscura. I’m sure it’s based on pre-existing systems, but I’m too new to know what those might be. . The system is designed for a kind of Lovecraftian Horror aesthetic, however its systems feel like they could be transplanted into a TV drama with some work.
Here’s a real quick gist:
- How practiced you are in each skill tells you how many D6’s you get to roll for skill checks
- The highest die determines the result of your skill check:
- 1-3 = fail
- 4-5 = mixed success
- 6 = full success
- multiple 6’s = critical success
- You have a number of extra dice you can expend, an there’s a mechanic to recharge those
- Throughout a campaign the player can claim they possess an item that will help them in their scenario. The don’t need to have said up front that they have it, they can just Deus Ex Machina it so long as the GM accepts the explanation for how their character has it. They can do this 3 times by default.
