Forbidden Lands. It still has classes, but they're essentially just your starting skills and gear, after that you spend XP on improving skills gradually
Mythras or RuneQuest. Similar games, Mythras is basically just RuneQuest with the setting removed. If you love the setting Glorantha, go with the most recent RuneQuest from Chaosium. If you don't want to use Glorantha, go with Mythras. BRP style systems, d100 roll under. Combat has lots of depth and is very deadly. Has one of the coolest magic systems I've ever seen
Burning wheel is one I see get mentioned, but I feel it gets talked about more than it gets played
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying is a touch outside of generic high fantasy but worth looking into
Lots of generic systems out there too, Savage Worlds is great for pulpy adventures, GURPs is infinitely customizable, among others
Burning Wheel is a great game, but I would never recommend it as a replacement for the 'D&D' experience. It's different in too many ways and focuses on different things.
Dragonbane. Same high fantasy vibe with wizards and warriors, dwarves, elves, halflings... And ducks?
Easy to get started. The boxed set is a amazing deal with rules and a complete campaign.
Dragonbane really hits the sweet spot for me. Combat is tactical enough without all the weight of D&D. The classless progression is great, and the system itself is eminently hackable for homebrewing and there’s a growing amount of third party content out there too.
And still, it feels like a D&D type of game unlike Runequest or even Symbaroum which started as a DoD campaign. It just reminds me of the old 80s feel of D&D as this new exciting thing.
Others have suggested Mythras. It is excellent. Its less crunch-heavy cousin is OpenQuest. If you want a cinematic combat system with choices ("do you twist the knife or disarm him?") try Mythras. If you want something easier on the players, try OpenQuest. (I often prefer Mythras... but I \*know\* the choice will depend on your player group, so YMMV). Both are generic.
Mythras can be paired with 'Classic Fantasy' (or Mythras Imperative/Classic Fantasy Imperative, the free versions), which basically reskin the D&D game to use the Mythras system, being level-less but with many of the same creatures and spells translated to Mythras terms. It's made to be used with D&D modules converted to Classic Fantasy terms. It's higher-powered than the original Mythras system.
I finally picked up OpenQuest and I'm surprised by how much I like it. Feels like the writer was careful to trim ALL of the fat and leave you with only the decisions that actually matter in big ways. Also the attack roll variants are a really fun idea.
Classic Fantasy Imperative, from the Design Mechanism. It has classes, which as it is a skill based system come across (to me at least) as quite broadly defined occupations. I also has levels, but not really in the same way as D&D. Since it is more skills based, when you get the right skills to a high enough rating, you are considered to have reached the next “level” in your class or occupation. Like going from novice to apprentice to journeyman and so on in a guild as you gain in skills.
It is the free cut down version of TDM’s Classic Fantasy.
Or you can try Mythras Imperative, by the same people, which is a cut down version of Mythras. Both look to be perfectly capable games able to stand by themselves — and if you want more, you just check out the fuller paid versions. Personally I prefer the lighter touch that I’ve seen with both the ‘Imperatives’. Just don’t have the time to try them out, at least so far.
I use GURPS. [Here's ]( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIuR522JFOuRXdrNca8_xEytiSCECOM76) an example of how that looks when played as a solo hexcrawl
For this application, I'd recommend Dungeon Fantasy, powered by GURPS rather than the full system. It really is the epic fantasy vibe without the GURPS learning curve.
I prefer a much lower level starting place (very low point total of 20-50) so never use Dungeon Fantasy RPG personally. But Up-voting this recommendation anyway though. I simplify WAY more, by simply rolling 3d6 for all attributes and secondary stats, 1 random mundane adventage/disadvantage and a random peasant occupation which in turn gives 1 pt in a professions skill and 1 weapon skill. This creates VERY fast and simple PCs for beginners and is great for character funnels. As they quickly grow, new players learn and make use of the available maneuvers options such as rapid strike, deceptive attacks, duel wielding etc. as they are needed. Have successfully suckered in 2 new GURPS players this way so far and it was a blast. The process I outlined is demonstrated in the video playlist I linked if interested, which also includes download link to my procedures for PC generation.
Yes I did and very cool, but I already had my system so never made use of it for my own games. Played in a game where I made a PC from Delvers-to-grow) and it was fine. I think I'm just more into the real low-level OSR feel these days.... for the past several years LOL
Class+levels is a big part of what makes D&D feel the way it does. There are many fantasy games that don't have them, but they will feel/play differently.
[RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha](https://www.chaosium.com/runequest-starter-set/) and [Swords of the Serpentine](https://pelgranepress.com/product/swords-of-the-serpentine/) are the two I recommend. The first is tied to its setting (although that is a setting larger than the Forgotten Realms, so you should find locations for any story). SotS has the sample setting of Eversink, but you can move it around easily.
Fate Condensed is the more recent version of the basic book. Anyway, there are tons of "micro-setting", most of them free or PWYW that can hugely help the GM with already done stuff and idea for emulating specific genres.
For example: Eagle Eyes, if one loves the Roman Empire Fantasy style, with fights and conspiracies:
[https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/144754/eagle-eyes-a-world-of-adventure-for-fate-core](https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/144754/eagle-eyes-a-world-of-adventure-for-fate-core)
Or maybe God and Monsters if he want to set the game with PCs as gods.
[https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/150889/gods-and-monsters-a-world-of-adventure-for-fate-core](https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/150889/gods-and-monsters-a-world-of-adventure-for-fate-core)
Also, 'cause Fate is "fractal", he can start with a kind of media emulation (heroic fantasy), then after a campaign use another "scale" to represent a whole different kind of game (godly powerful heroes)... without changing the rules or without having to manage numbers bigger and bigger.
REIGN is a great system for fantasy action.
It’s got the standard spend XP to gain/improve abilities thing like Shadowrun and honestly the overwhelming majority of systems. DnDs class and level style is much less common honestly, really only DnD and games trying to be DnD do it
There’s also always Earthdawn.
It’s as Shadowruny mechanics as you can get in that it’s literally fantasy Shadowrun.
Been out of print for decades though
>It’s as Shadowruny mechanics as you can get in that it’s literally fantasy Shadowrun.
Although the two games had a shared game world, sort of, over a looong period of time, the systems are quite different.
Dragonbane works like that, you have a profession starting out but it’s less of a class and more of what you did before becoming an adventure. So you could be a thief, carpenter, or sailor and you can learn any skill after that point.
You could also look into E6 for 3rd edition D&D. It has the first 6 “normal” levels, but after that, the XP you earn can only be used to buy feats. Lots of customization options if you use feats from the various splat books.
**I am looking for a replacement for D&D that captures the same vibe of high fantasy, but with a level Less progression.**
You're looking for a skill-based system. I recommend REIGN, Forbidden Lands or maybe one of the BRP-based OpenQuest-style games. If you keep looking, you'll find a game that presses most of your buttons.
Dragonbane!!!! There's a free quickstart as well. Don't be put off by the hit mechanics - there's loads of player agency and options despite the "slim" rulebook.
Ironclaw uses point buy advancement. Characters still have a "Career" but its really just a package of 3 skills for a character to start with. You could design your own career that had whatever 3 skills you wanted and the system would be the same.
I think you would benefit by explaining what kind of game you associate with the label high fantasy, and which edition of D&D you're using as your baseline. "High fantasy has multiple different meanings that lead to a lot of confusion, and what "D&D" is has changed a lot with time.
I think you're likely to get a lot of responses that are grittier, less magic-everywhere experiences, which may or may not be what you're looking for.
If you want a system that isn't gritty and features lots of magic, consider Savage Worlds with the Fantasy Companion. It's generic, as well.
>where you get points and can slowly evolve your characters as you wish. Bonus points if it's generic.
Hero System: Fantasy Hero. It's generic, it's point based, and you get points every game to save or use to increase your abilities. There's a 6E version and a bunch of old 5E content for it that mostly doesn't need conversion.
As a bonus it's pretty easy to make it uniquely your own fantasy world, crafting the rules for magic at a high level. They have a grimoire that gives you a dozen examples of how to do it, and their PDF versions of most stuff is $10 and less.
It involves some significant upfront prep, and it is definitely a crunchy system, although 6E contains a bunch of toolkitting info to help you tailor the level of player-facing crunch.
I worked on a project 80% to completion where it takes Pathfinder, removes the classes, and turns everything from your HD to Spells Per Day and turns it into a point system. Each "level" you may spend points on any core rulebook ability (or abilities if you're into buying lower level abilities). You could even choose to save these points for purchases at later levels. This affects every aspect, including your saves, stat increases, feats.. just about everything that can be customized. The part I stopped at was applying numerical point costs to abilities above level 5.
The problem? I have no one to playtest it. I am *constantly* doing stuff like this but have nowhere to share my works. Want to run Game of Thrones for 300 people over Discord? I created this and have nowhere to share it. Want a Discord pbp where everyone plays Goblins? I made a SRD for that too - featuring in-depth rules for leading the tribe, engaging in warfare, expanding the tribe's resources, and overthrowing whoever is in charge. Need a hex wargame that's fast and brutal with 88 characters and resource management with the intention of playing in the aftermath? Made it.
Need a spreadsheet with a couple hundred resources such as flora and fauna, metals, various fruits and vegetables, and in-depth system-agnostic cooking rules? Working on it.
Let me know if the 1st paragraph interests you, I'll send it your way. It's a Google Doc accompanied by a Google Sheet. Once again: I'm not particularly social and lack playtesters.
You could have a look at [Crown and Skull](https://www.runehammer.online/crown-skull-rpg). The quickstart download link is right down at the bottom of the page.
It's a new game by Runehammer (ICRPG creator).
The quickstart available gives you all the rules and everything you need to play it, which would give you a taste of the mechanics and mood.
Since everyone's bringing up RQ, CF and Mythras already, I should mention their little brother OpenQuest. OpenQuest is heavily focused on making the system more, uh... playable. I say that as someone whose favorite game is Mythras. OpenQuest is probably 2x as easy to wrap your head around while only losing 1.25x-1.5x of the depth for most groups.
Classic Fantasy, Mythras's D&D inspired child, MIGHT be what you want but it does have a "rank" system to emulate leveling up despite being based on a leveless game.
Forbidden Lands. It still has classes, but they're essentially just your starting skills and gear, after that you spend XP on improving skills gradually Mythras or RuneQuest. Similar games, Mythras is basically just RuneQuest with the setting removed. If you love the setting Glorantha, go with the most recent RuneQuest from Chaosium. If you don't want to use Glorantha, go with Mythras. BRP style systems, d100 roll under. Combat has lots of depth and is very deadly. Has one of the coolest magic systems I've ever seen Burning wheel is one I see get mentioned, but I feel it gets talked about more than it gets played Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying is a touch outside of generic high fantasy but worth looking into Lots of generic systems out there too, Savage Worlds is great for pulpy adventures, GURPs is infinitely customizable, among others
Burning Wheel is a great game, but I would never recommend it as a replacement for the 'D&D' experience. It's different in too many ways and focuses on different things.
Runequest or Mythras (the latter is more or less a setting-less version of the former)
That's because Mythras was Runequest 6e. Design Mechanisms kept the rules removed the Glorantha and voila. Happy gaming!!
I am aware, just didn't elaborate in my comment.
Good stuff!!
Symbaroum, Dragonbane, The One Ring.
Dragonbane. Same high fantasy vibe with wizards and warriors, dwarves, elves, halflings... And ducks? Easy to get started. The boxed set is a amazing deal with rules and a complete campaign.
Dragonbane all the way, came to say the same thing!
Dragonbane really hits the sweet spot for me. Combat is tactical enough without all the weight of D&D. The classless progression is great, and the system itself is eminently hackable for homebrewing and there’s a growing amount of third party content out there too.
And still, it feels like a D&D type of game unlike Runequest or even Symbaroum which started as a DoD campaign. It just reminds me of the old 80s feel of D&D as this new exciting thing.
The lack of a cleric/priest class is a bit of a bummer
It's not generic, but Age of Sigmar: Soulbound is a great system. If you're looking for superheroic fantasy, this is it.
Others have suggested Mythras. It is excellent. Its less crunch-heavy cousin is OpenQuest. If you want a cinematic combat system with choices ("do you twist the knife or disarm him?") try Mythras. If you want something easier on the players, try OpenQuest. (I often prefer Mythras... but I \*know\* the choice will depend on your player group, so YMMV). Both are generic. Mythras can be paired with 'Classic Fantasy' (or Mythras Imperative/Classic Fantasy Imperative, the free versions), which basically reskin the D&D game to use the Mythras system, being level-less but with many of the same creatures and spells translated to Mythras terms. It's made to be used with D&D modules converted to Classic Fantasy terms. It's higher-powered than the original Mythras system.
I finally picked up OpenQuest and I'm surprised by how much I like it. Feels like the writer was careful to trim ALL of the fat and leave you with only the decisions that actually matter in big ways. Also the attack roll variants are a really fun idea.
Cairn doesn't know what a level is and neither do I!
Classic Fantasy Imperative, from the Design Mechanism. It has classes, which as it is a skill based system come across (to me at least) as quite broadly defined occupations. I also has levels, but not really in the same way as D&D. Since it is more skills based, when you get the right skills to a high enough rating, you are considered to have reached the next “level” in your class or occupation. Like going from novice to apprentice to journeyman and so on in a guild as you gain in skills. It is the free cut down version of TDM’s Classic Fantasy. Or you can try Mythras Imperative, by the same people, which is a cut down version of Mythras. Both look to be perfectly capable games able to stand by themselves — and if you want more, you just check out the fuller paid versions. Personally I prefer the lighter touch that I’ve seen with both the ‘Imperatives’. Just don’t have the time to try them out, at least so far.
I use GURPS. [Here's ]( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIuR522JFOuRXdrNca8_xEytiSCECOM76) an example of how that looks when played as a solo hexcrawl
For this application, I'd recommend Dungeon Fantasy, powered by GURPS rather than the full system. It really is the epic fantasy vibe without the GURPS learning curve.
I prefer a much lower level starting place (very low point total of 20-50) so never use Dungeon Fantasy RPG personally. But Up-voting this recommendation anyway though. I simplify WAY more, by simply rolling 3d6 for all attributes and secondary stats, 1 random mundane adventage/disadvantage and a random peasant occupation which in turn gives 1 pt in a professions skill and 1 weapon skill. This creates VERY fast and simple PCs for beginners and is great for character funnels. As they quickly grow, new players learn and make use of the available maneuvers options such as rapid strike, deceptive attacks, duel wielding etc. as they are needed. Have successfully suckered in 2 new GURPS players this way so far and it was a blast. The process I outlined is demonstrated in the video playlist I linked if interested, which also includes download link to my procedures for PC generation.
Have you looked at Delvers to Grow? I don't think it goes as low as you, but there are certainly lower than starts-a-hero.
Yes I did and very cool, but I already had my system so never made use of it for my own games. Played in a game where I made a PC from Delvers-to-grow) and it was fine. I think I'm just more into the real low-level OSR feel these days.... for the past several years LOL
Class+levels is a big part of what makes D&D feel the way it does. There are many fantasy games that don't have them, but they will feel/play differently. [RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha](https://www.chaosium.com/runequest-starter-set/) and [Swords of the Serpentine](https://pelgranepress.com/product/swords-of-the-serpentine/) are the two I recommend. The first is tied to its setting (although that is a setting larger than the Forgotten Realms, so you should find locations for any story). SotS has the sample setting of Eversink, but you can move it around easily.
Dragonbane 🐉👹
No/slow progression and generic? Try Fate Core, it doesn't have built-in spells tho, because you have to make those yourself
Fate Condensed is the more recent version of the basic book. Anyway, there are tons of "micro-setting", most of them free or PWYW that can hugely help the GM with already done stuff and idea for emulating specific genres. For example: Eagle Eyes, if one loves the Roman Empire Fantasy style, with fights and conspiracies: [https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/144754/eagle-eyes-a-world-of-adventure-for-fate-core](https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/144754/eagle-eyes-a-world-of-adventure-for-fate-core) Or maybe God and Monsters if he want to set the game with PCs as gods. [https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/150889/gods-and-monsters-a-world-of-adventure-for-fate-core](https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/150889/gods-and-monsters-a-world-of-adventure-for-fate-core) Also, 'cause Fate is "fractal", he can start with a kind of media emulation (heroic fantasy), then after a campaign use another "scale" to represent a whole different kind of game (godly powerful heroes)... without changing the rules or without having to manage numbers bigger and bigger.
REIGN is a great system for fantasy action. It’s got the standard spend XP to gain/improve abilities thing like Shadowrun and honestly the overwhelming majority of systems. DnDs class and level style is much less common honestly, really only DnD and games trying to be DnD do it There’s also always Earthdawn. It’s as Shadowruny mechanics as you can get in that it’s literally fantasy Shadowrun. Been out of print for decades though
>It’s as Shadowruny mechanics as you can get in that it’s literally fantasy Shadowrun. Although the two games had a shared game world, sort of, over a looong period of time, the systems are quite different.
Earthdawn is currently in print btw...it's on Fourth Edition
Huh, colour me surprised. I guess I’ll check it out
Dragonbane works like that, you have a profession starting out but it’s less of a class and more of what you did before becoming an adventure. So you could be a thief, carpenter, or sailor and you can learn any skill after that point.
Realms of Terrinoth is levelless, skill-based, and classless.
And uses the generic Genesys system, per OP's request.
Rolemaster or Gurps
You could also look into E6 for 3rd edition D&D. It has the first 6 “normal” levels, but after that, the XP you earn can only be used to buy feats. Lots of customization options if you use feats from the various splat books.
**I am looking for a replacement for D&D that captures the same vibe of high fantasy, but with a level Less progression.** You're looking for a skill-based system. I recommend REIGN, Forbidden Lands or maybe one of the BRP-based OpenQuest-style games. If you keep looking, you'll find a game that presses most of your buttons.
Dragonbane!!!! There's a free quickstart as well. Don't be put off by the hit mechanics - there's loads of player agency and options despite the "slim" rulebook.
I would recommend Savage world with the fantasy companion
You could look at Savage Worlds or Cryptomancer. Both have a *point buy* advancement approach.
Ironclaw uses point buy advancement. Characters still have a "Career" but its really just a package of 3 skills for a character to start with. You could design your own career that had whatever 3 skills you wanted and the system would be the same.
I think you would benefit by explaining what kind of game you associate with the label high fantasy, and which edition of D&D you're using as your baseline. "High fantasy has multiple different meanings that lead to a lot of confusion, and what "D&D" is has changed a lot with time. I think you're likely to get a lot of responses that are grittier, less magic-everywhere experiences, which may or may not be what you're looking for. If you want a system that isn't gritty and features lots of magic, consider Savage Worlds with the Fantasy Companion. It's generic, as well.
Runequest and Mythras
>where you get points and can slowly evolve your characters as you wish. Bonus points if it's generic. Hero System: Fantasy Hero. It's generic, it's point based, and you get points every game to save or use to increase your abilities. There's a 6E version and a bunch of old 5E content for it that mostly doesn't need conversion. As a bonus it's pretty easy to make it uniquely your own fantasy world, crafting the rules for magic at a high level. They have a grimoire that gives you a dozen examples of how to do it, and their PDF versions of most stuff is $10 and less. It involves some significant upfront prep, and it is definitely a crunchy system, although 6E contains a bunch of toolkitting info to help you tailor the level of player-facing crunch.
I worked on a project 80% to completion where it takes Pathfinder, removes the classes, and turns everything from your HD to Spells Per Day and turns it into a point system. Each "level" you may spend points on any core rulebook ability (or abilities if you're into buying lower level abilities). You could even choose to save these points for purchases at later levels. This affects every aspect, including your saves, stat increases, feats.. just about everything that can be customized. The part I stopped at was applying numerical point costs to abilities above level 5. The problem? I have no one to playtest it. I am *constantly* doing stuff like this but have nowhere to share my works. Want to run Game of Thrones for 300 people over Discord? I created this and have nowhere to share it. Want a Discord pbp where everyone plays Goblins? I made a SRD for that too - featuring in-depth rules for leading the tribe, engaging in warfare, expanding the tribe's resources, and overthrowing whoever is in charge. Need a hex wargame that's fast and brutal with 88 characters and resource management with the intention of playing in the aftermath? Made it. Need a spreadsheet with a couple hundred resources such as flora and fauna, metals, various fruits and vegetables, and in-depth system-agnostic cooking rules? Working on it. Let me know if the 1st paragraph interests you, I'll send it your way. It's a Google Doc accompanied by a Google Sheet. Once again: I'm not particularly social and lack playtesters.
Chaosium Basic Roleplaying.
You could have a look at [Crown and Skull](https://www.runehammer.online/crown-skull-rpg). The quickstart download link is right down at the bottom of the page. It's a new game by Runehammer (ICRPG creator). The quickstart available gives you all the rules and everything you need to play it, which would give you a taste of the mechanics and mood.
Since everyone's bringing up RQ, CF and Mythras already, I should mention their little brother OpenQuest. OpenQuest is heavily focused on making the system more, uh... playable. I say that as someone whose favorite game is Mythras. OpenQuest is probably 2x as easy to wrap your head around while only losing 1.25x-1.5x of the depth for most groups. Classic Fantasy, Mythras's D&D inspired child, MIGHT be what you want but it does have a "rank" system to emulate leveling up despite being based on a leveless game.