I had been wanting to try it for a while and saw it at a local game store. I picked it and some fudge dice up and want to try it soon. It seems like it will provide the sort of flexibility and less specific focus on combat that I want out of D&D. It also is simple enough that I read the entirety of the rules in one day (and I’m a slow reader).
I’m curious what your experience is with this system.
It’s my go-to system both for new to role-playing players and for “I didn’t know I was game mastering anything five minutes ago, but here we are”.
It’s fast, simple and easy to learn as you go, generally the only problems I run into with Fate Accelerated are one of three kinds:
Have to deprogram D&D players from “I attack” into “Well, I want to save the prince but the ugly elf is in the way, so I guess I’ll try and shove hime away with my shield to get to him”
Too simple for long-term campaigns (solved by using Fate Core instead)
Sometimes there is a more specific game that does what you want but better (Blades in the Dark for heists, for example). Not a huge issue, though.
Particularly, Fate (be it Core, Condensed or Accelerated) works very well for my style of gming, which has two particularities:
I improvise heavily, building the world as I go.
I like weird and interesting settings. My latest campaign has a bunch of office workers stopping a Cthulhu Cult by time- traveling to prehistoric hunter-gatherer times.
As far as I’m concerned Fate is firmly in my top three RPGs that I like and recommend (the other two being Pathfinder 2e and Genesys).
Hope this helps!
What is the difference between Condensed and the others? The difference between Accelerated and Core seems to be that there are 6 “approaches” in Accelerated and 18 “skills” in Core. Rules wise I mean, obviously there are more examples in the bigger books.
The main difference between Fate Condensed and the other versions of Fate lies in their approach to character abilities and mechanics. In Fate Accelerated, you’ll find a simplified approach with six broad “approaches” that encompass a wide range of actions. On the other hand, Fate Core offers a more detailed system with 18 specific “skills” that cover a variety of actions and abilities.
In terms of rules, both Fate Accelerated and Fate Core provide a solid foundation for gameplay. The core mechanics and concepts remain consistent across all versions of Fate. However, Fate Core delves deeper into the mechanics, providing more examples and guidelines for various situations.
Fate Condensed, as the name suggests, is a condensed version of Fate Core. It takes the essential elements of Fate Core and presents them in a more concise and streamlined manner. This makes it easier to pick up and play, especially for newcomers or those seeking a quicker, more accessible experience. While some of the additional examples and details found in the larger books may not be included in Fate Condensed, the fundamental rules and mechanics remain intact.
Ultimately, the choice between Fate Condensed, Fate Accelerated, and Fate Core depends on your preferences and playstyle. If you prefer a simplified and streamlined approach, Fate Condensed or Fate Accelerated might be the way to go. If you desire a more detailed and comprehensive system, Fate Core offers a broader range of options. Regardless of which version you choose, all of them capture the essence of Fate and provide a flexible framework for collaborative storytelling.