WE have started to game test 13th Age RPG, has anyone else tried it? My friend GM'd it a bit at Gencon a couple of weeks age. We first tried it to help him prepare for the Con. We will be playing again Sunday. Just wondered what folks thought?

I have not had the chance to look over the rules but it is currently the #1 selling PDF on Drivethru Games

13th Age
I might take a look at it because I am seeking something to replace D&D in my gaming life.

If you are looking for a change look into the Dresden Files" RPG. It uses the "Fate" rule set. Still RP but more modern and an interesting rule set. Takes a bit to get use to but it still can be fun. I run a werewolf, Native American, who's day job is a social worker.
Our city is Las Vegas.

We have also done some Zietgiest which to me seemed more like D&D Streampunk. Close to 4th edition rules.

With only a quick run-through of the book, I like the streamlining of game mechanics.

A couple of notes:

1) This is a heroic fantasy game. If you like gritty, low powered games where your "heroes" are average people, the rules would need some tweeking.

2) Because skills are more loosely defined by a character's background, you would need to trust your DM (or, as DM, your players). If you don't, I could see some arguments occurring over whether or not a character's background actually applying to the situation/skill check at hand.

3) There's less opportunity to powergame. For sure, putting together certain combinations of feats and class abilities might help min/max a character, there's less opportunity for number crunching and tricking out your character. The core rules also don't have rules to cover multi-classing, so "cherry-picking" classes is out (though, the book promises a future supplement that will explain multi-classing)

4) Gaining new abilities after each session is rewarding for people who have short attention spans (like me).

5) The system definitely pushes the game to be more story/plot hook driven, using the characters' relationships with the world powers, their backgrounds, and their "unique" trait to influence and guide the story. Even the "fail forward" idea places an emphasis on how the characters' actions affect the future on their story.

6) Instead of spending a lot of time doing number crunching with skill points and such during character creation, players are definitely encouraged to invest their time in creating backgrounds for their characters.

All in all, looks like my kind of game... streamlined combat, neat class abilities, and a focus on story/roleplaying is my cup of tea. It would be interesting to try and develop some Icons for the Audalis campaign setting.

I've only played twice so far and just downloaded the PH Saturday so I'm still getting used to the play. I like RP and the combat is simpler to remember. The escalation die gives you a little bit more to your attacks each round so you actually get better the longer you fight. Of course I picked one of hardest classes and took a Gnome Bard. But what better way than to push yourself.

As for DM / Player relations we play if you can justify how your skill applies you get to add the bonus. Creative RP and character development adds to this making a good justification. I put 5 points into "Wandering" because he is a Wandering Bard. With that comes the ideas of "surviving"as you travel, gains knowledge from dealing with people and so on. It can be a hoot as you delve into your character.

We are also going to try to do "Roll20" game site to play live online. Not sure how well it work but that could make it easier for folks to play from home.

I am not at all familiar with the Dresden files books or game.

So far, I like Dragon Age as a possible replacement for D&D. I like the dark overtones of DA and the simplicity of the system. The combat is good, decisive and geared to keep players interested. I think it will translate well into another world setting, especially my Greyhawk in the crumbling remains of the empire.

However I have no group willing to play it. unfortunately, my D&D group and I parted company when I expressed an interest in playing something other than 2e D&D.

Hey Al,
I'm still in B-town, and I have a friend in Georgetown who might be willing to play too (as long as you can handle dry humor and lots of puns, my friend's a decent guy)
I wouldn't be able to do table-top more than once/month... and, truth is, except DMing with my own kids, I haven't been a player at a RPG table for probably a decade.
Anyway, let me know if your interested and maybe we can set something up.
Ayrn