New to Twilight 2013

[Metrazol_Man]

I saw the original Twilight at a flea market some years ago, and while I didn't purchase it the concept the game intrigued me. Back in September of this year I bought the core rulebook for Twilight 2013; while the Twilight 2000 I saw at the flea market had all sorts of papers and things with it, I only got the rulebook for Twilight 2013.

So question time...

1.) What do I need to actually play Twilight? I have a handful of gaming dice, as specified in the rulebook, but I've never tried playing a game like this before.

2.) Can the game be played with just two individuals? I'm a bit low on actual friends, but my usual drinking buddy is interested in giving this game a try with me.

3.) Do you do 'play by e-mail' or maybe have regular games on this forum? Its the only forum I can find related to Twilight 2013.

4.) Exactly how the hell do you create a player-character (the rulebook has me hopelessly lost)? How in depth do you need to go to create NPC's for say a situation where a PC is engaged in combat with say a group of nameless enemies?

5.) Do you write down the actions of each scene, or just jot down some basic notes of everything that transpired between the PC and the nameless enemies?

6.) I saw there are multiple PDF's from 93Game Studios regarding weapons of different types. They seem to sell for around $3.00; are they worth the purchase?

7.) I noticed there are also many supplements for Twilight 2000, are they compatible with Twilight 2013? Many of them look highly entertaining.

Sorry to deluge you all with questions, and I appreciate any forthcoming answers!

[ZombieLenin]

Originally Posted by Metrazol_Man

I saw the original Twilight at a flea market some years ago, and while I didn't purchase it the concept the game intrigued me. Back in September of this year I bought the core rulebook for Twilight 2013; while the Twilight 2000 I saw at the flea market had all sorts of papers and things with it, I only got the rulebook for Twilight 2013.

So question time...

I had something similar experience recently. I haven't yet run the game, but think I just might.

1.) What do I need to actually play Twilight? I have a handful of gaming dice, as specified in the rulebook, but I've never tried playing a game like this before.

Well this really depends. I haven't played the game myself, but the bare essentials for any RPG are:

1. Dice
2. A copy of the rules
3. Pencil and paper, or some way to keep track of the character sheets, and take notes.

Optional:
Maps
Wet erase combat grid map
Graph paper
Miniatures
Etc

2.) Can the game be played with just two individuals? I'm a bit low on actual friends, but my usual drinking buddy is interested in giving this game a try with me.

Short answer: sure

Long answer: not really recommended. Keep in mind that in a Roleplaying game one person always has to be the game master. The game master is really the referee of the game, who guides the players through the world, tells the players the results of their actions, and plays all of the games NPCs.

For this to work right, particularly for novice players, I would recommend a minimum of 3 players. One GM and two players driving PCs.

I recommend listening to some actual play podcasts to get the feel of how RPGs run. I think the best out there currently is Major Spoilers Dungeons & Dragons podcast Critical Hit. But there are TONS out there.

Listen to one before you start.

3.) Do you do 'play by e-mail' or maybe have regular games on this forum? Its the only forum I can find related to Twilight 2013.

There are many places on the internet that you can find "play by post" games on message boards. I never do this, but I'm sure you could find a game somewhere using T2013.

You might also try finding gaming groups by using meetup.com or your local game retailer.

4.) Exactly how the hell do you create a player-character (the rulebook has me hopelessly lost)? How in depth do you need to go to create NPC's for say a situation where a PC is engaged in combat with say a group of nameless enemies?

Do you have 6 hours for me to respond?

Character Creation:
I haven't played the game, so my best advice is do like the rest of us. Read it twice, then just try to do it! Best way to learn.

In-Depth:
This all depends on play style; however, the better the scene is set, the more believable it is! Remember, games should have a compelling story behind them, and this means that some of the NPCs should be pretty well developed.

5.) Do you write down the actions of each scene, or just jot down some basic notes of everything that transpired between the PC and the nameless enemies?

I take minimal notes during gameplay. However, before a game as the GM I take lots of notes about the story and NPCs and plan out plot encounters in advanced.

6.) I saw there are multiple PDF's from 93Game Studios regarding weapons of different types. They seem to sell for around $3.00; are they worth the purchase?

Probably, but you don't need them. They're really only there to flesh stuff out for more advanced play. I'd personally hold off on buying them until you think you need rules for more weapons than were included.

7.) I noticed there are also many supplements for Twilight 2000, are they compatible with Twilight 2013? Many of them look highly entertaining.

The background lore might be useful, but the game mechanics are totally different.

[kcdusk]

1.) What do I need to actually play Twilight? I have a handful of gaming dice, as specified in the rulebook, but I've never tried playing a game like this before.

Rule book, dice, pen & paper, great imagination and a sense of adventure. Dont get bogged down in official modules, i found it harder to know what to do in each module before realising they just gave a player MORE options, you didnt have to find the "right" one. Make up your own encounters (large or small).

2.) Can the game be played with just two individuals? I'm a bit low on actual friends, but my usual drinking buddy is interested in giving this game a try with me.

Yes. One as ref and one player. This could go 2 ways. The player makes a go of living in T2K and the ref makes up the game as the player lives his life. Or you could take it in turns. For one month a player plays his PC and then the next month the other player takes a turn while the first player refs.

3.) Do you do 'play by e-mail' or maybe have regular games on this forum? Its the only forum I can find related to Twilight 2013.

Theres a few play by mail type games around. I actually play some solo games. I design small unit encounters (ie cross the guarded bridge or intercept an arms convoy) and control my own 4 PCs that try and complete the task (a bit like the tv show "the unit").

4.) Exactly how the hell do you create a player-character (the rulebook has me hopelessly lost)? How in depth do you need to go to create NPC's for say a situation where a PC is engaged in combat with say a group of nameless enemies?

Ugh, the book can make it a bit hard. I just decide what my PCs will be like and write the numbers down to reflect them. PC-A is a good shot, so his shooting skill is "6", while PC-B is a great shot, so their shooting skill is a 9 or 10. PC-C is a civilian who shot some rabbits as a kid once, shooting skill 1.

5.) Do you write down the actions of each scene, or just jot down some basic notes of everything that transpired between the PC and the nameless enemies?

You can get by writing down notes. I've found writing down a series of actions has 2 advantages. It helps keep the situation straight in your own head, it makes it easier to see which NPC or PC acts next and how their actions and results impact on others. And secondly, it can be fun to read your notes in a year from now.

6.) I saw there are multiple PDF's from 93Game Studios regarding weapons of different types. They seem to sell for around $3.00; are they worth the purchase?

If you have the 93Games ruleset, they could be ... I dont think they are compatible with v1.0 or 2.2.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

ZombieLenin -- and kcdusk -- has covered it all pretty well (and welcome to the forum both of you).
I'd add that it's worth a look at DriveThruRPG and browse the Twilight:2000 material because they usually have some sort of bundle deal going on if you ever want to buy more. More importantly, they also have some "guides" to the earlier editions that'll give you a better idea of the product range and what it offers.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?cPath=23

As for can it be played with just two people, like ZombieLenin said, yeah sure but I'd suggest having an NPC that is lower rank than the Player's character. While the Player will be telling this NPC what to do, the Referee works like an overseer and makes sure the Player doesn't abuse the situation (for example, making the NPC do all the dangerous work, or give up all their gear and so on).
Always keep in mind that it's post-apocalypse and although combat is a big feature, the game is also about long term survival and the eventual rebuilding of civilization. You don't have to have your one and only Player trying to fight off hordes of badguys every adventure. Think about what would be interesting in a survivalist sense and make scenarios that give the Player a decent chance to use brains or stealth and not just firepower. That is to say, make adventures that allow the Player more than one way to complete the task.

**EDIT** And the whole reason for creating this NPC is something I forgot to mention. It gives the PC a friendly face in a hostile land, someone who can watch their back, help fight off the badguys, someone who can talk about "back home" with them and also someone to look after the PC if/when they get wounded. Keep in mind the PC "should" consider doing the same things for the NPC.
It also gives the Referee/Game Master a way to add additional information/advice/skills to the game so things won't automatically go bad if the PC doesn't happen to have the Observation skill for example or the Player just can't figure out a good plan of attack (the Referee can have the NPC 'make a suggestion' kind of thing).

If you're having trouble thinking of suitable adventures, check out the following links for some ideas: -
http://www222.pair.com/sjohn/blueroom/plots.htm
http://www.rpglibrary.org/articles/s...ng/36plots.php
http://www.gnomestew.com/tools-for-g...f-plot-design/

You said you only have one friend interested at the moment. That's all you need to start. Explore the game together, have a few test runs and when you both feel happy with the rules and the gameplay, check the net or your local game store to see if there are others in your area interested in the game and organize a social get together to discuss your interests and plans for the game.
That's pretty much how I started and some of the people I meet at that time are still in my circle of friends twenty years later.
And don't be discouraged if the first (or even the second) group you meet up with doesn't 'click' for you, different people have different ideas on how they want their games and it really can be a case of trial and error.

[Tegyrius]

I'll need a couple of days to get back to this thread (offline life is a bit nuts right now), but I've re-posted the example of character creation that was originally on the 93 Games Studio forums when they were still in operation.

http://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.php?t=4247

And here's a combat example, too:

http://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.php?t=4248

- C.

[Metrazol_Man]

Thank you for all the helpful answers! I'm going to try out character creation tonight based off this thread here. It looks much easier than the book makes it out to be.

http://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.php?t=4247

Hopefully later this week if my friend is up for it, we'll try a quick session, and I'll post the after action report if anyone would like to see it. I'm envisioning maybe having a couple of PC's doing a 'sweep' of a trailer park looking for salvage.

[Tegyrius]

I think the key to character creation is having a concept when you go into it. It doesn't need to be much, but a couple of sentences of biographical sketch really help focus your selection of phases and skills.

- C.

[Michael Lewis]

And practice makes perfect. Once you get the hang of it, it can be quite fun. I tried making Rick Grimes from Walking Dead and Captain Miller from Saving Private Ryan.

[Metrazol_Man]

Originally Posted by Michael Lewis

And practice makes perfect. Once you get the hang of it, it can be quite fun. I tried making Rick Grimes from Walking Dead and Captain Miller from Saving Private Ryan.

lol How did they turn out? I'm unusually fond of the Comedian from Watchmen, he seems like he'd be well suited to Twilight 2013 in a way.

[Michael Lewis]

Worked out fine. Captain Miller was more vague. I believe in the movie he was a high school English teacher.

I had to give Rick a job after high school so as to increase one of his stats so he could become a cop.
Things I've learned: Stats are important to qualify for professions you want. Its almost impossible to become special forces type characters. Required stats are too high.

I've always liked the randomness of when the PC's go to war from TW2000. I've modified it a bit. After every term, roll 1d10.
1=war starts
1-2= war starts
1-4= war starts
1-6= war starts
1-8= war starts

So the war automatically starts after 5 terms. Then there is one term of Twilight warfare then the game begins.

Character creation is a lot quicker if you some how limit the # of terms.

Michael

[NanbanJim]

Originally Posted by Tegyrius

I think the key to character creation is having a concept when you go into it. It doesn't need to be much, but a couple of sentences of biographical sketch really help focus your selection of phases and skills.

- C.

I found the opposite to work quite well too in all editions of T2k. Just kinda start assigning things and bounce off ideas.

I used my old dusty crusty LiveUrinal to demonstrate T2k13's chargen and some sample play. I learned 3 things:

1.) I'm really pedantic.
2.) T2k13 is laid out exactly the way you'd tell someone about it, but not necessarily in the best way to find things.
and 3.) LiveJournal works embarrassingly well for this sort of thing!

Feel free to check it out: "Exemplary (as in made-of-examples, not the-best) Campaign" Note it's a vanity "blog," so the earlier posts are at the bottom/rear (and that anything without that tag is bound to be stupid and/or whingy).

And note, each post in the chargen section where I develop the narrative was written as I was developing it. I hadn't built Bob beforehand and just PRETENDED to be building him during the posts... I really was totally just winging it. It's so doable in T2k variants, I love it!!

[pmulcahy11b]

And, in almost all cases, don't throw out things because they are "too screwy." Almost anything can be worked into an encounter or campaign.

(Just wait to see the players' faces when a bunch of guys wielding halberds jumps them in the forest...)

And don't throw out your D&D stuff or other such things. They are a treasure trove of maps, and the NPCs can be changed to something more modern. (Dungeons make great maps for underground communities, coal mines, hidden weapon factories, etc.)