Explaining Savage Worlds Adventure Edition in under 12 minutes | RPG Let's Explain

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[@DaveThaumavore]

Support the channel by joining my Patreon! www.patreon.com/thaumavore Sign up for my newsletter! bit.ly/ThaumavoreNewsletter

[@keithmathews4605]

Savage Worlds is my absolute FAVORITE system! Generic? Yes. But, at the same time, it is VERY customizable and easily fits sooooo many genres/settings. To me, it definitely lives up to its claim of "fast, furious & fun".

[@varenoftatooine2393]

Generic can be a good thing

[@100nodog]

I've been playing Savage worlds for a little over a decade now. I started with Savage worlds explorers edition. I'm currently playing three games a week, something I could never see myself doing in any other system.

[@6shadowflame]

Yes! I have played several other systems, and once I was introduced to Savage Worlds, it became the only system for me. I have indoctrinated many of my friends and I have been running a consistent bi-monthly virtual campaign for 3 years come next weekend with Fast, Furious, Fun had by all parties.

[@UnNuclear]

Generic is it's biggest strength. With DnD 5e, I'm pretty much locked into the fantasy realm. With Savage Worlds, I can take that ruleset and play in pretty much any setting. The system handles scifi, fantasy, modern, horror, wild west, superheroes, pirates, college, and so much more, all without homebrewing anything more than flavor.

[@Samael6685]

Stop Reading my mind Keith!

[@NefariousKoel]

Anyone who wants to see Savage Worlds in action, and how quickly it moves, should check out Trevor's first season solo run with it on his channel "Me, Myself, And Die!". Rather entertaining too!

[@simontemplar3359]

That's actually why i bought it. I'm still working on Simon's journey! It sounds so fun and easy. Trevor obviously adds a lot just by being him. Great saga!

[@VexxarAlHara]

Savage Worlds is my top favorite system of them all. Extremely fun, easy to learn and teach, without being shallow; and extremely flexible and customizable!

[@cyrilronseaux6460]

Very good break down of the system. Thank you for that video, it's very faithful to SWADE rules and spirit. A small note: at 9:36, it's actually a Wound as you said, and not an Injury as you wrote in red. Injuries are when you drop out of Wounds, or if Gritty Damage Setting rule is in place.

[@cybermerlyn2]

Great video, the one section that I wish you had spent a little more time on are the GMs Settings Rules (p136), like "Heroes Never Die" or "Dynamic Backlash" where the GM can really dial in the deadliness of the game. These setting have a huge effect on gameplay and help define what kind of story the group is telling at the table.

[@NefariousKoel]

It's great they included some of those extra options in the latest edition. Always love some unlimited, but difficult and dangerous, magic.

[@isaacb4229]

I have enjoyed Savage Worlds since long before it was called that, back when they released Deadlands as a standalone RPG, and its re-release "Deadlands: Reloaded." It's been a while since I played in it, and recently picked up SWADE in PDF from Drive-Thru RPG. I'll admit, I found what you referred to as as the "encyclopedia of optional rules" a little intimidating. That is, until I watched this video. Honestly would not have thought you could explain the system in enough detail, in a way that would be accessible, and allow someone who has the book to pick it up and run, but you did it. Really great breakdown of the most important things in the rules book that makes it seem much less rules-heavy and complex than what I was feeling. Thanks for this.

[@mavfan21]

I just purchased the Savage Pathfinder boxed set based in part on your review. It looks like a lot of fun and a good option for me, an ICRPG veteran that wants a light but easily customizable fantasy setting. Thanks for all you do!

[@dangarthemighty0980]

Savage Worlds is my favorite ttrpg system but in general I love all ttrpgs flaws and all. Thank you for your thoughts on Savage Worlds Adventurers Edition.

[@ericheckenkamp6091]

I got into Savage Worlds over a decade ago and I loved it because the rules were great, but more importantly the core rules were $10 and they didn't license settings. My Deluxe EE still plays just fine.

[@mikec64]

The core rules are still $10 if you buy them as a PDF.

[@wilonascave]

If you think SWADE is good now, just wait for the amazing Fantasy Companion (currently in alpha), such a great addition.

[@dannylampron9879]

I will buy it!

[@AndrewKolb101]

I love Savage Worlds! For a more exciting game I use 4 jokers so they come up faster. Also make sure you hand out bennies so people freely when people only get their starting three they tend to horde them.

[@ArneBab]

Thank you for your description! I was looking for a way to give a quick description of the essentials of an RPG, and you hit that great. SW isn’t my favorite system, because I felt that its rules just do not live up to its promise (fast furious fun), but it has been an essential example for me how much descriptions around the rules can shape the perception of play at the table. I played games that get similarly exciting combat done in a fraction of the time (though SW actually is much faster than Deadlands), but the repeated self-descriptions in the rulebook build an atmosphere of "this is fun, just go into the action, go for it!" - and it looks to me as if that actually primes the experience.

[@ronwisegamgee]

Savage Worlds has been one of my go-to systems as an alternative to D&D (the others being Cypher System). Prior to SWADE, the Deluxe and Explorer's editions were available on softcover for $10 a pop. I would get myself multiple copies to share them with my gaming groups. Good times.

[@saviloic]

Thanks Dave, really enjoying your reviews, greatly entertaining and glaring clarity . Would really enjoy hearing a review of yours on Torchbearer

[@DottorVinz]

Torchbearer +1! Also my favourite, Burning Wheel. It's old, but it deserves more recognition imho.

[@andrewdiaz3529]

Thanks for doing this breakdown again! Backed Holler and watched that video too but always good to have a quick reference like this ready

[@PartialDemon]

Absolutely love SWADE, easily adaptable, quick to pick up, great for one shots or campaigns, and EXPLODING DICE!!!

[@DaveThaumavore]

Exploding dice are so fun.

[@koljaleffek7290]

we switched from dnd 3.5e to swade (trying out mythras, dnd5e, paranoia in between) and love it. we played a medieval city campaign for the first year (was supposed to be a one-shot) and will start a renaissance campaign as soon as we get together again. (still have to find a good character idea)

[@enrique.lozano]

Excellent explanation, thanks!

[@curseofyig6727]

I have many favorite things I could talk about with Savage Worlds but I think their Tests mechanics is dynamite. Do whatever you can imagine or have seen in a movie, make an opposed roll and if you win the target has disadvantage or is distracted plus shaken with a raise. So pull some curtains over the enemies head, use your sword to reflect the sun in your opponent eyes. Throw that kick to put the enemy off balance in the middle of a sword fight, not for damage. Its liberating.

[@ErrorNine]

Thank you so much for this!

[@eyesonlyvideo]

Thanks, I needed this badly

[@danwilliams1920]

The only two reasons I prefer SW over other generic systems is simply the way dice are rolled. It's just way more fun with raises. But it's a double-edged sword for me, because in DnD I love replacing inspiration with "luck points," and you cant do that with bennies. In SW you really can't homebrew any +/- systems without it being pretty wonky. Btw, Deadlands Noir is the most underappreciated SW setting. Check it out.

[@BasementMinions]

I generally prefer a bit more crunch but it's cool to know that this system is out there. :)

[@lancesnider8193]

I have run Savage Worlds for years. It is fast, fun, and you never know what is going to happen.

[@DaveThaumavore]

I bet. It’s explode-y!

[@josuesepulveda6850]

Great explanation!I whant to get in to RPG that is not D&D and Savage World seem very fun and cool.

[@rafaelmoraes7412]

Great video about SW Dave! I love the system and the channel as well lol! Greetings from Brazil!!

[@mavfan21]

I want to like Savage Worlds, but it seems like there's a lot to track compared to my favorite generic system, ICRPG. I may give Savage Worlds a longer look soon.

[@VexxarAlHara]

There's really not a lot to track. Almost everything resolves around the TN 4. Pretty much all the rules you might want to remember are summarized in the Combat Cheat Sheet, each of them in a few lines. SWADE is the only system I managed to read in a few minutes, and immediately start GM'ing, thanks to how flexible and how easy it is to understand and teach.

[@kalleendo7577]

Finally Double Awesome!

[@DaveThaumavore]

A double awesome? Whoa!

[@igloboy]

Love your videos explaining all the different rpgs =) Do you have a favorit?

[@DaveThaumavore]

No favorites really. My brain tends to love whatever I'm playing or reading most recently. For example, I'm reading a supplement for WFRP(4e) and it has reminded me of how amazing of a job Cubicle7 has done with that game generally. Sea of Claws is what I'm reading right now.

[@colinmorrison5119]

I'm curious how this compares with Genesys, the generic version of FFG's Star Wars system? I have a load of the custom dice (with Star Wars rather than Genesys markings, but they work the same), and I like how easy it is to add or change dice in the pool on the fly. I also like how to hit and damage are done in the same roll. There's only two kinds of roll - a straight difficulty check, or an opposed roll. It keeps things moving along.

[@Chiungalla79]

I would say that Genesys is more rule heavy and kind of slower, which is mitigated by the fact that every dice-roll might speed-bump the narrative. My impression is that SW is easier adapted to settings. Which is kind of important if you don't want to buy settings. I would use the Star Wars systems (which are kind of the origin of Genesys) for Star Wars and SW for everything else. But I like Genesys too.

[@andytyrrell5153]

Deadlands Reloaded using Savage Worlds, great!

[@calvinjim8829]

Would love to know your thoughts about Savage Pathfinder. 😊

[@dannylampron9879]

Surely it is better than the original PathGRINDER ;)

[@ForestFWhite]

What is the difference between the adventure edition and the explorer's edition and the deluxe explorer's edition? what was the previous edition?

[@totallymojo]

Love SWADE. Played a year of Savage Pathfinder. But our group didn't really vibe with the wound system. We didn't like how you don't really feel any progress in combat when trying to hurt a foe with high toughness. Since you can roll a hit, but you don't do any damage. My players found that frustrating and I as the gm had a difficult time to describe that in a good way sometimes.

[@mikec64]

My players watch the number of Bennies the BBEG is using to stay alive, but even without Bennies this takes some experience with the system.

[@taejaskudva2543]

It's weird to me that people would discover Savage Worlds from Rifts, because I feel like anybody who is inclined to want a Rifts remake has been gaming well long enough to know Savage Worlds.

[@jackal242]

1:28 "You never get a stand alone RPG." Uhm - Isn't that the whole idea behind Pathfinder SWADE - that's it's a stand alone RPG?

[@Chiungalla79]

No. The rules are there but the setting is lacking. 😉

[@sinmaan7568]

I want to run a Planescape campaign and there is NO way i am using D&D. I hesitate between Savage Worlds and Cypher...any recommendations/suggestions?

[@dannylampron9879]

It is honestly my favorite system. Last weekend, I had to cast a game to some friends and I did not knew what to Do... I remembered that I had a copy of Mutants Chronicle but instead of the 2d20 system, I had it in Savage worlds. It saved me the time to learn the 2d20 system.... I just had to learn the background and the setting of Mutants Chronicles... Savage worlds is soooo versatile and easy for new players to learn... Hey Buddie roll me a 4 on your dices and you're good to go ;)

[@cellphone7223]

I was into this until i saw playing cards were involved. Can those be homebrewed out? I want to buy the books, I have to know if these playing cards are a necessity. I really like everything except the playing cards.

[@DaveThaumavore]

Yeah there are several major alternatives. It’s worth a Google search. You’ll find them instantly.

[@cellphone7223]

@@DaveThaumavore TY!!

[@mikec64]

But try it once with the cards. My group was skeptical and after a play we loved it. And there are several edges that give characters ways to manipulate the initiative track to their advantage -- Quick, or First strike, or Calculating, for example. There are several others.

[@himurogentoku7117]

Now that i think about it, SWADE is a great system for a zombie survival TTRPG due to possible explosive damage. What do you think, Dave, guys? Do you guys have any other recommendations for zombie survival TTRPG?

[@Elnis888]

Hi there, Himuro. About 7 years ago I GMed a post apocalyptic zombie survival fantasy campaign, and we used the GURPS rule set. These rules worked very well with the setting, and GURPS could be regarded as the "heavier brother" of Savage Worlds rules. In Savage Worlds, characters don't widdle each other's hit points down like in D&D or Pathfinder - instead, you tend to swing and miss a lot, until you land those few good hits. Now, with zombies ... they'll go down easily, sure, but just ONE exploding die from a zombie, and the PC is infected! To me, this replicates the scenes we see in zombie movies pretty well - and adds a very nice sense of danger to any encounter, even if there's just one zombie. So, yeah; to me, SWADE seems to be very well suited for zombie survival!

[@himurogentoku7117]

@@Elnis888 Thank you so muchfor your insight, Elnis, sir! I agree! The exploding damage can replicate deadly zombie bite, right? I will definitely try it using Savage Worlds next. Sounds like a great campaign, Elnis. I have been meaning to read and try GURPS honestly, i really should read my GURPS 4 Lite copy.

[@DiomedesRangue]

My least favourite system. The combat grinds to a halt very often. So many people absolutely love it, so I'd still recommend people try it out.

[@TeapotSpouts]

How does combat grind to a halt?

[@DiomedesRangue]

@@TeapotSpouts You might roll to hit a monster and succeed,you then you roll damage, and if you don't beat the toughness of the monster nothing happens. A lot of steps to do fuck all :p

[@TeapotSpouts]

@@DiomedesRangue That does not grind it to a halt at all, you move on to the next initiative. This is also a phenomenon for players/GMs who are not using the system correctly: Multi-Actions, high ROF, Tests, Taunts, etc. The system is far less banal than d20, where it is a slog fest to grind down HP.

[@DiomedesRangue]

@@TeapotSpouts Savage Worlds people are so funny. D20 games are not very good. It's not the game you should be comparing your game to. Yes, it's not as bad as 4 hour combats, but that doesn't mean it's good. Yes, that's so much time wasted on nothing.

[@TeapotSpouts]

@@DiomedesRangue what’s the better system that covers universal play?

[@kelseysvenson8544]

Serious question. Why do people in the U.S.A wear hats inside? It's not like it's going to rain.

[@DaveThaumavore]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppPNZYeblMyorrs

[@marksteelman7747]

Usually it’s because they are bald and they don’t want the light shining off their head.