Crimefighters 5

    So I thought I would expand a bit of why I don't like the initiative system in Crimefighters. This is not a criticism of the game. It's just no to my taste. This is from the text itself.

1. Determine encounter distance
2. State actions (as needed)
3. Determine initiative (first second only)
4. Conduct actions in order of occurence
This sequence is repeated as often as necessary.

    The thing that gets me the most is the stating of actions before rolling for initiative. I don't like this. I think things should evolve more organically. There are advantages and disadvantages to going "first" so to speak.
    Declared actions are like I draw and fire my pistol. Or I dive for cover, then drawn my pistol, and fire. The game breaks things down into seconds. But what if the "bad guy" fires first and misses. Then my character carrying a shotgun previously declared that he was diving for cover. Maybe seeing how he missed my character wants to try to one shot the "bad guy" at close range? I feel declaring is to rigid, and lack flexibility. Its definitely a holdover from wargaming. Like I've said before its a product of its time. Which is OK. I would update/change it to my tastes.
    I also don't like it being stated as counted in seconds. Actions that can be completed in seconds is different for different people. I don't think the reaction time dexterity are the same either. Let me give an example. I have a relative that I know, because I've seen him do this. He can draw and fire a 1911 twice in a second. But I'm not sure he could catch an orange if you chucked it at him suddenly.
    I think "actions" is a better fit. A little more abstract, like D&D or something. Anyways something for your minds to chew on.

Crimefighters 4

    Havent posted in a bit. Health issues with my family, I wont go into details. But, anyways Crimefighters. Its still been on my mind. Like I've said before it needs some things shored up. I've been thinking about combat.
    I think I would add rules like CoCs rules for shotguns. I think that's a pretty good set of rules. That jives with my thinking on the subject.
    But something I'm not sure about is the initiative system. Its a second by second deal. I think I would like it a little more abstract. I know that sounds strange. I like a more realistic style/system for shotguns, but a less of one for initiative.
    Just some thoughts.

Crimefighters 3

    So been thinking a lot about the Crimefighters RPG. Like I have said before, it is definitely a child of its time. But that doesn't deter myself from liking and enjoying it. But as it even states, it is missing bits. No real rules for automatic weapons, planes, or gadgets. Its also could be fleshed out more in the bits that are there. For instance it has fencing and judo skills. but no boxing. A pulp game set in the 30's has got to have a boxing skill. Besides being a relevant skills for the time. Boxing was a much bigger deal back then.
    I'm not trying to take anything away from Crimefighters. Its got a lot of content for a mere 22 pages. I'm just saying it could use the rough edges, rounded off. Its got a lot going for it.

Crimefighters

    So I was mucking about the interwebs yesterday looking at pulpy stuff. I came across something I had not thought about in a while. A game by TSR from back in the day that was published in Dragon magazine, called "Crimefighters". Written by basically a legend, David "Zeb" Cook. It's very much a product of its time. But, it's still a fun and functional game. Here's the blurb about it from wikipedia.

Crimefighters is a 1981 TSR pulp-themed tabletop role-playing game created by game designer David Cook.^[1][2][3][4] Crimefighters was originally released in issue 47 of the March 1981 edition of Dragon magazine.^[5][6]

The game featured artwork by artist Jeff Dee^[1][7] who also drew the Crimefighters game character Dark Night Dan.^[1]

Crimefighters was included in the Dragon Magazine Archive, a collection of five CD-roms comprising the first 250 issues of Dragon magazine.^[8]

Game overview[edit]

Crimefighters emulates the 1930s pulp adventures of characters such as Doc Savage, The Spirit, The Spider and The Shadow.^[1]

Character classes players can choose from are Defender, a law-abiding crimefighter, Avenger, a vigilante, or Pragmatist, one who obeys the spirit, if not the letter of the law.^[1]

Oh and heres the best part, its free. Download it here. Definitely worth checking out.