TOR vs AiME, can't decide which...

[Irinyir]

Hi all

I'm currently trying to decide between getting TOR or AiME. I'm planning to run them as the GM/LM.

The only RPG GM experience I've had so far is with WHFRP 1st edition, although that was about 15 years ago and I didn't run it for long, so essentially we may as well say I'm coming at it from a new player perspective.

I'm a huge Tolkien'aholic, and from what I've read TOR offers the truest Tolkien experience. I've also however read many good things about AiME too.

The group I will be LM'ing to are the same group of friends I used to run WHFRP with, and non of them have played in a long time either. They are not seasoned D&D kill at all costs type adventurers, therefore I don't think they would be put off by learning the so called "abstract" TOR system.

I just can't decide between the two! TOR is the one that is attracting the Tolkien purist in me, although is there anything I should consider as a (practically) new LM first before deciding?

Many thanks

[mrtoad]

If you and your group are not DnD die hards, then TOR for sure. While it's a new system, it's not that hard to learn and is custom made to capture the spirit of romping around middle-earth.

[Agnot]

TOR provides the truest experience in my opinion. And since your group doesn't have any bad D&D habits to break, it seems the best choice all around. It's a fantastic system. You won't be disappointed.

[Rich H]

The only reason, in my opinion, to pick AiMe over TOR is if your group is so wrapped up in playing D&D that they won't try anything else. As this isn't the case with the OP then picking TOR is the best choice for a system designed from the ground up for roleplaying in Tolkien's Middle-earth,

[Irinyir]

Thanks for your replies

[Terisonen]

And, IMO, RPg with Level totally sucks.

[Majestic]

I'll go ahead and be the one salmon swimming upstream and post that - while I think both games are outstanding - I think AME is even better than TOR. For the three 'pillars' of each game, I think they're about the same in Audiences (TOR might be more accurate since a d20 is so swingy in variety), but I think AME is superior in combat and has a better Journeys system as well.

Both have fantastic art that evokes Middle-earth, though I think I'm fond of the AME covers better.

So FWIW, either way you go you won't be disappointed, I don't believe. Having extensively played all three games you've mentioned (1E WFRP, TOR, and AME), I think you'll have a great time exploring Tolkien's worlds with either game.

D&D takes a lot of bashing from many in the RPG community, but there's a reason it's the biggest and most popular RPG out there. It has many very positive qualities, even though it's probably also the game you're most likely to run into a problem gamer with (part of that probably inevitable from drawing the most players).

Two factors that should be kept in mind here: (1) 5E is, for myself, many of my friends, and many others, the best version of the game out there; the Advantage/Disadvantage mechanic is one of the most brilliant ones I've seen in ANY RPG, and is something that even now is being used by many other games (TOR included), and (2) AME is not just D&D re-skinned for Middle-earth. I have two campaigns running concurrently; one in 5E D&D and one in AME, and they are VASTLY different. The overall 'feel' for my AME game is almost spot-on the same way it was when I ran the same campaign with TOR. Switching over to AME only improved things. It's still very low magic, and all of the ambience, story, and flavor is exactly the same (if you're using the C7 materials) as it was for TOR. It simply has the better mechanics behind the scenes.

The only things (to me) that are better with TOR are the dice (so cool to be able to have a Gandalf or an Eye of Sauron rune come up!) and the fact that it has more product. But when you're just starting out the greater number of products doesn't really matter. There's enough AME stuff already to occupy a group for many years.

[Glorelendil]

The only reason, in my opinion, to pick AiMe over TOR is if your group is so wrapped up in playing D&D that they won't try anything else. As this isn't the case with the OP then picking TOR is the best choice for a system designed from the ground up for roleplaying in Tolkien's Middle-earth,

What Rich said.

[Ecorce]

D&D takes a lot of bashing from many in the RPG community, but there's a reason it's the biggest and most popular RPG out there. It has many very positive qualities, even though it's probably also the game you're most likely to run into a problem gamer with (part of that probably inevitable from drawing the most players).

I don't think D&D is popular because "objectively" it has more qualities or is the best.
According to me, it is popular because it is the great ancestor, that kept attention and made RPG to grow.

D&D (its system, its game-design choices, its imaginary), are pillars in people mind because of that.

Now, people are so accustomed to D&D that it is the reference for many. Something to compare with. Even video games seem to give credit to D&D style (maybe because video game designers are part of people who discovered RPG with D&D).

That's very subjective. People accustomed to a way of playing RPG, specific characters and clichés, choices to make, stories to play... and I think that's why D&D is regularly bashed. Not because it is bad so far. It is a way to question our habits and expectations about RPG. And when answering beginners about the best game to start with, there shouldn't be a unique answer, it depends on the beginner's expectations.

As old fellows, we should question what we learned, following evolutions of our passion.

D&D is a choice. But not for everyone. D&D can't answer all expectations. That's just a game like another. But a particular game in RPG history.

[onestitchloose]

As you say it’s been so long since you last rpg’d, I don’t think any similarities to what you used before will come into play. You’re gonna be pretty happy whatever one you pick cause of the world it’s in. FWIW even before you get it to the table, the TOR books alone are quality. The artwork is amazing and there’s currently lots of source books.