Seven Major Differences: BREAK!! RPG vs. Dungeons & Dragons

2025 is shaping up to be an outstanding year for tabletop roleplaying games, with Dungeons & Dragons still reigning supreme due to its ongoing content releases. However, a host of challengers are emerging, one of the most intriguing being BREAK!! RPG. This tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) garnered significant attention during its Kickstarter campaign and is now open for business to non-backers. A forthcoming Kickstarter for a tutorial module promises even greater appeal for BREAK!! RPG. Veterans of Dungeons & Dragons, however, may be curious about what sets BREAK!! RPG apart and why they should consider switching to this new TTRPG.

Standout feature: The game BREAK!! RPG distinguishes itself from traditional role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, drawing inspiration from classic anime and video games. Here are seven key differences between the two:

1. Art style: BREAK!! RPG‘s unique, vibrant art style is reminiscent of old-school anime aesthetics, setting it apart from the more conventional look of D&D.

2. Gameplay mechanics: The rules and systems in BREAK!! RPG undergo numerous changes compared to those in Dungeons & Dragons.

3. Character creation: In BREAK!! RPG, players create characters using a different set of rules and options than those found in D&D.

4. Combat system: The combat system in BREAK!! RPG varies significantly from that of Dungeons & Dragons, with unique features designed to enhance the overall gaming experience.

5. Setting and themes: While both games offer a variety of settings and themes, BREAK!! RPG often leans more towards action-packed scenarios, while D&D encompasses a broader range of genres.

6. Game balance: The balance between character classes, abilities, and overall gameplay experience may differ between BREAK!! RPG and Dungeons & Dragons.

7. Community support and resources: The resources available for both games, such as official guides, fan-created content, and online communities, may also vary in terms of quality, quantity, and accessibility.

Streamlined Combat

In the game BREAK!! RPG, combat differs significantly from traditional Dungeons & Dragons games, especially for those who’ve played the 5th edition of D&D. Combat in D&D is often lengthy and repetitive, but not in BREAK!! RPG. This game introduces innovative concepts to expedite combat while also increasing its tension. One of the main modifications is the turn order system. Instead of players and enemies taking turns back and forth, all members on a side who engage in a fight act simultaneously, based on the one who started the battle. This can be particularly advantageous in ambush situations, as the initial team gets an extra turn, potentially tipping the balance of the fight decisively.

In the engaging combat system of “BREAK!! RPG“, players enjoy greater control over their actions. During their turn, players arrange an order among themselves. Subsequently, each player executes their move, choosing to attack, reposition, employ a tactical action, or aid another player. As players act before the enemy team does, devising a strategy is advantageous and significantly boosts the chances of success. However, it’s essential for players to realize when a battle cannot be won. Unlike “D&D“, all players can exit simultaneously on the same turn instead of waiting for each player to have an opportunity to retreat.

In contrast to D&D’s structured and rigid battlefields, BREAK!! RPG offers a more flexible approach. For each attack, players have an assigned attack range, and the battlefield is generally divided into distinct areas. Melee attacks can only reach one adjacent area, but long-range attacks may encompass two or more areas. Similarly, all players possess a speed statistic that signifies how many areas they can traverse within the battlefield during their turn. Managing player speed and attack ranges is vital for controlling the battlefield, particularly when considering potential hazards within it.

The degree of harm directly impacts three aspects: a character’s health (Hearts), their offensive capabilities, and their defensive abilities. The defense level decides whether an attack connects or not; players must roll a number higher than this on a 20-sided die (d20) along with their modifiers, or else they need to roll a natural 20. A successful attack subtracts one Heart from the opponent. Once enemies reach zero Hearts, players decide if they are defeated or incapacitated. Conversely, if a player’s health drops to zero Hearts, they must consult an injury table to find out their fate. Players can keep fighting even when they have no remaining Hearts, but any additional damage will result in further injuries.

– Health (Hearts), attack power, and defense are interconnected factors affecting a character.
– Defense determines whether attacks hit or miss based on the roll of a 20-sided die and modifiers. A natural 20 also counts as a hit.
– Successful attacks decrease an opponent’s Hearts by one.
– Enemies are defeated or incapacitated when their Hearts reach zero.
– If a player’s Hearts drop to zero, they must refer to the injury table for their outcome.
– Players can continue fighting even if they have no remaining Hearts, but any further damage causes additional injuries.

In conclusion, the role-playing game BREAK!! RPG features distinct regulations for battling colossal adversaries. The Colossal Combat system significantly alters the dynamics of fighting, introducing Strike Points on colossi and allowing characters to scale and traverse these enormous enemies. Battles with colossi in BREAK!! RPG are among the most arduous and perilous, but the innovative combat mechanics add a rich dimension to the game’s world and mechanisms.

D20 Only

One noticeable distinction is the type of dice used. In RPG, they solely rely on the 20-sided die (d20), which is universally appreciated as the best one. Conversely, D&D employs a variety of dice from d4 to d20. Although some players may enjoy amassing these colorful, noisy dice, it can lead to perplexity and confusion for beginners regarding which die to use. By using only the d20, RPG simplifies the system without compromising its depth in essential areas.

In this updated version of the game, the functioning remains unchanged, but we’ve reduced the use of dice. Players now roll a 20-sided die (d20) and apply any necessary adjustments. The result is then compared to an opposing figure’s attribute or defense. If the player’s roll equals or surpasses this value, they are victorious. In combat, however, players need to roll above the target’s defense. A perfect roll of 20 guarantees success in certain instances too. Each action has a predefined Difficulty Check (DC) or challenge level, which is either determined by the rules or left up to the game master.

Narrative Focus

The BREAK!! RPG truly excels in its compelling storytelling. The designers have meticulously crafted the core rulebook, offering an abundance of information about the world while encouraging creativity from both players and game masters. Each section dedicated to worldbuilding, character creation, and more provides pre-set options for use, but also offers suggestions on how to develop unique, custom content. What sets BREAK!! RPG apart is its emphasis on narrative role-playing compared to tactical combat, a feature that many game masters are bound to appreciate.

In a nutshell, “RPG Break” doesn’t solely rely on storytelling as its core element, but instead uses it to propel the action forward. This role-playing game encourages players to constantly progress, employing a semi-linear narrative campaign structure that links encounters and locations together, ultimately leading to an exhilarating climax for each adventure. “RPG Break” doesn’t offer numerous modules at present, but its first release is set to debut on Kickstarter shortly. Game masters have the flexibility to craft their unique stories within the boundaries of the Outer World using both provided materials and self-generated content.

Exploration System

In contrast to Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), exploration takes a more significant role in BREAK!! RPG. This is inspired by its video game and anime roots, where exploration forms a key aspect of the tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG). Exploring the world offers exciting discoveries, directs players towards their desired destinations, and presents chances for thrilling adventures. However, navigating BREAK!! RPG‘s Outer World can be hazardous if one lacks a map or guide. Certain terrains are impassable without the relevant abilities or transportation means to traverse them.

In the legend of the Outer Realms, the world is fragmented, and most people confine their travels within their home towns or localities. This scarcity of travel, particularly between regions, is quite unusual. Players frequently find themselves lost during their adventures, making a map or guide indispensable. As they traverse, players can update their maps to prevent getting disoriented. Although becoming lost poses significant risks such as deviation from the intended path or exhaustion due to running out of provisions, it also offers opportunities for remarkable discoveries.

Character Quirks

One distinctive feature in the game BREAK!! RPG is the concept of Quirks, which are ancestry-related traits that influence a player’s character in both beneficial and detrimental ways. Every trait you choose will involve some form of trade-off. These effects can range from minor adjustments to stats, the way NPCs perceive your character, and even physical alterations that grant special abilities. While Quirks always come with pros and cons, players have the opportunity to determine the impact during character creation. Effectively managing your Quirk and its associated trade-offs is essential for navigating the world of BREAK!! RPG.

Example of one that could have a relatively small effect is the Big Eater trait. With this trait, you can replenish one heart by consuming an entire day’s worth of supplies. This can be very beneficial if you find yourself in a difficult situation. On the downside, your character will need twice as much rations per day as other characters do.

A more noticeable example is the Winged traits. As the name suggests, possessing this trait grants you the ability to glide, slow your descent, and gain extra height when jumping. However, there are some drawbacks: your bones become pneumatized, which reduces your heart total by 1, and the weight of your wings negatively affects your Grit Aptitude by 1.

Bright and Dark Allegiance

In this RPG I play, the magic system is deeply rooted in the game’s lore, and as a player, I find myself drawn towards The Invincible Light or The Profound Dark with every spell I cast. Each spell choice earns me either Bright Allegiance Points or Profound Dark Points. Once I accumulate three points on either side, I get to choose a gift from the corresponding table. These gifts subtly transform my character’s appearance, which might not affect gameplay directly, but they sure do enhance the narrative and role-playing experience.

In simpler terms, players’ loyalty to The Invincible Bright and The Profound Dark can shift. A player is considered Bright Aligned if they have at least three points in Bright allegiance, Dark Aligned with at least three points in Dark allegiance, Unaligned when they have one or fewer points, and Twilight Aligned when neither side has more than two points over the other. The gifts players receive depend on the spells they choose, which can come from either the Bright or Dark alignments.

Side Activities

As a dedicated fan, I’d express it like this: “In the world of BREAK!! RPG, ‘Downtime’ is more than just a break – it’s a fundamental part of the game! Unlike in traditional D&D, where downtime might seem overlooked, this Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG) seamlessly integrates it into its mechanics and systems. This is the time when players unwind from their thrilling adventures, but also seize opportunities to advance their characters. BREAK!! RPG offers a wealth of activities for players to engage in during downtime, making every moment count!

In the game BREAK!! RPG, a typical downtime period usually lasts around a week, offering players the chance to engage in numerous activities. One crucial task during this time is recovering from injuries, as it ensures the party maintains its momentum for upcoming escapades. Players may also opt to craft potent items during downtime, albeit some materials might be scarce or specific. Other possibilities include locating relics, readying for future expeditions, enlisting followers, managing one’s reputation, conducting research, taming animals, and honing skills.

2025-01-26 07:11