Not much "buzz" about the official DFRPG here recently, so I thought I'd start a new discussion. The "Playtester Prototype" rules are out there for playtesters to look at and react to, but the game is essentially complete. You've seen the cover artwork (and some of the interior art) for a long time on the Evil Hat pages, so you can probably imagine what it looks like. The book looks visually stunning and the rules flow well. I think this looks a lot nicer than earlier products from Evil Hat. (Not to put down SotC or other games, but to elevate DFRPG.) Lots of color, sidebar boxes with key rules highlighted, and lots of goodies. I liked the early layout, but this one blows the old one away.

DGRPG playtesters are encouraged to talk about the game but are not supposed to give out too many specific details so I'm not so sure how specific I can be about this, but having had an opportunty to look through the revised playtest materials, let me say that the DFRPG is quite simply going to be amazing.

After a four-year wait, you may think that this game is bound to be a let-down because it can't be as cool as the home-brew version you've already been playing. Or can't possivly live up to your expectations. I think it will.

The basics of the game are still very much FATE-like, but are evolved in order to handle elements specific to the Dresdenverse. What I mean here is that if you know FATE and/or SotC you're pretty close to being ready to do DFRPG, only with a few key tweaks (mostly in terms of magic). Pretty much every character type you can imagine from Jim's books has been handled in good detail. I think that folks are going to agree that it was worth the wait, and then some!

This is the game that encouraged me to learn FATE in the first place, and Fred & Co. have certainly hit a home run with the DFRPG.

Just my two cents. 

As a further thought, you might look at the threads on d20 for Dresden and M&M for Dresden. (M&M is a superhero system, based on the d20 mechanic.) Both of those threads have some neat ideas.

Re other systems for a DV game: I've been thinking about the possibility of using D20. A month or so ago I posted some stuff on the d20 thread. I really do think it could work quite simply...

And remember that Monte Cook's World of Darkness rules are based on d20 and have a lot of good Dresden-like elements. There is a freeform magic system and rules for demons and vampires. A pretty good game, if you like d20.

Custom dice -- which these would be, since each face is not a '1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6' -- that cover all faces are *pricey*. We don't have plans to do custom dice right out the gate.

Maybe there could be a pre-order system. Figure out the base cost of these dice, take people's money in advance with the notion that none will be made until there are a certain number pre-ordered, and then it would be a limited supply kind of thing.

BAM! Instant collectable.

Since we're looking for + + _ _ - - and really only need two symbols (one for + and one for -) maybe something arcane like a pentagram for the + and a skull for the -.

Depending upon the cost, I could see ordering a dozen or more of these. I have 2 packages of FUDGE dice with at total of 40 dice (5 colors of 4 dice each per pack) and would easily be interested in 3-4 sets of 4 dice for my players.

Just a thought.

When I read the title of the thread, I thought the OP was suggesting special FATE dice to go with DFRPG. (Maybe a special Dresden arcane symbol on them?)

I'd buy that!

I'm not really a d20 guy becasue I think those rules are a lot more complex than you need (or I want) to run a fun game. Using d20 to create a Dresden style game may take a while since you need to come up with skills, feats, and a number of similar game-mechanic pieces to fit into the campaign. I'd be tempted to go for an older edition of the game. A simple approach would be to take the OD&D game system (or AD&D or OSRIC or other similar RPG mechanic) and use it to run Dresden Files. It's certainly a fast and easy way to go.

* Classes - Start with fighter and magic-user. Others could be added as desired. For example, the Knights of the Sword function a lot like the Paladin. I can also imagine non-canon classes like Druid, Cleric, or Monk entering a game after you get the campaign underway.

* Races - Start with human and probably vampire. You can customize vampire by Court if you like, or start out with them being somewhat generic.

* Magic - A "vancian" fire-forget system is not very Dresden-like in philosophy but probably is a close enough fit and is certainly easy to run. You might want to use new spell names or maybe add a few to be more Dresden in style.

* Special Items - not much here as the DF universe doesn't seem to have "random magic" type items. I'd make each magic item unique and create it as needed instead of having a standard list, but if you want a generic list focus on rings and cloaks of protection, magic potions, maybe an occasional magic dagger or other weapon. Try to stick to things that seem in keeping with the style of Harry's world.

* Monsters - some of the monsters seem very different than their D&D counterparts. For example, the DF ghoul is really nasty whereas the D&D ghoul is nothing really terrifying. Probably some re-statting would be needed here.

I'm thinking that with an OD&D style system you could sit down for a few hours and create enough material to play almost right away. If you try to build a system from scratch, it would take a lot longer.

The thing is, I'm not really sold on 4E.    I bought a bunch of the rulebooks and really wanted to get "into" the game, but I'm just having a hard time with it. Too many rules and I guess my old braincells are not willing to grapple with them.

I guess that's why I go for more freestyle games like OD&D, FATE, and Amber Diceless....