Easy D6 Fantasy; Dark; Narrative-Driven; Rules Lite; Quick-Play / One-Shot; Collaborative Worldbuilding

EZD6 is a rules-light tabletop roleplaying game designed for quick play, narrative-driven adventures, and collaborative worldbuilding, often set in a dark fantasy environment. Its simple mechanics make it accessible to newcomers while offering enough depth to engage experienced gamers, particularly for one-shot campaigns.

Theme and Setting

EZD6 leans towards a dark fantasy theme, although the specific setting is largely left to the players and Game Master (GM) to collaboratively build. The tone can be tailored to be gritty and perilous, emphasizing the dangers of the world and the characters' vulnerability. This collaborative approach empowers players to shape the world around them, making each campaign unique.

Core Mechanics and Rules

The core mechanic of EZD6 revolves around rolling six-sided dice. Characters typically have a few key stats, often represented by a number of dice they roll when attempting related actions. Success is usually determined by rolling a 4, 5, or 6 on at least one of the dice. The system emphasizes narrative over complex calculations. Hero dice are a key feature, offering players the opportunity to influence the outcome of rolls or introduce new story elements. A character sheet for the game is available online.

What Makes It Unique

EZD6 stands out due to its extreme simplicity and focus on narrative. Unlike many traditional RPGs, it avoids intricate rules and modifiers, allowing players to focus on storytelling and character development. The rules are designed to be easily learned and remembered, minimizing the need to constantly consult rulebooks. This fosters a more immersive and cinematic experience, as described by Professor DungeonMaster, resembling watching a movie more than playing a traditional TTRPG. The game's accessibility is also highlighted in online forums, where people seek simple d6 systems suitable for beginners.

Target Audience and Player Experience

The target audience for EZD6 includes both newcomers to tabletop RPGs and experienced players seeking a fast-paced, rules-light alternative to more complex systems. It's particularly well-suited for one-shot adventures or short campaigns where the emphasis is on collaborative storytelling and quick character creation. Players can expect a dynamic and unpredictable experience, where their choices and creativity directly impact the unfolding narrative. The potential for 'exploding dice' adds an element of surprise and excitement, making even seemingly insurmountable challenges beatable and even the most challenging monsters beatable.

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What do players think?

EZD6 is a popular fantasy RPG system that is praised for its simplicity, depth, and accessibility to both new and experienced players. Users appreciate the unique abilities of each class and the flexibility to modify rules. The game is also commended for being easy to run and write, making it suitable for first-time Dungeon Masters. However, some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the money/equipment system and the lack of a leveling system. The rule book has been criticized for its organization, with some users finding the combat rules and magic rules confusing and scattered. Users have also reported minor issues with the PDF version, such as typos and numbering problems. Despite these issues, many users highly recommend EZD6 and have expressed interest in purchasing the hardcover version. Some international users have expressed frustration with high shipping costs and have suggested making the game available through online retailers for easier access.

Related TTRPG Games

Compare Easy D6 with other great ttrpg games.

Knave logo

Knave

Knave and Easy D6 both embrace streamlined mechanics, but while Knave is rooted in a classless, exploration-driven fantasy setting with tactical combat, Easy D6 emphasizes accessibility and simplicity, often utilizing a straightforward dice pool system to encourage fast-paced gameplay. For example, Knave focuses on resource management and survival tactics in a more traditional RPG framework, whereas Easy D6 allows for quick narrative-driven decisions without extensive tracking of character abilities or items.

Old-School Essentials logo

Old-School Essentials

Old-School Essentials and Easy D6 both embrace streamlined mechanics to facilitate gameplay, yet they differ in approach: while Old-School Essentials focuses on class-based, resource management and exploration-driven narratives reflecting classic fantasy RPGs, Easy D6 leans towards a versatile, narrative-driven system that prioritizes fluid storytelling over strict class structures. For example, in Old-School Essentials, character abilities are tied to specific classes and require strategic resource management, while in Easy D6, the emphasis is on player creativity and the flexibility to shape the story collaboratively without rigid class constraints.

Dungeon World logo

Dungeon World

Dungeon World is a narrative-driven tabletop RPG that emphasizes collaborative storytelling and character development within a high-fantasy setting, utilizing the Powered by the Apocalypse system for its mechanics, whereas Easy D6 streamlines gameplay with straightforward rules and an adaptable d6 system, focusing on simplicity and accessibility. For instance, while Dungeon World encourages players to build the world collaboratively through moves and interactions, Easy D6 typically presents a more straightforward, rules-light approach where outcomes are often resolved through basic dice rolls without extensive narrative shaping.

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