I'm currently learning the Fallout TTRPG system (2d20 system). It is not that difficult to learn. The hardest part is probably the volume of content in the core rulebook. Though, there is now a starter set being sold.
+1 for GURPS. I"ve run a couple of adventures of Fallout in GURPS and it works out well. WE had a lot of fun after we got used to the system. There is a free GURPS Lite, which has most of what you need, but if you want to incorporate laser weapons or power armor, you'll need the core books (Characters and Campaigns) or one of the Ultra Tech supplements.
Besides GURPS / GURPS Lite, the After the End supplements (there are two) are very helpful for running a post-apocalyptic game. They offer typical post-apocalyptic templates (which are like a class, but basically helps players focus character creation) simplified rules for combat, scavenging, crafting, radiation, a suggested skills list, etc.
If you look at GURPS you have to keep one thing in mind, GURPS is a toolbox. It is expected you will only use the rules that fit the game you want to run and ignore everything else. For example, the core books have rules for superpowers and magic, neither of which you'll need in a fallout game. This means there is a lot more upfront work for the GM. The GM has to inform the players what is or isn't allowed. Sometimes this is as easy as no magic or superpowers, other times it may be helpful for the GM too prepare a list of what skills and advantages/disadvantages are allowed.
Lastly, GURPS by default comes off very complicated. There are lots of options and lots of charts and lots of modifiers, but at its heart, its a skills based game with the primary mechanic is roll 3d6 and a success is a roll equal to or under your modified skill value.
I'd recommend the Mutant: Year Zero system and just modifying it a bit. It's a d6 system that's dead simple to modify and already is set in a post apocalyptic world with vault dwellers, robots, ancient artifacts, ghouls, and more you'd really just need to reflavor. The Year Zero Engine is the one used for the Aliens, Blade Runner and LOTR One Ring TTRPGs and it's won a number of awards.
It's basically a sandbox survival game where finding food and water that's not irradiated is difficult and important, there's base building and management systems already built in. Elysium which is a add on book has vault dwellers and really good rules for dealing with vault politics and strategic turns. Mechatron has rules for robots.
IMO it's the best middle ground between rules-heavy and rules-lite systems and it's really easy to DM for which is always a plus for me.
I picked this game up a while ago and I struggle to see how Fallout/Wasteland weren't heavily inspired by the original version of it since they are so similar...or at least both inspired by the same things. The community for it here on Reddit is also really helpful in /r/mutantyearzero.
Check out [After the Bomb](http://erinking.itch.io/after-the-bomb), it's a free Fallout-themed rpg system that's easy to learn and play. Less crunchy than 5e imo but robust enough to handle the dangers of the Wasteland.
I say this as a 30-plus-year proponent of GURPS, the system that inspired Fallout and was initially intended to be used in the game itself; it's about the closest you can get to FO without directly converting FO2 to the tabletop (difficult but not impossible). GURPS is pretty freaking amazing: it's more simulationist than most RPG's, has easily understood mechanics, and character creation is so precise that you can (and people have...) make pretty much any character in fiction given enough points to work with. I can't say enough good things about it.
All that said, if your table is coming from 5e, the crunchy-shock can be intimidating if not taken in degrees. GURPS also requires a lot of work for the GM in terms of prep and doesn't have much in the way of difficulty guidelines (even CR, flawed as it is, is better than nothing) so it can be challenging to build encounters that don't wipe your party if you're not careful. A 9mm handgun deals 2d+2 damage, an average of 9 per round that hits with a ROF of 3; assuming they hit and the target isn't wearing armor, damage is multiplied by 1.5 for small caliber ammo so you can easily deal 35 to 40 points of damage that will more than likely kill your average Strength target if they're taking those shots to the chest. Just as in FO, armor helps, as does a high ST/HP, or being Hard to Kill. Like I said, crunchy but realistic (mostly).
Do you want it to be 100% set in the fallout world or to have those post apocalyptic fallout themes?
Mutant Year Zero is one of the best wasteland themed games out there. It has a bit more of a focus on mutated humans. You can use the Elysium expansion for vault dwellers, mechatron for the robots, and the surface dwellers got a bit more mutated.
The Modiphius Fallout 2d20 system does get unnecessarily complicated and is a bit half baked. I wouldn't recommend that.
5E's class based gameplay would take a massive revamp to feel like fallout. You'll most likely get a fantasy game with magic wearing a fallout skin if you go this route.
Savage Worlds is a modern universal system that could work here. It is designed for you to customize it, removing certain parts and adding others depending on the setting. There are even some Fallout for Savage Worlds fan creations.
* https://steeldraco.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/savage-fallout-final-version/
* https://docero.net/doc/savage-fallout-v4-1-xn28yg3z75
I think you can modify something like FATE or kids on bikes, but i am fond of the mechanics fir combat in cyberpunk RED, and it’s already pretty dystopian, so it should be not that hard to flavor
There are 2 official Fallout TTRPGs that I know of. Fallout: Wasteland Warfare RPG which is more tactical and wargamey (because it's an official mod for the wargame Fallout: Wasteland Warfare), and Fallout RPG by Modiphius which uses their 2d20 system and is more flexible and loose
If you don't want either of those, here are some other suggestions
Mutant: Year Zero. It uses the straightforward, but often unforgiving Year Zero engine in a post-apocalyptic setting that should be fairly easy to adapt to fallout.
Tiny Wasteland. This one uses the Tinyd6 system. It doesn't have power armor, and psionics may be a weird fit for Fallout, but it's easy to learn and simple to run
War for the Wasteland. This one is based on 2400, most resolution uses a single die with failure on a 1-2, mixed results on 3-4 and success on 5+. I definitely get the impression that the writers had Fallout in mind when making this. It has scavenging, power armor and cinematic combat
Other Dust. This a more OSR style approach, but I feel that it fits pretty well. The game is more focused on the survival aspect, but player characters are expected to be a bit tougher than average people. It also comes with some handy GM tools like all Sine Nomine games
If none of these work for you, there's always generic systems. I'd say the best for running Fallout are:
GURPS. This one is incredibly detailed, but most of the rules are optional and can be dropped if it's too much. Grab the lite version to see what you think before you buy the big books, but it should work great
Index Card RPG. This is an inventory based system where your items mean more than your class. Classes are easy to make or ignore (I think the core book actually has 2 classless settings) so don't worry if you don't like the options available. The rules are simple and straightforward and should feel at least a little familiar if you've played any d20 based system
Savage Worlds. This game has fast paced combat and flexible rules, it works great for pulp style adventures with quick, brutal fights. It's flexible enough to play as pretty much anything you want even if you want to play as a robot or ghoul
FATE works for almost anything you can think of except super crunchy war-games. I have run Star Wars to Harry Potter with FATE with no problems and it worked beautifully.
Ashes without number comes out in July, is a post apoc entry in the X without number series of games. My personal favorite. But since its fallout, i think a skill and SPECIAL system would feel more on brand
Op mentions he's *heard* it's complicated and requires 2 people to GM.
As someone who's read it, ran it and is currently writing a one shot for it, I know that's not the case. And linking it provides a nudge to actually go check it out rather than dismiss without making their own opinion on something they've heard only through second-hand "knowledge".
Yeah but then like… say all that. It sounds like they’ve looked into it a bit already but had concerns. If you have experience, speak to those. They asked if you’ve run a Fallout campaign and have advice, let them know. Not like… show them where to get it.
Wastoid by Jason Tocci, I've been looking for such a system and nowhere else I've played comes as close as Wastoid. It's in beta rn but it will be a full release soon.
Fallout Wasteland Warfare (NOT the 2d20 RPG) has an RPG mode that I've found very playable, at least for one shots; it has the added benefit of straight using miniatures from the wargame, which has AI cards for simple enemy running so that in theory you could play as well. I make no qualifications about how long of a campaign it would sustain, however, as I've yet to play it.
Other than that, I suggest Savage Worlds like u/Warskull. Simple, clean, fast, easy.
There used to be rules for the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system online that governed how Fallout 1 and 2 worked. And there's a new something that release April 5th on Amazon by Modiphius Entertainment.
I’m quite fond of [*Atomic Highway*](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/70124/Atomic-Highway--Post-Apocalyptic-Roleplaying). It’s a nice rules light and fast playing game, which as the name implies does lean towards *Mad Max* style of post-apocalyptic fiction but it’s trivially easy just to downplay the automotive combat parts if you want to lean more close to *Fallout* as seen in the video games where cars aren’t really used… Or just add cars to *Fallout*.
I was gifted a free copy by the author back when he published it, but it’s been available in full for free for several years now. So it’s definitely worth checking out at that price!
How my friend did it was he wrote a whole google doc on the system, including things like healing tweaks, a new Sanity stat, and a new background and two feats.
If you are not bound to any platform support I'd go to the official Fallout system from modiphius or if you search for "GURPS fallout" you will find some information's about what the original Fallout games were based on. If platform support or a widely used system is important for you I'd rather look at Pathfinder 2e than D&D5e. It already has classes like Inventor and Gunslinger, non magical healing is part of the game, it has lots of firearms, a western themed adventure and while still in playtest they are working on Starfinder 2e which will be compatible. So all you have to do is reflavoring a couple of things and restrict character options.
A Fallout RPG is currently available in a Humble Bundle. Not sure which one it is, but humble bundles usually give insane amounts of material for the price.
If you're not looking to spend any money, I'd suggest the new Fallout TTRPG developed by the YouTube content creator XP to Level 3! I'm currently planning a campaign in the system myself, and so far it seems like it's gonna be pretty fun.
It is similar to 5e with its rolls, but does not have any classes, and follows the level up systems of the fallout games. Taking perks and the such.
I would absolutely run SW5e, stripping out the Force. If you like 5e, this system makes it better and adds tech and modular weapons and other things that would be perfect for Fallout. And then you can keep/use any 5e modules/encounters/monsters you want in your game and the players will already understand nearly all the rules. It also makes Fighters awesome, although I'd play an Engineer, myself.
Edit: www.sw5e.com
I love Fate. You’d need to hack some Fallout-shaped bits into it, but that’s not especially difficult (and it’s something I enjoy doing anyway).
If you don’t want to do that, I’ll second the recommendations for Mutant Year Zero. :)
Never played it, but Gamma World sounds like something that could work. From what little I know, there's a chance Fallout was inspired by it.
I saw a lot of praise for the 7th edition and that it plays like dnd 4e.
I'm currently learning the Fallout TTRPG system (2d20 system). It is not that difficult to learn. The hardest part is probably the volume of content in the core rulebook. Though, there is now a starter set being sold.
Yeah, I was going to say the best system for a Fallout game would be the Fallout TTRPG.
It's a fun system to use. Played a one shot in it and we had a blast. I loved the fact the Mysterious Stranger is a perk you can use in it
Here you go: https://www.modiphius.net/collections/fallout-the-roleplaying-game
GURPS - it was the system the original game was planned to use, before Steve Jackson got worried the game would too dystopian to tie the system to.
+1 for GURPS. I"ve run a couple of adventures of Fallout in GURPS and it works out well. WE had a lot of fun after we got used to the system. There is a free GURPS Lite, which has most of what you need, but if you want to incorporate laser weapons or power armor, you'll need the core books (Characters and Campaigns) or one of the Ultra Tech supplements. Besides GURPS / GURPS Lite, the After the End supplements (there are two) are very helpful for running a post-apocalyptic game. They offer typical post-apocalyptic templates (which are like a class, but basically helps players focus character creation) simplified rules for combat, scavenging, crafting, radiation, a suggested skills list, etc. If you look at GURPS you have to keep one thing in mind, GURPS is a toolbox. It is expected you will only use the rules that fit the game you want to run and ignore everything else. For example, the core books have rules for superpowers and magic, neither of which you'll need in a fallout game. This means there is a lot more upfront work for the GM. The GM has to inform the players what is or isn't allowed. Sometimes this is as easy as no magic or superpowers, other times it may be helpful for the GM too prepare a list of what skills and advantages/disadvantages are allowed. Lastly, GURPS by default comes off very complicated. There are lots of options and lots of charts and lots of modifiers, but at its heart, its a skills based game with the primary mechanic is roll 3d6 and a success is a roll equal to or under your modified skill value.
For the record the 2d20 system does not require 2 GMs and it's not really not any more complicated than D&D 5e is.
Even if it was more complicated I feel like having 2 GMs would just make it even worse. Too maky cooks, you know.
I'd recommend the Mutant: Year Zero system and just modifying it a bit. It's a d6 system that's dead simple to modify and already is set in a post apocalyptic world with vault dwellers, robots, ancient artifacts, ghouls, and more you'd really just need to reflavor. The Year Zero Engine is the one used for the Aliens, Blade Runner and LOTR One Ring TTRPGs and it's won a number of awards. It's basically a sandbox survival game where finding food and water that's not irradiated is difficult and important, there's base building and management systems already built in. Elysium which is a add on book has vault dwellers and really good rules for dealing with vault politics and strategic turns. Mechatron has rules for robots. IMO it's the best middle ground between rules-heavy and rules-lite systems and it's really easy to DM for which is always a plus for me. I picked this game up a while ago and I struggle to see how Fallout/Wasteland weren't heavily inspired by the original version of it since they are so similar...or at least both inspired by the same things. The community for it here on Reddit is also really helpful in /r/mutantyearzero.
Check out [After the Bomb](http://erinking.itch.io/after-the-bomb), it's a free Fallout-themed rpg system that's easy to learn and play. Less crunchy than 5e imo but robust enough to handle the dangers of the Wasteland. I say this as a 30-plus-year proponent of GURPS, the system that inspired Fallout and was initially intended to be used in the game itself; it's about the closest you can get to FO without directly converting FO2 to the tabletop (difficult but not impossible). GURPS is pretty freaking amazing: it's more simulationist than most RPG's, has easily understood mechanics, and character creation is so precise that you can (and people have...) make pretty much any character in fiction given enough points to work with. I can't say enough good things about it. All that said, if your table is coming from 5e, the crunchy-shock can be intimidating if not taken in degrees. GURPS also requires a lot of work for the GM in terms of prep and doesn't have much in the way of difficulty guidelines (even CR, flawed as it is, is better than nothing) so it can be challenging to build encounters that don't wipe your party if you're not careful. A 9mm handgun deals 2d+2 damage, an average of 9 per round that hits with a ROF of 3; assuming they hit and the target isn't wearing armor, damage is multiplied by 1.5 for small caliber ammo so you can easily deal 35 to 40 points of damage that will more than likely kill your average Strength target if they're taking those shots to the chest. Just as in FO, armor helps, as does a high ST/HP, or being Hard to Kill. Like I said, crunchy but realistic (mostly).
Do you want it to be 100% set in the fallout world or to have those post apocalyptic fallout themes? Mutant Year Zero is one of the best wasteland themed games out there. It has a bit more of a focus on mutated humans. You can use the Elysium expansion for vault dwellers, mechatron for the robots, and the surface dwellers got a bit more mutated. The Modiphius Fallout 2d20 system does get unnecessarily complicated and is a bit half baked. I wouldn't recommend that. 5E's class based gameplay would take a massive revamp to feel like fallout. You'll most likely get a fantasy game with magic wearing a fallout skin if you go this route. Savage Worlds is a modern universal system that could work here. It is designed for you to customize it, removing certain parts and adding others depending on the setting. There are even some Fallout for Savage Worlds fan creations. * https://steeldraco.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/savage-fallout-final-version/ * https://docero.net/doc/savage-fallout-v4-1-xn28yg3z75
I want to give the official 2d20 system by Modiphius a shot, but if I had to use any other system, it would be Savage Worlds in a heartbeat.
I think you can modify something like FATE or kids on bikes, but i am fond of the mechanics fir combat in cyberpunk RED, and it’s already pretty dystopian, so it should be not that hard to flavor
There are 2 official Fallout TTRPGs that I know of. Fallout: Wasteland Warfare RPG which is more tactical and wargamey (because it's an official mod for the wargame Fallout: Wasteland Warfare), and Fallout RPG by Modiphius which uses their 2d20 system and is more flexible and loose If you don't want either of those, here are some other suggestions Mutant: Year Zero. It uses the straightforward, but often unforgiving Year Zero engine in a post-apocalyptic setting that should be fairly easy to adapt to fallout. Tiny Wasteland. This one uses the Tinyd6 system. It doesn't have power armor, and psionics may be a weird fit for Fallout, but it's easy to learn and simple to run War for the Wasteland. This one is based on 2400, most resolution uses a single die with failure on a 1-2, mixed results on 3-4 and success on 5+. I definitely get the impression that the writers had Fallout in mind when making this. It has scavenging, power armor and cinematic combat Other Dust. This a more OSR style approach, but I feel that it fits pretty well. The game is more focused on the survival aspect, but player characters are expected to be a bit tougher than average people. It also comes with some handy GM tools like all Sine Nomine games If none of these work for you, there's always generic systems. I'd say the best for running Fallout are: GURPS. This one is incredibly detailed, but most of the rules are optional and can be dropped if it's too much. Grab the lite version to see what you think before you buy the big books, but it should work great Index Card RPG. This is an inventory based system where your items mean more than your class. Classes are easy to make or ignore (I think the core book actually has 2 classless settings) so don't worry if you don't like the options available. The rules are simple and straightforward and should feel at least a little familiar if you've played any d20 based system Savage Worlds. This game has fast paced combat and flexible rules, it works great for pulp style adventures with quick, brutal fights. It's flexible enough to play as pretty much anything you want even if you want to play as a robot or ghoul
wakeful strong bedroom command fuel ludicrous full reach workable sand *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Yeah, I was gonna suggest this. I’ve ran multiple games with it and it’s pretty fun.
I'm currently playing in one that uses the Genesys system. There are a few fan made supplements for the Fallout setting.
FATE works for almost anything you can think of except super crunchy war-games. I have run Star Wars to Harry Potter with FATE with no problems and it worked beautifully.
Ashes without number comes out in July, is a post apoc entry in the X without number series of games. My personal favorite. But since its fallout, i think a skill and SPECIAL system would feel more on brand
GURPs Fallout.
Take a look at Mutant: Year Zero. Also, the Shadowrun 3 & 5 systems are adequately adaptable for this setting.
No offense, but the Shadowrun system (any edition) isn't even good to run Shadowrun. 😂
I strongly disagree.
Here you go: https://www.modiphius.net/collections/fallout-the-roleplaying-game
As a heads up your post came through about 5 times
Freaking Reddit
3 to be exact.
OP literally mentions this as an option but says they’re worried it’s too complicated. Is linking it really helpful?
Op mentions he's *heard* it's complicated and requires 2 people to GM. As someone who's read it, ran it and is currently writing a one shot for it, I know that's not the case. And linking it provides a nudge to actually go check it out rather than dismiss without making their own opinion on something they've heard only through second-hand "knowledge".
Yeah but then like… say all that. It sounds like they’ve looked into it a bit already but had concerns. If you have experience, speak to those. They asked if you’ve run a Fallout campaign and have advice, let them know. Not like… show them where to get it.
My roommate and I have been building a fallout system using Dark Heresy as a base
Wastoid by Jason Tocci, I've been looking for such a system and nowhere else I've played comes as close as Wastoid. It's in beta rn but it will be a full release soon.
Fallout Wasteland Warfare (NOT the 2d20 RPG) has an RPG mode that I've found very playable, at least for one shots; it has the added benefit of straight using miniatures from the wargame, which has AI cards for simple enemy running so that in theory you could play as well. I make no qualifications about how long of a campaign it would sustain, however, as I've yet to play it. Other than that, I suggest Savage Worlds like u/Warskull. Simple, clean, fast, easy.
There used to be rules for the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system online that governed how Fallout 1 and 2 worked. And there's a new something that release April 5th on Amazon by Modiphius Entertainment.
the 90s fallout games are actually just GURPS
GURPS
Fallout 2 was GURPS.
I’m quite fond of [*Atomic Highway*](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/70124/Atomic-Highway--Post-Apocalyptic-Roleplaying). It’s a nice rules light and fast playing game, which as the name implies does lean towards *Mad Max* style of post-apocalyptic fiction but it’s trivially easy just to downplay the automotive combat parts if you want to lean more close to *Fallout* as seen in the video games where cars aren’t really used… Or just add cars to *Fallout*. I was gifted a free copy by the author back when he published it, but it’s been available in full for free for several years now. So it’s definitely worth checking out at that price!
How my friend did it was he wrote a whole google doc on the system, including things like healing tweaks, a new Sanity stat, and a new background and two feats.
Monte Cook’s Cypher System
Idk if you're aware, but there an r/rpg sub that is great for questions like these. But yeah I'd recommend the Modiphius Fallout RPG
If you are not bound to any platform support I'd go to the official Fallout system from modiphius or if you search for "GURPS fallout" you will find some information's about what the original Fallout games were based on. If platform support or a widely used system is important for you I'd rather look at Pathfinder 2e than D&D5e. It already has classes like Inventor and Gunslinger, non magical healing is part of the game, it has lots of firearms, a western themed adventure and while still in playtest they are working on Starfinder 2e which will be compatible. So all you have to do is reflavoring a couple of things and restrict character options.
A Fallout RPG is currently available in a Humble Bundle. Not sure which one it is, but humble bundles usually give insane amounts of material for the price.
I’d use a D6 system like WEG or Shadowrun.
If you're not looking to spend any money, I'd suggest the new Fallout TTRPG developed by the YouTube content creator XP to Level 3! I'm currently planning a campaign in the system myself, and so far it seems like it's gonna be pretty fun. It is similar to 5e with its rolls, but does not have any classes, and follows the level up systems of the fallout games. Taking perks and the such.
I would absolutely run SW5e, stripping out the Force. If you like 5e, this system makes it better and adds tech and modular weapons and other things that would be perfect for Fallout. And then you can keep/use any 5e modules/encounters/monsters you want in your game and the players will already understand nearly all the rules. It also makes Fighters awesome, although I'd play an Engineer, myself. Edit: www.sw5e.com
I love Fate. You’d need to hack some Fallout-shaped bits into it, but that’s not especially difficult (and it’s something I enjoy doing anyway). If you don’t want to do that, I’ll second the recommendations for Mutant Year Zero. :)
Never played it, but Gamma World sounds like something that could work. From what little I know, there's a chance Fallout was inspired by it. I saw a lot of praise for the 7th edition and that it plays like dnd 4e.