Having Trouble deciding which rules set to use...HELP!

Hello there... I have written a great storyline/campaign that takes the best portions of Call of Cthulhu and splices them with the Dark+Matter stuff from Alternity/D20 Modern, combined with psychedelic feel of Grant Morrison, Robert Anton Wilson, Philip K Dick, and the dread horror of Lovecraft or Clive Barker. The link is here if you are curious: <a href="https://app.roll20.net/lfg/listing/10212/dark-star" rel="nofollow">https://app.roll20.net/lfg/listing/10212/dark-star</a>... The only thing holding me back now is the actual rules system I implement. It will be my first time GMing in a while, and my first time GMing on Roll20. I typically like games where the players have the freedom to make decisions and make the characters they want to play, but still have a solid, yet snappy and fast combat system. I have read the reviews for a ton of combat systems, and I have heard pros and cons for both the original Dark+Matter System, Alternity , and the newer D20 Modern version. I know most players are more familiar with D20, or d20 CoC, which has a limited skill/combat system compared to d20 modern. Even less (if any) are familiar with Alternity, which seems to rely on tables more as I read into it, and even les

I have never ran it so can't speak to the ease of use or anything but that sounds like CthulhuTech is a perfect fit setting wise. <a href="http://www.cthulhutech.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.cthulhutech.com/</a>

It is really a matter of personal choice. Alternity is less level and class based (despite having those mechanics) and more focused on skills, but beyond that it is a clear cousin of D20 (being designed by the same exact people). I've been working with it recently because I have a need to scratch a sci-fi bug and wanted to try to work on something in the Star*Drive setting. The initiative is a little wonky, and armor is weird because it protects against random amounts of damage (meaning an extra step rolling in combats - to see how effective the armor is). Still, I like the way damage works and personally I would recommend it for a horror based game over hit dice/level style hit points. Obviously, both Alternity and D20 are no longer supported, but you'll probably have an easier time finding resources for D20 overall, especially since the core rules are available online for free. The D20 CoC might have some stuff you'd want to adopt, insanity rules for example, but otherwise it is just a variant of the D20 rules that came between DnD3e and D20 Modern. Different magic system, and obviously cool monsters since they're Derleth and Lovecraft's own.

If you're trying to evoke Robert A. Wilson and Phillip K. Dick, I'd suggest Over the Edge or perhaps the free OGL version of the rules available here. If you've already got the setting figured out then the free version is probably more useful to you anyway. Combat is fast and loose, but not tactically oriented so that might not be what you're looking for. Character creation on the other hand is extremely flexible as its based on player chosen "traits" instead of attributes.

Thanks guys! I just took a peek at Savage Worlds, and that looks promising. GURPS is ok, but for a "generic" rpg system the books are pretty daunting. I am still going to leave it up to the players, but I have a feeling they are going to go d20. Dickie said Obviously, both Alternity and D20 are no longer supported, but you'll probably have an easier time finding resources for D20 overall, especially since the core rules are available online for free. The D20 CoC might have some stuff you'd want to adopt, insanity rules for example, but otherwise it is just a variant of the D20 rules that came between DnD3e and D20 Modern. Different magic system, and obviously cool monsters since they're Derleth and Lovecraft's own. Yaou may already know this Dickie, and forgive me if you do, but the site alternityrpg.net has a redonkulous number of resources, including every Alternity Dragon or Dungeon magazine article, sourcebook, setting, etc. It's a tad droll to sift through, but you'll find just about EVERYTHING you need there.

That's the site I keep forgetting to check when I get home and the firewall at work keeps blocking... :/ Hopefully this post will help it stick out in my head when I get home tonight! Especially important if they've got access to the magazine articles since that's the only thing missing from my electronic library...