Burning Wheel is an acclaimed Role Playing Game system that breaks new ground in the areas of character creation and development, player participation, campaign and plot progression, and story telling. Few books address roleplaying and all its aspects as directly and openly as this one. Even if you never intend to leave your favorite system to try a new one, Burning Wheel will present new ideas that any gamer would consider adapting for their own game.
From the back of the book:
The Burning Wheel is an award-winning fantasy roleplaying game in which players take on the roles of vibrant, dynamic characters whose very beliefs propel the story forward.
Starting with a simple d6 die pool mechanic, this game intuitively builds on its core concepts, evoking pitch and tenor in play uncommon in roleplaying games. This book details solid, dramatic systems for task resolution, advancement, trials of belief, tests of nerve, searing social conflict, dangerous sorcery, miraculous faith, and brutal, gut-wrenching martial combat. Behind the dice, player decisions drive the game's systems. Their choices tangibly affect every outcome - from glorious victory to ignominious defeat.
The mechanics are presented in an easy-to-read writing style, with plenty of insight and advice from the designer. If you're not careful, Burning Wheel will change the way you play roleplaying games.
Ken Hite named it the Best New RPG in 2003. Reviewers on GamingReport.net, RPG.net, Silven.com and Realms.org.uk have hailed it as "excellent," "impressive," "innovative," and, most importantly, "fun."
Try it, be tested and judge for yourself.
Jack says:
I highly recommend this book for any serious RP gamer. I've been playing RPGs for about 20 years now, and every system has lacked something. Burning Wheel is the first system that contains everything I've been longing for: story/event-based stat development, a role-playing (not dice-rolling) focus, and a cooperative gaming ethos. The next campaign I run will be Burning Wheel, and I doubt it will be my last.
