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The best thing about the Atomic RPG System is the ability to play any character, any story, any lore, and any genre that you want!
If you’re already playing another game, you might need some pointers on how to convert things to the Atomic RPG System.
Don’t worry, the Atomic RPG System is very flexible and has been able to accommodate anything we have thrown at it so far!
Combatant Aggressor who is Devoted
15th Level with 552 HP
Defenses 38/24/27
Mystic Protector who is Focused
18th Level with 499 HP
Defenses 35/48/30
Mystic Aggressor who is Devoted
9th Level NPC Grunt with 128 HP
Defenses 18/26/18
Neutral Generalist who is Focused
2nd Level with 21 HP
Defenses 16/17/19
Mystic Aggressor who is Devoted
20th Level with 568 HP
Defenses 23/45/23
Mystic Aggressor who is Devoted
21st Level Boss with 7,371 HP
Defenses 34/53/35
Through the years of gaming, we have become frustrated with some of the hurdles RPG gamers face using the other RPG gaming systems.
So we created the Atomic RPG System to be your one-stop-shop for gaming. Learn this system and you can play any kind of game you want.
Once you have done it once, it should make sense and you’ll be able to convert more characters easily. The Atomic RPG System is modular with clear black and white lines between mechanics/numbers and the roleplay/story of a character. Here is how you can learn to easily identify the differences so you can convert any character to the Atomic RPG System system.
The most important rule when converting any character to the Atomic RPG System is that any roleplay, story, description, and explanation of abilities are totally separate from the mechanics. So when it’s time to convert a character, remember that the roleplay reason for an attack is not tied to the number at all. It’s not the damage of a short sword vs. a longsword, or the damage of a thrown rock vs. a gun. The character does something to result in damage, regardless of what is used.
Level 7
37 Hit Points
Body Defense of 22
+11 to Attack for 4d10+22 Damage
My character has some experience on the road, but much to learn.
My character is tough and can take some damage.
My character is agile and nimble and difficult to hit.
My character tosses a grenade with great accuracy immolating their foe!
Once you understand the full potential and power of this absolute separation of mechanics and roleplay you will then see the nearly infinite potential you have for characters! You don’t have to wedge ideas and mechanics together. They compliment each other instead of restrict each other.
To state this another way.
The Power example above is +11 to Attack and does 4d10+22 Damage. What the roleplay description of it doesn’t matter. This can be someone tossing the grenade, shooting a gun, yelling an insult, signing a song, burping, or anything else. The roleplay description has no effect on the mechanics of the Power.
This opens up the game to the imagination of the players and Game Master! The possibilities are truly endless.
I have seen the best most amazing characters every created and played by players that could manifest their characters however they see fit.
Once you have that concept down, the rest of the conversion is easy! We harp on this one a lot here, but it is so different then most other RPGs, many struggle with the concept of having so much freedom.
Here are a few games we have created, both “normal” and some “out there” ones!
The next most important rule when converting any character in the Atomic RPG System is to know what kind of effects and abilities the player would like their character to have.
Players that are not yet familiar with the effects that the Atomic RPG System has to offer should make themselves familiar with the Archetype Comparison Table.
This table not only shows what effects are available in the game but also which Archetype / Discipline have access to those abilities. Nearly every effect found in popular lore can be found or replicated with the Atomic RPG System effects.
Once a player knows at least the most common effects it is usually quite easy to start. Here is a short list of the top effects for each of the 3 Archetypes in the Atomic RPG System.
Note: Each effect can be used by 2 of the 3 Archetypes which greatly increases versatility in characters.
| Combatant | Generalist | Mystic |
|---|---|---|
| Hit Point Damage | Hit Point Healing | Hit Point Damage |
| Penalty to Attack | Penalty to Attack | Hit Point Healing |
| Bonus to Attack | Bonus to Attack | Move Enemy |
| Penalty to Defenses | Penalty to Defenses | Move Ally |
| Penalty to Speed | Penalty to Speed | Bonus to Bleed |
| Move Enemy | Bonus to Defenses | Bonus to Hit Points |
| Bonus to Defenses | Bonus to Speed | Teleport Ally |
| Bonus to Speed | Bonus to Damage | Bonus to Resistance |
| Move Ally | Penalty to Damage | Penalty to Hit Points |
| Bonus to Damage | Teleport Ally | Movement for Ally |
Knowing the effects will help make it much easier for a player to convert any character because this will be the foundation. The table above should help players get started knowing what they want and how they are going to create it.
However, don’t worry about making the wrong choices. Atomic RPG System characters can be modified and changed if they don’t turn out right the first time.
With those choices made the rest of the character conversion will bea breeze!
Character abilities can cover a wide gamut. These can be spells, attacks, knowledge, racial abilities, things the character excels at doing, speed, etc.
Divide what your character can do into two different categories.
These will be things that should be represented through either the character Specialties, Skills, or the items they have. Specialties, Skills, and items are active and affect the character at all times.
Specialties are things you choose for the character that will enhance their abilities.
Such as: more Hit Points, better Attack, move Faster
Skills will be the methods in which your character will handle out of combat situations.
Such as: being Social, good Crafting, lying with Subterfuge
Items are the things your character carries and uses that grant them bonuses to things.
Such as: Sword, Armor, Cyberdeck, Potions, Vehicles
Character Powers in the Atomic RPG System are the actions your character can take.
Think of these are your character’s best moves, most important abilities, or the way your character contributes to the group. If your character has a special move, a spell, a sword strike or something similar, it should be chosen or created as a Power.
Here are just a few examples of Powers.
Really, just an action you want your character to take in game.
With the separation of Roleplay and Mechanics this allows you to create all the cool moves of the other system into what they actually do easily in the Atomic RPG System!
The character should be ready to play. Going through the process of splitting what the character is good at and what it can do created everything a player needs to play the character.
At this point, though, you need to give your character personality, drive, history, or motivation. Now is a great time to dive into the roleplay and story of your character. Use the RP section of the character sheet to fill out as many details as possible. These details do not affect the character stats at all but will make this character better and more fun to play.
By adding pictures and detailed roleplay, the character will come to life. Remember, descriptions and roleplay do not have any mechanical effect on the character stats, so players and GMs are encouraged to let their imaginations go wild!
If you are looking for some more ideas you can look at some examples. Just remember, there really isn’t a wrong way to create a character. There may be a better or worse way but the Atomic RPG System lets players tune and adjust their characters so there is no need to worry about making the wrong choice.