RPG Encyclopedia: H
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Hackmaster
1st ed by Jolly Blackburn (2001) Kenzer & Company
A humorous RPG based on the comic strip "Knights of the Dinner Table". It uses a licensed variant of the 1st edition AD&D system, which adds on a set of more complex rules. Additional rules include an honor system, critical hits, and a percentile skill system. There is a character build point system, where points can buy skills, advantages, attributes, or starting money.
Hahlmabrea
1st ed by Daniel A. Fox (1991) Sutton Hoo Games
A small-press fantasy-genre RPG about professional adventurers hired by a Council City. It formalizes "adventurer" status as a special profession within the city. The system uses mainly percentiles but also a mix of d8, d12, etc. Character creation is by random-roll attributes and selection of profession packages (which provide skills with random levels). Reviewed in White Wolf #29.
The Hammer of Thor: The Game of Norse Mythology
1st ed by Joe Angiolillo (1980) Gameshop
A boardgame with some RPG-like elements, where you play one of 365 characters from Norse mythology (each with a character card). It includes a game board with stars and circles connected by lines, representing places in Alfheim, Vanaheim, Valhalla, Midgard, and so forth. Play evolves along two phases: adventures in the wilderness to gather forces for Ragnarok, the final battle between good and evil. The player who is on the winning side of this battle who has the highest Reputation wins the game. In addition to the character cards, there are card sets representing Offspring, Shape Changing, Magic Items, Forged Magic Items, Fates, Runes, and Predictions. There is also a color map, sheets of charts, sheets for character tracking, counters and a rulebook. cf. http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/3867.
Harc és Varázslat
1st ed by Tamás Galgóczi, Péter László (1990) Sportorg LLC
A light-hearted Hungarian-language fantasy RPG, whose title translates as "Combat and Magic" -- one of the first RPGs to be published in Hungarian. It is set in a medieval fantasy world, "Dragonfire", in roughly the genre of J.R.R. Tolkien, R.E. Howard, and fairy tales. The simple rules are similar to Basic Dungeons & Dragons. Character creation includes choosing a race (where choices include goblins and orcs) and one of four classes (fighter, ranger, priest and wizard). Character attributes are percentile ratings that increase with level. Unlike D&D, magic is based on a simple spell point system.
HardNova ][: Space Action Adventures
1st ed by Brett M. Bernstein, Matt Drake (2004) Politically Incorrect Games
A space opera RPG using a variant of the genreDiversion system also used by Coyote Trail. This is the more rules-lite retake on the earlier HardNova game. It is set in the United Sovereign Worlds (USU), with humans, human-like Centaurians, insectoid Kt'sorii, ape-like Digronians, the unsightly Migado (obese with redundant organs). In addition, there are the mutated Tarkosians, now dependent on nano-symbionts and grudgingly accepted into the USU after earlier hostilities. Action resolution is by rolling under attribute + skill on 2d6, with a possible bonus die (lowest 2 out of 3d6) or penalty die (highest 2 out of 3d6). There is also an advanced system with graded difficulties. Character creation is limited point-based, spending 10 points on five attributes ranging from 1 to 5 (Fitness, Awareness, Reasoning, Creativity, and Influence); 30 points on broad skills; and selected Gimmicks (i.e. ads and disads). It includes simple rules for combat, with 5 wound levels in two types (Injury or Fatigue). Ship combat is handled using a variant of the personal combat rules, with ships having stats and wound levels just like characters.
HârnMaster
1st ed by N. Robin Crossby (1986) Columbia Games
Core ed (1996) Columbia Games
Gold ed (1999) self-published
3rd ed (2003) Columbia Games
A medieval fantasy-genre RPG set in the original game-world Harn. Harn is a beautifully and extensively detailed world based on medieval England with a Tolkien-esque style. It uses a percentile skill-based system. Character creation uses random-roll attributes and background, including details of family and social role. Skills are based on a package for background, a package for the selected profession, and five option points. Combat is very detailed, including 38 hit locations and graphic injuries with different effects depending on type. "Harnmaster Gold" is a divergent second edition by original author Robin Crosby, which will be converted into expansions to the core rules. It includes an optional point-bought character creation system.
HARP (High Adventure Role Playing)
1st ed by Tim Dugger, Heike Kubasch (2003) Iron Crown Enterprises
A generic fantasy genre RPG, using an evolved and simplified version of the Rolemaster mechanics. It uses stat plus an open-ended percentile die roll, with result determining degree of success (where totals over 100 are a success). Character creation is class-based, with nine classes (Cleric, Fighter, Harper, Mage, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Thief, and Warrior Mage). Skills are divided into four categories: Combat, Outdoor, Subterfuge, and Mystic Arts. Race is also a factor -- the core rulebook includes Human, Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Halfling, and Gryx (a strong but peaceful orc-like humanoid). A culture is selected separately from race, such as "Nomad" or "Underhill". Advancement is level-based.
Haven: City of Violence
1st ed by Louis Porter, Jr. (2002) LPJ Design
A modern crime and crime-fighting RPG set in a fictional city ("Haven") on the eastern coast of the United States. Action resolution uses rolling under attribute or skill on 1d20. Character creation is skill-based including templates for various professions.
Havoc! Live Role-Playing
1st ed by Clinton J. Staples, Wendy Speary (1997) Seventh Moon
A live-action fantasy-genre RPG system, printed in digest format. It has rules both for "boffer" combat with mock weapons and "static" no-touch combat.
Hawkmoon
1st ed by Kerie Campbell-Robson, Sandy Petersen (1986) Chaosium
A post-apocalyptic medieval science fantasy RPG, based on the Michael Moorcock's "Hawkmoon" novels. It uses a variant of Chaosium's Basic Role-playing system.
HeartQuest
1st ed by Michael Hopcroft, Robert Pool, Dimitri Ashling, Ewen Cluney, Robert Boyd, Robert Bain, Ismael Alvarez, Travis Johnson (2002) Seraphim Guard
An RPG in the genre of shoujo manga and anime -- i.e. Japanese girl's comics and animated shows. The game describes sub-genres of high-school romance, "magical girl" (superheroic), and otherworldly adventure. It uses a variant of the FUDGE system.
Hearts and Souls
1st ed by Tim Kirk (2006) Better Mousetrap Games Silver Lion Studios
A superhero RPG with a simple narratively-focused system. Each character has a single motivation, systematized as "Drive", such as "Love", "Guilt", or "Spirit of Adventure". Players use Drive to gain a reroll by either improvising a monologue, or accepting Stress points. Once Stress maxes out, though, there are required failures. There are six attributes: Might, Deftness, Resilience, Brains, Prowess, and Resolve. Each attributed has a rank (Human/d4, Superhuman/d8, and Cosmic/d12) and scale (Ordinary, Extraordinary, Spectacular). The core book includes two sample settings. The main one is "Analog Prime", where the world's greatest superhero team were just wiped out in an explosion. The minor one, "Millenia", has reality slowly shifting over time.
Heaven and Earth
1st ed by John R. Phythyon, Jr. (1998) Event Horizon Productions
2nd ed (2001) Guardians of Order
3rd ed by Lee Foster, Michelle Lyons, James Maliszewski, John R. Phythyon, Jr., Lucien Soulban (2004) Abstract Nova Entertainment
A modern-day occult RPG, inspired by surreal TV series like "Twin Peaks", "The Outer Limits", and "Millenium". It is set in the quiet town of Potter's Lake, Kansas -- home to an Air Force base that hosts a "Project Grayscale" and many other odd denizens. There is a deep underlying secret outlined in the book. The first edition game uses a diceless system based on playing cards, where you first compared attribute plus skill vs task difficulty. If greater, you succeed automatically, but otherwise you draw a playing card. If it is a number card less than your total you add +1, and if it is a face card there are special results. Character creation is limited point-based: distribute 30 points among 12 attributes, and 30 points among skills and advantages. The second edition uses the "Tri-Stat" system from Big Eyes, Small Mouth. The third edition uses a step die system, where you add attribute number plus skill number plus a die roll versus a fixed difficulty of 9. The die rolled varies with difficulty, from a d20 for easy tasks to a d4 for nearly impossible ones. Third edition character creation is limited point-based, with 14 attribute points and 9 occupation points. Occupations vary in cost based on breadth, and have three ranks (Rookie, Professional, and Veteran).
Heavy Gear
1st ed by Jean Carrieres, Gene Marcil, Martin Quellette, Marc-Alexandre Vézina (1996) Dream Pod 9
2nd ed (1997)
3rd ed (2004)
A spacefaring sci-fi RPG and tactical miniatures game, set in 6132 on "Terra Nova", the first colony planet outside the solar system which was abandoned by Earth due to domestic strife. Terra Nova is split between the North and South factions which are on the edge of war. The factions briefly dropped their differences to repel an invasion from Earth, but are now again on the edge of war. "Gears" are human-shaped combat mecha about 4-5 meters tall. It uses the "Silhouette" system: a simple dice pool system: roll dice (d6's) equal to skill and take the best, and add attribute (-3 to +3).
Heavy Metal
1st ed by Croc, Mathias Twardowski (1991) Siroz/Ideojeux
A French-language sci-fi RPG, set in a near future where the world is being controlled by a secret power using robots troubleshooters, opposed by heroic rebels -- a la "Running Man".
Heimot
1st ed by Miska Fredman (2006) Ironspine Games
A Finnish-language "space noir" science fiction RPG, whose title translates as "Tribes". Heimot is set in far future 500 years after a great disaster decimated and divided humanity. At present known space is ruled by the nine tribes of humanity. Outer worlds are populated by the barbaric outlanders and aliens. Characters are by default outlawed "clanless" humans who live outside the tribal society, though tribal humans are available as options. Aliens species exist, but are only NPCs. The rules mechanics use 1d10 + Aptitude + Skill versus a Difficulty number or competing result. Character creation and advancement is point based.
Hellboy RPG and Sourcebook
1st ed by Phil Masters, Jonathan Woodward (2002) Steve Jackson Games
A modern-day magic RPG based on the comic series by Mike Mignola, about solving occult mysteries, beating up demons, and saving the world from Things Man Was Not Meant to Know. It uses a version of the GURPS system which is included in the basic rulebook. The PC's can be characters from the comics, or may create their own agents of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense.
Hercules and Xena
1st ed by George Strayton et al. (1998) West End Games
A fantasy-genre RPG based on the two TV series. It uses a fast dice-pool system (the "D6 Prime" system), with special dice (included in the game) marked only success and failure. Roll dice equal to your skill and count the results.
Heroes
1st ed by Dave Millard (1979) Tabletop Games
A medieval fantasy RPG, set in Dark Ages Europe. It uses a mostly percentile system. Characters are defined by their country, social status, alignment, and five attributes (Strength, Agility, Intelligence, Charisma, and a Combat Value). The system is fairly detailed with the exception of combat.
Heroes and Hellions
1st ed by T. Dorsey (unknown, pre-1998) Travell Games
A small-press comic-book superhero RPG. It uses class-based character creation with 31 classes of superheroes. The combat system is involved, including special rules for critical hits and knockouts.
Heroes and Heroines
1st ed by James E. Freel (1993) Excel Marketing
A superhero RPG, which licensed characters from several comic companies including Image, Malibu, and Continuity. Character creation is point-based, including a long list of powers and weaknesses. Combat is resolved by cross-referencing a d20 roll on a universal table. The basic game includes no background, but has a short sample adventure. It has one sourcebook: "The Maxx", an adaptation of the independent comic of the same name.
Heroes Forever
1st ed (2001) Guild of Blades
A superhero RPG set in an alternate history where the world is carved into numerous empires by superbeings. It features a high-power system. Character creation includes kits, with Vampire, Werewolf, Mutant, Sorcerer, and Policeman kits included in the core rules.
Heroes of Olympus
1st ed by B. Dennis Sustare (1981) Task Force Games
2nd ed (1983)
A Greek-myth game which acts as an RPG, a wargame, and/or a boardgame. It includes background on gods, limited magic (from gods or magic places), sample races, and pregen characters from the Argonauts. It uses a skill-based system, with point-bought character creation. There are three combat systems: Noble (i.e. duelling), Melee, and Naval. They are fairly complex, although Melee is fairly fast.
Heroes Unlimited
1st ed by Kevin Siembieda (1984) Palladium Books
2nd ed (2000)
A fairly gritty "street-level" superhero RPG, using a variant of the Palladium System. Character creation is random-roll attributes with classes and levels. Some classes get random powers, while tech-based classes buy their cyberware/robotics/equipment with a pool of money.
Heroic Conquest
1st ed by David E. Blake (unknown, post 1990) Renaissance Ink
A superhero RPG. It uses a primarily percentile based system. Character creation is either point-bought or random-roll.
Heroic Do-Gooders and Dastardly Deed-Doers
1st ed by Mathew Van Dinter (1999) self-published
An RPG in a modern-day setting with pseudo-science and super-human powers. It is more of an action/adventure genre with powers, however, rather than mainstream comic-book superheroes. The setting is the real world complete with all normal features.
Heroic Visions
1st ed by William A Council (2002) New Vision Comics
A superhero RPG. The rules are a variant of the D20 System from 3rd edition D&D.
HeroQuest
1st ed by Greg Stafford, Robin D. Laws (2003) Issaries, Inc. Steve Jackson Games
A fantasy RPG set in the world of Glorantha, the setting for original for RuneQuest and for Hero Wars. This is essentially a second edition to Hero Wars with a new title.
The Hero's Banner
1st ed by Tim C. Koppang (2006) TCK Roleplaying
A fantasy RPG about the choices of a hero on the cusp of his greatness. It uses an abstract narrative system with a GM. Each character has three stats ("Influences") representing possible goals in life. The player can reroll failures by raising the highest score (possibly switching it), such that eventually one of the three goals will win out -- leaving the other two unachieved.
HERO System
1st ed by George MacDonald, Steve Peterson, Rob Bell (1989) Hero Games
5th ed by Steven S. Long (2002)
A universal RPG system, also published as the 4th edition Champions rules. Besides superheroes, several genre books have been published for it: which are pure source material, not repeating the core rules. These include "Fantasy HERO", "Cyber HERO", "Western HERO", and "Horror HERO".
Hero Wars
1st ed by Robin D. Laws, Greg Stafford, Roderick Robertson, Shannon Appel (2000) Issaries, Inc.
A fantasy RPG set in the world of Glorantha (originally the RuneQuest setting). It uses a skill-based system with a single universal mechanic. Character creation is (optionally) by writing a 100 word description of the character, then extracting skills and abilities from it.
Hexicon Fantasy Roleplay: Fantasy Made Real
1st ed by Kielan Yarrow, Dan Fitt (2005) Hexicon Press LLP
A fantasy genre RPG set on an original fantasy world ("Korin-Thar"), populated by elves, dwarves, and orcs along with various other races. Character creation includes 22 races along with 50 professions. Character creation includes a mix of random-roll and point-based elements.
Hidden Invasion
1st ed by Paul Arden Lidberg (1995) Nightshift Games
An alien conspiracy RPG, with reptilian "Greys" having taken over the government with the help of ancient human conspiracies. It uses a minimalist dice pool system, the "Cinematic Adventure System". There are no attributes, just "talents". You roll d6's equal to 2 plus your talent vs a difficulty number. Character creation is by allocating 10d of talents.
Hidden Kingdom: A Fantasy-Adventure Game
1st ed by Jon McClenahan, Stan Dokupil, Gene Riemenschnieder (1985) New Rules, Inc.
A fantasy RPG set in Arthurian times, highlighting political and religious conflict. It was sold as a three-ring binder with a red and blue illustration of a knight holding a banner on a horse on the cover, and included fold-out color hex-maps of England. You can choose from over three hundered Arthurian characters whose statistics were given in the main book, including a mix of knights/kings and ladies/queens. Characters also have a spiritual/philosophical alignment based on the Arthurian cultural context. The four alignments Pagan Powerlord (i.e. extremist pagan), Pagan Chivalrous, Christian Chivalrous, and Christian Renunciate (i.e. extremist Christian). In combat, a 20-sided die determines whether you landed an effective strike against your opponent, a 12-sided die determines the hit location, and an 8-sided die determines the extent of injury. There is also a separate jousting system.
Hidden Legacy
1st ed by Mark A. Schultz (1999) Valiant Games
A medieval fantasy-genre RPG set in the primitive World of Korroth, populated by 9 races: insectoid Grrites, human-like "Humuns", dragon-like Hynchar, amazonian Inyo, lizard-like Koothron, weasel-like Kurk, lizard-like Moudunn, enigmatic Shii, and insectoid Zhontal'rai. It uses a d12 dice-pool system, using special icon-marked "Success Dice" and "Battle Dice".
High Adventure Cliffhangers: The Buck Rogers Adventure Game
1st ed by Jeff Grubb, Steven E. Schend (1993) TSR
A sci-fi RPG based on the original Buck Rogers comic strip. This is a new take on the same source material as TSR's earlier game, Buck Rogers XXVC. The setting is the 25th century, where there a war between the Han -- the Mongolian rulers of the Earth -- and organized resistance. The technology includes anti-gravity jumping belts, rocket pistols, airships, biplanes, and disintegrator weaponry. The system uses an additive d6 dice pool: roll a number of open-ended d6s (maximum 8d6) based on your attribute rank, +1 for applicable skill) vs a difficulty number. Each character has four attributes (Strength, Aim, Brains, and Health), which are each rated one of four ranks (OK, Good, Better, Best). They then pick five binary skills. Movement and combat are regulated by action points. Earned Experience Chips help increase your chances. The boxed set includes three booklets, maps, fold-up counters, along with ten six-sided dice and a bag of white and red poker chips.
High Colonies
1st ed by Edwin King (1988) Waterford Publishing House
A sci-fi RPG, set in 2188 where Earth is a wasteland and humanity lives in several hundred space stations scattered around the solar system. There are also "bio-gens" (biological androids) and a friendly alien species. The system is a percentile skill-based system, with random-roll attributes. Does not include rules for spaceships. Reviewed in White Wolf #15.
High Fantasy
1st ed by Jeffrey C. Dillow (1978) Fantasy Productions Inc.
2nd ed (1981) Reston Publishing Company Inc.
A fantasy-genre RPG, from makers of the AD&D scenarios "Fortress Ellendar" and "Moorguard".
High Medieval: Adventure Through History
1st ed by Scott Agnew, Jim Andrews, Aaron Dembski-Bowden (2005) Morrigan Press
A historical fantasy RPG published under the WotC Open Game License, adding fantasy and magical elements to late medieval Europe. It uses the "Omni RPG System". Action resolution uses skill or attribute minus difficulty + 1d20, interpreting the results on a universal degree of success table.
HindSight
1st ed by Tonio Loewald (1987) self-published
A variant of the Foresight sci-fi rules for the fantasy genre.
HIT
1st ed by James Overton, Jonah Miller (1999) Stormcrow Games
A generic "modern action" RPG system. It has several levels of rules complexity which work on the same stat scale and basic engine. The levels range from "freestyle" (LARP rules, almost diceless); "dramatist" (6 skills, point-build, d20 against stat+skill); "gamist" (more skills, more special cases, same basic rules engine as dramatist); and "simulationist: (still more skills and special cases, action point move-combat rules).
Hokago Kaiki Club
1st ed (unknown) Hobby Japan
Roughly: "Twilight Zone in School". A Japanese-language RPG in the genre of "Gakuen-mono" (school genre), about schoolkids who deal with ghosts and other supernatural beings. The rules are a variant of Basic Roleplaying.
HOL: Human Occupied Landfill
1st ed by Todd Shaughnessy, Daniel Thron, Chris Elliott (1993) Dirt Merchant
2nd ed (1994) White Wolf
A blackly comedic sci-fi RPG, set on a dismal prison planet. The rulebook is hand-written (!!) and portrays the twisted world of Sodomy Bikers, Wastits, Jumpslugs, and more. The rules are basic attribute + skill + 2d6 vs difficulty, with the attributes being Greymatta, Feets, Nuts, Mouth, and Meat.
Hollow Earth Expedition
1st ed by Jeff Combos, Brannon Boren, Bruce Baugh, Eric Cagle, Jason Carl, Patrick Bradley, Steve Winter (2006) Exile Game Studio
A pulp action game set in the 1930s, inspired by the lost worlds stories of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It uses a dice pool system, the "Ubiquity System", which can use any even-sided dice. Action resolution is by rolling dice equal to skill, where each even result is a success. Results can be modified by spending Style Points.
Hollywood Lives
1st ed by Reiner Knizia, Kevin Jacklin (2004) Fantasy Flight Games
A semi-freeform live-action game which mixes party game, trading game, and role-playing elements. A group of 10 to 25 players take on the nominal roles of old Hollywood stars and producers, then break up into teams and collaborate to perform three-minute trailers for a set of films. There is an economy of cash and fame pips for the film production, along with bonus points from awards voting after all of the trailers are performed. The game provides a selection of parody names of stars and movie titles.
Holmes & Company
1st ed by Mario Corte, Antonello Lotronto (1986) E.Elle
2nd ed (1989) Universal Editrice
An Italian-language investigation RPG, in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. The original game was focused on pure investigation. The second edition added rules for action investigations including firearms, car and foot chases, and more. The second edition also shortened the title to "Holmes & Co.".
Holy Lands: The Christian Role-Playing Game
Light Edition ed by Matthew Nigro (2004) Faith Quest Games
A Christian fantasy game, set in a generic fantasy setting. Action resolution is generally 1d20 + modifiers vs difficulty. Character creation is class-based, with ten classes: Bard, Cleric, Knight, Martialist, Saint, Scout, Spy, Warrior, Devil Hunter, and Soldier. Each class has attribute requirements, Life and Faith points, and skill selections. The nine attributes are determined by random-roll: Intellect, Wisdom, Patience, Strength, Agility, Speed, Endurance, Beauty, and Charisma.
Hong Kong Action Theatre!
1st ed by Gareth-Michael Skarka (1996) Event Horizon Productions
2nd ed by Scott Kessler, Nicole Lindroos, Jeff Mackintosh, Chris Pramas, Lucien Soulban (2001) Guardians of Order
An extremely cinematic RPG which emulates Hong Kong action movies. For example, your chance to hit an opponent is not based on range or armor, but solely on the Star Power of the opposing actor, or the character's importance to the current plot! The 2nd edition rules were adapted to be compatible with the Big Eyes, Small Mouth system, while still keeping many of the innovative features.
Hostage... a Pawn of Terrorism
1st ed (1986) Force Four Games
A modern-day action RPG narrowly focused on hostage situations. One can play a terrorist, a hostage, a policeman, or a civilian (negotiator, policy, journalist) within the framework of a taking of hostages. The 70-page soft-cover rule booklet includes an extensive list of equipment (up to rocket launchers), and an experience system based on specific objectives achieved for that role -- i.e. a hostage earns points for hiding and surviving, for example.
The Human Interface for Fantasy Roleplaying
1st ed by Martin Melhus, John F. Sasso (2002) IGS Games LLC
A fantasy-genre RPG set on an original world, published electronically. The commercial rules include 28 character races, 66 character background packages, 150 skills, 40 magic spells, and 85 creatures.
Hunter Planet
1st ed by David Bruggeman (1986) TAGG / HPAC Pty, Ltd.
A humorous sci-fi RPG about aliens come to Earth to hunt humans (or rather, come to "Dirt" to hunt "hoomans"), using a minimalist system.
Hunter: The Reckoning
1st ed by Bruce Baugh, Geoff Grabowski, Angel McCoy, Greg Stolze, et al. (1999) White Wolf
A modern-day monster-hunting RPG, where the PC's are normal humans who find that they have supernatural powers ("Edges") which allow them to notice and fight monsters hidden around us. It is set in the "World of Darkness", filled with vampires, werewolves, wraiths, mummies, and other supernatural creatures. The origin and purpose of the hunters' powers remains an unknown mystery. It uses the "Storyteller" dice-pool system.
Hurlements
1st ed by Valerie Bizien, Jean-Luc Bizien (1989) Éditions de la Lune Sang
A French-language historical RPG where the PC's are with a caravan that has slowly rolled thru France from the middle ages to the beginning of the 20th century.
John H. Kim <jhkim@darkshire.net>
Last modified: Thu May 1 21:40:24 2008