obligatory *LANCER* mentioned comment. The way it does its customization is a big point why I am interested in playing it. Overall, I think DnD as a whole hasn't moved fully in its systems with the different "game" fantasy it sells - in its recent years it has moved from a dungeon crawling, EXP by kill game to more and more Milestone // Narrative games in the culture bubbles, which seemed to be more embraced by the game in 5ed and now 5ed2024. It's stuck in its leveling system in the dungeon crawl days. Mage the Ascension also peaked my interest personall - all systems in the Vampire the Masquerade Universe tbf - as they are highly modular with itself (albeit a bit confusing what source books you need for what), as they are more liberal with their progression from what I've seen (again, haven't played it yet, just found the lore fascinating). On the otherhand you have Essence 20, which tries to marry more 'narrative' play with its overall sheets and therefore progression. Skills are overall a suggestion, and are very creative (which again, can also be overwhelming - I struggled with it) in the way they are defined. You've got an overall 'type' like from the power rangers Essence 20 version such as "urban life" and can have "back ally knowledge" or "crime" as a god damn skill... *yes these were examples my potential dm gave me*.
obligatory *LANCER* mentioned comment. The way it does its customization is a big point why I am interested in playing it.
Overall, I think DnD as a whole hasn't moved fully in its systems with the different "game" fantasy it sells - in its recent years it has moved from a dungeon crawling, EXP by kill game to more and more Milestone // Narrative games in the culture bubbles, which seemed to be more embraced by the game in 5ed and now 5ed2024. It's stuck in its leveling system in the dungeon crawl days.
Mage the Ascension also peaked my interest personall - all systems in the Vampire the Masquerade Universe tbf - as they are highly modular with itself (albeit a bit confusing what source books you need for what), as they are more liberal with their progression from what I've seen (again, haven't played it yet, just found the lore fascinating).
On the otherhand you have Essence 20, which tries to marry more 'narrative' play with its overall sheets and therefore progression. Skills are overall a suggestion, and are very creative (which again, can also be overwhelming - I struggled with it) in the way they are defined. You've got an overall 'type' like from the power rangers Essence 20 version such as "urban life" and can have "back ally knowledge" or "crime" as a god damn skill... *yes these were examples my potential dm gave me*.