The Perfect System

For most of us the perfect system just doesn't exist.  That is why so many people find they must house rule things, in a never ending attempt to reach that perfect place.  Many people are still playing first edition, using that as a launch pad and adding heaps of house rules until it is their version of the perfect game, or at least as close as they can make it.  

I think my launch pad will be Advanced Hackmaster.  I really like what Kenzer has done, and the combat system just blows turn based combat out of the water.  That having been said, I still think that I'll end up using a number of house rules to bring it closer to what I consider to be the perfect system. 

The other GM in my group, the one currently running the Pathfinder game that I haven't posted about in a while, feels that 3rd edition is his launch pad.  He likes the system, but there are a lot of things about it that he doesn't like.  He plans on going through the game chapter by chapter and modifing the game to his specific tastes and using his highly modified system whenever he runs a game. 

Though some would call this extreme, I call it perfect, or at least as close as one will ever come.  Why simply put up with an aspect of a system that you don't like?  We gamers are a creative bunch, why not focus that creativity to create your own perfect game?  You can save a lot of time by using a preexisting game as a starting point, and house rules galore will get you the rest of the way. 

Don't be afraid to change things.  Experiment to find what works for you and your group.  Perfection might be an impossible dream, but how will you know if you don't try?

At least until you become fabulously wealthy and can hire your own gaming company to design a system just for you!