Tunnel Goons Fantasy; Rules Lite; Old-School Renaissance (OSR); Quick-Play; Low Prep

At-a-glance: OSR-adjacent • 2d6 contests • 2-5 + GM • Near-zero prep • Rules-lite • 1-2h sessions

Theme and Setting

Tunnel Goons is system-first and setting-agnostic. It shines for classic dungeon crawls, weird wilderness hexcrawls, and quick urban capers. Tone leans scrappy and lethal at low levels, rewarding creative problem-solving over build math.

Core Mechanics and Rules

Characters have three broad stats (Brute, Skulk, Wits). When you attempt something risky, roll 2d6, add the highest applicable stat, and compare to a target number set by the GM and situation. Gear and advantage can add small bumps; harm and hindrance push the TN up. Combat uses the same contest - no separate initiative mini-game - so scenes resolve quickly. Advancement is intentionally light: groups often tack on milestone perks, item unlocks, or scars to taste.

What Makes It Unique

Tunnel Goons is ruthlessly teachable: you can explain the entire engine in under two minutes and start playing. Because resolution is uniform (2d6 vs TN) and modifiers stay small, pace stays brisk and rulings stay clear. The SRD-like openness and Creative Commons license have spawned dozens of hacks (from street-level heists to gonzo sci-fi), making TG an excellent chassis if you want to reskin or homebrew quickly.

Target Audience and Player Experience

Great for new players, classroom demos, and groups that value improvisation and tempo. Expect high lethality if you press your luck, fast decision cycles, and little bookkeeping. If your table prefers deep character builds, tactical grids, or subsystem crunch, TG may feel sparse - by design. If you want quick starts, rulings-forward play, and easy hacking, it sings.