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Hmm, I kinda like this idea. I wouldn't rename the saves and would just apply whatever ability score made sense for the save. I like the idea of starting at 2 in 6, and only getting a single modifier of +1 or -1 based on ability score. I'd probably do +1 every other level.

The mechanic overall seems fine, but 1 in 6 for all saves at first level seems very low. In the rulebook, the best starting save is 10, and the worst is 18, which means first level characters have between a 15% and 50% chance, whereas with a 1 in 6, it's about 17% across the board.

Of course, as you say, ability scores can modify this, but that means you can end up with negative saves...does that mean that some characters will basically start with an auto fail vs death save?

Like I said, I think the mechanic itself can work, you may just want to think about how negative modifiers affect things, and what happens if a character with weak ability scores is affected by having a 17% save vs almost everything (which can be pretty much instant death in LotFP).

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Have you seen the system introduced in the LotFP Playtest document? PCs roll a number of D6s based on their ability score in Charisma (vs. magic threats) and Wisdom (vs non-magic threats).  Two sixes is a full save, one six is a half save, zero sixes means they failed.

If you're interested in this, I can post more later, but I don't have it in front of me right now.

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I'll also share what I'm currently doing, it takes one part of what was used in the playtest document and changes it up:

Charisma is used to save vs. magic threats.
Wisdom is used to save vs. all non-magic threats.

When saving, a PC rolls equal to or less than their score in that stat. If they roll an even number, it's a half save, if they roll an odd number, it's a full save.

One side effect of this is that saves will not normally increase when leveling up. So, every other level, PCs can bump one ability score so they have an option of increasing their save if they would like.

The magic system was introduced in the play test document, more fully formed in VAM, and is being used again for this year’s free rpg offering: Eldritch Cock. I’m confident the publisher is all-in on this new system and it will be used in the new rule book.

Also, I believe firearms will be integrated fully into the rules instead of being in the appendix.

The author/publisher is on this site, but he isn't always able to respond quickly (he's busy authoring/publishing/conventioning). I follow updates pretty closely and am a moderator, so feel equipped to respond to your questions as far as what's been officially/publicly stated:

1) There is a new edition coming out eventually. He released a playtest document in 2/2016, only available to those who ordered from the webstore at a certain time. There is no official date, but I would wager it's going to be a few years. The Referee book will come out first, and then work in earnest on the new rulebook will likely begin sometime after that.

2) Clerics will be removed/appendicized. There will be rules for how to handle them when using non-LotFP modules and adventures that do refer to Clerics. Yes, there will only be one spell list, and I believe the idea is to focus on interesting "utility" sort of spells and not just blunt damage or healing spells.

3) I would say keeping the skill system is likely but there's always a chance for a change. It was kept the same in the playtest document (although some skills were added and some removed). I think most people like it, so it will probably be the same.

4) The playtest document features a new save system. Basically you have "magic" and "non-magic" saves. To save vs magic, you roll a number of d6s as determined by your Charisma score (so if that score is in the 9-12 range, you roll 4d6). If you roll two 6s, you fully save, if you roll one 6, you half save, and if you roll no 6s, you fail the save. Wisdom is used exactly the same way for non-magical saves. I have no idea if he is going to keep this system or change it again.

5) For sure the demi-humans are being put in the appendices. There was talk about adding a new class or two, but not sure if it will happen or not. I would say you can count on Fighter, Magic-User, and Specialist. The rest is up in the air.

Hopefully that helps!

Looks thematically appropriate.

I'm curious if the Witchhunter uses the same chaotic magic that the magic-users they're hunting use, or are they using "holy" magic like a Cleric would? Are you going to have a special spell list for them? I like the tracking M-U/magical creature ability.

The Colonial Gothic RPG might be a good resource for you to get additional ideas for your setting.

My players went in to kill the witches, then discovered everyone else trying to kill the witches were total dicks, so they decided to help instead. The ritual succeeded, and the players were all made "ambassadors" to the witches. They each got a random (beneficial) mutant power from The Metamorphica and a symbol magically carved into their foreheads (it can't be covered - it burns through any hat or helmet placed over it).

The witches now help provide the players with quests ("to explore the dark parts of the earth and make them safe for humanity") and to spread their message of equality to all.

So far, the players have enlisted Joop van Ooms to the cause. However, King James has allied himself with a certain wizard from a certain tower that the players mercilessly mocked as they stole his shit (they actually don't know this guy is involved yet, just that London Tower was somehow magically protected as the Witches invaded it to free the political prisoners).

As the players go on other adventures and return to England, they see events that have transpired and interact with the Witches as needed, otherwise they're generally in the background. My plan is to mix it up with England Upturn'd - there will be a civil war between the Witches and King James, but the common person is going to have to decide if their religion is more important or their belief in equality.

I believe the last line, "and this is consumed with every casting" implies that the circle does not remain intact. My interpretation is that perhaps the markings of the circle are there, but the materials and components that were used to create it are used and therefore requires a new circle to be made in order to be effective.

You could say it disappears completely, leaves a scorched mark in the shape of the circle, or fades or whatever you decide.

I guess I'm confused about why you ask about a reroll? I would say there is a 50/50 chance to either get a 1-6 or a 7-12, so to me it doesn't "tend toward the catastrophic end."

(But in most cases, you should assume Raggi always tends toward catastrophic results!

Yes!

1. I think you are correct, I can't find anything that says differently. However, you can decide to give a rear attack a bonus if you think it's fitting for the situation.

2. M-U declares spell, fighter makes attack roll. If fighter misses, then the spell succeeds at the end of the round. If the M-U takes damage from the attack, the spell is interrupted (and lost).

3. People handle this in different ways. Here's what I do:

M-U declares which spell they are casting.
Bandits "declare" spells if one or both happen to be M-U.

Missile fighter makes attack.
Bandits who are using missile weapons (and did not declare a spell) make attacks.

Melee fighter makes attack.
Bandits (who have not done anything yet) now make melee attacks.

M-U spell goes off, assuming they took no damage.
Bandit spell goes off, assuming they took no damage.

I'm pretty loose if players want to move in or out of melee, for example, someone can run up and engage in melee, while another stays put and shoots with a gun, staying at ranged distance. Of course, the one who ran up will most likely be attacked by the enemy.

Referee book is being worked on right now, but that is not a replacement of the current Rules edition (it's in addition to).

The new rules iteration is many years out, so you should just get the current Rules & Magic now. You'll probably be able to run a campaign or two before the next edition comes out!