A little informal sci-fi/setting setting poll...

[Relique du Madde]

I am currently in the process of creating a home-brew setting (and posting the info over in the wiki) for a pbp game that I hope to run sometime in the near future.

The game's setting is a space-western along the lines of Cowboy Bebop and Firefly/Serenity with a few cyber-punk elements thrown into the mix. Meaning the following would be true for my game:

1. Humans are the main (player character) species. Sentient Androids exist. Cyborgs exist. Primitive extraterrestrial species may exist (technologically advanced ones have not contacted earth).
2. Lots of western character types abound.
3. Psionics, and magic (but are low powered).
4. Nothing flys faster then the speed of light. Gate technology has yet to be perfected.
5. Laser weapons exist along side traditional fire arms.


This leads me to my question(s): Which of the following d20 based systems would you prefer this game to should be played in? If none of those (should have made a 5th option...), when which would you suggest?

[Theroc]

Originally Posted by Relique du Madde

This leads me to my question: Which of the following d20 based systems would you prefer this game to should be played in?

~Waits for the following systems to be listed so he can give input~

Or did you just want us to start listing systems that would work for the setting?

[Relique du Madde]

The poll is now live.

I realize there are other choices (ie Modern20), but I'm going with books/systems that I own and am somewhat familiar with.

[Theroc]

Originally Posted by Relique du Madde

The poll is now live.

I realize there are other choices (ie Modern20), but I'm going with books/systems that I own and am somewhat familiar with.

Hopefully I didn't come across as too snarky, didn't intend to come off herky. Anyways, I'm not really familiar with any of those systems, so I'll not clutter your thread anymore. Have a nice day and good luck with your game. Firefly/Serenity=Win.

[Relique du Madde]

Originally Posted by Theroc

Hopefully I didn't come across as too snarky, didn't intend to come off herky. Anyways, I'm not really familiar with any of those systems, so I'll not clutter your thread anymore. Have a nice day and good luck with your game. Firefly/Serenity=Win.

You didn't come off as snarky.

I guess another valid question I should ask is if not any of the above systems then which system would you suggest?

[Theroc]

Originally Posted by Relique du Madde

You didn't come off as snarky.

I guess another valid question I should ask is if not any of the above systems then which system would you suggest?

I'm not really familiar with any setting outside of basic 3.5 D&D, and dabbled in Pathfinder.

So, my vote goes there only because it's the only way I'd feel comfortable jumping into the game, and a Firefly style game sounds like fun. But my own bias aside, I really wouldn't know enough about systems to tell you which would be a better fit. I know there is third party support for steampunk-style stuff for 3.5 and such that could be used to simulate or expand into the technology stuff.

[HolyMan]

I voted star wars as it should cover all your bases

good luck with the game

HM

[Rhun]

d20 Modern / d20 Future because it is customizable to what you want. I know a lot of people have issue with the system, but I personally love it. I think you can do just about anything with it. I've actually got an old Firefly character from BIG DAMN HEROES - a d20 Firefly Campaign...I'll post him below. You can take a look and see if it fits the sort of feel you want for PCs in your game:

Patrick “Win” Winslow

Patrick Winslow, or simply “Win” as he is called by companions, hails from Dyton Colony, a son of a fairly prominent landowner. Although his family had more money than most, Patrick never cared much for a life of finery. Adventure and excitement, that was the thing. Patrick learned to fight and shoot, getting in more than his fair share of trouble as a youngster. When the Unification War started, he volunteered immediately, and fought for the Independents until the war's end. Since the end of the war, Win has wondered the ‘Verse, keeping mostly to the Rim and Border worlds, making a living at what jobs he can get. Between his travels and service with the Browncoats, he has picked up a hodgepodge of skills that have given him some success in finding work.

Win is a broad-shouldered, muscular man standing just over six feet in height. He wears his brown hair cropped close in the military style, and often sports a very fine goatee. While he might otherwise be a handsome man, Win bears a fierce looking scar that runs from his forehead, across the right eye and down his cheek. If asked about it, he states simply that it was a souvenir from the war. He dresses in simple, practical garb, and is seemingly never without a gun.

Win is a good man, and tries to do the right thing, though life in the Black sometimes makes that difficult. He's no low-down, dirty deceiver, and in fact, has a hard time with telling lies. Because of the work he does and the type of folk he deals with, he usually chooses to say nothing at all. Give him a few drinks, though, and it is hard to shut him up.

Fast 2 / Strong 4 - Adventurer

STR 14 (6 points)
DEX 17 (10 points, +1 level increase)
CON 14 (6 points)
INT 14 (6 points)
WIS 10 (2 points)
CHA 10 (2 points)

Init +7 (+3 dex +4 feat)
HD: 8 + 29 (5d8) +12 = 49
Roll Lookup
DEF 25 (+7 class, +3 dex, +5 armor)
Speed: 35’
BAB +5
Melee +7
Ranged +8
REP +1 (+0 class +1 trait)
Action Points: 9

FORT +4 (2 base + 2 con)
REF +6 (3 base + 3 dex)
WIL +1 (1 base + 0 wis)

Attacks
Hvy Auto Loader +9, +10 within 30’ (2d8; 40 ft; S; 9 box)
Unarmed +9 (1d8+4 non-lethal)
Whip +7 (1d2+2; 15 ft)

FEATS
Personal Firearms Proficiency – Rim Homeworld
Brawl - Occupation
Armor Proficiency (Light) – Lvl 1
Improved Initiative – Lvl 1
Simple Weapons Proficiency – Lvl 1 Fast
Point Blank Shot - Lvl 2 Fast Bonus
Weapon Focus (Hvy Auto Loader) – Lvl 2 Strong Bonus
Armor Proficiency (Medium) – Lvl 3
Double Tap - Lvl 5
Improved Brawl - Lvl 4 Strong Bonus

TALENTS
Increased Speed
Melee Smash
Improved Melee Smash

TRAITS
Saddleborn
Distinctive

SKILLS 35 + 20
Balance +4 (5 ranks, +3 dex, -4 armor)
Climb +1 (3 ranks, +2 str, -4 armor)
Drive +5 (2 ranks, +3 dex)
Handle Animals -1 (0 ranks, +0 cha, -1 trait)
Hide +3 (4 ranks, +3 dex, -4 armor)
Jump +1 (3 ranks, +2 str, -4 armor)
Knowledge - Tactics +5 (3 ranks, +2 int)
Move Silently* +5 (5 ranks, +3 dex, +1 competence, -4 armor)
Pilot +7 (4 ranks, +3 dex)
Profession +1 (1 rank, +0 wis)
Repair* +8 (7 ranks, +1 int)
Ride +8 (4 ranks, +3 dex, +1 trait)
Spot* +7 (7 ranks, +0 wis)
Survival* +5 (5 ranks, +0 wis)
Swim +4 (2 ranks, +2 str)

EQUIPMENT
Range pack, standard
Bolt Cutter
Duct Tape, 2 rolls
Compass
Flashlight, standard
Binoculars, standard
Walkie-talkie, basic
4 ammo magazines
Illuminator
Holster, hip
Knife
Whip
Ammo, heavy auto loader (150 rounds)
Light Duty Vest (DC17, reduced wealth to 5)
Heavy Autoloader - PK12 Peacekeeper (DC19, reduced wealth to 2)

Current Wealth: 2 (Starting 7)

[Fenris]

Originally Posted by Relique du Madde

You didn't come off as snarky.

I guess another valid question I should ask is if not any of the above systems then which system would you suggest?

I voted for d20 Modern/Future.

However, if you are familiar with d20 Modern I would recomend Grim Tales. It is a streamlined version of d20 Modern than handles all genres well and would be great at handling a gunslinger next to a laser sword cyborg next to a grease monkey/pilot. easy to use cyber rules and vehicles rules already in there. And since it's a toolbox it allows you to tweak the dials to fit your world. I think it's worth a look for this game which sound really cool and amazing. I will keep an eye out for it if you run it here.

[Relique du Madde]

Originally Posted by Fenris

I voted for d20 Modern/Future.

However, if you are familiar with d20 Modern I would recomend Grim Tales. It is a streamlined version of d20 Modern than handles all genres well and would be great at handling a gunslinger next to a laser sword cyborg next to a grease monkey/pilot. easy to use cyber rules and vehicles rules already in there. And since it's a toolbox it allows you to tweak the dials to fit your world. I think it's worth a look for this game which sound really cool and amazing. I will keep an eye out for it if you run it here.

Who put out Grim Tales?

[Rhun]

Originally Posted by Relique du Madde

Who put out Grim Tales?

Bad Axe Games.

[Thanee]

I do not know Cowboy Bebop (not an anime fan), though I know of it, but Serenity definitely sounds pretty close already to what you are doing there.


Why not take a look at the Cortex System RPG?

It is the (most recent incarnation of the) system of the actual Serenity RPG (which was the first incarnation of the system), and it is very cool.

Might be worth a look.

It's just one book, not very expensive, and includes a free PDF, too.


Other than that, I heavily dislike d20 Modern, so that is out (from my point of view only, of course ). M&M is great, but not sure how useful it is for such a game, True20 is probably the more closer match (it's basically the same system, or not?).

But from your choices, I think the Star Wars SAGA system would be the most appropriate.

Bye
Thanee

[Rhun]

Originally Posted by Thanee

Other than that, I heavily dislike d20 Modern, so that is out (from my point of view only, of course ).

Hey Thanee...can I ask what things you dislike about d20 Modern?

[Voda Vosa]

I think d20 modern or future has a high flexibility, and can adapt to almost anything you want to throw at it. Robust system I say.

[Relique du Madde]

Looks like my poll is turning out how I expected (a tight race with D20 Moder/Future and Star Wars:Sage) in the lead. I appriaciate the suggestions you all have given me thus far.

As far as my personal tastes go, the decision between Star Wars: Saga and Modern/Future is a difficult one. Although I like the breadth of options and their detail of D20 M/F yet, at the same time I feel that the amount of streamlining done in SWS was misguided or obsessive at times (in the case of some skills and the case of splitting certain sci-fi archetypes between two or more character classes).

Of course, as much as I love True20/M&M, True20 is extremely lacking in many areas when you exclude 3rd Party Publishers (which doesn't bode well considering that M&M and GR's other projects seem to take priority). M&M on the other hand has it's own issues, considering that it's using it for the type of game I had in mind would require me to experiment with a broad variety of options and various limitations/restrictions to insure that things don't to awry to quickly.


But no matter what, I have a difficult choice to make.

[Thanee]

Originally Posted by Rhun

Hey Thanee...can I ask what things you dislike about d20 Modern?

By far my biggest dislike is the classes (and yes, I'm aware, that that is exactly what most like about it ).

Also the whole level/hp thing just doesn't work for me for any realistic campaigns (which modern and future campaigns often tend to be).

It's cool for D&D-style heroic fantasy, though.

Bye
Thanee

[Relique du Madde]

Originally Posted by Thanee

By far my biggest dislike is the classes (and yes, I'm aware, that that is exactly what most like about it ).

Also the whole level/hp thing just doesn't work for me for any realistic campaigns (which modern and future campaigns often tend to be).

It's cool for D&D-style heroic fantasy, though.

Bye
Thanee

The funny thing is, those are some of my pet peeves also. Wealth is another (when used in certain sci-fi settings).

[Rhun]

I have to say that I am one of the ones that really likes the classes in d20 Modern. I've been able to build just about any type of character, and I've been able to build the same concept multiple ways.

I agree with you on the Level & Hit Point thing, though. That sort of thing does tend to feel more "right" in a high fantasy game. Still, it works as a decent approximation of the character's skill level and ability to absorb/avoid damage; while not perfect it IS better than some of the other systems I've seen.

Wealth I disliked at first, until I came to understand it better. With that said, I don't actually use it in my games...it makes it too hard to "reward" characters with cash and/or valuable items.

[kinem]

I don't like d20 Modern/Future that much, but it has a big advantage for PBP, which is the online hypertext SRD. That alone makes it the best choice.

[Rhun]

Originally Posted by kinem

but it has a big advantage for PBP, which is the online hypertext SRD. That alone makes it the best choice.

That is an excellent point, Kinem!