Prime Directive d20 is out? Anyone have it?

[trancejeremy]

And is it any good?

(According to the ad here, anyway, it's out).

I liked the original and was waiting for the D6 system version. But not too shockingly the D6 system is delayed...

 

[trancejeremy]

And according to the message board on the official site, it's been out since late July or so. But the only real comment I could find about the game is that it's good, but doesn't have a character sheet.

 

[Kirin'Tor]

I'm also interested to hear more about it...hopefully someone has it. It deserves to be a great game...Trek has had so many flops...

 

[tsadkiel]

I have it.

The rules are pretty much straight d20 with Action points added in. Nothing terribly innovative, but it should get the job done. It should handle Trek up until, oh, the Wrath of Khan era without much work. And I love the fact that "Godlike Psionic Power" is a feat. (That requires strict GM permission.)

Some quibbles, though:

The races have odd stat modifiers. It's not a big deal for me personally, but the industry standard is pretty clear on this point.

BABs - Most of the Starfleet-type classes (including the Security Specialist) have a poor BAB, ending in +10 at 20th level. Some of the classes have an "even worse" BAB that ends in +7 at 20th level. I might think this was deliberate, since the rules don't include any sort of class defense bonus, but the Marine class has a +20 BAB and the Rogue and Pilot both have +15.

And there is no starship combat system included. They assume you'll use Star Fleet Battles instead.

Any specific questions?

 

[Agamon]

Trek has had so many flops...

Including Prime Directive. Ugh, that's gotta be the worst RPG I've had the displeasure of buying. The d20 version could be better though...

 

[trancejeremy]

Hmmm. Sounds like it has 2 things that drive me crazy - weird and unbalanced (compared to the other classes) BAB progressions (though it sounds like they might be out of Traveller 20) and odd racial adjustments.

How much is rules for characters compared to setting? I have the original PD, but it was mostly on military special ops teams. Is there background and rules for things like owning ships, space travel, trading? (I think d20 space combat is going to be in another book, besides using the SFB game)

 

[tsadkiel]

How much is rules for characters compared to setting? I have the original PD, but it was mostly on military special ops teams. Is there background and rules for things like owning ships, space travel, trading? (I think d20 space combat is going to be in another book, besides using the SFB game)

The rules run from about page 26 to page 137, while the setting runs from about 141 to 173, though there is a quick setting overview from 16 to 26, and setting tidbits strewn throughout. There is some attention paid to owning ships and space travel, and a little bit on trading, but not much detail on any of the above. The book doesn't assume Prime Teams, but they do seem to expect you'll be in Star Fleet.

 

[Ranger REG]

Including Prime Directive. Ugh, that's gotta be the worst RPG I've had the displeasure of buying. The d20 version could be better though...

What's wrong with PD? I mean, we pretty much know it's not an official Trek product.

 

[haiiro]

I'm also interested to hear more about it...hopefully someone has it. It deserves to be a great game...Trek has had so many flops...

It's going to have to be pretty good to replace ICON and CODA Trek (from Last Unicorn and Decipher, respectively) in my book. And given that Decipher's line seems to have gone the way of the dodo, is now the best time for another Trek product?

 

[SWBaxter]

And given that Decipher's line seems to have gone the way of the dodo, is now the best time for another Trek product?

I think it has a better chance of finding a market as an SFB product rather than Trek product. AFAIK, the GURPS books are selling decently, mostly to folks who are at least aware of the wargame and know it's a little different from Star Trek.

I already have the GURPS PD and Klingons books, so I don't plan to buy the d20 versions. I'd like to pick up Romulans, but I'm not sure if I want to continue with the GURPS line or wait for d6.