D&D 5E Starships in 5e

[Micah Sweet]

@MarkB @Micah Sweet

Would y'all say that Dark Matter is a worthy purchase in general?

I would. It has a lot of cool ideas and neat mechanics. It's more Spelljammer than science fiction though, and definitely gonzo. The included gadgeteer class is not the artificer, but rather a very different take on a technologist.

For me personally, I prefer a bit harder sci-fi, but they do a great job at integrating space stuff into D&D.

 

[Micah Sweet]

It has a lot of interesting ideas and is mostly well put together, but I found it to be a little too much its own thing. It has an established setting and a lot of game mechanics tied to that setting, which makes it a little harder to use it as a generic sci-fi D&D toolkit than I'd like.

It's good at what it does, but yes I agree. Spacewyrms and Starships, Ultramodern5e, and maybe Esper Genesis are better at being a sci-fi toolkit. I use elements of all of them in the Micahnomicon (my homebrew document).

 

[doctorbadwolf]

It has a lot of interesting ideas and is mostly well put together, but I found it to be a little too much its own thing. It has an established setting and a lot of game mechanics tied to that setting, which makes it a little harder to use it as a generic sci-fi D&D toolkit than I'd like.

Interesting. Thanks!

 

[Eyes of Nine]

I have to imagine the new Spelljammer will have info along these lines. Unless you want actual starships?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I have to imagine the new Spelljammer will have info along these lines. Unless you want actual starships?

Is mentioned upthread, we are all hoping that spelljammer expands the vehicle rules. And I’m sure DMsGuild will expand it even further based on that book.

But our particular “spelljammer” has starfighters and such, as well as spelljamming sailing ships and nautiloids and whatnot.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Is mentioned upthread, we are all hoping that spelljammer expands the vehicle rules. And I’m sure DMsGuild will expand it even further based on that book.

But our particular “spelljammer” has starfighters and such, as well as spelljamming sailing ships and nautiloids and whatnot.

Yeah, I want actual starships. As much as I enjoy Spelljammer's aesthetic, it is in no way sci-fi as it is commonly encountered. Fortunately, Level Up's upcoming Voidrunner's Codex looks to be scratching that itch.

 

[Rogerd1]

Wildjammer uses the spaceship rules from either Esper Genesis or Dark Matter (cannot recall which) to create ship combat rules. EDIT: Dark Matter as both has mega-Damage rules

Blackstorm Realms which is due out soo may well have some kind of ship combat rules, although how they work is unknown at this time.

 

[Darrin Drader]

The biggest criticism I have with SW5E is that it does technology as magic. Personally, I feel that technology shouldn't be tied to magic rules and effects, but should be its own system.

Also, if you're interested in some starship rules, I'm currently running a Kickstarter for Reign of Discordia 2nd edition, which is a space opera setting. It will have two modes of starship combat - one that is quick and dirty, and will simply track where your ship is in relation to the other ship, while the other will be tactical, hex based, and will involve maneuvers. Our KS is being run by Owen K. C. Stephens, who has been super sick for the past week and unable to run it effectively, but he'll be back in a couple days and I expect to be firing on all cylinders again. You can check it out here: Reign of Discordia for 5e/White Star

 

[doctorbadwolf]

The biggest criticism I have with SW5E is that it does technology as magic. Personally, I feel that technology shouldn't be tied to magic rules and effects, but should be its own system.

Also, if you're interested in some starship rules, I'm currently running a Kickstarter for Reign of Discordia 2nd edition, which is a space opera setting. It will have two modes of starship combat - one that is quick and dirty, and will simply track where your ship is in relation to the other ship, while the other will be tactical, hex based, and will involve maneuvers. Our KS is being run by Owen K. C. Stephens, who has been super sick for the past week and unable to run it effectively, but he'll be back in a couple days and I expect to be firing on all cylinders again. You can check it out here: Reign of Discordia for 5e/White Star

Thanks! I’ll check it out!

Yeah, I want actual starships. As much as I enjoy Spelljammer's aesthetic, it is in no way sci-fi as it is commonly encountered. Fortunately, Level Up's upcoming Voidrunner's Codex looks to be scratching that itch.

While I want the feel and customization and such of starships, I don’t especially want a fully sci-fi game, I want D&D in space.

 

[Darrin Drader]

Thanks! I’ll check it out!

While I want the feel and customization and such of starships, I don’t especially want a fully sci-fi game, I want D&D in space.

That's fair. The rules modules will stand on their own. Meaning, if you want to play in the Reign of Discordia universe, that's cool. But, if you want starships, starship rules, equipment, playable alien species, and so on you can take the parts you want to use and disregard the rest.

Personally, I don't see a lot of value as a creator and publisher in just producing the rules modules without associated IP, but as I said above, using the IP as presented is optional.