Any resources for running Dark Sun using PF?

DMBrendon

First Post
I'd like to run a Dark Sun campaign, but I'd prefer to use the Pathfinder system. Are there any resources out there with it converted to D&D 3.5 or PF?

Does anyone have any experience running the conversions as is - are they any good?

Does the conversion change how it feels to play?
 

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There was an official conversion in Dragon Magazine No. 319 (the May 2004 issue) and a parallel feature in Dungeon Magazine No. 110.
 

I'm playing in a Dark Sun campaign using Pathfinder rules right now. It's been going for about four months now, and it rocks super hard. Rules-wise, the biggest variant that we're using is the E6 system. There are some other house rules as well, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you've got!
-blarg
 

There was an official conversion in Dragon Magazine No. 319 (the May 2004 issue) and a parallel feature in Dungeon Magazine No. 110.
Wow, an official conversion, that's much better than I was expecting.

What's the best way to get hold of those Dragon and Dungeon issues? Are they included in D&D Insider?
 



I'm playing in a Dark Sun campaign using Pathfinder rules right now. It's been going for about four months now, and it rocks super hard. Rules-wise, the biggest variant that we're using is the E6 system. There are some other house rules as well, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you've got!
-blarg

PF Darksun in the E6 system? That's... like a dream campaign! :D
 

A couple pieces of advice for the OP:

1. Gith? Give them Spring Attack and Leap Attack as bonus feats.

2. Half-Giants? Forget the 3.x crap conversion with "powerful build" nonsense. Just use the stats for hill giants. Yes, it basically puts the kibosh on using them as a PC race. That's OK. They are there to be bulwarks of flesh that smash whatever their sorcerer kings tell them to smash.

3. Real Athasian giants? Use the mountain giant stats, and maybe a psionic template of some sort for the beast heads.

4. Run a web search for art by Brom. He did the original DS artwork (most of it), and even his non-DS stuff has a DS feel to it. You never know when you'll find a neat idea for an NPC.
 


Thanks for the advice, at this stage I don't know what needs tweaking, so it's good to have an opinion on those things, I'd rather not find out mid-campaign. Anything else I should watch out for?

I don't know beans about PF psionics, so I can't comment on that. Most of my advice is aesthetic.

I think thri-kreen should be large creatures. That might make them problematic as a PC race as well, but maybe they should be.

Remember the constant "monster" of DS -- the environment. Familiarize yourself with what situations warrant survival checks and what those checks can accomplish. I'd recommend taking a peek at Sandstorm or even Frostburn... Come up with a chart of "heat levels" and what sorts of things can raise or lower a character's level of protection from the heat. I know Frostburn does this (I use it in my current ice age campaign), I suspect Sandstorm has something similar.

For example, moderate temp would be heat level 0 (this could conceivably be the temp at night in Dark Sun, although deserts can actually get very cold at night). Heat level 1 (typical morning and evening temp on Athas) might preclude wearing all but the lightest of armors, and heat level 2 (typical Athasian noon) might preclude wearing any armor at all, and might force checks vs nasty effects for doing anything other than resting. Significant shade might lower this by one level, as might Survival checks (one point lower at half land speed, two points lower if you aren't moving at all), etc.

Desert critters like lizards, kanks, and thri-kreen might have natural heat protection of one level. You get the picture. Make a chart and the players will do what they can to keep themselves cool enough by the chart, which can eliminate a lot of die rolling.

Of course expect everyone to end up getting an item that grants Endure Elements ASAP. ;)
 

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