Combining multiple D20 Systems (or I'm Delerious for D20!)

[Nyarlathotep]

Okay so I'm starting a new campaign for a group that has reached higher levels in D&D. I'm looking for a change and want to play something with guns... and lots of them, John Woo style. I've got several options to choose from. Specifically: Spycraft, D20 Modern, D20 Future, Dragonstar, & d20 Cthulhu (with the CoC Delta Green book). The problem is I love elements of all of them!

I'm particularly taken by the Spycraft system and would like to use it as the "base" system and then combine elements from the other systems into it (seriously.... look at the chase rules). I haven't decided what to use from the other systems yet. I like the Dragonstar setting and will definately be using that later on. I also really like the Dragonstar system for guns, burst fire and automatic fire, so I want to use that as opposed to the burst rules in Spycraft. I love the supernatural horror of CoC in all flavors, particullary the conspiracies in the Delta Green book. I haven't looked through D20 Modern too much yet (despite owning it since it came out) and have only skimmed D20 Future, but I like what I've seen so far.

Any suggestions on what might make for the best gameplay, ruleswise from the different settings? Any problems that I should be aware of, rules that won't work together, bad feat combo's? Obviously I'll have to resolve Spycraft's lack of Attacks of Opportunity, but I'm not so sure that it's such a bad thing. What do you think?

[PS: I play tomorrow morning at about noon... so I'll be winging it for the first couple of sessions. Wish me luck!]

[PPS: It's also be super if someone made a brillant post that inspired me to great levels of DMing (DMery?).]

[PPS: If it doesn't work I will blame the last poster in this thread for my lack of success. You have been warned!]

[PPPS: Hmm... if this thread follows the history of most of my threads, that will make this my fault ]

 

[2WS-Steve]

Perhaps a Dark Matter campaign using the Spycraft rules where the alien conspiracy is a bunch of Cthulhu worshipping Drow out of the Dragonstar setting??

I would try to fit some Dark Inheritance stuff in too -- perhaps the Titan powers from that are the result of ancient Atlantean eugenics programs -- and the Antlanteans are some kind of dragon-spawn?

 

[Krieg]

You'll probably want to pick up Shadow Force Archer to help round out the mystical side of things.

 

[barsoomcore]

Grim Tales, my friend. Grim Tales. For the gun rules alone -- although the character-building rules are likewise brilliant, and it does a GREAT non-Cthulhu horror system.

The problem I've found with the Cthulhu horror system in a non-Cthulhu-style game is that the Sanity system is really an alternate hit point system, and in fact in Cthulhu-style games Sanity forms the more important measure of character fitness. That's great in Cthulhu, which is really about characters going inevitably insane, but if your game is more action-focused, I've found it distracting. Better to have a mechanic that lets PCs get so freaked out they can't function properly for a while, with a risk of more permanent damage, but without having to keep watch on a "Sanity" score.

Grim Tales.

Oh, and if it's chase rules you're wanting, my friend -- keep your eye on Adamant Entertainment. I'm finishing up a complete chase system for d20 that's much more "normal" d20 than the Spycraft "simultaneous choose and compare" system. It's fun, simple, flexible and co-exists flawlessly with nearly any and all d20 systems. And it should be out pretty soon in PDF.

I ran a campaign that was a combination of CoC, Skull & Bones and d20 Modern. I share your savage glee in the force-melding of games and genres.

Have fun!

 

[PJ-Mason]

You'll probably want to pick up Shadow Force Archer to help round out the mystical side of things.

Although Spycraft got crappier for us each time we played it, Shadow Force Archer was a great setting. Really well crafted. Their psionic and magic rules were very cool too. The magic system was especially cool and i could see it used as a Cthulhu-esque game. Another vote for that book!

 

[Psion]

Grim Tales, my friend.

Seconded.

First off, it already incorporates many of the elements and feels you are looking for.

Second, it seems like it would make for a nice "neutral ground" to bolt some of the stuff you like onto.

 

[Psion]

You'll probably want to pick up Shadow Force Archer to help round out the mystical side of things.

I would recommend Dark Inheritance for Spycraft instead. A single book, all needed material compiled in one place, and better rules for PC magicians.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Well it turns out that I won't be running a d20 guns campaign. My group presented me with the World's Largest Dungeon and the day was spent creating new characters and travelling to the site. So tonight, I'm cramming as much of section A as I can and prepping for another long session tomorrow.

Thanks for the Ideas though! I'll have to check out Grimm Tales sometime, it seems to be getting really good word of mouth. Dark*Matter I'm not familiar with at all, any links that can give me some info about the setting?

 

[Krieg]

I would recommend Dark Inheritance for Spycraft instead. A single book, all needed material compiled in one place, and better rules for PC magicians.

I have the original Dark Inheritence book but haven't picked up the new version yet. Looks like I may have to after all.

Dark*Matter I'm not familiar with at all, any links that can give me some info about the setting?

What Delta Green was for CoC, Dark Matter was for Alternity.

Modern conspiracy theories, UFOlogy, paranormal psychology & Xenobiology all nicely combined by TSR.

If you liked the X-Files, Millenium, Men in Black or or any of the above topics this is definitely the book for you.

Review:
http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/reviews/rev_7087.html

 

[RJR-23]

Well it turns out that I won't be running a d20 guns campaign. My group presented me with the World's Largest Dungeon and the day was spent creating new characters and travelling to the site. So tonight, I'm cramming as much of section A as I can and prepping for another long session tomorrow.

Thanks for the Ideas though! I'll have to check out Grimm Tales sometime, it seems to be getting really good word of mouth. Dark*Matter I'm not familiar with at all, any links that can give me some info about the setting?

Try this:
http://www.geocities.com/nicodemis_quick/ci/dark_matter_review.htm

And this:

http://alternity.net/books.php3?cat=dm&PHPSESSID=42e565fda0b52865f7789f0fc1802c86


Short version: Dark*Matter was a brilliant campaign setting for the short-lived Alternity SF game system. The following materials were released for Dark*Matter:

Campaign Setting (hardcover book)
Xenoforms (soft cover, monster book)
Arms and Equipment Guide (soft cover, gun/gadget book)

Plus several others, including at least one adventure. Dark*Matter is essentially an X-Files conspiracy type setting, although there are differences between D*M and X-Files which I won't bother getting into here.

Many people use Dark*Matter as a campaign setting for D20 Modern. It is easily converted, plus the D20 Menace Manual has many Dark*Matter creatures and organizations in it, and Dungeon magazine featured a mini-campaign setting called Dark*Matter: Shades of Grey for the D20 Modern system. Although Shades of Grey is a superb mini-setting, it is no substitute for the 288 page, full-color hardcover book. Here is the book in all its glory:

http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/al/al-dm.htm

I am a fanatic for Dark*Matter. Copies are available on ebay for reasonable rates. The Dungeon issue with D*M: Shades of Grey is also worth getting as a back issue from Paizo.
Get it and play it with D20 Modern (or Spycraft, as you mentioned). If you do not, they will hear. Who are they? You know.

Hope this helps.

RJR-23