Confused

[egale]

Hey, guys.

I'm new to this so I hope you can give me some help.

What is the difference between a d20 RPG and a non d20 RPG?

Where I can I find a list of all available books on d20?

How can I incorporate a d20 book not specifically about D&D in a D&D game?

Thanks!

Egale.

 

[maddman75]

Hey, guys.



I'm new to this so I hope you can give me some help.



What is the difference between a d20 RPG and a non d20 RPG?

There's really three different things you are talking about.

A d20 sourcebook will have the d20 logo on it. These are sourcebooks for D&D by companies other than Wizards of the Coast. Some good publishers include Monte Cook's Malhavoc, Green Ronin, and Necromancer Games. There are many, many of these. You can also get some in PDF format at http://www.rpgnow.com.

A d20 *game* is a game that uses the base of the D&D system in the SRD to create a new game. Some of these are fantasy games such as Warcraft d20, while others use the system for other genres such as Star Wars d20 or Call of Cthulhu d20.

An OGL game differs in that it doesn't use the d20 license or logo, but often still shares many of the mechanics. Usually it means the game has its own character generation method, something that a d20 game can't include. Games in this vein include Everquest, Mutants & Masterminds, or (IIRC) Conan.

Where I can I find a list of all available books on d20?

I don't know that such a list exists. There are probably thousands of d20 books on the market. If you're thinking you want to catch them all, unless you are very wealthy and determined forget it. There are reviews of many d20 products on this very site.

How can I incorporate a d20 book not specifically about D&D in a D&D game?



Thanks!

Well, you can generally use the stat block, but I'd recommend a thourough understanding of both D&D and the game you're importing it from. Any element not meant for D&D may naturally require modification by the DM.

The main appeal of non D&D d20 isn't to incorporate them into your D&D game (though its your game -- add what you want). Its player familiarity. So if you want to try Star Wars for instance, while its a different game than D&D you're still talking about levels, classes, feats, skills, etc.

 

[Piratecat]

Egale, welcome! Please don't use black text unless you like no one being able to read your posts. I've edited your color tags accordingly.

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

What is the difference between a d20 RPG and a non d20 RPG?

I assume you are taling ONLY about the various games out there that use some version of the Wizards of the Coast SRD Open Gaming Lisence.

There are a lot of non-d20 RPG's out there, (World of Darkness, Champions, Amber, Call of Cthulhu, etc) these games all use their own game mechanics and (most) are nearly impossible to implement into a D&D game.

On the other hand, any supplement that bears the D20 Red & White Logo uses the d20 SRD from Wizards of the Coast as the fundamental "bones" the meat of the RPG is based on.

Many of these supplements are designed for the average D&D DM & player. These fit seemlessly into many D&D gmaes. However, quality and usefulness varies greatly from one company (and even within that company). These books should be read (if possible) before buying to see if they fit into your game (again, mechanics-wise it SHOULD work just find).

Now, several d20 publishers have created their own game systems based on the SRD (both D&D and D20 Modern). These games can vary widely in how well they fit into your game. Some, such as Everquest & Warcraft I've fitted into my D&D gmae with little trouble. Others may so many special rules that incorparting it into a standard D&D game is impossible.

 

[Ranger REG]

Hey, guys.

I'm new to this so I hope you can give me some help.

What is the difference between a d20 RPG and a non d20 RPG?

d20 RPGs are those with the little square d20 system logo. Usually, it means the mechanics of the game is almost a split resemblance to D&D rules, from the six ability scores, classes, even the combat sequence. There may be minor changes or deviation to the D&D rules, but it's not enough to call it a completely different ruleset.

Non-d20 RPG are those that don't have the little square d20 system logo. Obvious examples are GURPS.

There is another type call OGL RPG. These games are based on WotC's System Reference Documents and applied under the Open Gaming License alone. You have more freedom publishing under just this license, but the drawback is you don't get to claim your product as being compatible to D&D. At least not directly. Do note that there is an influx of new open rules systems being applied under the OGL, such as the Action! System core rules, and Prometheus.

Where I can I find a list of all available books on d20?

Well, the list keeps growing. Your best source is EN World.

How can I incorporate a d20 book not specifically about D&D in a D&D game?

It varies. The best way to do it is test it yourself. Start with small material like feats and skills. Then try classes. Then there are mechanics that replaces D&D mechanics, such as the health system (replace the hit points system with VP/WP or Injury). Test them out and see if they makes your game more enjoyable.

 

[egale]

OK!

Thanks for your help!

Is the only way to get information about sea travel and sea comabt is to get the Seafarer's hand book? (a d20 supplement)?

Egale.