d20 superheroes -- why not BESM?

[JoeGKushner]

For me, it depends on how it plays.

For BESM d20, you could use it as a super hero game. It's an interesting point buy system in a gorgeous format. However, the Silver Age Sentinels Tri-Stat book handles supers better in my opinion.

Mutants & Masterminds handles things well too.

As does Champions/Hero.

I find that M&M meets a few criteria and is easier to run than Hero and a little more solid than Silver Age Sentinels.

 

[jrients]

While I love BESM d20 and have had at least one superhero idea for it, M&M has the advantage of support, both from the publisher and a variety of thrid parties. The M&M Superlink section at RPGnow is pretty impressive looking.

 

[WizarDru]

I've never read BESM d20, but I was under the impression it was a translation of non-d20 BESM, and had something of a reputation of not being a terribly clean translation therein. Not having read it, I couldn't say. Reviews I've seen indicate it has some odd quirks but is a fun, light system.

I do know that M&M has won rave reviews, is very much on target for what I'm looking for in a supers game, and has excellent first and third-party support. I think the main reason I use M&M and not BESM is because of what I'm trying to emulate. BESM wasn't designed and isn't presented as a 4-color comic RPG, but I'm sure it could handle it.

But by the same token, so could M&M handle most anime worlds. What about BESM d20 do you think makes it a better choice for supers?

 

[Zoatebix]

Comparing your preference in authors could be a big selling point for you, too.

Steve Kenson is amazing. M&M is on my "to-buy" list simply because I love his writing.

BESM d20 has some great authors: Mark C MacKinnon is another one of my favorites, and Alejandro Melchor did the Shaman's book for Mongoose, I think. I don't recognize the other names as well, except for David Pulver, the man behind GURPS Vehicles (eh) and GURPS UltraTech (oof). His work on BESM is awesome - most especially the robust, effects-based d20Mecha system, which is absolutely amazing.

Anyways, if you're familiar with the "gaming style" of the various authors of either system, and know how their writing meshes with your own preferences, that might help you make a decison. Personally, I'd give M&M a shot simply based on how much I loved the Psychic's Handbook by Kenson, though I don't own it yet. BESM d20 has a lot of interesting features that I'm considering adopting, but I wouldn't use it entirely as-written for my next game. It might be fun to try for a one-shot though. d20Mecha, on the other hand, is abso-freakin-lutely amazing and I'd recommend it for any style or genre of play, and maybe even try to mess with it as vehicle system for non-d20 games.

So, anywho - BESM d20 could be used for a supers game, a modern game, a sci-fi game, a fantasy game, etc. The person who mention the spikey hairs, the funny colors, and the half-demon (which is a character that shows up in plenty of American and British comics...) seriously missed the mark. *However* - don't dismiss Mutants and Masterminds, as I love the main author, it's received rave reviews, and it's specifically designed for super-hero stuff.

Adios!
-George

 

[Ranger REG]

I believe Steve Kenson had a hand in Silver Age Sentinels d20. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Zoatebix]

I did not know that - you're right!

 

[Krieg]

I've never read BESM d20, but I was under the impression it was a translation of non-d20 BESM, and had something of a reputation of not being a terribly clean translation therein.

That sounds more like a description of Silver Age Sentinels' transition from Tri-Stat to D20. BESM D20 is very similar to SAS D20 but they did clean up a lot of the little niggly problems of SAS in BESM.