Dragonstar. Is it good?

[Emiricol]

Dragonstar is a fine system. The setting is only ok, but some people really like it. I looted the rules and went with a more Dune-flavored theme (which apparently has been done before, I see scrolling up). There's little in the way of setting-specific material in Starfarer's Handbook or Imperial Supply.

For full-fledged future/fantasy, other than Dragonstar I've heard T20 is ok (though I haven't played it). You might search outside the D20/OGL stuff... I'd still seriously check out Dragonstar however.

 

[Turanil]

For full-fledged future/fantasy, other than Dragonstar I've heard T20 is ok (though I haven't played it).

No, Traveller 20 is ANTI future/fantasy; it's even nott fantasy like in Star-Wars, it's about hard sci-fi and realism (as far as a rpg can be realist), and there is just a little of psionics for those who cannot live without it. I fear that for a future/fantasy commercial setting, there is nothing else than Dragonstar. Now, you could get a look at the free Internet game Amethyst (see link below in sig.), it may not be what you are searching for, but it's worth looking at it.

 

[trancejeremy]

I like Traveller, but it's not really hard sci-fi. Hard sci basically means you don't violate the laws of physics. Traveller does quite a bit of it. They don't even spell Traveler right (joke!).

That is a very small press Fantasy/SF d20 game in the vein of Dragonstar, which I remember reading a review of on RPG.net. However, I cannot remember the name of it.

There is also Fading Suns d20, which is sort of more Dune-ish fantasy than Tolkien fantasy in space.

 

[Zogmo]

Dragonstar/Gammaworld

Dragonstar needs to be filled out with much more setting info, but I do love the game. My campaign is a combination of the Gammaworld setting inside of the Dragonstar setting.
Gammaworld is a unique planet of legend and myth in the game. Some conflicts in gaming systems occasionally arise, but nothing serious enough that can't be played through.

Perhaps d20 Future will be able to add even more to my campaign when it hits the stands.

Zogmo...out!

 

[Psion]

The Dragonstar Starfarer's Handbook is clearly the best of the books. The setting has great potential IMO, but the Guide to the Galaxy doesn't bring it home. It discusses the basic structure of the Dragon empire, which is a setting that has enormous potential for intrigue and action -- but sort of stops short, and pawns off a few sample locations and a lackluster planet generation system on you, and a few other tidbits.

I think in the state the setting is in, it's sort of a fixer-upper. I think an enthusiastic and creative GM could do a great job with it. There's lots of intimated ideas there just waiting to have some life breathed into them.

 

[Vaxalon]

Exodus Rocks. I hoped Dragonstar would be half of what Exodus is. It's not. A poll of local gamers found that Exodus is simply better thought out and executed. However, it's not exactly in publishable format. I lack the $$ to produce the book, so it's webpage may show up again... who knows?

So why haven't you made a PDF? Zero startup costs, and you get to put your ideas where your mouth is.

 

[Derren]

Does someone know if FFG will continue to support Dragonstar? I really would like to get a book about the Empire itself, but it seems to me that FFG will focus an Midnight and stop supporting DS.

Has anyone heared about new DS books coming out? And what about the novels?

 

[LoneWolf23]

Browsed the setting book in stores, but ended up disinterested in it; I'd prefer a setting with a Spelljammer/Star Trek approach where numerous "empires" dominated by various sentient species divide the galaxy: a human empire here, an elven federation there, an Illithid dominion over yonder, goblinoid raiders flying around...

...And the dragons? Oh, we can have them be "The Mighty Elders who like to mess around with the affairs of the younger races, but prefer to work behind the scenes and let others do their dirty work and only take action once things become desperate" guys. Like Vorlons, Shadows and the other Old Ones...

Edit: Oh, and techwise, I'd combine Spelljammer's "Star-faring renaissance and magic" style of technology with Dragonstar's "Magic-friendly Ultra-Tech" style, in a way similar to the tech levels seen in Disney's Treasure Planet: Ships with open decks (yet with atmosphere) and both solar sails and rocket engines, energy pistols which look like flintlocks, cooks with advanced cyberware who still cook in 18th century kettles, etc.

 

[Chaldfont]

If you are going to use Dragonstar, I highly recommend Arsenal and Factory by Perpetrated Press. Each has some really good ideas. Arsenal is all about magic/tech weapons, Factory has magic-powered armor and magical robots.

 

[Durandal]

I ran a Dragonstar game a while back, and I combined the available Dragonstar material, such as it was, with materials from Fading Suns and Star Wars (mostly the Noble class from the latter). It turned out surprisingly well. It may not be a completely fleshed out setting, but then, that'd be kinda hard in the area given - you'd need a book for each system, and that would get old. It gives you plenty of room to run, and if you check around sites for Dragonstar, Star Wars, Fading Suns, or Dune, you'll have more than enough to run with.