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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Southern Oracle" data-source="post: 2012788" data-attributes="member: 1249">Although I own the book and love the setting, there are a number of development problems with the d20 mechanics which can interfere with game play and which generate some OGL (Open Gaming License) confusion. First off, the most glaring error is the Attack Bonus calculation. The following formulas are given in the book on page 225: Melee Attack Bonus -- base attack bonus + Strength modifier + applicable feats + target's size modifier. Ranged Attack Bonus -- base attack bonus + Dexterity modifier + applicable feats + target's size modifier. You do NOT add your target's size modifier to your attack bonus as the formula and the text states...that makes it EASIER to hit smaller creatures. Instead, you add your OWN size modifier to your attack bonus, which balances against the size modifier your target adds to its defense. Second, the condition modifiers for the Security Systems skill are entirely unclear as to which they affect, the skill check or the Difficulty Class. The first set of condition modifiers on page 195 applies to the skill check, while the second set of modifiers on page 196 applies to the DC, but that is not explained anywhere in the text. Third, weapon proficiency for ranged weapons is divided into one-handed and two-handed ranged weapons, but no sizes are given for the weapons in the equipment list and it is unclear which weapons are one-handed and which are two-handed. Fourth, there are several unexplained notations on the explosives table dealing with range increments...the number 4 is in parentheses next to each entry. While they aren't explained in the Farscape book, I thought they looked familiar. Eventually, I found the source; that notation is used in the Star Wars d20 book (and it is explained therein). In fact, the frag grenade's damage, range increment, weight, and damage type in the Farscape book exactly match those of a frag grenade in the Star Wars book... Which leads me to the OGL confusion. I thought I'd look for some more similiarities between the Farscape book and the Star Wars book...and I found them. A number of the Star Wars feats (which are not OGC) are duplicated in the Farscape book. Some, such as Athletic and Nimble, have the same title and mechanics but different flavor text; others, like Heroic Effort and Skill Emphasis, are repeated practically verbatim; and still others, like Quick Witted and Tech Mind, have different titles from their Star Wars counterparts (Sharp-Eyed and Gearhead, repsectively), but have the same mechanics. I don't know exactly how much of a difference is necessary to constitute original work, but I do know that the Star Wars book is NOT OGC and nothing in it is supposed to be used in other d20 products. (To be fair, I noticed the same level feat of duplication in the Dragon Star d20 book in regards to Star Wars as well.) Once again, I want to reiterate that I love the product and I hope they'll continue to support the setting (I read rumors that there WON'T be any more Farscape products, and I hope they're untrue). I just wanted to point out some problems to those people debating about purchasing it, so you're aware of what you're getting. Christopher Campbellplanehopping@hotmail.com</blockquote>

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