Hybrid Theory: True20 + SWSE = ?

[Wraith Form]

What would happen if you combined the coolest parts of True20 rules with the coolest parts of Star Wars Saga Edition rules?

Is it even possible?

What parts from each would YOU include?

What parts would you discard?

Discuss, theorize, opine and comment.

 

[Bagpuss]

Well Lightsabers from SWSE obviously.... oh you mean rules aspects...

 

[Wraith Form]

Yeah. You enjoy posting in my threads, don't you? Thanks for the contribution. Original post edited to reduce smart-alek comments.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

I'm really not sure there's much to combine.

True20 takes the basic d20 mechanics and structure and transforms them into a very unD&Dish non-tactical (or at least non-positioning-based), universal system. True20 requires fairly heavy conversion to work with other d20 products, and offers a radically different experience.

Star Wars Saga improves the basic d20 mechanics and structure and makes a D&D that's leagues better than D&D, retaining the wargame roots and clear setting elements. Saga requires very little conversion to work with other d20 products and improves the existing experience.

Both are excellent games, but they do very different things and I really don't see any points where one would do what it does BETTER by taking something from the other.

If you a bit further afield, to Mutants and Masterminds on the one hand and Star Wars Saga on the other, you could probably mix them together to create a near-perfect duplication of the HERO System, only much lighter and faster. That's a crossbreed I'd be interested in exploring.

 

[jonrog1]

I'm not totally sure I agree there. True20 works off a Damage Track, as does SWSE. The skills system in SWSE is related to that of Blue Rose, True20's predecessor. SWSE follows in the tradition of a fets/talents build system, and True20 uses three and no more than three broadly-defined "classes" customized solely by taking feats and "talents" converted to feats.

SWSE, because it's so combat heavy, did some amaaaaazing work on the combat side of the game.

I'd like to see that universal damage track in SWSE converted to True20, but the difference in damage may preclude that. The level-to-skill rank in SWSE could be a campaign "setting", that is, turning the dial from "true life" to "pulp/heroic" . Some way of changing True 20's fatigue roles for FX powers to the "by encounter" system in SWSE would be nice. Thos static "defenses" in SWSE are ridiculously elegant.

I think what you're looking for, instead of a stright blend, is a True20 all-genres feel using mostly SWSE mechanics. Without Hit Point. Lord, I hate hit points.

On a side note, I'd love to see the Spycraft half/action/fullaction system in True20, although I have to admit, swift/move/standard was explained so elegantly in SWSE I'm kind of down with it now.

I agree, too, that M&M with the last of the D&Disms stripped out would be a pretty sweet universal RPG.

 

[Alnag]

I think that if you take the best out of the most progressive d20 system variations so far (which means True20, SW Saga Edition, Mutants & Masterminds and Spycraft) you will get a pretty nice little bag of D&D 4e. Oh... wrong conclusion.

Yes. It is definitely possible and also worth a try, but it would work better with some setting than just a generic system...

 

[Bagpuss]

Yeah. You enjoy posting in my threads, don't you?

Not just yours, I'm not singling you out or anything.

Thanks for the contribution.

That's alright..

Here's another one...

I'm not that familiar with True20, but I'd keep the Defense rather than AC aspect of Saga, and -5/+5 aspect for the majority of modifiers, I like the Trained and Untrained aspect of Saga as well, but I think I would allow more flexibility in skill selection.

Original post edited to reduce smart-alek comments.

Sorry I missed them.

 

[Klaus]

Take SWSE and add True20's treatment of Ability scores (i.e., modifiers only). Of course, this would entail a different treatment of the Dark Side score (currently "DS buffer = Wis").

Since I actually like Hit Points, I'd keep those instead of T20's Damage Save.