I know that d20 is good in D&D, but what about other settings?

[Arnwyn]

I am curious to know how well d20 works in other settings. Particularly the Macross/Robotech, Battletech, or Mekton, japanese anime inspired type settings.

Absolutely horrendously. IMNSHO, you'd be nuts to consider using d20 for Mekton (you use Mekton for Mekton) or any japanese anime-type settings.

I love d20, but it absolutely blows (IMO) for the futuristic genre. Fuzion all the way, baby. (My campaign is a cross between Macross/Robotech, Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, Dirty Pair, BGC, Armitage III, and others.)

For those of you who know what the Japanese series Macross is like, I ask, how hard would it be to convert to d20? Is it even worth it? And, are there any websites that feature examples of d20 based mecha type games?

If you insist on using d20, it'd be relatively easy to convert - d20 Future has some related material, and there is a d20 Mecha book (which isn't bad... for d20). It sure wouldn't be worth it, though. YMMV.

 

[Nightfall]

Ignore everyone else. Listen to Psion. d20 BESM is cool.

 

[Ranger REG]

Ignore everyone else. Listen to Psion. d20 BESM is cool.

Including the other posters who praise BESM d20?

BTW, that is just one genre with so many sub-genres.

How about Spycraft or its cousin, SG-1? How about Babylon 5?

Also, can we include SRD-based game products with no d20 logo like Mutants & Masterminds?

 

[ecliptic]

Theres always d20 Modern w/ d20 Future.

 

[MerricB]

Also, can we include SRD-based game products with no d20 logo like Mutants & Masterminds?

Absolutely, IMO. They share the same base - although they may be significantly altered.

I think people occasionally lose sight of one of the major purposes of the OGL: It's to reduce the number of competing systems. You don't have to design everything from scratch, you can use mechanics that are familiar to everyone.

Sure, there will be things that are different, but why should there be 10 resolution systems that really are almost identical when one will do?

Branding something as d20 System should only be done when there is a definite reason for it (the main one is to label it as compatible with D&D). For many stand-alone RPGs, you don't need to. (I personally think that Stargate would do just as well as a non-d20 System product, though using the d20 System SRD as its base).

Cheers!

 

[diaglo]

as far as i'm concerned d02 is only good for other settings. it is by far the worst thing that ever happened to D&D.

 

[Gideon Krieg]

Thank you all for the input.

I can't decide. So, I have begun scouring the game stores in my area for used copies of the following systems.

D20 Modern & Future;
BESM (tri-stat version) found that one today and bought it!
The Dream Pod nine system (Is the Silhouette system all the Dream Pod nine system is?)
Fusion
I'll check out BESM d20.

Thank you all again for the input. I really appreciate it.

 

[BastionPress_Creech]

DP9 uses both the Silouette system and the d20/OGL in most of their books as a dual-stat to cover both systems.

 

[woodelf]

Ah, the question. I am curious to know how well d20 works in other settings. Particularly the Macross/Robotech, Battletech, or Mekton, japanese anime inspired type settings.

I ask because I have not played d20 modern and have friends trying to sell me on it. I have played d20 for D&D and its okay (I am a die hard 1st edition freak) but, my group is trying to get me to convert my Palladium based Macross campaign world over to d20.

For those of you who know what the Japanese series Macross is like, I ask, how hard would it be to convert to d20? Is it even worth it? And, are there any websites that feature examples of d20 based mecha type games?

Well, i'm underwhelmed with D20 System in general--i think it's good, but not great. Also, i think that D&D3[.5]E is actually fairly lousy, and like several other versions of D20 System much better. Frex, i think that Spycraft not only does modern very well, but is all-around better than D&D3[.5]E (and i'm using vast chunks of it as the basis for my D20 System fantasy homebrew). I don't even think that D&D3[.5]E is the best instantiation of D20 System for high fantasy--Arcana Unearthed is my current favorite.

Now, in your specific situation, i'd look at BESM D20 and Mecha D20, both from Guardians of Order. More specifically, i'd first grab the AnimeD20 SRD and the MechaD20 SRD, from their website--all the rules content of those books, for free, just without the pretty formatting. They are specifically tailored for exactly the genre you want to run, and do it as well as D20 System can without massive changes to the basic structure. And, lest you think this is damning with faint praise, i think they do it pretty darn well. I would not use D20 Modern for Robotech/Macross. Not the right feel for the vehicles, and too crunchy for combat. But you can check it out for yourself, too--just grab the D20MSRD, and give it a read.

 

[woodelf]

This is not intended as a thread high jack, but having said that, don’t go for BESM D20, try out the tri-stat version. It is a very loose system and does work better for role-playing that combat heavy games, but really fun.

Unsure if it is what you want? Heck there is even dX Guardian’s of Order system for free, try it out!

Oh, i agree wholeheartedly: Tri-Stat is way better than D20 System of any flavor so far published for a Robotech game. However, the original poster was looking for something to (1) appease his D20 System-loving players and (2) convert to from Palladium. The Palladium system is already pretty similar to D20 System, so conversion should be that much easier. And BESM D20 is almost as good as BESM [Tri-Stat], with the added bonus of pleasing his players, and thus letting him run the game.