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

[Psion]

Assertion: Yes, in a setting that does not feature combat prominently, the BAB presumption is a problem.

Caveat 1: The above DOES NOT include all SF settings. I thnk I'd be annoyed if I was forced to build a John Crichton (who is a scientist) with a scientist base class that didn't spot him some combat ability. Crichton is quite clearly competant in combat. Similarly, setting like Star Wars are full of characters who are quite clearly competant in combat even if they hold what should be relatively sedentary positions. (I know you all probably try to forget Ep II, but did anyone remember how Amidala pretty much embarrassed young vader in the arena...)

Caveat 2: While this is a problem, it's not a requirement. Nothing requires you to use BAB (though I am surprised at how few d20 based systems dare to do away with it where appropraite.)

Caveat 3: There are systems that use other techniques, such as PC/NPC dichotomy (Star Wars), or an even crappier BAB advancement track (T20) that do more than a sufficient job at representing relatively unskilled combatants.

Overall, the BAB thing bugs me for some applications. But in play, it's not that big a deal. Hardly anything that makes the system overall blow for modern or futuristic endeavors.

 

[buzz]

I'm not really sure how anyone can make an definitive statements about what d20 can or cannot do given that d20 is not a generic system, but rather a core from which myriad games with myriad variants and additions have spawned. Making blanket judgements about a system that includes both narrowly-focused products like Slaine and open-ended ones like BESMd20 is just plain silly, IMO.

And Fuzion... Eww.

 

[Sir Elton]

Fuzion is too outdated, in my opinion. I have Sengoku, and it's Fuzion is outdated. Most people talk about Rolemaster requiring a knowledge of Calculus hasn't looked at Fuzion, whose mathematics are more complex than Rolemaster's.

The d20 System is more elegant than Fuzion in that it's much easier to calaculate.
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Okay. I like the Internet. The beauty of the Internet is that everyone can fight without anyone clearly winning. After all, Enworld is a virtual GenCon or Origins game convention. everyone can scream and yell and scream and yell about this or that or the other thing.

However, everybody has apparently forgotten about DM Fiat. DM FIAT TRUMPS ALL RULES! DM Fiat rules over any roleplaying game. In actuality, I think arguing over which game is the best is pointless. In the end, the rules don't mean squat. (So my opinion on Fuzion is pointless).

It's the players and the DM that gives life to the game, and DM Fiat should often be used to manipulate the game to the best interest of the players. If the players play d20 and they want to play in a universe much like Woody Allen's "Sleeper" using d20, so be it. If they want to play in "2001: A Space Odyssey" using the d20 System or GURPS, let them.

Games are social events. And it doesn't matter who's Pride or Ego will get hurt by it. What only matters is how you play the game and if you are getting the maximium amount of FUN out of it.

 

[Ranger REG]

Fuzion is too outdated, in my opinion. I have Sengoku, and it's Fuzion is outdated. Most people talk about Rolemaster requiring a knowledge of Calculus hasn't looked at Fuzion, whose mathematics are more complex than Rolemaster's.

What about the Action! System?