interesting sci fi encounters

[fireinthedust]

So I'm trying to think up a Clone Wars era adventure, the PCs playing a Star Wars version of the A-Team for the Republic. Seems simple.

Thing is, I'm trying to come at it from an interesting combat POV. I want there to be things the party can do other than shoot, but keep the action going.

What are some futuristic-tech and suchnot combat terrain features? Or nifty one-encounter-length obstacles that make for a good... SAGA dungeon crawl? Basically. But it's not a dungeon, it'd be more like a raid on a building during a larger battle; but the encounters should seem like a dungeon.

Thing is, D&D has this done well enough: dungeon-makers have riddles, traps, etc. This would be more like an SW video game, I guess. Does that make sense?

 

[Kris]

I don't know if it'll be of much help - but I have been attempting to draw a few simple sci-fi style dungeon maps over on the art gallery/cartography/miniatures forum. As I say, probably not much help ...but I suppose there is a slight chance that they might spark an encounter idea or two:

http://www.enworld.org/forum/art-ga...ainting/278003-sci-fi-dungeon-maps-tiles.html

But yeah, I too would be interested to see what folks can recommend for good sci-fi-dungeon-type encounters.

 

[fireinthedust]

thanks! I'm checking it out now.

I think the question I have is... well, in D&D you can use "magical wards" for all sorts of stuff: the character is frozen solid, the character slides three squares, whatever. However, in Sci Fi one needs a specific cause for a specific effect: you can slide a character several squares using a conveyor belt, or a gust of wind from an air tank, or even a tractor beam. That means, however, that there should be a reason for that object to be in that situation. The idea of a malicious dungeon creator is... well, relatively rare in sci fi. It's not normal.

the only exception to this I can think of is Alien Vs. Predator 1, and maybe the first Resident Evil movie. Otherwise, the dangerous terrain elements are scenario-based, or creature based, as in Aliens where the colony is in ruins (holes in the floor, reactor leaks, etc.) and the xenomorphs are running rampant (dripping acid, and of course eating the soldiers).

Yes, I've thought of an Aliens in Clone Wars adventure (and have the old Aliens board game, so could maybe figure something out for this). However, I'm looking for other options, other one-or-two session scenarios for the PCs to get into.

 

[jonesy]

This might help:
RPG Archive: Role Playing Community Site and Online Adventure Database
all kinds of scenarios for all kinds of scifi games.

 

[fireinthedust]

good link! I'm enjoying reading this encounter: about the haunted asteroid base

 

[Deset Gled]

I have seen the factory-as-a-dungeon done fairly successfully. Basically, the characters have to work their way through a building, and need to activate various pieces of machinery to move from one area to the next. A large automated lift needs to be started up to move upstairs; a process needs to be activated, and then the players need to move with the right timing to go through a series of door; players need to ride a conveyor belt while dodging equipment. All of this can be done while security robots, workers, or alien monsters attack.