Need a d20 system that does NOT require core rules

[TheAuldGrump]

All ready fixing it by the time you posted. (I accidently cut and pasted the wrong place... Why do I never notice these things until I have posted?)

The Auld Grump

 

[Desdichado]

It would help if we knew what kind of game he was interested in running. If you want D&D-like fantasy that's just not D&D, we could recommend Everquest, Wheel of Time, Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed or Conan, but if you're more along the lines of Star Wars, Call of Cthulhu, Mutants & Masterminds, etc., then that recommendation isn't really very good for you.

I actually like both Conan and Wheel of Time for the rules, and would love to run either of them in a homebrew setting, and I think they would both work well for that.

It sounds like maybe you're shooting for Arcana Unearthed. I'd recommend that; it's pretty good. Depends, again, on what you're looking for, though. Note: it doesn't really have a lot of the DMG and MM material in it, though. From that aspect, it's not quite as complete as a game like Conan or Wheel of Time, if you want somewhat traditional fantasy.

 

[buzz]

My friend wants to start DMing a non-D&D d20 game but does not want to have to buy the d20 game PLUS the core rulebooks. So, he was wondering if there are any d20 games out there that do NOT require the core rule books. He is very particular about this. He says that the d20 game cannot even say: "can be used without the core rule books but owning these will benefit you."

To be a pedant, such a game does not exist. Use of the d20 logo requires certain limitations on the content, and thus all truly d20 games require a core book. What you *can* find are OGL games based on the d20/d20M SRDs.

Okay, now that I'm done being Comic Book Guy...

Most of this has been covered, but the only d20-based RPGs that don't require a D&D PHB are:

• Star Wars
• D20 Modern
• Wheel of Time
• Call of Cthulhu d20
• Arcana Unearthed
• OGL Horror
• OGL Ancients
• OGL Cybernet
• Conan
• Mutants & Masterminds

Wheel of Time, Arcana Unearthed, Conan, and OGL Ancients are fantasy. Arcana Unearthed, while not requiring a D&D PHB, nonetheless does rely on access to the DMG and MM; it's an "alternate player's handbook," and not really a stand-alone OGL game.

Of course, all of that DMG and MM content can be found for free in the d20 SRD.

What type of game is your friend running and why are they so averse to buying D&D books?

 

[Maerdwyn]

I might mention that while T20 technically requires the Core books, practically (and, it seems to me, in violation of the D20 license), it doesn't. It reprints all the info you need for Character generation from the PHB: the XP table, save progressions, etc. as well as all the skills and feats from the PHB that are used in the game, and T20 changes combat enough that you don't really need the PHB for that either.

Of course, if you go out and spend tons of money on old Traveller supplements to get ideas and deckplans, you don't really end up saving much money

 

[scourger]

Star Wars has many free adventures at wizards.com, which might be helpful to your friend's new campaign.

 

[dead]

Thank you everyone for your replies. It was very helpful.

I know for a fact that he doesn't want to run a Superheroes game -- which rules out Mutants & Masterminds, I think -- and he doesn't want to run a game which is based on stories -- which rules out Call of Cthulhu, StarWars, Conan, Wheel of Time, Judge Dredd, etc.

I think he's headed towards AU or d20 Modern.

Is there a d20 Future coming out? Will this be stand alone or will you need the Modern book?

Someone mentioned Judge Dredd doesn't need the corebooks. My friend runs this and, I know for a fact, that he needed to buy the corebooks to help him out. The book also says: "Player's Handbook by Wizards of the Coast™ required for use".

My friend is an indomitable miser. I wish I were, too. My book shelf is already buckling under the weight of 3E D&D books.

 

[Greatwyrm]

He does know he can get the entire d20 or d20Modern srds for free on the WotC website, right? If he doesn't want to do the formatting, I'm sure he can get a cleaned up copy of either at RPGnow.com for next to nothing.

 

[buzz]

Is there a d20 Future coming out? Will this be stand alone or will you need the Modern book?

It's coming out in August, and yes, it requires d20 Modern.

BTW, I left the EverQuest RPG off the list. It's OGL and stand-alone.

 

[trancejeremy]

While you can get the SRDs for free, they don't include how to create characters or level them up.

Anyway, it's pretty simple. If it's a d20 main rulebook from WOTC, then it has rules to create characters and level them up.

If it's not from WOTC and it's got a d20 logo on it, they don't.

If they use the the d20 rules, but not the logo, then it's almost certain they they do have rules to create characters and such. (either that or topless women. Sometimes both)

 

[Von Ether]

I was wondering if anybody could help me.

My friend wants to start DMing a non-D&D d20 game but does not want to have to buy the d20 game PLUS the core rulebooks. So, he was wondering if there are any d20 games out there that do NOT require the core rule books. He is very particular about this. He says that the d20 game cannot even say: "can be used without the core rule books but owning these will benefit you."

He wants a totally independent d20 game. This d20 game can be of any genre.

Can anybody help him?

Does Arcana Unearthed require the PHB, DMG and MM?

Thanks.

You buddy wants it cheap and straightforward? I noticed people left out the newest OGL product from Mongoose.
OGL Modern for $20
Heck for that price you could get
WotC's d20 Future for $35
or
d20 Haven City of Violence
or even find
d20 Modern Dark Inheritance in the bargin bin (they are switching over to Spycraft soon) and have plenty of gaming for your dollar.