D&D 5E Non fantasy setting book or books for 5th edition
- Thread starter dwayne
- Start date
Mercule
Adventurer
I voted "sci-fi" because it's the closest. I'm generally in the camp that doesn't think it's still "D&D".
Keep the same six stats, XP chart, and proficiency bonus, as well as d20 for all pass/fail checks and the existence of AC and HP.
Alignment probably doesn't work.
Keep the concept of races, but human would probably be the only one that remained. Even then, lots of other systems have races, so that's not big deal.
Most of the skill list would change. As far as having skills, D&D is actually a bit of a laggard.
You've also got classes, but they really don't port to another genre. Maybe the Fighter and Rogue, but that's about it; and even those would probably need some changes.
Basically, you've got Chapters 7 and 9 that port -- around 20 pages, minus some pictures. Depending on how you define "D&D" and "the system", that might qualify. I guess that's enough to start building a generic system, but it's not quite there. The problem with class-based systems is that the class concepts are so core to the system, that replacing them wholesale effectively guts the system as such.
On the other hand, I suspect the unification of various capabilities (saves, skills, tools, attacks) into proficiencies means that it'd be easier than ever to convert D&D into a class-level, level-less system; that would be much easier to make generic. Of course, I'd contend that such a system is even less D&D than a Gamma World "5E" would be.
Keep the same six stats, XP chart, and proficiency bonus, as well as d20 for all pass/fail checks and the existence of AC and HP.
Alignment probably doesn't work.
Keep the concept of races, but human would probably be the only one that remained. Even then, lots of other systems have races, so that's not big deal.
Most of the skill list would change. As far as having skills, D&D is actually a bit of a laggard.
You've also got classes, but they really don't port to another genre. Maybe the Fighter and Rogue, but that's about it; and even those would probably need some changes.
Basically, you've got Chapters 7 and 9 that port -- around 20 pages, minus some pictures. Depending on how you define "D&D" and "the system", that might qualify. I guess that's enough to start building a generic system, but it's not quite there. The problem with class-based systems is that the class concepts are so core to the system, that replacing them wholesale effectively guts the system as such.
On the other hand, I suspect the unification of various capabilities (saves, skills, tools, attacks) into proficiencies means that it'd be easier than ever to convert D&D into a class-level, level-less system; that would be much easier to make generic. Of course, I'd contend that such a system is even less D&D than a Gamma World "5E" would be.
Dragonhelm
Knight of Solamnia
D&D 5e Modern/Urban Arcana
When I first played Shadowrun, I was entranced with the idea of a near-future setting of man, magic, and machine. It was like D&D in the modern world, but with a touch of sci-fi. Yet it never quite sat right with me. I think d20 Modern's Urban Arcana setting was more of what I was looking for, although its mechanics was a bit much for me. Heck, at one point I considered Gamma World as a rules system to use. It didn't quite feel right.
With 5e, I've been thinking about how its mechanics could work with a d20 Modern type of game with some Shadowrun inspiration. I don't have a lot yet.
Races could pretty much be the same.
Classes - What I would like to see here would be to utilize the subclass mechanics a bit. So, for example, you might have fighter subclasses like street samurai, soldier, or mercenary. Or maybe there's rogue subclasses like wheelman. So D&D classes, but with era-specific subclasses.
I'm also envisioning things like smart gun links giving you advantage on attacks with smart gun weapons.
What it all boils down to is the idea that you're playing D&D in any number of eras or genres, but it still has the basic D&D mechanics and magic is probably an option.
When I first played Shadowrun, I was entranced with the idea of a near-future setting of man, magic, and machine. It was like D&D in the modern world, but with a touch of sci-fi. Yet it never quite sat right with me. I think d20 Modern's Urban Arcana setting was more of what I was looking for, although its mechanics was a bit much for me. Heck, at one point I considered Gamma World as a rules system to use. It didn't quite feel right.
With 5e, I've been thinking about how its mechanics could work with a d20 Modern type of game with some Shadowrun inspiration. I don't have a lot yet.
Races could pretty much be the same.
Classes - What I would like to see here would be to utilize the subclass mechanics a bit. So, for example, you might have fighter subclasses like street samurai, soldier, or mercenary. Or maybe there's rogue subclasses like wheelman. So D&D classes, but with era-specific subclasses.
I'm also envisioning things like smart gun links giving you advantage on attacks with smart gun weapons.
What it all boils down to is the idea that you're playing D&D in any number of eras or genres, but it still has the basic D&D mechanics and magic is probably an option.
dwayne
Adventurer
Well then there was no point in replying to this thread, it was for those who want it not for those who don't so go else were this is not a discussion on if not or to do it. I have put you on ignore to keep from seeing your negative comments and advise you and any one else who fells like this to go else were.
dwayne
Adventurer
I played D20 modern and liked it but altered it so that the sud classes acted like talents and had some base classes that were generic and there specail abilities were all based off talents or feats chosen. With this system it would be even easier as a few would require a bit of alteration like fighter or rogue paladin and a few others. But mostly its changing out weapons and armor and some tweaking here and there, a few paths to round out and you would be set. An option for a non magic healer could give everyone an option to do a medicine roll or bind wounds which I think is already in game. Another class based off the wizard an academic type with knowledge skills and abilities to perform surgery, or other paths from doctor to lawyer or politician.
That was hardly a negative comment, it was simply an agreeing statement with previous posts saying D&D isn't really suited for doing scifi or horror or supers. It 'can' work but there are other systems (such as Savage Worlds) that are build to be much more modular and general with rules in its core book for doing any of these and much more as well as several books that flesh out fluff and rules for such settings.
The_Gneech
Explorer
The core d20 system (which 5E still uses, even in its highly modified way) is very robust and would work for a lot of things. I think a 5E version of Star Wars Saga Edition would be a lot of fun, for instance. I don't think horror is the best choice, because d20 assumes that characters start weak and get more powerful (whereas in horror they tend to start weak, then wither and die). Superheroes could feel right at home, tho!
I can't really vote in the poll because I don't have one I'm itching to see at the moment; I'm content with my dungeon/hex crawling for now. I have pondered converting my Savage World of Ghostbusters campaign to a 5E variant, tho...
-TG
I don't think horror is the best choice, because d20 assumes that characters start weak and get more powerful (whereas in horror they tend to start weak, then wither and die). Superheroes could feel right at home, tho!I can't really vote in the poll because I don't have one I'm itching to see at the moment; I'm content with my dungeon/hex crawling for now. I have pondered converting my Savage World of Ghostbusters campaign to a 5E variant, tho...
-TG
MechaPilot
Explorer
I voted for both Modern and Horror. Ravenloft is my favorite published D&D setting, with Spelljammer and Planescape tied for second.
BlueBlackRed
Explorer
None of the above for me.
If I wanted to play other genres, I'd play a system more suited to that genre.
If I wanted to play other genres, I'd play a system more suited to that genre.
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