D&D 4E Sci-fi 4e Reskin

[Cwheeler]

That shadowrun page has some interesting stuff on it. They seem to have done a good job.

I'm less interested in creating a replica of a specific science fiction universe, and more interested in a '4e sci-fi' that could be used as a base for more specific campaign worlds.

On this note, I think that the base idea behind a 4e campeign works quite well in a sci-fi setting: the concept of points of light.

Tiny bastions of civilization, spread across a dark and unforgiving universe.

The remnants of ancient and powerful empires, ripe for exploration, plunder or revival.

Unknowable horrors resting in the dark places between and beyond the stars...

 

[Garthanos]

That shadowrun page has some interesting stuff on it. They seem to have done a good job.

I'm less interested in creating a replica of a specific science fiction universe, and more interested in a '4e sci-fi' that could be used as a base for more specific campaign worlds.

On this note, I think that the base idea behind a 4e campeign works quite well in a sci-fi setting: the concept of points of light.

Tiny bastions of civilization, spread across a dark and unforgiving universe.

The remnants of ancient and powerful empires, ripe for exploration, plunder or revival.

Unknowable horrors resting in the dark places between and beyond the stars...

Oh yeah... but the game mechanics do lend themselves to more space opera/space fantasy alah star wars and it is definitely a heroic universe.

 

[Pbartender]

Slug throwers run out of bullets... don't forget that (D&D magic weapons already are like energy projecting weapons), and the armor of the time might even work better against bullets than the super blades or energy weapons... even if the blasters have targeting issues there is a balancing point. There is already armor that works great on bullets but not too well against a bayonet.

I do think we need to give ranged weapons a bit more oomph in general ... something like a reaping strike move for ranged attacks might be a cybernetic controlled projectile.

Energy projecting weapons target reflex and a sorceror with acid orb and reapers touch can be a soldier with a disintigrating ray he projects from some nasty glove equipment, his ability to use various other effects are because he is a technological genius who can jury rig up a storm...or I can ditch the repears touch and (the dagger is a universal wrench with a small welding torch).

There is no "one" answer on what things are skinned as I think...

Here's the easy thing to do...

"Slugthrowers" are simply an ordinary weapon. A "bastard sword" version the crossbows would be appropriate. That is to say, a rifle or a pistol would just be, mechanics-wise, a slightly better version of a crossbow or hand crossbow and require the Superior Weapon Proficiency to get the proficiency bonus.

"Energy weapons" are and other advanced weaponry are simply the magical versions of these. A state-of-the-art sniper rifle might be a Vicious Rifle. A lightsaber is just a Sunblade Longsword. While a laser pistol is a Flaming Pistol, and a rifle with an underslung grenade launcher is a Flameburst Rifle.

 

[Garthanos]

Or a light saber can be a fairly normal cutting tool.. and the jedi is using power akin to a warlocks eldritch strike... if you arent a jedi (and have the power) you just have to be too careful with the damn things for them to be that useful as a weapon. ;-).

 

[Pbartender]

Or a light saber can be a fairly normal cutting tool.. and the jedi is using power akin to a warlocks eldritch strike... if you arent a jedi (and have the power) you just have to be too careful with the damn things for them to be that useful as a weapon. ;-).

I'm not necessarily talking light sabers specifically, but "laser-swords" in general. Mechanics-wise, a Sunblade emulates the energy type (radiant), deadliness (+1 or more to hit and damage, +1d6 or more on crits), and expense (at least 840 gp) of that type of weapon pretty well.

Anyway, the point is, much advanced technology -- even energy weapons or powered armor -- can be quickly and easily emulated by reskinning most magic items.

 

[Garthanos]

Or a light saber can be a fairly normal cutting tool.. and the jedi is using power akin to a warlocks eldritch strike... if you arent a jedi (and have the power) you just have to be too careful with the damn things for them to be that useful as a weapon. ;-).

That bit about normal weapons being well normal...
if potent xbows et all...is a pretty good basic skin.

There are needlers too....area effect or very easy to target..
itty bitty shards... like a wizards at will. - do they get out of whack so easily it takes specialist to fix/recalibrate them?...

do some weapons corresponding to spells requre a cyberlink (class feature).

 

[Garthanos]

Anyway, the point is, much advanced technology -- even energy weapons or powered armor -- can be quickly and easily emulated by reskinning most magic items.

And certainly an energy sword geared up with tons of safety features to avoid burning its wielder among other things could exist right alongside one that the mystics used and could be a +1 flaming something.
A thundarr the barbarian energy sword...

I think its a mistake to always think in terms of just magic items. Ie are all your jedi are high enough level to afford that sun sword? and light sabres dont need radiant nearly as much as they need the "jedi" part ;-). So class abilities and powers are going to be some of the super tech...

So what do we skin radiant -vs - undead as?

 

[Cwheeler]

As I've mentioned before, rather than creating a replica of something like starwars, or a generic space opera setting, I'm far more interested in making something uniquely 4e.

My first attempt looks something like this:

The Seas of Stars and Shadows.

The universe is ancient. Unbelievably so. Empires have risen and fallen, and turned to dust. Discoveries have been made, in thousands of different sciences, which have been lost to the worlds.

New civilizations have arisen, trade routes stretching from world to world through the farcaster portals, and still stranger civilizations grow and lurk between the stars.

This is a universe of relative ignorance, where the people live in the shadows of technological marvels of the ages past. In this universe of fear and superstition, technology is a closely guarded and highly prized secret.


The Power Sources in SoSaS

Arcane: Those who are called Archanists have learned to tap into the secrets of technology and the sciences. Although their understanding is often rudimentary when compared to the great civilizations of the past, they can boast knowledge and achievements well beyond that of the general populace. In primitive cultures, their abilities are often mislabeled as ‘magic’.

Divine: Across the worlds, there are many different cultures and individuals who tap into the divine power source, and each has a different explanation for it’s functioning. For some, it is a manifestation of the one true deity, of the spirits of the planet, of pantheons, or of cosmic energies. Many Psionocists believe that that which is attributed to the divine is a primitive and instinctual form of psionic power. The truth remains unknown.

Martial: Martial Prowess has been one of the few things to remain constant for the entirety of the long history of sentient life. What has changed over time, however, is the methods of delivering death. Modern martialists can often be seen sporting advanced weapons, cybernetic enhancements, and genetic modifications.

Primal: Those who align themselves with the primal share their existence with strange symbiotes and parasitic energies of natural origin. Some of these symbiotes and energies are sentient in nature, forming part of a natural, empathic hive mind that spans much of the galaxy.

Psionic: Psionics is the conscious manipulation of reality through a direct application of will. Psionic abilities evolved over the melenia, and can now be seen in many cultures and species across the galaxy.

Arcane Classes

Bard: ???

Sorcerer: Sorcerers are strange and unique individuals. Through chance and accident, they have bonded with the tattered remnants of the nannite web that once allowed the empires to shape their environment to their every whim.

Warlock: Warlocks form pacts with strange and alien entities, in exchange for knowledge and technologies that defy conventional understanding. Many believe that they walk the path of insanity, but they see it as a path to power.

Wizard: The Wizard has studied the ancient ways of technology, and intends to become a master of it’s secrets.

This is the type of feel I would be going for in order to make an intrinsically 4e-style sci-fi setting.

 

[Garthanos]

OK my primal character is definitely going to be taking a familiar if I have to multiclass to get a symbiot going dormant... or active... that is cool.

 

[Garthanos]

vibro-blade any melee weapon swaps out its damage type with thunder. can be used to make a deafening ranged sound blast special attack once per day.. if you do it twice the silly thing doesnt work till you get it repared (insert discouraging price tag).