Sell me on Star Wars D20

[LostSoul]

I had the first d20 book, and I had a few problems - mostly with the starships & vehicles, but also my general issues with class & level based games in general.

I remember coming up with a scenario where a wookiee could punch through the hull of a TIE fighter while the blast from an X-Wing couldn't. I think it was because the Wookiee was Raging and got a bonus to Str and that allowed him to punch through the TIE's Defense from Armour. Kinda silly.

I loved the d6 version, though, so I'm biased.

 

[DelayedReactionMan]

First of all, I must admit that I'm somewhat biased towards D6.

That said, IMO the D20 version doesn't really mesh well with the Star Wars Universe. The starship and vehicle combat is extremely wonky, and it can often be hard to fit a character concept into levels. Granted this is particularly true for any level-based system, but it's particularly difficult for a Universe as unlimited as Star Wars.

The ground combat works rather well though, and the VP/WP system plays quite well with the SW universe. The game is also definitely streamlined and quite fast; perfect for newer players or those who don't want a lot of detail. I just prefer a skill-based system.

Case in point: a 5th level Scout can take 10 on any pilot role he wants. This means that the Scout can never get less than a 25 (or more, I forgot the specifics) with any vehicle that he drives.

 

[ragboy]

I've had a great time with d20 Star Wars (no experience with the d6 version). I've been running a campaign with my kids (from the boxed set to a home-grown campaign) and they absolutely love it. It's fast paced enough for new gamers (though they've played D&D, as well) and it's a setting that a broad range of non-gamers know (for instance, you don't have explain what a TIE fighter, or a Quarren, or whatever looks like).

My normal gaming group (very resistant to new systems and change in general) really liked it, as well.

I personally don't like the Force system, but I haven't thought of a better alternative. Spending skill points and feats on the Force in a skill-heavy future seems pretty silly to me. Your Jedi are either underpowered Force users or they can't do anything else very well (without mitigating it with the Force). I'm sure everyone cringes at a Psionics-clone system, but I'm wondering if something like that could make the Force mechanics better and still maintain a balance within the game.