Should there be a d20 *generic* corebook?

[Wulf Ratbane]

Now they would just have one core book to give them the answers. Sure, it wouldn't be for everyone, but it would encourage people to create there own unique settings. Also, it would make going from one d20 game to another much easier if they were both using rules from one source.

At the risk of repeating myself, what you are describing is GRIM TALES.

There are several threads around ENworld discussing the product, here's one:
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=88794

And a link to our website:
http://www.badaxegames.com/html/products/grim_tales/index.html


Wulf

 

[Wombat]

I dunno. How many "generic systems" does this world need? Do any of them actually do a good job?

Actually for my own tastes I find the systems that fit a specific genre work better than generic rules cobbled to fit every eventuallity, all of which work rather imperfectly. I'm not that fond of GURPS as a system, but I do love the supplements they put out for the game. If I was going to run a Modern game, I would want something much more "realistic" feeling than D20 (a set of rules where it is relatively easy to die to a single bullet, for example, not merely a fluke chance).

Generic D20 is obviously not aimed at me. Maybe it is meant for someone else. I still see little attraction to generic rules for any of my needs.

 

[dead]

It might help the stigma that D20 can't do everything and maybe turn it into D20 can do everything but isn't always best. See ythe thing is that D20 isn't a generic system like GURPS, it can be, but it wouldn't be as successful as it is now. When you look at the products available a lot of them vary from the core rules in major ways like Spycraft or Mutants & Masterminds. Would they be possible under the assumed D20 system? Not really. Spycraft is a total overhaul of the PHB while M&M is a complete rebuild from the ground up. That is what has made D20 successful. If we moved to a core system, say D20 Modern as a model, products like the above wouldn't work. I think D20 Modern is a great system and would be a perfect model for D&D4 but I wouldn't want to see it as a model that has to be strictly followed for all of D20, or any model for that matter.

Jason

I never said that Spycraft and Mutants & Masterminds would have to use this new generic d20 system. Nor would this d20 generic system replace the "primary" D&D PHB, DMG, MM. It would just be there as an *alternative* for GMs who don't want to play around with the core D&D rules. They want to start their unique campaign straight away with a set of rules that will conceivably work without tweaking them and without hunting down lots of other d20 products for reference.

 

[dead]

I would want something much more "realistic" feeling than D20 (a set of rules where it is relatively easy to die to a single bullet, for example, not merely a fluke chance).

Hopefully a generic system would utilize the same *physics* for all genres. A bullet fired at an armoured knight in a fantasy world (or even an arrow) would be just as deadly to someone in a modern/future setting. The same rules would apply.

 

[dead]

At the risk of repeating myself, what you are describing is GRIM TALES.

Does Grim Tales present itself as a generic system?

Can I play a comedy game with mutant rabbits wielding psionics and laser blasters?

 

[SableWyvern]

IIRC, there are certain key elements that you could not include in this system if you wish to use the d20 logo, including rules for levelling up or generating ability scores. Whether or not you could call still call it "d20" Core, without the use of the logo, I'm not sure.

OTOH, I could be completely wrong. It's been a long, long time since I last looked at the d20 STL.

 

[pogre]

Does Grim Tales present itself as a generic system?

Can I play a comedy game with mutant rabbits wielding psionics and laser blasters?

I cannot speak for Wulf, but GT is a tool kit first and foremost - frankly I do think you could do anything d20 with it.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Does Grim Tales present itself as a generic system?

Can I play a comedy game with mutant rabbits wielding psionics and laser blasters?

An odd choice of examples, as the book does in fact include an illustration of a gun-wielding rabbit. No kidding.

I did not specifically address psionics within Grim Tales itself, though I have heard several folks suggest using the skills and feats system from the Psychic's Handbook with GT rules.

To be frank, GT is designed to be low-magic. The farther afield you want to run with regard to magic, the more you'll need to rely on other sources.

I tend to think that for any "generic" system, the more rules you require in order to impart "setting" (and mutant psionic gun-wielding rabbits would qualify) the more difficult it becomes for the rules to remain "generic."


Wulf

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Yes and no...

The part of me that is controlled by my pocketbook says "Yes". You'd get more bang for your buck if d20 titles didn't include the same core rules over and over. Yes, I know that there are several titles that didn't (Traveller T20 for example) but then you've got games like Star Wars and Call of Cthulhu that DID include the rules again.

The part of me that has been playing D&D for 20+ years says "No". That would seem like diluted D&D. D&D has always had a core book with all the rules and setting material and so it should stay.

I honestly don't know...

 

[Magistus71]

Doesn't this exist already in the way of the SRD? And with the Modern SRD either out or out soon, you have what you need.