[Star Wars Saga] How compatible with Standard d20?

[jdrakeh]

If one was interested in using the non-heroic NPC rules to model mooks and other nameless bad guys in D&D, could they? If so, how much conversion work would be necessary? Likewise, how difficult would it be to use standard d20 monsters in Star Wars Saga? The reason that I ask is that I'm considering purchasing Saga to with eye toward using it as generic space opera (as there isn't really a d20/OGL game that currently fills said niche). Is this feasible at all, or would I be wasting my money?

 

[Bagpuss]

If one was interested in using the non-heroic NPC rules to model mooks and other nameless bad guys in D&D, could they?

Wouldn't be a huge help, mooks are mooks because they don't have a lot of the benefits heroic class have, like adding their level to damage rolls. They are easier to make because of the variant skill system makes all characters easier to make.

If so, how much conversion work would be necessary? Likewise, how difficult would it be to use standard d20 monsters in Star Wars Saga?

There would be significant work involved in my opinion. It might be worth seeing if you can find the conversion documents to get a better idea.

I think it's possible to use if for a generic space opera (just take out the Jedi stuff), but it depends what other D20 sources you were hoping to use with it. You would probably need to use the heroic class, single attacks, feats, etc. etc. Rather than try and bring it into D20 bring other D20 stuff to it.

 

[Donovan Morningfire]

SW Saga is about as compatible with standard d20 as Green Ronin's True20 system is.

In other words, not very. They all use the same basic mechanics (d20 + modifiers = result), but there's a lot of variations in between.

While I agree the Saga Ed rules for mooks are great, that's only because the ruleset accounts for this by not giving them the sort of level-based benefits the heroes get (triple HP at 1st level, d4 hit dice, bonus to Defense scores and damage, etc). For standard d20, you'd probably be better off using the NPC classes out of d20 SRD, particularly the commoner.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

Saga rules don't port well into standard d20.

Standard d20 rules port extremely well into Saga, with occasional conversions and glitches - the latter usually caused by flaws in the particular standard d20 rules. Saga is like a significantly upgraded but still backwards compatible computer OS; it doesn't handle all the software for the previous OS, but between inline support and a bit of emulation, it handles most of it. The old OS, however, can't really run any of the new OS's material without it being rewritten.

To use most standard d20 material in Saga, you really only have to do one thing: convert the saves to defenses. For monsters, this means adding 10 to their saves and then adding AC bonuses like natural armor to Reflex. The latter sometimes takes a bit of tweaking. For classes, it means assigning a suitable starting bonus (+0 to +3) to each save - you'll grasp it quickly.

Also, when dealing with special abilities like Incorporeal, you'll have to make rulings.

Once you've done that, you can drop firearms from d20 Modern, classes from both d20 Modern and D&D, monsters from anywhere, mecha from d20 Mecha (or d20 Future ) - even Vancian or power point spellcasting or psionics, if for whatever unfathomable reason you wanted them.

The conversion, at least upwards, is much, much smoother than to True20, which requires almost a complete rebuild in most cases.

 

[jdrakeh]

Drat. I guess I might not have any use for Star Wars Saga, then. Ah, well, this means that I can afford that copy of the Malleus Monstorum after all. Thanks for the heads-up, folks!

 

[Aust Diamondew]

If you just wanted to use an Saga edition NPC class in standard dnd I fail to see the problem.
Other stuff might cause difficulty.

DnD NPC Class:
Hit Dice: d4
BAB: As Cleric
Good Saves: None (not sure if you should make all saves +0 for all levels)
Skills: 1+int. modifier, choose any 5 skills to be class skills.
Starting Feats: Any three weapon, armor, shield proficiency feats or skill focus.
CR: 1/2 level if appropriately equipped, otherwise 1/4