Star Wars w/o Star Wars

[buzz]

The group I'm in is going to be starting a Star Wars campaign (well, continuing one from before I joined). I picked up the RCR and have been making my way through it.

I have to say, in general I think it's a really cool implementation of d20, and despite my Monte-fanboyishness, I'm liking VP/WP. However, while I'm a fan of the Star Wars films, I'm not a big fan of the Star Wars universe.

So, I was curious. Is anyone out there using the SWd20 rules for a setting other than SW? Or maybe tossing everything after the first film out the window?

As I said, I like VP/WP and how Wound damage makes you "fatigued", and I think the Force implementation makes for a nifty psionics/magic system. It might be interesting to create a setting whole cloth, or maybe even to try using the system (with some mods) for a fantasy setting.

Anyone doing this? Thought of doing this?

 

[Davelozzi]

Actually I was thinking about this very thing last night, although I didn't get very far with it. I think the RCR is a great rulebook but I'm always hesitant to run a campaign in a world designed around a movie or novel series.

The problem is that many of the central concepts (i.e. The Force, Jedi Knights, light sabers, etc.) are so Star Wars that even if you removed the world it would be hard to feel like you had your own thing going. Of course, changing the names could be a start. In Alternity, they had star-swords which IIRC in which a blade of force was filled with hot plasma or something. But even then, I wondered if everyone (the players) wouldn't just call them light sabers.

 

[buzz]

The problem is that many of the central concepts (i.e. The Force, Jedi Knights, light sabers, etc.) are so Star Wars that even if you removed the world it would be hard to feel like you had your own thing going. Of course, changing the names could be a start.

You could always call them Lensmen...

*ducks*

 

[shadowlight]

Before d20 Modern came out I used a lot of the rules (with some d20 CoC rules) for a Modern campaign. Also, I've used a lot of the Jedi/Force rules for variant Monks in a game I play with my wife (what can I say, she loves the monks )

VP/WP and the Jedi/Force rules worked great and didn't have a Star Wars flavor to them.

Haven't done anything sci-fi though...

 

[magnas_veritas]

As I said, I like VP/WP and how Wound damage makes you "fatigued", and I think the Force implementation makes for a nifty psionics/magic system. It might be interesting to create a setting whole cloth, or maybe even to try using the system (with some mods) for a fantasy setting.

Anyone doing this? Thought of doing this?

We've got Elven/Gnomish Jedi in our game...mostly Dark Side, of course, and one occasional PC. My character has a Ring of Telekinesis that works by Move Object, and deals subdual damage to him every time he uses it. There are even lightsabers in the setting, though those are artifacts and have yet to be seen (though we could probably find one if we really wanted).

One of the other main games, this one in the Rokugan setting, uses WP for crits and such.

Brad

 

[LostSoul]

So, I was curious. Is anyone out there using the SWd20 rules for a setting other than SW? Or maybe tossing everything after the first film out the window?

I've run a lot of Star Wars games, in the universe, that had nothing to do with the sequels or the "expanded universe". In effect, it was my own Star Wars universe - a lot darker and grittier. Like the cantina scene.

We had the ships, the civil war, the Jedi, but everything else was my own. I keep a large distance between the heroes of Yavin and the PCs.

 

[Chaldfont]

I have always wanted to run a fantasy (prolly D&D) campaign with the plot of Star Wars. Basically just change all the names and use fantasy settings instead of Star Warsy ones. During the first session, the players would catch on and start looking for those memorable moments in the movies. I suppose you could use some combination of D&D with the Force rules from SW for this.

One thing I have done in the past is run a Star Wars campaign (with the old WEG, zillions of d6 rules) using the rough plot of the movies but cutting out all references to the main characters and replacing them with the PCs. That can be really fun since the players already know the plot and can fill in dialogue and background on their own.

 

[Ranger REG]

Have you tried Spycraft Role Playing Game and Shadowforce Archer Campaign Setting? It has VP/WP (used with permission from Wizards) and I believe they use a similar psion class.

 

[Kenpo Wolf]

When my StarGate campaign starts up next month, I'll be using the Star Wars books as well as Traveller D20, Modern and the Spycraft books.

 

[Lurks-no-More]

You could always call them Lensmen...

*ducks*

Actually, that's not all that bad an idea...
Square-jawed heroes saving the day? Right-ho! (Despite the original books, I'd say we could allow spiffy heroines, too. And sidekicks!)

Smugglers, pirates, criminal syndicates? Common as space dirt, and about as pleasant.

Outrageous aliens from weird planets? As many as you like. Wanna shake limbs with Worsel?

Corrupt politicians, secret cabals and insanely complex plots for the Destruction of All Civilization? They're everywhere.

An Evil Empire, with aspirations of Galactic Domination? Bow to the might of Thrale, you inferior creatures!

Immense armadas of star cruisers clashing over contested planets? You bet.

Planet-smashing superweapons? In spades! (Death star is lame compared to the sheer fun of a sunbeam, or the thrill of using whole giant planets as relativistic projectiles...)

Insanely powerful psionics? Yeah baby! (Actually, I'm not sure if SW rules allow Lensman-level psionics... but then again, that right be a good thing for playability...)

A Clandestine Conflict Between Good and Evil! ... huh? I have no idea of what you are speaking about, citizen. Carry on, carry on.

Lensman. Why settle for cheap substitutes?