SWd20: Swoop racing?

[Corsair]

I need a way to handle a swoop race in my game. I know I need to factor in pilot checks, but I want to incorporate the quality of the swoop also. Obviously certain things like a bonus to pilot checks are already built in.

How does this sound?

Each swoop's base speed in squares (the size of the squares is no big deal, since they can be scaled up), with a bonus based on a pilot check? Maybe for every 5 points the pilots beat a specific DC, they can add another square worth of movement?

Does anyone have any mechanics for this already?

 

[Rhun]

I think your mechanic sounds solid, as the piloting check represents a skilled rider getting all he can from his bike.

To keep it interesting be sure to include Piloting checks with the DC based on the swoop's speed to avoid obstacles and such. Thus, a good pilot can get more speed out of his bike, but the faster he goes is going to make it harder to avoid hazards.

 

[Corsair]

Yeah, I'm planning to allow for some "short cuts" and other things like flying through tangled webs of steel and decaying factories. It is going to be urban racing for the most part. I figure I'll allow racers to slow down to gain bonuses to avoiding hazards.

 

[Rhun]

Yeah, I'm planning to allow for some "short cuts" and other things like flying through tangled webs of steel and decaying factories. It is going to be urban racing for the most part. I figure I'll allow racers to slow down to gain bonuses to avoiding hazards.

Sounds fun...my only actual experience with Swoop Racing is from the two KOTOR video games. So I just kind of based my judgement of those.

 

[AmorphousBlob]

Here's an idea I had when I was discussing with my friends what it's like switching cars. How about giving a bonus to a pilot based on their familiarity with their particular swoop? Like a +1 for someone who's been riding the same swoop for years, and a +2 to someone who designed and built their own swoop? It's just a thought.

And on the subject of swoop races in the KOTOR games, those are not very good demonstrations of swoop races. First off, that thing isn't a swoop! A swoop should look more like a speeder bike than a landspeeder. Second, swoop races are a lot like pod races. They aren't run individually! Whoever designed that minigame was really stretching the limits to be able to get it to work in the game. I would've preferred to not have the swoop races in it at all!

 

[Dagger75]

Instead of bonus to pilot use a type of upgrade for the swoop

Engine: Special Engine enhancement give like +1 to +3 when using a pilot check to boost speed

Manuevering: Special computers or nicely engineered Fins give +1 to +3 bonus to pilot checks when trying to aviod obsticals and do stunts.

Body: Increase to Hull Points or DR based on Armor

Special Gear: Like Repulser Jump Jets, Temporary Shields, Tow cables, blasters, Speed boosts and such.

And make so not every bike can have every type of enhancemnt. Joe Blow Solo has a run of the mill swoop he bought out of the show room. There isn't alot of room for improvement. Maybe he can tweak a +1 or so out of the engines.

Tech Spec Drek on the other hand desinged and custom built his swoop. Spent a pretty penny, he might be able to add some speed enhancements and a manuevering bump. Might have a special gear add on.

Incom Racing Team: They had the resources of a huge corporation behind them. High speed computers, enginnering teams, R/D department. Might have all kinds of great technology for there swoop. Maybe +4 or +5 enhancements.

Nice adventures could be had by trying to steal some of the designs or maybe Incom needs some help on opens the shop for your group for payment.

Hope this helps.

 

[AmorphousBlob]

Joe Blow Solo has a run of the mill swoop...
Tech Spec Drek on the other hand desinged and custom built his swoop...

Hehe, I like those names, and those are some brilliant ideas! I hope you don't mind if I use them in my games.

 

[Dagger75]

Please do, thats why I post them.

 

[barsoomcore]

At the risk of tooting my own horn, may I suggest HOT PURSUIT: The Definitive Guide to d20 Chases?

Works with any and all d20 systems, any tech level, requires no specific feats or classes or anything. Should fit seamlessly into SWD20. Has all kinds of ideas and fun stuff for everyone.

I think you'd find it gives you exactly what you want. Even if I did write it myself.