Tell Me About Dragonstar

[Caliber]

I finished up a DragonStar campaign recently and I'll admit I had a blast.

DragonStar has a pretty good mix of magic and sci-fi, combining it in a pretty believable way. There are a few mechanical changes to classes (mostly updating skills ... the Druid and Monk get a few more substantive changes and the Ranger does as well, although that is more of an effort to "fix" a perceived weakness in the 3.0 Ranger than any attempt to bring him into DS)

The PrCs that were in the 3.0 DMG are also updated, and some of them come over pretty well. Races in general don't change much, except, again, for the new skills (some races lose modifiers to old skills and gain them to new ones ...)

My only real complaint about the setting is exactly how deadly the guns can be. While perhaps realistic, the fact is guns can kill. EASILY. Combine that with DS's autofire rules (which, in my opinion, are the strongest representation of autofire found in any modern style system) and gun toting goons become a problem. There are non-mechanical ways to fix that of course (autofire weapons being hard to find, needing liscencing, making them REALLY expensive) but that doesn't change the fact that one guy with an Assault Blaster can easily waste characters several levels over him with one lucky roll. Its kinda like SWd20's VP/WP but on crack.

Really though, I do recommend the setting. Like most things though, the more books you get for it, the more rules you get to make things interesting.

 

[Turanil]

While I'm very interested in SWd20, I'm looking for a game that is not SWd20, but has potential for the same feel.

You may consider the new d20 sci-fi game "Bulldogs!".
This game looks really cool (I ordered my copy today). You have a complete review on the Silven Trumpeter website, and previews to download on the Bulldogs! website (GalileoGames.com).

Here is what I have to say about Dragonstar: I have the game (as well as Blood & Space, T20, and SWd20). My main complaint with DragonStar, is that it is dragons, elfes, hobbits, dwarves, druids, and magicians with starships and laser guns. I think it absolutely doesn't make it right. Tlokien with lasers...

On the other hand, Bulldogs has a SWd20 kind of feel, but is not SW. This is a specific setting. Classes and races are really about sci-fi (no bard, druid, or sorcerer with access to computer-use skill). However, these classes looki like they are totally compatible 3.5 DnD. As such, an enterprising DM may easily add some barbarians, monks (Bene Gesserit ?), and rogues, plus an occasional wizard if they want to. Psions can also easily be included. So, I were you I would check that preview and review of Bulldogs!

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

That's part of the reason I wanted to throw DnD 3.x out of Dragonstar and insert the many of the AU mechanics into the system. For instance:

-The races are perfect because there is not a Tolkien stereotype with them. Also, some just fit conceptually. The Giants could be major rebels against the Dragon Empire and the Verrick practically scream Vulcans

-I love the magic system. I think it'd be a very excellent change to the system

-The classes, on the whole, fit really well too, and are so flavorful. The Akashic is a galactic mystic and the Unfettered a gun-totting, daring-do scoundrel. Plus there's a lot of room for new classes, like a Vacuum Witch or an Alien animal Totem Warrior. There might be some problems with the Warmain, but if some decent melee weapons are integrated into the system, no problem: you've got a devestating melee fighter in a range-oriented world. That could be pretty nasty.

I don't want to go into my reasons too much, because that'd kind of derail the thread. But AU is so unique and new that I think it could work really well with Dragonstar, and make a great Fantasy/SciFi hybrid.

 

[Turanil]

Adding Arcana Unearthed concepts to a d20 sci-fi campaign... You sold me the idea! I like it! Great!

Verriks would be great indeed! I also envision Sibbecai in flying pyramids ala Stargate movie. For my personnal taste, some classes (but not all) could be easily adapted to a d20 sci-fi setting. The unfettered could be fine with guns, the Akhashic and Oathsworn would do well. I can see the witch as an odd capability of the Verrik race, but not all races would be allowed to this class. The Mojh could be character who delve into a dark and forbidden science ala Lovecraft, so magic is not an innocuous thing, but manipulations calling upon unknown dimensions. As such, in my game, all spellcaster would be evil cultists or doomed scholars, and in any way extremely rare.

Just a question: did you already buy Dragonstar Starfarer's Handbook? If you intend to base your game upon AU, you may consider either Blood & Space or Bulldogs instead. Granted, Dragonstar books are better looking. Note however, that to get info on the Dragon Empire, you must buy the Guide to the Galaxy. Starfarer's handbook is only about rules.

In any case, once you have begun your game, tell us here what you did opt for (which rulebook). Also, it would be cool if you post here your afdaptation work of UA to sci-fi

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

I'm currently running a standard AU game at the moment and will likely not involve my players in the greater galaxy. I would rather start a game based in a Sci-Fi fantasy world, rather than thrust players from "backwater planets" into a universe filled with technology there characters could not possibly understand.

What I will do, however, is build up the galaxy as a I go along, most likely drawing from Dragonstar, SWd20, and perhaps even Bulldogs. For continuity purposes I don't think it'd make sense to build a galaxy after I've built this world. I see the multitude of races as being associated with their own planets, rather than just continents, so it might look weird if I throw that into my world-building after I've already created a world for AU.

As of right now I have none of the books for any of the above systems, except for Arcana Unearthed. I've only just heard of Bulldogs and know absolutely nothing about Blood and Space. I'll look into these, however, and see what I can use. Galaxies with many, many races are always a plus, and the Templari preview looked like Bulldogs! could provide a fine addition in that area.

Edit: Ok, so I'm looking at Bulldogs now, and it's really looking like a great system. I probably won't use too many of their races, but the race builder sounds interesting. Also, because of basic AU flavor, I'll likely include the Soulmech from Dragonstar. If I like the mechanics of the class, or if they're at least salvagable, then I think that'd be a very cool addition to a futuristic AU.

 

[Sir Elton]

I just realized that I can change the FTL rules of Dragonstar to fit me. I guess.

 

[Caliber]

What don't you like about the FTL rules in DragonStar?

 

[Sir Elton]

What don't you like about the FTL rules in DragonStar?

It's not that I don't like them, but there aren't other options other than using the StarCaster. Now with the Expanded Psionics Handbook coming out, and since the original Psi-rules have been OGL for a long time, FFG can add a second option. A Psi-Jump or Psi-Warp Drive.

Plus, what if the Dragon Empire encounters another Stellar Civilization that has technology capable of folding space? Or have the capability of Shunting to Hyperspace? Or heaven forbid, capable of Warping space a'la Star Trek?

I just want to add more options. That's all. The Starcaster shouldn't be the only way for a ship to bridge large distances.

 

[Kesh]

Actually, Dragonstar also includes Astral drives, though they're not the instantaneous travel of a 'caster. I liken Astral drives to Babylon 5's hyperspace system.

 

[Caliber]

Ah ok. That makes sense to me then.

Variety is the spice of life and all.