The Avengers for Spycraft?

[spilth]

I am a big fan of The Avengers (the British spy show, not the comic book) and have been toying with the idea of creating an Avengers RPG for a while now. I recently saw Spycraft at my local Dragon's Den and bought it on the spot, realizing that it would be an excellent system to use, especially since I am already familiar with d20 from playing D&D.

What is really necessary now is an "Avengers Campaign Sourcebook". This would have info on England in the '60s, info on "The Ministry", agent creation, diabolical masterminds and their henchmen, gear and vehicles of the time and an overview of your basic Avengers episode.

Any ways, this post is just to see if there are any Avengers fans out there and on this board. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the idea of an Avengers RPG.

For anybody unfamiliar with the show here is a link to a quick intro: http://theavengers.tv/forever/profile.htm

 

[Glyfair]

At Origins/Atlanticon for several years in a row I ran a popular series of scenarios called "The World's Greatest Spies" for the James Bond RPG. My original concept revolved around the fact that so very few people ever got to run James Bond in the James Bond RPG. So, I created a scenario that would allow this to happen.

Of course, you need more than just a single character for a convention scenario. Therefore I worked out the stats for several famous spies who would certainly be "00" agent level. For the first game I had John Steed, Emma Peel, Simon Templar, Illya Kuryakin, Napoleon Solo, Cathy Gale and perhaps one or two others.

Now that my brother intends to run Spycraft I was inspired to try to see if I could create a few more one-off adventures. So, I decided to try to work the characters out in Spycraft. Doing this I discovered that Spycraft isn't very well suited for these characters. It's not just the power levels, either.

Spycraft just seems more oriented towards a "modern" action movie type spy game. It just doesn't have the flavor of the 60's spy heroes.

Of course, I'm still inspired to work on these scenarios. I just have to decide what system I'm going to try to use. I will likely just stick with the James Bond RPG. However, I wouldn't be adverse to using a more suitable d20 system. Maybe Polyhedron will have someting, or d20 Modern will be more adaptable to that flavor.

Glyfair of Glamis

P.S. Other characters I later adapted for the game include Alexander Mundy, John Drake/No. 6 (I decided for this game they would be considered one and the same), Modesty Blaise, Willie Garvin, Alexander Scott, Kelly Robinson, Jamie Summers, Maxwell Smart (only as an NPC), Remo Williams & Chuin (also only NPCs).

 

[spilth]

I admit I haven't looked into creating the iconic Avengers characters with the Spycraft agent system yet, but is it something you think could be done with adding/editing/removing certain skills and feats? Certainly the gear and setting would need to be different.

Do you feel that the gameplay mechanics of d20 Spycraft are lacking? Or just the "feel" of the default modern setting?

Also, the idea of an Avengers RPG wouldn't neccessarily be to only play Steed and Mrs. Peel, though I'm sure that's what I a lot of people would be interested in. I'm also thinking there would probably be a prestige class that Steed and Emma would have a number of levels in.

 

[dpmcalister]

At Origins/Atlanticon for several years in a row I ran a popular series of scenarios called "The World's Greatest Spies" for the James Bond RPG. My original concept revolved around the fact that so very few people ever got to run James Bond in the James Bond RPG. So, I created a scenario that would allow this to happen.

Sorry to butt in on the topic, but if you're looking for somewhere to show these scenarios off to the world, I've got a James Bond 007 section on my website...

Credit et al would remain with you of course.

 

[Glyfair]

Sorry to butt in on the topic, but if you're looking for somewhere to show these scenarios off to the world, I've got a James Bond 007 section on my website...

Credit et al would remain with you of course.

By virtue of my being the only GM running them, my notes on the scenarios would be of use to no one but myself (and not even myself right now). Given the difficulty of predicting the actions of such versatile characters, there were only 3 or 4 pages of notes and a whole lot of improvising around them.

Of course, if you think there wouldn't be any copyright problems, I'd be glad to send you my conversions of the spies. Most of them are available and in a readable condition (with the players having to run them).

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[Glyfair]

I admit I haven't looked into creating the iconic Avengers characters with the Spycraft agent system yet, but is it something you think could be done with adding/editing/removing certain skills and feats? Certainly the gear and setting would need to be different.

Do you feel that the gameplay mechanics of d20 Spycraft are lacking? Or just the "feel" of the default modern setting?

Also, the idea of an Avengers RPG wouldn't neccessarily be to only play Steed and Mrs. Peel, though I'm sure that's what I a lot of people would be interested in. I'm also thinking there would probably be a prestige class that Steed and Emma would have a number of levels in.

It's a flavor thing, mostly. Actually, the main problem with all those characters is that most don't really fit into Spycraft's Departments and Classes. Even the Mission: Impossible team has it's problem fitting into them, although they are the best at fitting into them.

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[Game Control]

We are still missing the prestige class in order to portray the iconic spies. Also, remember to multiclass.

Look at James Bond.

Obviously he is ''Home Office'' equivalent. So let's give an MI6 agent D-0 stats. This would explain his luck and broad base of skills.

He must have the adaptable core class ability because he's very charismatic. (that's X2 action dice on CHA related check). This means first level as a Faceman.

He must also have the Cold Read ability because he frequently displays the uncanny talent to accurately size up someone at just a glance. This means at least 2 level in the Faceman class.

But he hardly ever disguises himself. He never displays the 3rd level Faceman abilty.

2nd level Faceman

He's also very skilled in combat and he's very tough; Of all the iconic superspies I can think of, he's the one who displays the best abilty to take a hit and keep coming. That means damage resistance. But he never wears armor, so let's give him less than 4 level of soldier.

3rd level Soldier

This gives him 2 combat feat and DR 1.

At this point, a prestige class would be most appropriate, but we have none at the moment.

Otherwise, one level of Wheelman and a few levels of Pointman would be the best bet.

 

[Glyfair]

I actually, don't think James Bond works too poorly as a Spycraft character. I think any spy from a high combat type series will also.

However, as an exercise, what would you consider the classes and departments of the following characters (admittedly, not all spies, but all still playable in that genre):

John Steed:
Emma Peel:
Simon Templar:
John Drake:
Alexander Scott:
Kelly Robinson:
Napoleon Solo:
Illya Kuryakin:
Maxwell Smart:

The only one that seems obvious is that the Saint is somewhat of a fixer, although I think that class really doesn't describe his abilities.

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[Tonguez]

the classes and departments of the following characters (admittedly, not all spies, but all still playable in that genre):

John Steed: Home Office, Faceman/Pointman?

Emma Peel:Wetworks (maybe)/Soldier/Foil

Simon Templar: Home office (cause nothing else fits), Fixer

John Drake/Alexander Scott/Kelly Robinson:???? who???

Napoleon Soloepartment ?, Face/Fixer

Illya Kuryakin:Black Ops, Class ???

Maxwell Smart: Home Office, Pointman (but only by accident)

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Actually I tend to agre that the Modern 'Archer' flavour of Spycraft doesn't really suit the 60's spies.
So I'd suggest you use the mechanics but create new Departments/Classes more suited to the Avengers quirkiness.

Now using Spycraft for a Dark Angel setting - that works...

 

[Glyfair]

John Drake/Alexander Scott/Kelly Robinson:???? who???


********************************

Actually I tend to agre that the Modern 'Archer' flavour of Spycraft doesn't really suit the 60's spies.
So I'd suggest you use the mechanics but create new Departments/Classes more suited to the Avengers quirkiness.

Now using Spycraft for a Dark Angel setting - that works...

John Drake: Patrick McGoohan in Danger Man/Secret Agent Man...also possibly "The Prisoner" (depending on who you ask and when you asked)
Alexander Scott: Bill Cosby in "I Spy"
Kelly Robinson: Robert Culp in "I Spy"


Personally, I think to catch the proper flavor the department rule has to be dropped. Also, I think a single flexible class like they did with d20 Call of Cthulhu might be ideal. Either that or a handful of very customizable classes.

Glyfair of Glamis