True20 system released by itself

[WayneLigon]

Didn't see the thread in General; figured it would have been here if anywhere. Nothing to see here, move along.

 

[Skywalker]

And it is now released on RPGnow see: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=4967

 

[Skywalker]

Wow! True 20 is impressive. It is even slicker and streamlined than BR with many "bumps" removed. This is the first truly generic lite d20 system (sorry guys BESM d20 doesn't count).

Some highlights:

- Attack and Defence bonus are now combined into a single Combat bonus that applies to attack and defence.
- No escalating Toughness. Toughness Saves is calculated symmetrically with Damage DCs. Yes this means a 20th level PC when hit will be as easy to hurt as a 1st level one, except the 20th level is more able to avoid being hit, may be tougher through feats and has more Conviction.
- Armour adds to Toughness, Shields add to Defence. There is a Finesse Attack rule similar to that in Conan OGL.
- Dex is used for attacks, not Str.
- There is an option of parrying melee attacks with Str for Defence instead of the normal Defence where Dex is added.
- Favoured Skills are gone. You either know a skill or not. You get 3 + level in ranks (there is an easy conversion back to Skill points).
- Arcana are simplified and non-Adept arcana users are wild and unpredictable.
- Numerous minor matters are clarified such as Criticals and various feats.
- It still uses just a d20.

True 20 rocks as a base rule set for numerous fantasy settings (it has modern skills and equipment too). It would be easy to convert to Star Wars d20 to it for a faster system.

 

[Emiricol]

How does it differ than the Blue Rose book I bought for the rules? BR rocks for Midnight, by the way. Is True20 any different, really?

 

[Skywalker]

How does it differ than the Blue Rose book I bought for the rules? BR rocks for Midnight, by the way. Is True20 any different, really?

I expected there to be very little different but there are a few changes and "clean ups".

There is not BR setting material. It is only 96 pages long.

I listed a bunch of the bigger ones (I think they are pretty big) in my previous thread, so I won't repeat them. Overall, the system is even cleaner and easier to understand, and in my opinion more balanced. A number of "D&D" hangups that didn't quite make sense like escalating Toughness have been removed.

There is quite a few useful clarifications that could be applied to BR such as critical damage, multi-roling and removal of Favoured Skills. The feats have been tidied up and expanded, possibly with BR Companion feats. Examples include Fortune's Favour now expressly excluding Toughness saves.

Also Arcana is a little simpler. You simply buy the Adept only Power feat and get a single Power at ranks 3 + Adept level. There is not seperate Training and Talent feats. Arcanum and Wild Talent have merged as the only non-Adept option. Overall, calculating Power ranks is much easier.

 

[Dragonhelm]

Will True20 ever be released in print form, or is it just electronic?

I already have the Blue Rose book, so I'm a little skeptical on whether this book has anything new to offer.

 

[Skywalker]

Will True20 ever be released in print form, or is it just electronic?

I already have the Blue Rose book, so I'm a little skeptical on whether this book has anything new to offer.

GR has just announced a True 20 setting search in which the winning settings will be added to the back of the True 20 print version, as well as a royalty free license to use True 20 for that setting. So there will be a print version but it is someway off.

BR uses the True 20 system. However, the True 20 book does clean up those (already streamlined) rules considerably. Some changes like Armour adding to Toughness, Toughness not escalting with level and Defence being equal to Attack are in my mind substantial and show another step away from default mechanics from D&D to a easy to manipulate, clean, simple d20 system.

 

[Akrasia]

Thanks for the info, Skywalker.

This sounds good!

Are there any rules/guidelines for nonhuman races (e.g. your vanilla elves and dwarves)?

What about monsters?

And what about conversion info/guidelines to translate standard d20 stuff into True20?

I think this might be a great system to use for a Middle-earth campaign idea I have ...

 

[Emiricol]

I listed a bunch of the bigger ones (I think they are pretty big) in my previous thread, so I won't repeat them. Overall, the system is even cleaner and easier to understand, and in my opinion more balanced. A number of "D&D" hangups that didn't quite make sense like escalating Toughness have been removed.

There is quite a few useful clarifications that could be applied to BR such as critical damage, multi-roling and removal of Favoured Skills. The feats have been tidied up and expanded, possibly with BR Companion feats. Examples include Fortune's Favour now expressly excluding Toughness saves.

Also Arcana is a little simpler. You simply buy the Adept only Power feat and get a single Power at ranks 3 + Adept level. There is not seperate Training and Talent feats. Arcanum and Wild Talent have merged as the only non-Adept option. Overall, calculating Power ranks is much easier.

Thanks for the summary. I'll try to find this "other thread" you mentioned

 

[Cam Banks]

Will True20 ever be released in print form, or is it just electronic?

I already have the Blue Rose book, so I'm a little skeptical on whether this book has anything new to offer.

Based on the changes, the slick summary of all of the rules into one product, and the clarification of the rules without the BR setting, the True20 PDF was a must-buy for me, Trampas. Chris Pramas has indeed said that they are looking at a print version, but I think that'll be a few months down the road.

Cheers,
Cam