Using d20 Modern / Future for STAR WARS

[ewheeler]

I will soon attempt to use d20 Modern and d20 Future to run a Star Wars game.

Why do this when there is a single Star Wars d20 book I could use? The simple answer is that my players all have copies of d20 Modern, and d20 has been released to the SRD. The slightly more complex answer is that none of them want to buy the Star Wars d20 book, as they feel Wizards will just release a new "revised" edition in a year.

I've tried a very quick comparison between the classes in d20 Modern/Future and d20 Star Wars. So far I've only looked at the non-Force using classes.

I'll probably look to Urban Arcana for Force-style Psionics later on.

Anyway, this whole project is terribly complex, but lots of fun. Feel free to chime in with advice for the conversion.

BASIC STAR WARS CLASSES

The Fringer: Levels in the Charismatic and/or Dedicated basic classes; Levels in the Techie advanced class.

The Noble: Levels in the Charismatic basic class; levels in the Field Officer and/or Ambassador advanced classes.

The Scoundrel: Levels in the Charismatic and Smart basic classes; levels in the Swindler and/or Gunslinger advanced classes.

The Scout: Levels in the Fast and Tough basic classes; levels in the Infiltrator and/or Tracer advanced classes.

Soldier: Levels in the Tough and/or Fast basic classes; levels in the Soldier and/or Dreadnought advanced classes.

The Tech Specialist: Levels in the Smart and/or Dedicated basic classes; levels in one or more of the following advanced classes: Technosavant, Engineer, Techie or Field Scientist.

ADVANCED STAR WARS CLASSES

The Bounty Hunter: Levels in the Fast basic class and/or the Tracer advanced class.

The Crime Lord: Levels in the Charismatic basic class and/or the Personality advanced class.

The Officer: Levels in the Field Officer advanced class.

The Starship Ace: Levels in the Dogfighter advanced class.

 

[The Black Kestrel]

ADVANCED STAR WARS CLASSES
The Bounty Hunter: Levels in the Fast basic class and/or the Tracer advanced class.
The Crime Lord: Levels in the Charismatic basic class and/or the Personality advanced class.
The Officer: Levels in the Field Officer advanced class.
The Starship Ace: Levels in the Dogfighter advanced class.

Couldn't you simply convert these straight over to D20 Modern. All you would need to add is Action Points.

 

[GlassJaw]

The slightly more complex answer is that none of them want to buy the Star Wars d20 book, as they feel Wizards will just release a new "revised" edition in a year.

Well the revised rulebook has been out for a while now and I don't think there are any plans to change it again. It's a solid system.

IMO, the hours spent doing this conversion are much more valuable than the $30 or so dollars to buy the book. And in the end, I think you will have a far inferior game than if you just used the SW book in the first place. I just don't think it will have the same feel, especially with the Jedi.

 

[ewheeler]

Couldn't you simply convert these straight over to D20 Modern. All you would need to add is Action Points.

I think most of the STAR WARS classes could just be replaced by one MODERN or FUTURE class each, yes. Right now I'm just brainstorming.

Thanks!
-e

 

[ewheeler]

IMO, the hours spent doing this conversion are much more valuable than the $30 or so dollars to buy the book.

Thanks for your opinion, but as I said, my group doesn't want to purchase the book.

-e

 

[The Black Kestrel]

I'd suggest looking at the Urban Arcana web enhancement it has a couple of prestige classes that could easily be adapted to your use (Mastermind for Noble and Crimelord characters)

 

[ewheeler]

I'd suggest looking at the Urban Arcana web enhancement it has a couple of prestige classes that could easily be adapted to your use (Mastermind for Noble and Crimelord characters)

You hit the nail on the head. I was just looking at those classes today!

-e

 

[Ranger REG]

I will soon attempt to use d20 Modern and d20 Future to run a Star Wars game.

Why do this when there is a single Star Wars d20 book I could use? The simple answer is that my players all have copies of d20 Modern, and d20 has been released to the SRD. The slightly more complex answer is that none of them want to buy the Star Wars d20 book, as they feel Wizards will just release a new "revised" edition in a year.

I don't think so. The last revised edition was because of the huge fan feedback regarding the original rules. If there is a new rulebook, it will just be errata'ed and contain expanded information from Episode 3.

I've tried a very quick comparison between the classes in d20 Modern/Future and d20 Star Wars. So far I've only looked at the non-Force using classes.

I'll probably look to Urban Arcana for Force-style Psionics later on.

Hmm. Off the bat, I don't like the "work like magic spells" psionic rules, even with the point system. I prefer the skill-n-feat mechanics that is already presented in Star Wars. If you need inspiration, pick up The Psychic's Handbook. Its psychic system is based on skill-n-feat.

 

[ewheeler]

I don't think so. The last revised edition was because of the huge fan feedback regarding the original rules. If there is a new rulebook, it will just be errata'ed and contain expanded information from Episode 3.

OK, I really didn't want to get into this on this thread, but since people find the topic engaging, I will.

And this is my general opinion, not really 100% related to what you said, more like a thinly-related rant I and my group have had in mind for some time.

You are probably right about the next revision, but I don't really feel like giving WotC any more of my money for the Star Wars d20 RPG. They could have easily produced a $9.95 booklet that clearly outlined the changes in the revision and allowed the old edition to be used seemlessly with the new one. This would have allowed people like me to easily use my original Star Wars d20 book with groups who had the revised book.

The same goes for D&D 3.0 vs D&D 3.5. The changes in the revision are obviously for the better, but there was no real support for customers who didn't want to buy entirely new rulebooks. There WAS a free .pdf outlining the changes, but it wasn't comprehensive or well organized for play.

My group doesn't want to put any more money down for revisions of these games. If we all had the first revision of the Star Wars RPG it wouldn't be a problem. At least with D&D we *all* have the same edition, and the 3.0 rulebooks are pretty common in the used bookstores... I have yet to see the first edition d20 Star Wars in these stores however.

Another reason for using the d20 Modern / d20 Future rules: this is one line that WotC seems to be handling well. I have NOTHING against WotC, and I choose to voice my support (or lack of support) for how they manage their products with my wallet. That is why I buy new d20 Modern supplements but not d20 Star Wars or 3.5 D&D.

Let me clarify that this is NOT meant to be a thread about why I should be using the Star Wars d20 system instead of d20 Modern. It also isn't meant to be a thread for me to convert people or change their opinions.

My group supports d20 Modern, not Star Wars d20.

Hmm. Off the bat, I don't like the "work like magic spells" psionic rules, even with the point system. I prefer the skill-n-feat mechanics that is already presented in Star Wars. If you need inspiration, pick up The Psychic's Handbook. Its psychic system is based on skill-n-feat.

I don't like the "work like magic spells" option either, but I don't really like the skill-n-feat mechanic either. I think I will take a look at The Psychic's Handbook. I've seen lots and lots and lots of people rave about it on the thread.

Thanks!

-e

 

[Ranger REG]

You are probably right about the next revision, but I don't really feel like giving WotC any more of my money for the Star Wars d20 RPG. They could have easily produced a $9.95 booklet that clearly outlined the changes in the revision and allowed the old edition to be used seemlessly with the new one. This would have allowed people like me to easily use my original Star Wars d20 book with groups who had the revised book.

But what is that going to accomplish? How many game companies you know have provided updates from the old to the new editions and does so with success?

I recalled WotC made a 3.5e update of the Forgotten Realms, but I don't know whether it is the title (Player's Guide to Faerun) or the content themselves but it was being razzed by many of the gamers on Wizards' board (not counting those here). I tried defending it but I'm clearly in the minority.

AFAIK, among the many Star Wars gamers on this board and Wizards', we are more than happy with the RCR and willing to drop $40 because they listened to our feedback about the OCR and did something about it. Sure, there was a few stoopid loudmouths with the social skill equivalent of a bull in a china shop (whose primary language is based around "you suck!"), but they listened to the mature gamers that want the product improved.

That and the fact that I doubt Lucasfilm would let them. After all, it IS a LucasBook.

The same goes for D&D 3.0 vs D&D 3.5. The changes in the revision are obviously for the better, but there was no real support for customers who didn't want to buy entirely new rulebooks. There WAS a free .pdf outlining the changes, but it wasn't comprehensive or well organized for play.

The attitude for D&D revision, as opposed to Star Wars, is that majority is okay with the 3e rules as is. Granted, the 3.5e rules made some slight improvement but the fanbase are not ready for a rules revision to come out three years after the original 3e rules. That's why I put off buying 3.5e D&D until 2005. Of the many business decisons WotC made, this one perplexed me (that and the inclusion of Rokugan in the new OA -- instead of Kara-Tur -- but that's another story).

But because D&D is WotC's own acquired IP, and is the "flagship" of the d20 System products, they have provided 3.5e System Reference Document for free. You want to know what change in this one? Download the 3.5e SRD

www.wizards.com/d20

My group doesn't want to put any more money down for revisions of these games. If we all had the first revision of the Star Wars RPG it wouldn't be a problem. At least with D&D we *all* have the same edition, and the 3.0 rulebooks are pretty common in the used bookstores... I have yet to see the first edition d20 Star Wars in these stores however.

Well, I'm not ready to let go of my OCR, even though I have my RCR. Check eBay.

If your group doesn't want to use the revised rules, then that's okay. I know of some people not ready for 3e after having invested in 1e and 2e.

Another reason for using the d20 Modern / d20 Future rules: this is one line that WotC seems to be handling well. I have NOTHING against WotC, and I choose to voice my support (or lack of support) for how they manage their products with my wallet. That is why I buy new d20 Modern supplements but not d20 Star Wars or 3.5 D&D.

Well, if you ignore the gunbunnies about how d20 Modern handles the firearms rules, then you're in the clear. There are also other criticisms but I will spare this thread the details.

Let me clarify that this is NOT meant to be a thread about why I should be using the Star Wars d20 system instead of d20 Modern. It also isn't meant to be a thread for me to convert people or change their opinions.

My group supports d20 Modern, not Star Wars d20.

Then that's okay.

I don't like the "work like magic spells" option either, but I don't really like the skill-n-feat mechanic either. I think I will take a look at The Psychic's Handbook. I've seen lots and lots and lots of people rave about it on the thread.

Well, until someone show me a different approach that actually work and I like it, skill-n-feat is still #1 in my book.