What is a good non-d20 sci-fi RPG?
- Thread starter Ulrick
- Start date
Rodrigo Istalindir
Explorer
Dannyalcatraz said:
Wow. I thought I was the only one that ever played that! I still have my copy on the shelf. It had really good world creation rules, and some other interesting mechanics. That and Star Frontiers were our SciFi games of choice, with some Space Opera thrown in when we were feeling masochistic.
The original Traveller was, and still is, a highly adaptive game system suitable for just about any style of space opera. I've run things in the Traveller universe, I've done Doctor Who, I've done Star Trek, and I've even done Space:1999, all using the basic Traveller mechanics.
The Galactica is a giant set/prop, so the mechanics can be glossed over. The Vipers (does the new Battlestar Galactica call them that? I do not watch it) can be done using some simple mechanics or they can be done using mre exacting ship design rules, it's up to you.
For characters you can use the standard professions, but I would recommend using the advanced character generation rules for more rounded characters. Also, if you have the time and inclination, you can make your own professions, they are not hard to do at all.
The Galactica is a giant set/prop, so the mechanics can be glossed over. The Vipers (does the new Battlestar Galactica call them that? I do not watch it) can be done using some simple mechanics or they can be done using mre exacting ship design rules, it's up to you.
For characters you can use the standard professions, but I would recommend using the advanced character generation rules for more rounded characters. Also, if you have the time and inclination, you can make your own professions, they are not hard to do at all.
smootrk
First Post
I'll pipe in with Star Frontiers (and Knight Hawks) original box sets... For BSG just omit other races, and change a few minor details like how 'jumps' work and limit the equipment. Everything else is there. Skills, Weapons, Ship to ship combat rules, and more... and everything is pretty simple to work with.
I even think there is a website (fansite) that compiles a great deal of info if you cannot find the rule-sets elsewhere. There is a book called something like Zebulon's Guilde or something like that for compiled rules.
I even think there is a website (fansite) that compiles a great deal of info if you cannot find the rule-sets elsewhere. There is a book called something like Zebulon's Guilde or something like that for compiled rules.
Desdichado
Hero
Nope. My favorite Traveller is still MegaTraveller.Quartz said:
Check out this link
http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002083;p=1#000001
you can get Star Frontier and Traveller info in one stop. The site also has several threads (you may need to search) about making BSG out of Traveller. One note, there was several playtests done years ago, using Trillion Credit Squadron, that tested the effectiveness of various fleet combinations. The bottom line, at the lower Technology Levels (TL) in Traveller (up to about TL 12) fighters, carrier based fleets, RULE; especially if you add a bigger "computer." Take "computer" in Traveller to be sensors, comms, actual computer, controls, etc. all in one. This works very well with the Raptor idea in new BSG as a sensor platform / "Wild Weasel" type ECM and sensor platform.
Looking at BSG (old or new) I'd guess they are about high TL10 to low TL11 based on weaponry. Basically plasma, lasers and missiles. So fighters rule battles at these TL Above TL 12, improved sensors ("computers"), armor, and nasty meson weapons, make fighters obsolete as they become easy to hit and big ships hard to hurt.
Check out that Citizens of theImperium website and you'll also find people who have stated up all the BSG ships I believe, or are willing to help.
http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002083;p=1#000001
you can get Star Frontier and Traveller info in one stop. The site also has several threads (you may need to search) about making BSG out of Traveller. One note, there was several playtests done years ago, using Trillion Credit Squadron, that tested the effectiveness of various fleet combinations. The bottom line, at the lower Technology Levels (TL) in Traveller (up to about TL 12) fighters, carrier based fleets, RULE; especially if you add a bigger "computer." Take "computer" in Traveller to be sensors, comms, actual computer, controls, etc. all in one. This works very well with the Raptor idea in new BSG as a sensor platform / "Wild Weasel" type ECM and sensor platform.
Looking at BSG (old or new) I'd guess they are about high TL10 to low TL11 based on weaponry. Basically plasma, lasers and missiles. So fighters rule battles at these TL Above TL 12, improved sensors ("computers"), armor, and nasty meson weapons, make fighters obsolete as they become easy to hit and big ships hard to hurt.
Check out that Citizens of theImperium website and you'll also find people who have stated up all the BSG ships I believe, or are willing to help.
Starglim said:
What my good friend here means, is they are not in pdf format. Check out his sig or mine for A.net- the best resource for Alternity fans on the net.
Dannyalcatraz said:
It is almost nothing like 2nd ed. The only similarity I can think of is the 6 ability scores (which have a different range and are the basis for skills).
CarlZog
Explorer
As has been said numerous times over, the answer is Alternity.
In addition to www.alternityrpg.net, check out www.tequilastarrise.net -- which is dedicated to the Star Drive setting. Its forum has been slow lately, but it still houses a wealth of material on the setting.
Carl
In addition to www.alternityrpg.net, check out www.tequilastarrise.net -- which is dedicated to the Star Drive setting. Its forum has been slow lately, but it still houses a wealth of material on the setting.
Carl
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