Star Wars

[Kronok]

Originally posted by Karg
As far as Jedi go, Insist on them playing like Paladins, and allways keep them thinking about thier actions and the reprecussions.

Sure it might drive the player insane but it helps to keep the Jedi in Check.

Bingo!!! I agree totally.

The D20 Star Wars is… I guess “effective” is a good choice of words. The system is very average for this setting. Doesn’t knock my socks off, but isn’t too bad.

By the way, I LOVE D20 Spycraft!!!

[Greg Davis]

My group plays Star Wars a lot...more, in fact, than we play in any other setting. We used WEG's d6 system for many years, but, like REG, the 'bucket o dice' problem was just a little too annoying to deal with, when using our more advanced characters.

Now, when we play Star Wars, we use a home-modified version of WotC's d20 Revised rules. As we're all typically goody-goody, we like playing Jedi, so balance isn't an issue (though it usually isn't anyway, as we've always hated the concept of 'forced balance', but that's another rant for another time...)

With our tweaked rules, our Star Wars games work out well, and we feel that we manage to capture the feel of Star Wars as seen in the films a bit more accurately than allowed for in the basic game. That's us, though, so your opinion may differ, of course...



Greg

[Novalar]

The debate for which system to use for Star Wars... I have had a number of debates on this very subject with my GM!

We were Standard WEG D6 but have now converted to their newer D6 Legends (was Herc and Xena and now DC Heroes). While better than the standard D6 systems - Legends is about rolling successes - roll 10 dice, get 6 successes and beat the target number) you still end up rolling lots of dice and this really #^$@# me.

I have been experimenting with the D20 SWRB and I like it. It is easy and simple to understand and I also like to borrow good rules from other D20 products if they work. I also own a LOT of WEG products but they make great source material and are easy to convert.

As a result my GM is coming around to the idea of D20 - vicxtory will be mine - the darkside is calling!

Go with D20 SW - its great!

Note - one of the other players said we should use 2nd ED Runequest... it was the greatest of the greatest in his words...

I like Spycraft to - has anyone else seen The Transporter? Think Spycraft!

[Silverthorne]

The main star wars players I game with have set their minds against d20 star wars.. which means that no matter what I say or try to do. D20 star wars is shelved.. Same player read the rules about the Farscape d20 and decided that the major warrior races aka Scarans and Luxans were under powered and the game was therefore not worth playing..

He originally had it in for LoTR till he sat down and actually looked at the rules. He liked it so I am now allowed to run a game of LoTR for him.. some times i wonder if i am running games for the enjoyment of all or just him..

[Don Mappin]

I prefer the d20 version (especially the new 'revised' edition) by a large margin. I will admit to never really liking the WEG version. Sure, d20 isn't necessarily the greatest but it handles the property to my satisfaction.

Plus, as our group is intimately familiar with d20, it makes playing the game quite easy. I've noticed my group prefers to lean towards d20 games, rather than tackling another new rules set. The evil d20 plan is working.

With that said, we're actually starting a new d20 SW game next week. I've tossed out the idea of an all-Jedi group and everyone seems to really like the idea. D20 Jedi are quite balanced and I have no compunctions about having a d20 all-Jedi group that won't wipe the floor with everyone. Better yet, I like the organization of d20 Jedi (and the new Power of the Jedi Sourcebook) and feel that each Jedi will be able to have an area of "expertise" and not look like carbon-copies of one another.

Actually, the only thing I'm struggling with is running this in the prequel area. Who are the easily defined "bad guys" to point to? Although it sounds insanely lame, I'm seriously considering running during the Rebellion Era just to keep the wonderful backdrop of the Empire and the two Dark Lords looming around every corner.

Suggestions, anyone?

[AslanC]

Originally posted by Don Mappin
Suggestions, anyone?

I agree that the whole idea of the prequel era leaves a little to be desired for enemies. The Empire are just such great baddies.

But a gang of Jedi running around are gonna attract a lot of attention, especially from the Emperor and his Hand.

Still that could be a good hook for the game.

Have you given any thought to a post-ROTJ game? New Jedi heading out to battle the last vestiges of the Empire, plus petty warlords, despots, slavers, criminals, etc... Could be a fun game as well.

[REG]

Originally posted by Don Mappin

Actually, the only thing I'm struggling with is running this in the prequel area. Who are the easily defined "bad guys" to point to? Although it sounds insanely lame, I'm seriously considering running during the Rebellion Era just to keep the wonderful backdrop of the Empire and the two Dark Lords looming around every corner.

Suggestions, anyone?

During the Prequel area, in the eyes of the Jedi Council and the Old Republic and the Senate (under the leadership of Chancellor Palpatine), it's the Separatists.

Personally, the Trade Federation stand out more as the bad guys.

[prophetsteve]

Allways used D6..... It's a fast resolution system and that is how Star Wars fight should be Fast, Not entire sessions spent on 1 battle.

Perhaps fast for blasters and task resolution but lowsy for lightsaber battles IMHO.

Nothing more annoying than preparing an epic saber duel only to have the opponent sliced in half on the first strike... or that epic shootout between the valiant heroes and the evil Bounty Hunter last one round due to a most excellent strike. It happens in d20 sometimes but happens much more often in d6.

And I have found that SWd20 battles aren't that slow - against mooks such as Stormtroopers and Battle Droids, battles don't last a few rounds. Against hero (and villian) classes, it goes slower but then again it should - The battle scenes between main characters (Jango vs. Mace, Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon vs. Maul, Obi-Wan vs. Jango) should take longer. I haven't seen any battle take a whole game session.

Like I said, I am not much of a classes and hit points fan (SWd20 and Spycraft are about it for me) but I will give credit where credit is due. WotC has made a fine job of the new Star Wars game and I am certainly a fan.

[selek]

I've played a lot of Star Wars over the years, alternating almost exclusively between that and Star Trek. It's been almost exclusively under the WEG rules, although we did experiment (for a VERY short time) with an ICON conversion. It just didn't gel, and we went back to WEG. I know of a number of people who've had good experience with the infamous GURPS rigged for Star Wars.

As to the D20 system, I've never had a good experience with the system (two or three shorts playing AD&D), and am therefore skittish about learning the new system.
Another of my concerns, given the movies, is the spectre of someone announcing, "My third level stormtrooper just killed your second level Jedi!"

I've always had a problem balancing out the villains versus the players, especially where the Jedi are involved. Either the threat is laughingly underwhelming or the Jedi is the last one standing, surrounded by the charred ashes of his former teammates. I've been able to counter this by doing character-oriented and plot-driven story lines, but even that either gets old or fails to engage the players from the get-go. A lot (I won't say most) of SW gamers seem more interested in explosions and body counts than anything else.

Even if the party is entirely composed of Jedi a/o Forceweilders, ginning up serious opposition can be a trifle frustrating. Destroyed a star? OMG! I still shudder at having to roll 38 dice per side in a mortal combat between two Jedi masters (one of whom'd gone round the bend).

Complaints aside, with the right mix of players and adventures, GMing (and playing) Star Wars is a heck of a lot of fun, especially . Our sessions have veered between camp that would make Irwin Allen blush to hard-sci-fi pondering the deepest questions of the galaxy.

[REG]

My suggestion is try a Spycraft game and see if you like d20. The system may have spawned from AD&D but trust me, there are big differences that are improved from that old game.

[Kronok]

Originally posted by REG
My suggestion is try a Spycraft game...

I agree.

I don’t know what it is, but I just do not enjoy the D20 DnD system. However, I played D20 Spycraft and I think this game really captures the genre well.

Also, someone posted the comment about the new D20 Star Wars and using the Spycraft chase rules. Very cool!!! Spycraft has some feats that could easily be translated/used for D20 Star Wars.

I don’t know what it is, but I just do not enjoy the D20 DnD system (Actually, I have a few complaints, but I will “cease and desist”). However, I played D20 Spycraft and I think this game really captures the genre well. I can’t say enough about how wonderful D20 Spycraft is!!!! It reminds me of my old Top Secret days.

Also, someone posted the comment about the new D20 Star Wars and using the Spycraft chase rules. Very cool!!! Spycraft has some feats that could easily be translated/used for D20 Star Wars.

My other suggestion would be to try Spacemaster. It easily translates into most Sci Fi campaigns- Dune, Star Trek (Found the rules online), Traveller, Space Opera, etc. Plus, Cyberspace (Spacemaster’s cybernetics rules) has some cool cybertech rules that you could use for chopped off arms!!! Plus, Spacemaster combat has rules that include losing limbs and stuff, not just the dreaded hit points.

Spacemaster and the Rolemaster system alleviate many of the above complaints (from other posts) in that it is a system which…

1. Creates characters that are very comparable and playable throughout all levels.
2. Has a combat system that is detailed and realistic, but not overly complex.
3. It’s a very generic system, so the telepathic rules within the game can be easily adapted the create Force powers/skills.

I think Iron Crown Enterprises (The company which makes the game) are back in business???

[Dan Stack]

If you've had bad experiences with AD&D you still might like d20 - they are pretty different. I'd actually avoid Spycraft as it would require you to get the D&D PHB and the Spycraft game. Instead, I'd actually take the pluge and get the Star Wars RPG (Revised Edition) - it is a complete game unto itself.

[Cmdr. Maddox]

I´m trying to use a new Jedi way in starwars d6 in my group!
As I read in several books you could not pack the force in powers!
Jedis could only raise to a certain Level, their are Jedi with low contorl on Force and Jedis with good control, there are even Jedi that could not use some Force powers,like Corran Horn in "I,Jedi"
he wasn´t able to use Telekenisis. So I try to make a new system for Jedi`s!!

Who is interested in this please Wrote to Patrickdickmeis@t-online.de.!!

[prophetsteve]

As to the D20 system, I've never had a good experience with the system (two or three shorts playing AD&D), and am therefore skittish about learning the new system.

I must say that I am very much done with D&D3e myself - it was novel for awhile but recent bad experiences with it (and a general burnout of all the stuff for d20).

However, Spycraft and Star Wars are both amazing games - both in writing and in game mechanics.

Another of my concerns, given the movies, is the spectre of someone announcing, "My third level stormtrooper just killed your second level Jedi!"

I understand where you are coming from. However, in my opinion that has never been a barrier. After all, if annoucing what level or class you are "ruins the mood" for me then so would somebody asking how many dice damage my blaster did. I have always seen rules are the framework for getting things done in RPG's - as long as the outcome matches the tone of the series or genre, how it gets it done doesn't concern me. For me d20 gets the job done admirably and very nicely matches the feel of the movies.

I will admit that classes and hp aren't the best mechanic for Star Wars but oddly enough I never thought WEG's system for generation was that good either. In comparing the two I have always sided with d20 purely because of the quality and conciseness of the product. What can I say, I like it.

[Don Mappin]

Originally posted by selek
Another of my concerns, given the movies, is the spectre of someone announcing, "My third level stormtrooper just killed your second level Jedi!"

They're 5th level thugs if memory serves.

Actually, I've found that levels rarely come up in d20 SW. Aside from taking a beginning of a session to level a character, most of the action is fast-and-furious. Levels, IMO, are over-stated in d20 SW typically by those that a) love WEG, or b) have never played d20 SW.

I'd say give it a try, but that's just me.