B5 - Using another game system?

[LoneStranger]

Technically you can use any game system to promote player actions in character. The best way to do it is to either give some extra XP to people who do act in character or yank XP for poor amounts of playing in character. You could also use better equipment for the people playing in character more than others or really just about anything you can imagine really.

 

[Archer]

Technically you can use any game system to promote player actions in character. The best way to do it is to either give some extra XP to people who do act in character or yank XP for poor amounts of playing in character. You could also use better equipment for the people playing in character more than others or really just about anything you can imagine really.

That works, but it is a very "dungeons&dragons" way of doing it, and feels too much like it is some kind of computer game.

It sounds like the influence rules in 2nd edition could better be used for handling rewards to characters that act out their role and involve their background.

 

[Chernobyl]

my favorite system is a career oriented-system, like what WHFRP 1st and second edition use. I really hate D20's "Levels".
The system Cyberpunk (Fusion? Interlock?) 2020 used was cool.
Chern

 

[Archer]

Looking through Babylon 5 1st edition it seems like it is smoother, simpler, and faster than most d20 system, but it is still a far cry from being what I need when taking into consideration the style in which I gm.
Most of the time I never ever have any predetermined values for any characters, I come up with a character concept for each NPC that details their personality, their style, their agenda etc. and it is most often pretty much clear that "he should be good using computers, he should be good using a slug gun" and so on, and I just wing a value. Unfortunately d20 does not allow this to be easily done.

Since I have been gming WFRP since '86 I have had considerations using that system for Babylon 5, or perhaps Stormbringer 5th edition, as it would suit well too. But in the end, I suspect, that the upcoming RuneQuest system should fit my needs and the B5 universe like a glove.

When I look at the d20 version of Babylon 5, I must say that it feels like they have cut away at d20 as much as possible, almost to the point of simplicity and easy use (both meant in a good way) that I require, except the final thing; classes and levels. Levels I could probably live with, but I can not in any way help but feeling that the characters in the Babylon series are that "rigid". There is too many facets and aspects of the characters to simply put them into the "moulds" that the classes are.

One solution would perhaps be to do away with BAB and classes, allowing each player to select 10 class skills of his choosing, and select one save that his character should be good at. But then, it would probably be easier to just use a system that has already done away with these parts.

From what I have deduced so far, it would not be hard to convert anything from the B5 RPG into basic roleplaying. Just skip the feats, and convert equipment (the scales are the same dice ranges), and create rules for vehicle combat for basic role-playing.

And, if what I hear is correct, then the new RuneQuest system should not be too different from basic role-playing.

So, you see, it is pretty obvious I am running in circles here, liking what moongoose has done, but not feeling that it is what I need as a GM. Which once again have brought me to the original idea and question of this thread. Would Mongoose consider to release a .pdf that allows you to use RuneQuest to play B5?

 

[frobisher]

With RQ/BRP, I'd actually be tempted to keep Feats or a close analogue of them. But rather than tie them to "levels", put in a dependency tree (Improved X requires X, plus possibly Y (and keyed to attributes and/or skills) etc.). Obviously improving Feats would be have to be trickier than skills, and wouldn't happen until the prerequisites are reached.

From what has been said about the new Telepathic Feats and Abilities, it should actually fit this model better already

But for d20, BAB is probably one of my biggest beefs... What's wrong with weapon skills eh..? Then perhaps these Commercial Teeps wouldn't be tempted to take on heavily armed thugs in firefights...

 

[LoneStranger]

Archer I can understand your concerns however I'm at a loss for a better idea to use. My experience is that's the best way to do it, granted it may not be perfect but it's something.

Also using the WFRP system (especially the new one) does sound like an interesting one to use for B5. Actually if you want some help with ideas to convert things over send me a PM.

 

[Archer]

Archer I can understand your concerns however I'm at a loss for a better idea to use. My experience is that's the best way to do it, granted it may not be perfect but it's something.

How to do it? easy.
- Drop classes, drop levels. Each character gets 10 occupational skills from the beginning (esentially the same as class skills). You buy/raise skill ranks with skill points and later on with XP (next rank x 100 xp). Number of skill points can easily be much like you calculate them for 1st level characters in the normal rules, except the formula would be the same for all characters.
- Replace BAB with weapon skills.
- Hitpoints equals CON ability value. You do not gain any more than this, unless you take certain feats (Toughness).
- As suggested in this thread, if you want to keep feats, make them Requires X, Improved X, and possibly requires Y, tied to characteristics or number of skill ranks. You gain three feats at character creation and buy them through experience later on.
- For level dependent "power" etc. you make them Skill Rank dependent instead, so instead of x/level you get x/y skill ranks in skill z.
- Make saving throws / defence value increase based on skill ranks in either skills (Defense skill for Defence) or require to buy feats to increase their value (as for saves).

Also using the WFRP system (especially the new one) does sound like an interesting one to use for B5. Actually if you want some help with ideas to convert things over send me a PM.

It would be intressting, but the career system is perhaps less suited for B5 than even d20, so you basically have to drop careers as they work in WFRP, or make them last longer with even basic careers providing quite a long list of advancements and skills.

Also, I would prefer a conversion from B5 to a system that Mongoose actually owns. I think that is the only way (this have to be checked before) that a conversion document could be made available for download by others. Any conversion must take into account who owns licenses etc.

 

[Chernobyl]

well, several careers in WHFRP have levels, so to speak. Merc, merc sgt, merc capt. of course the magicians have various actual levels.
the same this could be done in B5
Ensign -> LT -> LTCDR -> CDR -> CPT, etc.
techno mages could have levels.
just a thought.
The cyberpunk system would probably better for B5 than WFRP
Chern

 

[Archer]

well, several careers in WHFRP have levels, so to speak. Merc, merc sgt, merc capt. of course the magicians have various actual levels.
the same this could be done in B5
Ensign -> LT -> LTCDR -> CDR -> CPT, etc.
techno mages could have levels.
just a thought.

Yes, I had the similar thought. But in WFRP you tend to move through careers rather quickly, so they would have to be made to last longer.

The cyberpunk system would probably better for B5 than WFRP
Chern

So would any skill-based system; CP2020, Basic Role-playing, Alternity, VPS (Fading Suns), amongst other. Basically any system that allows a character to pick up some "snippets" of skill here and there, to give them more depth and more facets than a class based system allows.

 

[Chernobyl]

actually, if you've played 2nd edition WFRP, its been slowed down quite a bit. Chern

 

[Archer]

actually, if you've played 2nd edition WFRP, its been slowed down quite a bit. Chern

I have, but it is still far from enough. Consider that the characters in the series (we assume one episode equal once scenario, equals one advance/skill bought) do not seem to change careers that often. That is why each career would have to be made to last longer, at least one season (cirka 20 scenarios) preferably more.

My current players have characters that have so far played cirka 20 scenarios (they are at 2000 XP at the moment) and they are in the end of the second career or the beginning of their third career.

That put aside, I still rather use a system that Mongoose actually own, not to make things complicated with licenses.

 

[LoneStranger]

I can understand looking for an official conversion sheet that you'd want to see from Mongoose. However for most of what's been suggested on here could be done by the people on here.

Yes I would be willing to work on the D6 conversion and possibly the (new rules) WFRP version, you'd just have to give me time on it.

 

[aelius]

I understand there won't be any conversions to something that Mongoose doesn't own, but for the B5 campaign I am running I use the CODA system propduced by Decipher for it's Star Trek and Lord of the Rings games. The system is similar to D20, but is on the other side of the line between a class level based system, such as D20, and a skill based system. The similarities make converting from Mongoose products extremely simple. I can use the products as published making the needed conversions in my head. The main differences in published products are in the NPC's who typically require a little work for a solid conversion.
The campaign I am running has been going on for some time and works very well.
And I agree, the Babylon Project system bites the big one. The background material is quite useful however.

 

[Waylander.]

I have begun to work on an Babylon5 Dx version.