[necro] D20 Battletech

[Revenant]

How hard would it be to reconfigure Mecha Crusade into Battletech d20? I own Mechwarrior 2e but I wouldn't inflict it on anyone who, while they might be familiar with the universe, doesn't play Battletech.

I know the mech design system needs serious overhauling but I'm not exactly sure how to do it. I'm not even sure about size classes: Mecha Crusade's size classes are somewhat broader definitions than Battletech's. It occurred to me that while a 20 ton Light mech probably fits into the 'Large' class, an Atlas certainly doesn't. On the other hand, an elemental might.

You see my problem?

[Samurai]

Not sure, but I'm working on a conversion of Btech to d10 Tri-stat, and it is coming along well... I have pretty much all of the equipment and weapons statted out already.

[gamethyme]

I'd just wait for Dream Pod 9's d20 Mecha Compendium (http://www.dp9.com/Products/d20mecha.htm).

But that's just me.

... or is it?

[The Eye]

Originally posted by gamethyme
[B]I'd just wait for Dream Pod 9's d20 Mecha Compendium (http://www.dp9.com/Products/d20mecha.htm).B]

i think Guardians of Order has a point-build d20 mecha system on the way, too.

[Jay]

Originally posted by dyjoots


i think Guardians of Order has a point-build d20 mecha system on the way, too.

DP9's Mecha Compendium uses GoO's point-build system.

[Evil Dr Ganymede]

Originally posted by Jay
DP9's Mecha Compendium uses GoO's point-build system.

Presumably one book is usable without the other?

[Jay]

Originally posted by Evil Dr Ganymede
Presumably one book is usable without the other?

I'm assuming so, but from what I understand, the DP9 compendium is basically a monster manual of mecha with some setting info, and GoO's book is a toolbox.

[NPC HERO Fanatic]

Eh, I'd rather use HERO to build mechs. You have far more flexibility, with HERO.

[AJFixer]

Originally posted by Jay


I'm assuming so, but from what I understand, the DP9 compendium is basically a monster manual of mecha with some setting info, and GoO's book is a toolbox.

That's correct. The Mecha Compendium will not have any mecha design rules. THe mecha are designed with and compatible with the GoO rules, but you will need to have the GoO book to get the actual design system.

[AJFixer]

Originally posted by NPC HERO Fanatic
Eh, I'd rather use HERO to build mechs. You have far more flexibility, with HERO.

Except HERO doesn't offer any rules to design mecha compatible with the d20 system. So, in this case, no, you don't have far more flexibility.

[The Eye]

Originally posted by NPC HERO Fanatic
Eh, I'd rather use HERO to build mechs. You have far more flexibility, with HERO.

oh... well, i'd use something overly complicated and not d20 also, but that's not what was asked for. :rolleyes:

[Revenant]

Does anybody have an idea of what GoO are planning? My concern is that it's going to be intended for anime style mecha - there are significant differences. Again, I'm worried about scale if nothing else.

[Samurai]

It will be an entire book on the subject, so it is a bit hard to guess exactly what they are planning. If BESM is any indication, mechs and weapons will be highly modular, with numerous abilities and defects that you can add to create exactly what you want. You'll probably be able to build practically any robot or vehicle with the rules, including tanks, battleships, fighter planes, suits of powered armor, etc.

[naturaltwenty]

I am kitbashing Mekton Zeta to use d20. Really I am combining the skills and characters from Mecha Crusade (the Polyhedron insert) and the Mekton Zeta rules for the mech creation. The Fuzion conversion had original options for 2d10 so the point ranges are comparable to the d20 ratings.

Later and good meching,


Natural Twenty

[Evil Dr Ganymede]

Originally posted by AJFixer


That's correct. The Mecha Compendium will not have any mecha design rules. THe mecha are designed with and compatible with the GoO rules, but you will need to have the GoO book to get the actual design system.

So DP9 are using the GoO mecha design system to convert the mecha from their own games (and some new ones) to D20?!

[Marc A. Vezina]

Originally posted by Evil Dr Ganymede
So DP9 are using the GoO mecha design system to convert the mecha from their own games (and some new ones) to D20?!

Yep. We were about to do a set of mecha D20 rules*, and then GoO announced their project. After checking we them, we realized it was pretty much what we wanted to do anyway, so rather than do two similar products that would hurt each other, we're doing two complementary products that will reinforce each other.

No use in re-inventing the wheel. :)

Their book is a toolbox -- and yes, if you chose the right options, such as Ablative Armor, you can emulate Battletech.

Our book is a "monster manual/campaign book" -- it features several mecha-oriented worlds with a few sample machines for each. Use them to start a campaign, or just grab what strikes your fancy and plug it in your own game. To see a rough table of content (and later, samples):

http://www.dp9.com/Products/D20Mecha.htm

---
*As to why do a mecha d20 book, we wanted to provide access to our existing game lines without having to do separate d20 editions. No sense in doubling the stock when a single bridge book can do the work (most of our products have fairly separate background/stats info, and can thus be used as reference without regard to the ruleset used).

[Evil Dr Ganymede]

Originally posted by Marc A. Vezina


Yep. We were about to do a set of mecha D20 rules*, and then GoO announced their project. After checking we them, we realized it was pretty much what we wanted to do anyway, so rather than do two similar products that would hurt each other, we're doing two complementary products that will reinforce each other.

No use in re-inventing the wheel. :)


OK, that's cool by me :). I was just wondering, since I've not seen that sort of arrangement before. Sounds nifty! :D

[AJFixer]

Originally posted by Evil Dr Ganymede


OK, that's cool by me :). I was just wondering, since I've not seen that sort of arrangement before. Sounds nifty! :D

I think it's great! Two companies I greatly respect joining forces (at least a little bit) to survive in the current gaming market. It makes a lot more sense than duking it out with each other while WotC takes the spoils of thier little war and laughs all the way to the bank.

Plus, with GoO's d20 mecha book, DP9's d20 mecha compendium, and GoO's forthcoming BESM d20, I should finally be able to translate all those cool Heavy Gear mecha to Tri-Stat BESM. :cool:

[Samurai]

I really think GoO should be applauded for all they are doing to promote cooperation in the gaming industry. First they team up with DoJ to cross-promote Hero/Champions and SAS. Then they create their Creator-owned imprint that allows independent people to use the Tri-Stat system and GoO will then publish and distribute their book. Now they are working with DP9 (A Canadian conspiracy!!! :) ) on the d20 mecha books.

Way to go GoO!

[AJFixer]

Originally posted by Samurai
I really think GoO should be applauded for all they are doing to promote cooperation in the gaming industry. First they team up with DoJ to cross-promote Hero/Champions and SAS. Then they create their Creator-owned imprint that allows independent people to use the Tri-Stat system and GoO will then publish and distribute their book. Now they are working with DP9 (A Canadian conspiracy!!! :) ) on the d20 mecha books.

Way to go GoO! I met the GoO folk at Origins this year, and they are indeed fine folk. :)

[Jay]

Originally posted by Samurai
A Canadian conspiracy!!! :)

Actually, it's a step in internal Canadian relations. A friendly handshake between Ontario and Quebec. :)

[cdlord]

I am currently working on a conversion system to play an RPG style Battletech game utilizing the rules found in the d20 Modern and Future settings. The rules are very similar to the D&D 3.5 setting in character generation and advancement. Its also a very easy system to learn (mastering is another thing though). I do not have anything posted as of yet, but when I do, it will be on my website at www.WhiteDragonInn.com. My biggest hurdle so far is the technology, converting it to the system and making it fair and comprehensive. I am beginning in the timeline around the Fourth Succession War to see how things fit before I add in literally tons of mechs and Clan data. I am using information from the Battletech universe and the equivalent mechs found in Palladium's original Robotech RPG. :)

[ResplendentScorpion]

I too have played with the idea of using d20Modern/Future. Due to lack of interested players, I only got as far as establishing the basics of the system and the character generation module. I enjoyed the lifepath system of MW3, so I toyed with that a bit, to provide a starting character with a semi-randomly generated occupation, background and class.
I never got around to configuring mech and vehicles, and never reached a decision on the amount of streamlining and trimming to do - whether and how to keep hit locations and criticals as available in the original BattleTech.

[TonyTempest]

Well, an interesting thing about these old necro-threads is who all has been banned since then!

No wonder I don't see Ganymede posting much anymore! :-D

david

[Revenant]

Hey, I've never been Necro'd before!

[VRex]

And almost exactly 5 years to the day. Weird.
So Rev: did you ever do a Mechwarrior D20 game? How did it work out?

[TonyTempest]

Can there be a more appropriate OP for a necro'd thread this old? Just wonderin'

david