Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Raster 03-30-05, 01:35 PM	I've been thinking lately about adapting Eberron to TriStat, a points based system published by Guardians of Order (which can, incidentaly, be downloaded for free off their website) and was wondering if there was enough interest on the boards for me to post my results, or even get advice on how to go about it. Before I get flamed, I don't have any complaints with Eberron in D20, and am in no way suggesting that everyone should only use the TriStat system, or that "D&D suks and joo are all lamerz" or anything like that. Rather, I love what Eberron has done with the D20 system and would like to see what it can do with TriStat. So please, constructive criticism only. The advantages to the TriStat system is it has very flexible rules mechanics, and does not use a class mechanism. Of course to keep the Eberron flavour, I will probably will have "suggested abilities" for if you want to be similar to D&D classes or races, but because of the flexible point based system you don't have to be like every other member of the class. Want to be a holy warrior, but you don't want to be a heavy armor mounted warrior? Spend the points on an exorcism ability and be bow weilding paladin of the Silver Flame! Want to be a Druid, but wildshape just doesn't fit your character concept, spend the points to get a couple more animal flunkies, or a sense unnatural creatures ability. So is this something I should spend my time adapting, or not? Is there anyone else who would like to see Eberron in TriStat?
Mike Czaplinski 03-30-05, 03:37 PM	Well.... <*Work with me here, board mods, before assuming that because I'm mentioning a competitive d20-based game I'm promoting it*> GOO also publishes a d20 adaptation of BESM (the game where they first made the TriStat system) that purports to 'fix' the basic D&D classes & races on a balanced point system. This system seems an awful lot like the one that TriStat uses, so perhaps you can use some of their mods on your home-brew Eberron game without having to do a full-on TriStat conversion. MikeC
Edymnion 03-30-05, 03:45 PM	Personally, I don't like the TriStat BESM system. Mainly because it is too rules-lite. Its far closer to just freeform roleplaying than anything else out there, and it doesn't really have rules for anything beyond the most broadest of concepts. Its just way too generic for my tastes.
Raster 03-30-05, 05:07 PM	Mike C: I wasn't really impressed with BESM D20. If you wanted to use it with standard D&D products they basically said "use all the normal stuff, but give them ability points on top of it." That and the BESM classes were way too limiting for the genre they were trying to portray. As a side note, I was actually thinking of using generic TriStat, not besm TriStat (although the differences are relatively minor). Endymion: Well, the main reason I wanted to adapt Eberron to TriStat is because TriStat is rules lite. That way when I want to play rules heavy I can play D20, but when I want rules-lite I can still enjoy my favorite setting. As for it being generic, the rules were meant to be modified to fit closer to whatever setting you make with them. Still, it's nice to see the opinion of such a well respected poster :)
Edymnion 03-30-05, 05:31 PM	Endymion: Well, the main reason I wanted to adapt Eberron to TriStat is because TriStat is rules lite. That way when I want to play rules heavy I can play D20, but when I want rules-lite I can still enjoy my favorite setting. As for it being generic, the rules were meant to be modified to fit closer to whatever setting you make with them. Still, it's nice to see the opinion of such a well respected poster :)I will admit though, BESM can do things that D&D can't do, and it does them well. Its been a few years since I've looked into BESM, I guess I should look into it again. I've been wanting to play a monster tamer type character for years.
frosty_treant 03-31-05, 01:34 PM	YES! I love both Eberron and d20 and TriStat, so I would definitely be interested in seeing your conversion. I have a few players who are more interested in storytelling than rules-heavy roleplaying, so I find TriStat to be immensely fun with these people. I look forward to seeing what you've done.
Edymnion 03-31-05, 04:52 PM	Dammit, I just got through re-reading BESM 2e, and now I want to play it. *shakes his fist at you* :P
Draggah 04-01-05, 09:19 AM	I played a Dragonlance campaign with BESM (Tri-Stat) and it was a blast.