Combining Star Wars and D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Combining Star Wars and D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
sindar
09-14-05, 06:36 PM D&D is fantasy and Star Wars is Fantasy (althought different fantasy) and as combing the settings would take a number of house rules I decided to post here.
How would you go about combining the two settings without overhauling D&D,
basically I would like to add elements of Star Wars to D&D.
Althought unlike most people, I don't want Jedi althought I would love a way to still have Darksiders. I would also love a fast, dirty and balanced way to add a level-class based defense bonus without having to reinvent the wheel.
Althought D20 Modern would work I have no interest in have to try to either write new base classes or try to figure which class should get what defense bonus. I figure it should be based on BAB as that in D&D represents combat knowledge, training and experiance.
Anyways please help
Koga:The ninja trick
09-14-05, 07:07 PM This is being heavily discussed at the Star Wars forum, you should check it out. We've established that D20 Modern has everything we need to make this work, now all we need is a Force System.. The Koga loves HARP system and would be more then happy to go with that, some want a weaker form of psionics, (which would make sense too the way they implement more force points to empower thier force powers..) but primarily the debate is really about how the jedi should be done..

Should it be traditional? Jedi Gaurdian, Jedi Sentinel, Force Adept?
Should it be like Knights of the Old Republic and also have a Jedi Sentinel? (The Koga's vote go's to this..)
Or should it simply have a Jedi and a Force Adept? (Which DOES make sense, but still. Pride comes first.. :P )
Bruunwald
09-14-05, 07:24 PM This reminds me of the big old battle over on the Rotten Tomatoes site back in 2002, when you had both a Star Wars and a Lord of The Rings trilogy in full swing.

Somebody decided to ask who would kick bigger ass if they were forced to face off against one-another, Aragorn and Company, or Obi-Wan and Pals.

Lo, did pages-long battles of whether elves had enough dexterity and speed with the bow to overcome the lightsaber defenses of the Jedi begin, dragging down any hope of reasonable discussion into the mire of Ultra Geekdom.

I think from a fantasy aspect the two are compatible. But from a rules aspect, you'd better get ready to give your Aragorns lightsabers and levels in Jedi, or the first rules lawyer who comes into your game is going to throw an uber fit and insist on instant death for all non-Star Wars elements, or he'll kick your dog.

Personally, doing that that would ruin it for me. But that's just me.
Koga:The ninja trick
09-14-05, 07:55 PM The Koga always described Star Wars as a fantasy-sci fi, Lord of the Rings being fantasy, Star Trek being science fiction, notice fantasy comes formerly because it IS moreso a fantasy, a more sci-fi or "science fiction fantasy" example would probably be Ghost Busters. (Albeit it doesn't have the fanbase the others do, but to deny it didn't have a good plot making spectres and dieties look more scientific would be damn near criminal!)
lostone
09-15-05, 11:36 AM (Keep in mind it has been about 3 years since I have played Star Wars d20, so this is from memory).

While the munchkin in me rejoices at the idea of a jedi guardian gestalted with a monk/shou disciple/war mind build (flurry with a lightsaber and attack two adjacent enemies for every attack you get) or a jedi guardian gestalted with your favorite Telflammar Shadowlord build (shadow pounce and get full attack with lightsaber), the DM in me recoils in fear.

The Lightsaber would be quite broken in D&D, it ignores damage reduction, deals a boatload of damage at higher levels, etc. The only balancing factor would be that jedi get no real resistances to magic other than standard saving throws.

And imagine the benefits of wielding a +5 wrathful healing keen ghost touch Lightsaber, or the sudden death of your character if fighting someone wielding that.

I have thought about this before, because I don't like DMing star wars games, but love Jedi (and no one in my group will DM sci-fi games).

Please provide a link to the other thread in the star wars forum, I'd like to jump in there and give my :twocents:.
Koga:The ninja trick
09-15-05, 12:28 PM It could be re-done to not be so broken..

For one, sense it's made of pure energy, Force-bonuses cannot be applied. (What are you going to do? Make the light BIGGER?) Though soldiers/fighters could still add thier weapon focus to it sense that's just well trained weapon wielding. (Though why a soldier would bother burning a feat to learn how to wield a lightsaber is anybody's guess. But Boba Fett did..)

Secondly, it should ignore armour bonuses, but not damage reduction.

Third, it should deal like 1d12 damage with a critical hit of x2. Good, but not something too write home about.. Also the new Jedis shouldn't get so much ability emphasis on improving thier skill with a lightsaber, unless ofcourse they choose that as part of thier talent-tree which all d20 modern core classes share..
lostone
09-15-05, 01:03 PM That is a vast change from Star Wars d20, to the point where you might as well call it Homebrew inspired by Star Wars.
LostTemplar
09-18-05, 07:35 AM Psyonics and Energy Weapons seem quite the thing to represent regular Jedi-like powers in d20. Also, if you add a few minor changes here and there, you can have a paladin being essencially, a Jedi. Afterall, they aren't that different. Sith? Black Guards.

If you look at the d20 system, you could also ass the Heroic Destiny feat from Races of the Wild, basicaly giving the characters a single Force point in their SWd20 equivalent system.

In SWd20, a lightsaber ignores damage reduction. Armour in Star Wars d20 is also Damage reduction. in D&D, a brilliant energy weapon ignores armour-based AC, and thats self explanatory.

Of course, you may not get the choppy-cauterizing feel to it, but with a few modifcations, you could create a new ability that -didn't- simply ignored non-living matter, when this was the intended target.

Basically, you'de have a brilliant energy weapon which coudl strike an undead. And chop it up.
Patrick Draken-Korin
09-18-05, 10:16 PM has anyonew tried to add starwars force-skills to spellcasting D&D? i mean other than me (i'll be posting my results here when i'm closer to completion).

lightsabers; i have lightsabers make melee touch attacks (or ranged if you throw one). lightsabers are energy weapons (a specific, though rare damage type, like slashing or bludgeoning) and they ignore DR ?/energy (a new DR i added, usually as in DR ?/adamantine or energy- such as for golems). lightsabers ignore hardness altogether. finally i have them cost 10,000 Gp (or 25,000 Gp for the double version). otherwise, no changes. oh, and they are rare beyond their cost (few people will make them for money, usually only as gifts or awards, on blackmarket price is 5x).

for darksiders; consider the tain rules in unearthed arcana. i removed darksiders (and don't use taint), but it's a thought.

for classes; i use D&DS classes, but i'm going to add a force-adept type (once i finish my supernatural skills), a noble class (combine the SWd20 noble with the dragonlance d20 noble), and a anti-paladin type (for the sith- always evil).

for blasters; blasters are ranged touch attacks, they are energy weapons, and they cost alot (hold-out b. is 1,000 Gp, b. pistol is 1,500 Gp, heavy b. is 2,500 Gp, b. carbine is 3,000 Gp, b. rifle is 3,500 Gp, light repeating b. is 7,000 Gp, etc). few standing armies use blasters (to expensive- only elite soldiers and commanders keep them).

for armor; i use D&D armor, with a few types of armor allowing DR, but that is specific to the armor.

that's about all i can suggest/comment on at this time.

oh, and i'd also like the link requested earlier by lostone.
obrysii
09-18-05, 11:02 PM Edit: nevermind, already said
Patrick Draken-Korin
09-22-05, 06:03 PM did i kill another thread??? Clear! :bump:

for this stardragon & dungeonwars homebrew, would it be based on a single world with a group of planes (like D&D) or would it be spread across many planets like in starwars (probably still having planes)? both are tempting.

for the Yuuzhan'Vong; make them worship the daelkyr from eberron. like it's even a change really. for a twist you could instead make them racial enemies (like the githzerai & githyanki).

for incantations (if you use them); if some form of force skill is available, then incantations that require those force skills could be more impressive, as they'd be more restricted.
heal another incantation, could cause a mass cure moderate wounds effect.
force grip incantation, requires a sacrifice killed with the force grip skill.
move object incantation, allows primary caster to animate objects.

for droids; how common would they be? would they be like warforged? droids have as constitution score.
lostone
12-01-05, 09:07 AM Just curious if the OP ended up running the crossover game, what house rules they settled on and how it went/is going?
Kalriem
12-01-05, 06:58 PM Bah. Psionics is not a good way to represent the Force. If anything, Incarnum is. Soulborn=Jedi Consular, Incarnate=Jedi Guardian, Totemist= Force Adept, Necrocarnist=Sith/darksiders. Note, these may or may not be the correct names. I lent my copy of Magic of Incarnum to a friend. :D
As for lightsabers, as has already been said, simply make them brilliant energy weapons, with a few modifications.
Blasters? Leave 'em as is, or modify the Eternal Wands from Ebberon.
Droids should simply be changed to Constructs with a virtual Int score. Droids aren't truly intelligent, they simply have programing to emulate such. Virtual intelligence would grant bonuses equal to 1/2 (rounded down) normal. Penalties would remain the same.
Planes or Planets? Both. :cool:
Mac Awol
12-04-05, 06:37 AM I have already made a setting that combines Star Wars and Classic D&D.
I removed the normal magic system (both divine and arcane) and replaced it with force skills.
The setting therefore uses vitality and wound points.
Armor gives a lower Defense bonus, but gives DR, and each class gains Defense bonus.
The Lightsabre is replaced with Force Weapon ability, as a Force Adept.
Droids I have ignored so far, but the idea with a virtual Int for constructs might be a good idea.
Off cause all classes had to be reworked to fit the new ideas, and jedis have become a prestige class.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
sindar 09-14-05, 06:36 PM	D&D is fantasy and Star Wars is Fantasy (althought different fantasy) and as combing the settings would take a number of house rules I decided to post here. How would you go about combining the two settings without overhauling D&D, basically I would like to add elements of Star Wars to D&D. Althought unlike most people, I don't want Jedi althought I would love a way to still have Darksiders. I would also love a fast, dirty and balanced way to add a level-class based defense bonus without having to reinvent the wheel. Althought D20 Modern would work I have no interest in have to try to either write new base classes or try to figure which class should get what defense bonus. I figure it should be based on BAB as that in D&D represents combat knowledge, training and experiance. Anyways please help
Koga:The ninja trick 09-14-05, 07:07 PM	This is being heavily discussed at the Star Wars forum, you should check it out. We've established that D20 Modern has everything we need to make this work, now all we need is a Force System.. The Koga loves HARP system and would be more then happy to go with that, some want a weaker form of psionics, (which would make sense too the way they implement more force points to empower thier force powers..) but primarily the debate is really about how the jedi should be done.. Should it be traditional? Jedi Gaurdian, Jedi Sentinel, Force Adept? Should it be like Knights of the Old Republic and also have a Jedi Sentinel? (The Koga's vote go's to this..) Or should it simply have a Jedi and a Force Adept? (Which DOES make sense, but still. Pride comes first.. :P )
Bruunwald 09-14-05, 07:24 PM	This reminds me of the big old battle over on the Rotten Tomatoes site back in 2002, when you had both a Star Wars and a Lord of The Rings trilogy in full swing. Somebody decided to ask who would kick bigger ass if they were forced to face off against one-another, Aragorn and Company, or Obi-Wan and Pals. Lo, did pages-long battles of whether elves had enough dexterity and speed with the bow to overcome the lightsaber defenses of the Jedi begin, dragging down any hope of reasonable discussion into the mire of Ultra Geekdom. I think from a fantasy aspect the two are compatible. But from a rules aspect, you'd better get ready to give your Aragorns lightsabers and levels in Jedi, or the first rules lawyer who comes into your game is going to throw an uber fit and insist on instant death for all non-Star Wars elements, or he'll kick your dog. Personally, doing that that would ruin it for me. But that's just me.
Koga:The ninja trick 09-14-05, 07:55 PM	The Koga always described Star Wars as a fantasy-sci fi, Lord of the Rings being fantasy, Star Trek being science fiction, notice fantasy comes formerly because it IS moreso a fantasy, a more sci-fi or "science fiction fantasy" example would probably be Ghost Busters. (Albeit it doesn't have the fanbase the others do, but to deny it didn't have a good plot making spectres and dieties look more scientific would be damn near criminal!)
lostone 09-15-05, 11:36 AM	(Keep in mind it has been about 3 years since I have played Star Wars d20, so this is from memory). While the munchkin in me rejoices at the idea of a jedi guardian gestalted with a monk/shou disciple/war mind build (flurry with a lightsaber and attack two adjacent enemies for every attack you get) or a jedi guardian gestalted with your favorite Telflammar Shadowlord build (shadow pounce and get full attack with lightsaber), the DM in me recoils in fear. The Lightsaber would be quite broken in D&D, it ignores damage reduction, deals a boatload of damage at higher levels, etc. The only balancing factor would be that jedi get no real resistances to magic other than standard saving throws. And imagine the benefits of wielding a +5 wrathful healing keen ghost touch Lightsaber, or the sudden death of your character if fighting someone wielding that. I have thought about this before, because I don't like DMing star wars games, but love Jedi (and no one in my group will DM sci-fi games). Please provide a link to the other thread in the star wars forum, I'd like to jump in there and give my :twocents:.
Koga:The ninja trick 09-15-05, 12:28 PM	It could be re-done to not be so broken.. For one, sense it's made of pure energy, Force-bonuses cannot be applied. (What are you going to do? Make the light BIGGER?) Though soldiers/fighters could still add thier weapon focus to it sense that's just well trained weapon wielding. (Though why a soldier would bother burning a feat to learn how to wield a lightsaber is anybody's guess. But Boba Fett did..) Secondly, it should ignore armour bonuses, but not damage reduction. Third, it should deal like 1d12 damage with a critical hit of x2. Good, but not something too write home about.. Also the new Jedis shouldn't get so much ability emphasis on improving thier skill with a lightsaber, unless ofcourse they choose that as part of thier talent-tree which all d20 modern core classes share..
lostone 09-15-05, 01:03 PM	That is a vast change from Star Wars d20, to the point where you might as well call it Homebrew inspired by Star Wars.
LostTemplar 09-18-05, 07:35 AM	Psyonics and Energy Weapons seem quite the thing to represent regular Jedi-like powers in d20. Also, if you add a few minor changes here and there, you can have a paladin being essencially, a Jedi. Afterall, they aren't that different. Sith? Black Guards. If you look at the d20 system, you could also ass the Heroic Destiny feat from Races of the Wild, basicaly giving the characters a single Force point in their SWd20 equivalent system. In SWd20, a lightsaber ignores damage reduction. Armour in Star Wars d20 is also Damage reduction. in D&D, a brilliant energy weapon ignores armour-based AC, and thats self explanatory. Of course, you may not get the choppy-cauterizing feel to it, but with a few modifcations, you could create a new ability that -didn't- simply ignored non-living matter, when this was the intended target. Basically, you'de have a brilliant energy weapon which coudl strike an undead. And chop it up.
Patrick Draken-Korin 09-18-05, 10:16 PM	has anyonew tried to add starwars force-skills to spellcasting D&D? i mean other than me (i'll be posting my results here when i'm closer to completion). lightsabers; i have lightsabers make melee touch attacks (or ranged if you throw one). lightsabers are energy weapons (a specific, though rare damage type, like slashing or bludgeoning) and they ignore DR ?/energy (a new DR i added, usually as in DR ?/adamantine or energy- such as for golems). lightsabers ignore hardness altogether. finally i have them cost 10,000 Gp (or 25,000 Gp for the double version). otherwise, no changes. oh, and they are rare beyond their cost (few people will make them for money, usually only as gifts or awards, on blackmarket price is 5x). for darksiders; consider the tain rules in unearthed arcana. i removed darksiders (and don't use taint), but it's a thought. for classes; i use D&DS classes, but i'm going to add a force-adept type (once i finish my supernatural skills), a noble class (combine the SWd20 noble with the dragonlance d20 noble), and a anti-paladin type (for the sith- always evil). for blasters; blasters are ranged touch attacks, they are energy weapons, and they cost alot (hold-out b. is 1,000 Gp, b. pistol is 1,500 Gp, heavy b. is 2,500 Gp, b. carbine is 3,000 Gp, b. rifle is 3,500 Gp, light repeating b. is 7,000 Gp, etc). few standing armies use blasters (to expensive- only elite soldiers and commanders keep them). for armor; i use D&D armor, with a few types of armor allowing DR, but that is specific to the armor. that's about all i can suggest/comment on at this time. oh, and i'd also like the link requested earlier by lostone.
obrysii 09-18-05, 11:02 PM	Edit: nevermind, already said
Patrick Draken-Korin 09-22-05, 06:03 PM	did i kill another thread??? Clear! :bump: for this stardragon & dungeonwars homebrew, would it be based on a single world with a group of planes (like D&D) or would it be spread across many planets like in starwars (probably still having planes)? both are tempting. for the Yuuzhan'Vong; make them worship the daelkyr from eberron. like it's even a change really. for a twist you could instead make them racial enemies (like the githzerai & githyanki). for incantations (if you use them); if some form of force skill is available, then incantations that require those force skills could be more impressive, as they'd be more restricted. heal another incantation, could cause a mass cure moderate wounds effect. force grip incantation, requires a sacrifice killed with the force grip skill. move object incantation, allows primary caster to animate objects. for droids; how common would they be? would they be like warforged? droids have as constitution score.
lostone 12-01-05, 09:07 AM	Just curious if the OP ended up running the crossover game, what house rules they settled on and how it went/is going?
Kalriem 12-01-05, 06:58 PM	Bah. Psionics is not a good way to represent the Force. If anything, Incarnum is. Soulborn=Jedi Consular, Incarnate=Jedi Guardian, Totemist= Force Adept, Necrocarnist=Sith/darksiders. Note, these may or may not be the correct names. I lent my copy of Magic of Incarnum to a friend. :D As for lightsabers, as has already been said, simply make them brilliant energy weapons, with a few modifications. Blasters? Leave 'em as is, or modify the Eternal Wands from Ebberon. Droids should simply be changed to Constructs with a virtual Int score. Droids aren't truly intelligent, they simply have programing to emulate such. Virtual intelligence would grant bonuses equal to 1/2 (rounded down) normal. Penalties would remain the same. Planes or Planets? Both. :cool:
Mac Awol 12-04-05, 06:37 AM	I have already made a setting that combines Star Wars and Classic D&D. I removed the normal magic system (both divine and arcane) and replaced it with force skills. The setting therefore uses vitality and wound points. Armor gives a lower Defense bonus, but gives DR, and each class gains Defense bonus. The Lightsabre is replaced with Force Weapon ability, as a Force Adept. Droids I have ignored so far, but the idea with a virtual Int for constructs might be a good idea. Off cause all classes had to be reworked to fit the new ideas, and jedis have become a prestige class.