Unearthed Arcana and True 20 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Unearthed Arcana and True 20 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Hierarch Leviticus
09-17-05, 09:02 PM Anyone else have both of these, and see the possibilities?
Ranger REG
09-18-05, 04:06 AM Possibilities of what?
Hierarch Leviticus
09-18-05, 07:15 PM So far as I can tell, by referencing these two books and a few pages each from other books in my collection, a universal d20 system could be built - and, unless I'm mistaken, it could be done in 75 pages or less.

D20 has a few "universal" variants out there, but I've never seen the possibility for one to be so amazingly slim before.
FlameLover
09-18-05, 07:26 PM I'm sure a universla d20 system could be put into 10 pages, maybe even only 1. As far as i know d20 is just the general set of dice you use, the abbreviations and the concept of classes, feats, spells and skills. You could have all that written on one page really.

So yes i don't get what the big deal is.
Hierarch Leviticus
09-18-05, 07:36 PM I'm sure a universla d20 system could be put into 10 pages, maybe even only 1. As far as i know d20 is just the general set of dice you use, the abbreviations and the concept of classes, feats, spells and skills. You could have all that written on one page really.

So yes i don't get what the big deal is.

:confused:

I mean, a completely playable system with rules and mechanics that are just as tightly-defined as those in "regular" d20. Just... much, much shorter.

Most systems I've seen that try to cut down page count also "loosen up" the rules. Depending on your play style and player group, that may be a very bad thing indeed.

I like my systems very crunchy, myself, as well as very simple. That's not an easy trick to accomplish.
FlameLover
09-18-05, 07:46 PM I'm starting to see what you mean and despite my earlier stance 100% agree. The tighter someone could make the rules the better, but the question is will you actually do it? I'd help whatever way i could to make some sort of D&D 'lite' or whatever else (maybe make a new, generic fantasy game based on d20?)

Anyway you have my full attention now, so what exactly do you plan to do with this new found umm... skill? Actually this should be a feat, but w/e
Hierarch Leviticus
09-18-05, 07:59 PM If you step over to the Injury thread I posted to a few minutes ago, you'll see some of the work I'm doing and testing at the moment (it works, but not perfectly, if you're wondering). I have every intention of writing this.

However.

At the moment, I'm writing it mainly for my own group. Passing on this stuff to everyone else sounds absolutely great - but it's not my very first priority. I will happily put bits of it up on this board, at a minimum, though, because feedback helps the process for me, and plundering my ideas may (or may not) help others with their own projects.
Gilgiga of the Hunt
09-18-05, 08:00 PM Could be done, I wouldn't ever do it. I've always found universal systems like GURPS dull as foot. I rather enjoy subtle differences betwen games. Action Points in Pulp Eberron, not needing armor in d20 M, the non reliance of good stats in Star Wars.
That's just looking at Wizards products.
If every world followed the same rules I'd get bored fairly fast, drop d20 and go play Warhammer, just to have a change of system.

But that's just me.
Hierarch Leviticus
09-18-05, 08:03 PM Gilgiga:

To some degree, that's true.

But slim, Open Content stuff that is universal is a great thing for homebrewers like me.

A universal system, from where I sit personally, is a springboard, not an end unto itself.
FlameLover
09-19-05, 07:50 AM Yes a universal system isn't designed to be played but to help those making their own RPGs. I am planning on making a grittier, very low magic D&D and it requires more work than just tweaking D&D is worth so a nice, compact and easy spring board would be really nice.

A must for any such system though is comprehensive rules on how to make your own feats, classes, skills, spells, items, w/e. Since it is supposed to be a spring board it'd be very nice to have that.

But i respect that it's mainly for your own group for now although i would love to see some more of it when it's done. I'm a little unsure whether to even try making my own game but this could be just the impetus i needed :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Hierarch Leviticus 09-17-05, 09:02 PM	Anyone else have both of these, and see the possibilities?
Ranger REG 09-18-05, 04:06 AM	Possibilities of what?
Hierarch Leviticus 09-18-05, 07:15 PM	So far as I can tell, by referencing these two books and a few pages each from other books in my collection, a universal d20 system could be built - and, unless I'm mistaken, it could be done in 75 pages or less. D20 has a few "universal" variants out there, but I've never seen the possibility for one to be so amazingly slim before.
FlameLover 09-18-05, 07:26 PM	I'm sure a universla d20 system could be put into 10 pages, maybe even only 1. As far as i know d20 is just the general set of dice you use, the abbreviations and the concept of classes, feats, spells and skills. You could have all that written on one page really. So yes i don't get what the big deal is.
Hierarch Leviticus 09-18-05, 07:36 PM	I'm sure a universla d20 system could be put into 10 pages, maybe even only 1. As far as i know d20 is just the general set of dice you use, the abbreviations and the concept of classes, feats, spells and skills. You could have all that written on one page really. So yes i don't get what the big deal is. :confused: I mean, a completely playable system with rules and mechanics that are just as tightly-defined as those in "regular" d20. Just... much, much shorter. Most systems I've seen that try to cut down page count also "loosen up" the rules. Depending on your play style and player group, that may be a very bad thing indeed. I like my systems very crunchy, myself, as well as very simple. That's not an easy trick to accomplish.
FlameLover 09-18-05, 07:46 PM	I'm starting to see what you mean and despite my earlier stance 100% agree. The tighter someone could make the rules the better, but the question is will you actually do it? I'd help whatever way i could to make some sort of D&D 'lite' or whatever else (maybe make a new, generic fantasy game based on d20?) Anyway you have my full attention now, so what exactly do you plan to do with this new found umm... skill? Actually this should be a feat, but w/e
Hierarch Leviticus 09-18-05, 07:59 PM	If you step over to the Injury thread I posted to a few minutes ago, you'll see some of the work I'm doing and testing at the moment (it works, but not perfectly, if you're wondering). I have every intention of writing this. However. At the moment, I'm writing it mainly for my own group. Passing on this stuff to everyone else sounds absolutely great - but it's not my very first priority. I will happily put bits of it up on this board, at a minimum, though, because feedback helps the process for me, and plundering my ideas may (or may not) help others with their own projects.
Gilgiga of the Hunt 09-18-05, 08:00 PM	Could be done, I wouldn't ever do it. I've always found universal systems like GURPS dull as foot. I rather enjoy subtle differences betwen games. Action Points in Pulp Eberron, not needing armor in d20 M, the non reliance of good stats in Star Wars. That's just looking at Wizards products. If every world followed the same rules I'd get bored fairly fast, drop d20 and go play Warhammer, just to have a change of system. But that's just me.
Hierarch Leviticus 09-18-05, 08:03 PM	Gilgiga: To some degree, that's true. But slim, Open Content stuff that is universal is a great thing for homebrewers like me. A universal system, from where I sit personally, is a springboard, not an end unto itself.
FlameLover 09-19-05, 07:50 AM	Yes a universal system isn't designed to be played but to help those making their own RPGs. I am planning on making a grittier, very low magic D&D and it requires more work than just tweaking D&D is worth so a nice, compact and easy spring board would be really nice. A must for any such system though is comprehensive rules on how to make your own feats, classes, skills, spells, items, w/e. Since it is supposed to be a spring board it'd be very nice to have that. But i respect that it's mainly for your own group for now although i would love to see some more of it when it's done. I'm a little unsure whether to even try making my own game but this could be just the impetus i needed :)