d20 Science-Fiction RPGs

Apparition · July 18, 2017, 01:26:28 PM

What are good, readily available science-fiction role-playing games that primarily use a d20? Not necessarily based on D&D 3.x, mind you. I found SciFi20 and d20 Future. Anything else worth checking out?

Robyo · July 18, 2017, 01:47:17 PM

Bulldogs! has a d20 version.

Star Wars d20 is quite suitable for most sci fi needs. You can run it fine without jedi/powers. Some folks prefer the Revised or Saga versions.

Krimson · July 18, 2017, 01:56:20 PM

Quote from: Robyo;976447Bulldogs! has a d20 version.

Star Wars d20 is quite suitable for most sci fi needs. You can run it fine without jedi/powers. Some folks prefer the Revised or Saga versions.

A few years back I did a quick and dirty Alternate take on Psionics hacked from Force Powers for use in d20 Modern/Future. Link.

S'mon · July 18, 2017, 01:59:49 PM

White Star? d20 + d6 (see sig).

DavetheLost · July 18, 2017, 02:09:07 PM

Starships & Spacemen if you like an old school Trek feel to your games. The Lucanii Drift sourcebook gives a nice hexcrawl exploration playground.

Also Apes Victorious from Goblinoid Games if you want Planet of the Apes style science fiction.

Machinations of the Space Princess is a great fun D&D in space Heavy Metal style rpg. Lots of systems for building aliens, tech, etc, and a lot of just plain fun.

For a more serious take there is the excellent Stars Without Number.

Brand55 · July 18, 2017, 02:10:43 PM

Stars Without Number is one of my favorites. It will have a Kickstarter for a new 2nd edition in another month or so, but you can check out the core rules for free here: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/86467/Stars-Without-Number-Free-Edition. The real strength of SWN is the great GM help and the many supplements that help you do things like running mercenary campaigns or handling players who want to run their own trading ships.

Looking at D&D 3/3.x, you could still find the Dragonstar books for low prices not too long ago. DS is basically D&D in space with the dragons ruling a huge empire and drow working as their secret police. It was a pretty cool if somewhat cliche setting that let you use just about anything made for that system.

Soylent Green · July 18, 2017, 02:16:46 PM

Apparently The Expanse, before novels and hit Netflix series,started off as a D20 Modern campaign. I offer no supporting evidence I picked up this rumour from this very forum, but if true just goes to show what can be done.

jeff37923 · July 18, 2017, 03:43:10 PM

Traveller d20, also known as T20. The entire print run on CD-ROM can be purchased here for $35.

Apparition · July 20, 2017, 04:27:09 PM

Thanks for the advice, y'all. I'll check out White Star and SciFi20/Traveller d20.

RPGPundit · July 22, 2017, 01:59:03 AM

Yeah, T20 was surprisingly good. I ran pretty decent 2-year campaign with it.

selfdeleteduser00001 · July 22, 2017, 09:14:19 AM

Before I had even come to love the D&D.. all praise fifth ed.. or is it 13th Age... I really rather liked the SAGA d20 Star Wars game from WOTC..
If you want a game system that is packed with great maximum game fun tables, system gen, approaches to starships, then SWN is very good, I am just not a fan of S&W type game systems.. but most of it can be ripped out and used with almost any other SF game
Can I say Alternity.. not least cos a new version is imminent?

RPGPundit · July 25, 2017, 04:14:18 AM

I really liked Star Wars D20 Revised.

DavetheLost · July 25, 2017, 12:39:29 PM

DragonStar was unapologetically D&D in Space... It was d20 (D&D 3e irc) based. It was actually fun. I have no idea what it's availability is now. FFG originally published it.

SavageSchemer · July 25, 2017, 07:47:57 PM

For a slightly different take, check out Warriors of the Red Planet. It is an OSR game that asked the question "what would D&D have looked like it it was inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs rather than Tolkien", and works from there.

Krimson · July 26, 2017, 01:03:36 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit;978027I really liked Star Wars D20 Revised.

I probably enjoyed RCR more than any other d20 System (meaning games based on 3.x), and ran a campaign for a few years. The Health/Stamina system was downright deadly at times, and I remember freaking out the players having Boba Fett chase after them through an asteroid field which included the inside of a large asteroid. I had one player who would cite EU material all the time, and whenever he did I would pull out a D&D Monster manual to annoy him.