PD d20 vs d20 Modern Compatibility

Groknard · Post by **Groknard** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:36 am

Hello everyone. I'm about to jump into the latest generations of PD and have a question about the d20 vs the d20 Modern versions. I haven't played the game since the '93 TFG version, so I'm looking forward to it.

I get the difference between d20 and d20M approaches. My question is really about the supplements for Klingons and Romulans. I take it that both of these are really only available as d20, yes? If so, can anyone speak to how compatible those books are (or aren't) with the PD20M Core Rules?

I'm going to buy one of these sets. I'm definitely leaning toward d20M because of its approach and the pending release of Federation. OTOH, that means I also have to track down and purchase the d20 Modern book. Plus I'd be bummed if the two books above didn't really mesh well with d20M. The website is a little unclear (same skus?).

I'll probably buy the GURPS books as well (at least the core), but I'm not sure which way to go for the 20's. Any advice and clarification would be appreciated!

djdood · Post by **djdood** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:46 am

Jean's the one with the answers for you, but she doesn't check this board all that often (she's the "web-Mom" of the legacy discus BBS).

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:05 pm

I have both versions of Prime Directive (well, all three actually, including GURPS)... OK, technially, that should be four versions (I have PD1 from TFG also).

Of all of them, I much prefer the PD20 Modern version (and no, Will - I'm not biased in any way

). The D20M system just seems to work better in a hard, Science-Fiction type genre than does the fantasy based D20 system. Especially if you have some of the other D20M source books (i.e. Future Tech, D20 Future, etc.)

I also have both Klingons and Romulans in D20 and GURPS versions. 80% of the material included in them is generic background fluff and hard data (such as planetary data, system resources, etc.) The remaining 20% is "game system specific" material.

Most of the D20 material can be ported over to D20 Modern with very little effort. The rest can be utilized with very little effort (and I think that ADB may be working on either a D20M version of those two, or a D20M supplement - but double check with Jean before taking my word as gospel).

Groknard · Post by **Groknard** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:55 pm

Thanks, guys. I went ahead and purchased the d20 Modern version (along with each of the GURPS books... and, um, a FedComm Starter... stop me before I buy again), and if I get hooked then I'll probably follow-up with d20 Klingons and Romulans. 80% fluff and 20% easy-to-port crunch is good enough for me.

djdood · Post by **djdood** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:52 pm

Your going to like FedCom. It's what I always wanted as a low-impact (but still super-detailed) starship combat system for Trek RPG's.

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:21 pm

djdood wrote:Your going to like FedCom. It's what I always wanted as a low-impact (but still super-detailed) starship combat system for Trek RPG's.

Low-oimpact on everything but your bank account - that is.

cause once you play... you're hooked, then all you need is one more expansion... and another booster of ship cards... nd a few more minis.

Next thing you know, you have to register your domicile with the EPA as a potential superfund site do to the presence of lead, and the municipal Fire Department makes you hanga warnign placard on all entrances to advise fire-fighters of the potential risks associated with entering a house full of lead and lead products...

Not that anyone on this forum would become so "enthralled" with miniatures...

djdood · Post by **djdood** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:56 pm

Who? Me?

Wolverin61 · Post by **Wolverin61** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:21 pm

Maybe we could put in for some kind of gaming stimulus bailout check

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:34 am

that's what I need... A govt bail-out because I live on a superfund site!!!!

Groknard · Post by **Groknard** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:44 am

Wolverin61 wrote:Maybe we could put in for some kind of gaming stimulus bailout check

I just (today) dodged another of the layoffs where I work... but there's an across the board 10% salary cut.

I need to figure out how to make last night's purchase part of my new Green Initiative.

Still, glad I bought them last night, because I probably wouldn't have tonight. ADB gets the last of my gaming dollars for quite awhile, probably.