More elaborate version SRD as a generic Rulebook in print?

[Narses]

As the current version of 2d20 is a very sweet spot not only for pulp, I could imagine using 2d20 as a generic system for homebrew settings in general, be they scifi, fantasy or modern.

Is there any plan to publish a setting agnostic rulebook based on the SRD with more elaboration and examples (especially for magic/Psi/you name it, which is rather roughly explained in the SRD)?

[FrankF]

But there is the SRD already. What could be of more use than that?
More examples? Look at what others already did with the SRD in the Worldbuilder activities.

[Narses]

More examples? Couldn’t hurt. More general guidelines? Would be very handy.
Could give a perspective on how to scale spells and talents. Didn’t have to be specific, rough would suffice to get an idea if a spell/talent is unrealistically over- or underpowered.
And a very important point, I’d love to have a dead tree version in my hands.

Let’s speculate, how would you design a Jedi’s blaster bolt deflection/reflection and the force push with the SRD? So that there are close to the movies (multiple deflections per round)?

[MisterX]

@Narses

how would you design a Jedi’s blaster bolt deflection/reflection

Talent or Talent-Tree. First instance grants additional Resistance dice (=> deflection), next instance(s) grant ability to deflect attack to attacker or even third person. Might cost Momentum to use or to use more than once/specified amount per round.

@Narses

the force push

“As a weapon”, i.e. special attack. Ranged attack, probably with mental abilities/attributes/whatever instead of usual ranged attack combinations. Knockdown and/or Stun effects. Pretty out-of-the-box stuff. Only tweaking necessary (as far as I see it at a quick glance at the rules) would be implementing “shoving” people/stuff around. I think, at the moment, there’s actually no forcible movement of opponents against their will in the rules. Should be easy to implement, actually.

Force grip would work similar, btw, with the Snare effect.

Star Wars would be very cool with 2d20, esp. with the Values/Drives mechanics. Jedi-Training could be done with interchangeable, talents that stack on themselves, so to say.

[Narses]

Sounds very good. Okay, deflection would be a talent.
But in the case of the force push “as a weapon”, how would I handle this technically wise? As a talent as well, with a skill check as the trigger?
Or as a fight spell to utilize the power “as a weapon” using a Mana Stress track and maybe available talents decreasing the cost of using those spells?

[MisterX]

As a weapon.
Just as all characters would have an unarmed strike (that works, technically, like a weapon), the force push could work as an additional “unarmed” “weapon”. Available only to characters with a “Jedi” trait and/or sufficient training, of course (which could or could not be represented by Talents). You could introduce Force Points as a resource like A!C has “Ammo” (make sure to allow buying with Threat) for use and/or for special effects (think of long[er]-range use, for example). Or simply ignore costs, as, technically, it makes no different whether a character uses force push, slashes with a sword or shoots with a gun.

[Narses]

Okay, what about this approach, which includes an additional force sensitivity attribute for those with the Force Sensitive Trait:

Attributes for Non-Force Users:

1. Strength: Represents physical power, muscularity, and might.
2. Agility: Reflects nimbleness, reflexes, and dexterity.
3. Endurance: Measures stamina, toughness, and resistance to physical challenges.
4. Intelligence: Represents cognitive abilities, knowledge, and problem-solving skills.
5. Perception: Reflects sensory awareness, attention to detail, and observation skills.
6. Presence: Measures charisma, social aptitude, and ability to influence others.
7. Willpower: Represents mental strength, discipline, and resistance to manipulation.

Attributes for Force Users:

1. Strength: Represents physical power, muscularity, and might.
2. Agility: Reflects nimbleness, reflexes, and dexterity.
3. Endurance: Measures stamina, toughness, and resistance to physical challenges.
4. Intelligence: Represents cognitive abilities, knowledge, and problem-solving skills.
5. Perception: Reflects sensory awareness, attention to detail, and observation skills.
6. Presence: Measures charisma, social aptitude, and ability to influence others.
7. Willpower: Represents mental strength, discipline, and resistance to manipulation.
8. Force Sensitivity: An additional attribute that signifies the character’s connection to the Force and potential to develop Force powers.

Both Force users and non-Force users utilize these attributes to enhance their skills, abilities, and interactions within the game world. Force-sensitive characters have an extra attribute, “Force Sensitivity,” that represents their unique connection to the Force. This connection enables them to learn and harness Force powers as they progress in their adventures.

Skills for Non-Force Users:

1. Strength Skills:

• Brawling
• Melee Combat
• Athletics
• Might

2. Agility Skills:

• Ranged Combat
• Piloting
• Acrobatics
• Stealth

3. Endurance Skills:

• Resist Injury
• Stamina
• Survival
• Toughness

4. Intelligence Skills:

• Knowledge
• Mechanics
• Medicine
• Computers

5. Perception Skills:

• Observation
• Search
• Insight
• Navigation

6. Presence Skills:

• Charm
• Negotiation
• Deception
• Leadership

7. Willpower Skills:

• Discipline
• Courage
• Resist Temptation
• Concentration

Skills for Force Users:

In addition to the above skills, Force users also have access to skills related to their connection to the Force:

8. Force Power Skills:

• Telekinesis
• Enhanced Senses
• Minor Force Healing
• Mind Trick
• Force Sense
• Precognition
• Empathy

Force users can allocate points to both regular skills (those related to attributes 1-7) and Force power skills (attribute 8) during character creation.

Here some Force Powers from the OT:

1. Telekinesis: Description: Telekinesis allows you to move objects with your mind through the power of the Force. Force Sensitivity Test: Presence + Force Sensitivity Target Number (Object Size): Small (1), Medium (2), Large (3), Very Large (4)

Effects:

• 1 Success: Move a small object a short distance.
• 2 Successes: Move a medium-sized object or exert force against an opponent.
• 3 Successes: Move a large object or create a temporary barrier with moved objects.
• 4+ Successes: Move a very large object or perform a precision task with a moved object.

Momentum Spends:

• 1 Momentum: Increase the distance or accuracy of the telekinesis.
• 2 Momentum: Move additional objects or use telekinesis defensively.
• 3 Momentum: Move multiple objects or perform an advanced maneuver with moved objects.

2. Enhanced Senses: Description: Your Force sensitivity enhances your natural senses, allowing you to perceive the world in greater detail. Force Sensitivity Test: Perception + Force Sensitivity

Effects:

• 1 Success: Gain insight into hidden details or perceive emotions.
• 2 Successes: Extend sensory range or detect concealed objects.
• 3 Successes: Share sensory information with allies or negate penalties due to visibility.

Momentum Spends:

• 1 Momentum: Enhance Perception-based tasks involving the enhanced sense.
• 2 Momentum: Gain insights into complex details or distant information.
• 3 Momentum: Extend sensory perception to cover a larger area or multiple senses.

3. Minor Force Healing: Description: Harnessing the Force, you can accelerate natural healing processes to mend wounds more swiftly. Force Sensitivity Test: Willpower + Force Sensitivity Target Number (Severity): Light (1), Moderate (2), Serious (3), Critical (4)

Effects:

• 1 Success: Accelerate natural healing for minor injuries.
• 2 Successes: Heal moderate injuries or reduce the severity of a wound.
• 3+ Successes: Heal serious injuries or stabilize a dying character.

Momentum Spends:

• 1 Momentum: Enhance the healing effect or grant additional temporary hit points.
• 2 Momentum: Heal another character’s injuries or ailments.
• 3 Momentum: Stabilize a dying character, remove a critical injury, or cure a minor ailment.

4. Mind Trick: Description: With a wave of your hand, you can influence the thoughts and actions of weak-willed individuals. Force Sensitivity Test: Presence + Force Sensitivity Opposing Check: Target’s Willpower or Discipline

Effects:

• 1 Success: Plant a simple suggestion or create a minor distraction.
• 2 Successes: Influence a target’s decision or perception.
• 3+ Successes: Persuade the target to take a specific course of action.

Momentum Spends:

• 1 Momentum: Strengthen the suggestion’s effect or improve the distraction.
• 2 Momentum: Plant a more complex suggestion or influence a larger group.
• 3 Momentum: Deeply manipulate the target’s thoughts or create lasting effects.

5. Force Sense: Description: Through your Force sensitivity, you can perceive emotions, intentions, and disturbances in the environment. Force Sensitivity Test: Perception + Force Sensitivity

Effects:

• 1 Success: Sense the general emotions of nearby individuals.
• 2 Successes: Detect hidden threats or intentions in the environment.
• 3+ Successes: Extend your sense to cover a larger area or gain detailed insights.

Momentum Spends:

• 1 Momentum: Gain deeper insights into emotions or intentions.
• 2 Momentum: Detect hidden objects or actions related to the sensed emotions.
• 3 Momentum: Share your insights with allies or uncover concealed motives.

6. Precognition: Description: Precognition grants you glimpses into potential future events, allowing you to anticipate danger and opportunities. Force Sensitivity Test: Perception + Force Sensitivity

Effects:

• 1 Success: Gain a vague insight into a potential future event.
• 2 Successes: Get a clearer glimpse of an upcoming occurrence.
• 3+ Successes: Receive specific guidance on avoiding danger or seizing an opportunity.

Momentum Spends:

• 1 Momentum: Enhance the clarity of the precognition.
• 2 Momentum: Gain additional insights or details about the future event.
• 3 Momentum: Act on the precognition to alter the outcome or exploit opportunities.

7. Empathy: Description: Your Force sensitivity lets you understand and share the emotions of others, forging connections and influencing feelings. Force Sensitivity Test: Presence + Force Sensitivity

Effects:

• 1 Success: Gain insight into the emotions of a nearby individual.
• 2 Successes: Influence the emotional state of a willing target.
• 3+ Successes: Share your emotions with another character or establish a strong empathic bond.

Momentum Spends:

• 1 Momentum: Deepen your understanding of the emotions sensed.
• 2 Momentum: Enhance the emotional influence on a target.
• 3 Momentum: Establish an empathic link, allowing shared emotional states.

And for lightsaber deflection/reflection the following reaction:

Opposing Checks: Ranged Attack roll against your Deflection (Force Sensitivity attribute + lightsaber/melee skill) roll.

Momentum Spends: If you have accumulated Momentum, you can spend it to achieve additional effects while deflecting blaster bolts as a reaction:

• 2 Momentum: Deflect a bolt at another target, or gain a defensive bonus against other attacks.
• 3 Momentum: creating cover with the deflected bolt.