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Post by mysticknight232 on Sept 22, 2014 13:56:35 GMT -8
I think one reason there isn't a bestiary is that it would be huge. I would also like a book that has stats for everything from cavemen to androids and all stops in between both real and fantasy, but that's a little crazy. Exactly why I think it's crazy to want a bestiary. Anything that's published would just constrain your imagination. Just make them up! You only need a couple of stats and a skill or two to make a perfectly viable enemy to fight. This is so true about only needing a couple stats. I ran Star Wars Saga Edition for a couple years for my friends which included most of the Dawn of Defiance module produced by WotC. Many a session ended with me lamenting the fact that I forgot to use some power, feat or other special ability because I was so focused on getting the HPs just right or making sure I was using the exact "to hit" modifier for each unique trooper etc. If I make it up, then there's no missing stuff, I just "chose" not to include it, right? One thing that would make a bestiary useful however is to have a collection of monster descriptors. For example, when I make up stats for a troll, is it really strong or really tough...or both? Try, I can make up whatever I want it to be but sometimes it's just nice to have it laid out in front of you for simplicity sake.
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Post by mysticknight232 on Sept 23, 2014 6:29:48 GMT -8
Another thing I asked about in my email to Stu and the crew is how do you convert things into GURPS? I know this is a very broad question, but I'm originally a D&D guy (started with 3.5e) and now enjoy Pathfinder as well. I like running modules because they usually have good stories (IMO). I'm not much of a fan of Banestorm (at least initially) but I'm a huge fan of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting and I'd like to take that setting and a module or two and run my players through it using GURPS. I'm worried however that it will be too much conversion or too much confusion on my part and I'll take what I think is a good system and good setting and just ruin them horribly. To reference a season 12 email, I don't want to give my players a bad first "anal sex" experience with the system.
So, can anybody offer some suggestions for converting other campaign settings? The fluff can all be same but I'm worried about getting the stats close enough to work.
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Post by HourEleven on Sept 24, 2014 10:13:33 GMT -8
It's a little tricky because Gurps isn't as "game-y" or balanced. The closest thing to challenge rating or level is point value, but points in Gurps are a poor comparison.
Example why: Stephen Hawking and 1990s Micheal Jordan could be pretty close to the same point value as exemplary humans. But who would win in a fight?
The key when converting a game-y system to Gurps is to look at the encounter and say "is this an easy, challenging, or super hard fight?" And then build what you guess would a similar challenge level in Gurps.
DO NOT convert 1 to 1. Gurps is too realistic and DnD is too abstract. One hero in DnD versus a group of armed children would be a hilarious fight - they would never break through AC. In Gurps, it's scary because you just need one to stick you with a knife and you are in trouble (unless you are using optional rules to make Gurps less real).
Build for the spirit of the fight, not to recreate the set piece exactly.
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D.T. Pints
Instigator
JACKERCON 2018: WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY June 22-July 1st
Posts: 2,857
Currently Playing: D&D 5e, Pathfinder, DUNGEONWORLD, Star Wars Edge of the Empire
Currently Running: DUNGEONWORLD, PATHFINDER
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Post by D.T. Pints on Sept 24, 2014 15:31:27 GMT -8
Ah yes but what if Stephen Hawking and a horde of three olds fought Michael Jordan in Chicago in the winter?
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Post by malifer on Sept 25, 2014 2:11:58 GMT -8
Ah yes but what if Stephen Hawking and a horde of three olds fought Michael Jordan in Chicago in the winter? Young Michael or old creepy Michael?
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Post by RPG Web Aid on Oct 5, 2014 9:01:07 GMT -8
On the subject of GURPS bestiaries, I'll do a shameless plug. So far I've amassed 237 various bestiary entries in my online GURPS bestiary. It started with my own need for a nicely laid out bestiary as a GM. It's in a fully responsive design so you can look stuff up on your mobile for that matter. Anyways, for those of you that are wanting an accessible GURPS bestiary take a look here: rpgwebaid.com/gurps-bestiary
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