Non Crafty Settings for Crafty Games....

[OverNinja]

Thanks AuldGrump!
That look interesting, I'll have to download that when I get back from work.

[ahzad]

I picked up Shadowrun Arsenal when the new game order game in yesterday i found lots of neat things for use with SC 2.0, new weapon and vehicle upgrades, nice assortment of drones, all in all very handy for those looking to play some Shadowrun w/ the Crafty ruleset.

[jolt]

I have a group of nephews who have shown an interest in rpg's lately but their big kick is Power Rangers.  I didn't even know they still made Power Rangers.  I only just found out that they've had a new season every single year since it's inception (new episodes airing now).  Problem is, very little of it has been released on DVD; only the 2007 season, Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive, has been released with the complete season.  Each season is apparently it's own series but I don't have a lot of background info to go on.  Plus, I have no idea how to handle Zords, Megazords, Ultrazords and all the wacky abilities that they have (which are different based on whether they're in normal human form or "rangered up").

For my close friends, as I'm the only one who has the game, I though about running a mini campaign set in The Village based on the old The Prisoner TV show starring Patrick McGoohan.  Probably would set in it modern day though.

jolt

[Krensky]

Jolt,

The Power Rangers shows are adaptations of the Super Sentai series of shows from Toei in Japan, the first of which aired in 1975 and has been on the air every season since 1979  It's essentially a take on the four color super-hero, but it has it' own conventions.

Generally, the party should be five people and classically they should all be stereotypes: The noble leader, the brooding loner, the happy giant, the geek, and the girl. Everyone's in love with the girl, but the geek and the giant are essentially brothers. The leader and the loner should be in conflict over her affections, although in general only the leader has any chance as the girl will see the loner as another friend and brother type figure. It is not uncommon for the leader to be essentially clueless that the girl likes him and that the loner's conflict withs him stems from the girl, not any real personality conflict. The loner and the leader often are close friends despite the arguing and sparing.

You'll also need a theme which defines the look and conceits of the characters and their equipment. Dinosaurs, ninjas, cars, national origins, whatever.

Now, for mechanics... I'm sorry but I don't think Spycraft is the right system. It just doesn't have the mecha support or any easy way of adding it on. You could try and bolt on GoO's mecha book on, but I think it'll be unsatisfying. It would work for a more serious, military oriented show like Gundam or Macross, but I don't think it'll work well for a super robot or super sentai type game.

Really, what you need is a system intended for this sort of game. Of those I'm aware of, BESM or Mekton Z are probably your best choices.

The other alternative is to just ignore the giant monster and robot aspect, making the show a bit more like a straight superhero tokusatsu (special effects) show. With careful and lavish use of talents, gadgets and armor you could do a convincing rendition of a Metal Heros show.

[MilitiaJim]

BESM d20 has the Sentai class.  And since it's d20, it would be a very easy port.

The Zords and such are vehicles with a proteus package.  I think it's pretty do able.

[Black Cheese]

Now, for mechanics... I'm sorry but I don't think Spycraft is the right system. It just doesn't have the mecha support or any easy way of adding it on. You could try and bolt on GoO's mecha book on, but I think it'll be unsatisfying. It would work for a more serious, military oriented show like Gundam or Macross, but I don't think it'll work well for a super robot or super sentai type game.

Not yet, anyway.

With a 6-year-old immersed in Power Rangers, Star Wars, and the DC Diniverse, I'm faced with the same pain. But there's a solution.

Grab the Back to Basics PDF and use that instead of straight Spycraft 2.0 base classes (bang! instant stereotypes!). Then modify the names of the maneuvers in the chases Dramatic Conflicts to appropriate robo-wrestling moves. Explain to the players that this is game about people not machines (or some other bullshit), and that when they zord up against a beastie, combat will be quick and merciless. But when they're fighting against hordes of ninjas, that's where the real fun is.

That should make things pretty close.

Although, in a separate thread, we could work up the Power Ranger specialty, as well as the Red, Black, Yellow, Pink, etc. talents.

Although doing so would make me feel kind of... ew.

[NezMaster]

Although, in a separate thread, we could work up the Power Ranger specialty, as well as the Red, Black, Yellow, Pink, etc. talents.

Although doing so would make me feel kind of... ew.

Sorry. All I can think of "Dynaman, the game?" It almost makes me want to play it. I think you'd have to just play the same Huey Lewis and the news song all night.

For those unfamiliar

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vi7DpNGZKao

[Psion]

BESM d20 has the Sentai class.  And since it's d20, it would be a very easy port.

Are sentai that different than Soldiers (or Martial Artists)? Mostly, they fight. Perhaps throw in some team style feats or abilities.

[Black Cheese]

Yeah, Psion, that would be the point of the whole Red, Black, Blue, Yellow, Pink, etc. designations. The basic Power Ranger format would remain intact while stretching the idea of the Ranger-ness of each.

Dammit! I'm not going to start that thread! I'm not. I'm not. But, trust me, the Power Ranger specialty has both the Martial Arts feat as it's bonus feat and the "if an opponent chooses a chase strategy this round, you can choose another" as benefits.

I'm pretty sure it should also get some NPC abilities from those around it sharing the same specialty, but that'd be a new one to the Crafty paradigm.

But, damn, that thread will not be mine!

[jolt]

Yeah, Psion, that would be the point of the whole Red, Black, Blue, Yellow, Pink, etc. designations. The basic Power Ranger format would remain intact while stretching the idea of the Ranger-ness of each.

Dammit! I'm not going to start that thread! I'm not. I'm not. But, trust me, the Power Ranger specialty has both the Martial Arts feat as it's bonus feat and the "if an opponent chooses a chase strategy this round, you can choose another" as benefits.

I'm pretty sure it should also get some NPC abilities from those around it sharing the same specialty, but that'd be a new one to the Crafty paradigm.

But, damn, that thread will not be mine!

Far be it from me to tempt you into starting a thread that would highlight your creative and artistic genius.  Men and women would worship you and virgins would break into tears at the mention of you name.  The name "Black Cheese" would be etched in the stars forever for all to see.

But I am not a tempter.  Absolutely DO NOT start a thread (regardless of the fun and joy it would bring into your life) about this topic.  Far better to continue your contemplation of (as Dogbert^TM would put it) "an organic pain collector racing towards inevitable oblivion."

I think you've made the right choice here, BC.

jolt

[Krensky]

The color's aren't important and Back to Basics are the wrong stereotypes. Leader is a pointman, loner is a Thug, giant is a cornfed soldier, geek is a scientist, hacker, or Explorer, and the girl is an advocate. Mix liberally with martial artist.

[Psion]

The color's aren't important and Back to Basics are the wrong stereotypes. Leader is a pointman, loner is a Thug, giant is a cornfed soldier, geek is a scientist, hacker, or Explorer, and the girl is an advocate. Mix liberally with martial artist.

That sounds suspiciously like my Isle of Dr. Shang game. 

All the PCs were multi-classed martial artists. The didn't wear funky shiny colored outfits, though.

[MilitiaJim]

BESM d20 has the Sentai class.  And since it's d20, it would be a very easy port.

Are sentai that different than Soldiers (or Martial Artists)? Mostly, they fight. Perhaps throw in some team style feats or abilities.

My BESM d20 book is down at my lady's apartment, but I think the biggest points can be summed up in the wolfpack feat chain.

[OverNinja]

There is a PDF called Dept. 7 Adv. Class Update: Sentai Spectrum Ranger for d20 Modern in DriveThruRPG. Costs $1.99.

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=402&products_id=24008&it=1&filters=0_0_0&manufacturers_id=402

[Morgenstern]

The Raptor class is pure sentai ranger - it's proudly based on Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, the great grand daddy of them all .