Arcana Evolved Saga Edition
From AngilleWiki
I suppose this is mostly a mental exercise. It's no secret that D&D 4e was a bit of a disappointment to me after expecting fantasy-based SW Saga. I have to say 4e's grown on me, but it's far better suited to dungeon crawls and tactical wargaming than social intrigues and intricate storylines. Hence, Arcana Evolved played using Saga rules, albeit with some of the better ideas from 4e.
Although I think it would be neat to see in print, I think the licensing involved would be difficult at best and litigious at worst. Anyway, I hope that people take a look, and don't hesitate to throw ideas (any ideas at all) into the discussion page.
Contents |
Classes
There are five base classes, as in Saga: Mystic Warrior, Scholar, Soldier, Soulbound, and Spellcaster. Prestige classes will include the thirteen base classes from AE, as well as the twelve prestige classes.
Races
In addition to the eight races from AE, I've added the three extra subraces from Elemental Heroes: the Stonekin Faen, the Equunnai, and the Liontaurs.
Skills
Pared down like 4e, Saga, and GM&M's skill lists, including Saga's take of Initiative as a skill, and then divorced from abilities as in GM&M. Should be interesting.
Feats
I still have to cross-reference the lists from both systems. There will be Innate Feats (Talents from AE), Ceremonial Feats, and Evolved Feats. Not ready or written up.
Spells and Combat Rites
This ends up being a subtle blend of Saga-style Force Powers, magic and ritual, and Mutants & Masterminds variable powers. We'll see how it goes...
Defenses
I think 4e got it right on this one, especially for the fantasy genre.
- Armor Class: Dex or Int + half level or Armor Bonus
- Fortitude: Str or Con + half level
- Reflex: Dex or Int + half level
- Will: Wis or Cha + half level
Combat
I like a lot of the language of 4e (close blast, area burst, sustain, resist, ongoing damage, etc) so you'll see that in spells, talents, etc. However, Saga's Damage Threshold, Condition Track, and feat paths to make multiple attacks are intact.
Saving Throws
Completely disregarding the simplification of D&D4e's saving throws and the doing away altogether of SWSE, I'm making them more complicated. Maybe. Still haven't decided for sure. Anyway, saves are skill checks. For example:
- You see an illusion. To disbelieve, take a single Perception + Wis free save vs illusion DC (usually Spell Pts + 10).
- You are taking 5 ongoing Fire damage. To stop it, take a cumulative Athletics + Dex or Treat Injury + Wis swift save vs ongoing damage DC (usually Spell Pts + 10).
Interestingly, there is actually a precedent for this. It's basically the way escaping grapples tend to work in d20 games.
- You are pinned. To escape, make a Athletics + Str + Grapple mod or Deception + Dex + Grapple mod move save vs Grapple DC (usually BAB + Str + Grapple mod).
The prefix denotes modifiers to how you make the save. Single: Can only be made once per effect. Cumulative: Add +1 each time you roll. The suffix refers to the action needed to make the save.
Scenes and Chapters
Having a much more narrative-based ideal, AESE uses more storyish nouns for time periods. Feel free to interpret "scene" as "encounter" and "chapter" as "daily" or "session" if it makes it easier.
Hero Points and Soul Points
These are identical to Force Points and Destiny Points. Like AE, you can choose either an extra Innate Feat, or to have a Truename and Ceremonial Feat. Only characters with Truenames can use their Soul Points to full effect. Unless otherwise stated elsewhere, you receive (5 + 1/2 Character Level) Hero Points each level, and a single Soul Point each level.
Design Notes
This is where I'm spilling my ideas in a sort of blog format. Both in case others want to help, and for my own reference.
Legal
I have no intention of copying IP in this publicly available conversion. Where possible, I will make direct references to page numbers instead, and the fluff and fiction of the Diamond Throne are completely Monte's. Of course, this means people will probably need the Arcana Evolved book, the Saga Core Rulebook, and the fourth edition Player's Handbook to play.
- Arcana Evolved is copyright Monte J. Cook
- Star Wars Saga Edition is copyright Wizards of the Coast
- Dungeons and Dragons is copyright Wizards of the Coast
- Mutants and Masterminds is copyright Green Ronin
