D&D Monster Conversion

[thistleknot]

I know it's obvious that it can be done without much trouble. However, wanted to hear on your ideas.

Obviously AC needs to be changed, but I believe HD needs to be looked at as well. HD is a bit different in BFRPG than regular D&D (isn't it?)

[SmootRK]

Although I have stalled lately, I have been going throught the Field Guide monsters to edit, clean, and make consistent the entries. When it comes to the SRD monsters, many differ greatly from their roots (original representations such as from 1e, 2e, etc). Because of this, I am re-evaluating many of these creatures, and HD is one of those things that I seem to always want to edit back to earlier representations. 3e-ish monsters generally have their power levels boosted to give proper challenge to the over-powered characters (compared to basic-ish characters).

It has been interesting seeing how the creatures have been altered with various power-creep over time. Oddly, my choice of inspirational reference has been closer to 2e monsters (for stats anyhow). These 2e representations seem to have been better thought out than similar 1e & classic monsters, so porting and referencing from there has been an easier process.

I hope to get back to doing some serious editing very soon... check out the progress in the other thread about the Field Guide.

[thistleknot]

AC
9 No Armor 11
7 Leather 13
5 Chain 15
3 Plate 17
0 20
-3 23
-5 25
-10 30

I looked at the orc in dnd and it was the same stats, so I guess much conversion isn't needed (ac was a straight crossover as well). The efreetis would have an ac of like 30+ tho, n I noticed in bfrpg the highest ac was around 22 (unless I didn't see any higher somewhere else)

[Solomoriah]

Note that there is a well-supported supplement for just this purpose:

http://basicfantasy.org/downloads.html# ... conversion

[thistleknot]

Thanks! That had the AC thing in there. I'm not the only one who halve's stuff after a certain level (I did it with my custom rules on Pathfinderish Basics for HD of enemies when applying Damage Protection system).

[thistleknot]

So, can I pull monsters from original D&D straight? Just modify the AC to reflect the new AC?

[Dimirag]

In theory you can "revive" those monsters that didn't make it to the 3.X system.

[thistleknot]

I'm confused. What if the monsters are more powerful in d20? Such as more Hit Dice, or AC is too high. I also think that it would require less conversion if I went to the OD&D, mainly because of things like feats and what-not.

[SmootRK]

In most ways I can think of, yes most creatures can be pulled directly into your game with minimal consideration for inconsistencies.

Monsters can sometimes be specifically flagged as intellectual property, so when In doubt, I write it from scratch without much referencing such material. I try to even come up with similar but unique name. This way we do not have much to worry about from any copyright issues. It also helps to give bfrpg it's own flavor, and not just duplication of others work.

[SmootRK]

Of course, what one does in their own personal game is their own business. The choices that are made for the rule books and supplements that are developed to share must consider all the various issues associated.

There are previous editions, legal ownership of various Intellectual Property, and even other companies and other groups of individuals (who are not collectively grouped as a company) that must be considered before deciding it is OK to bring into the game books.

I do a great many things that is not cool for distribution, but appears in my own personal games.