Re: 2ndEd SJ Ship Stats

In <URL:news:local.spelljam> on Sun 07 May, Loki wrote:
> Dreamer wrote:
> > This is why I'm in favour of minimal changes - preferably once
> > you have the 2ndEd spec in a spreadsheet, or something, you can
> > write a macro that will generate a 3rdEd spec.
> >
> > That means you just need to have the conversion method worked
> > out, and distribute that, and people can convert what they want.
>
> In addition this is a conversion, not a reinvention. We should stick
> as close to the original baseline as possible, alternative approaches
> can be applied later as sidebars, supplements, or postings on BTM.

If we can figure a 3rdEd set of ship combat mechanics which use
the 2ndEd stats 'as is', that would seem ideal.

More likely we will need something, a spreadsheet macro or a
minimal 'C' program, which will convert things like ship
dimensions to the equivalent of a creature size, and the AR and
ST to an AC, Hardness and maybe saving throws for a ship with an
active Helm, which hence might count as a magic item.

I'd be in favour of keeping hull points if possible, as there are
the standard problems of locational hit point schemes and 'blow
through' on large objects which have plagued so many game
systems.  The relatively abstract hull point system works quite
well, I feel.


> I do not use spreadsheets in my games, but the macro idea is a great
> one. A nice download to offer on the site. I also will be kicking off
> a set of DM Genie files once the conversion is finished (I am already
> doing that with the PSCS on planewalker.com)

I think an Excel macro, combined with a simple 'C' program, for
which the source is provided, which reads a file of 2ndEd ship
stats in CSV format, and write a file of 3rdEd ship stats in CSV
format, would probably do for most purposes.

(CSV files are just text, with the various stats separated by
tabs or commas, so you can hack them with a text editor, if you
want to.  CSV files will import into and export from any
spreadsheet program, and into databases, etc.)


> George "Loki" Williams

-- 
Dreamer
dreamer@??????.?????.??.uk
http://www.romsys.demon.co.uk/