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From: dobro@ulowell.UUCP (Chet Dobro)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: High Tech in AD&D (help).
Message-ID: <167@ulowell.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 21-Jan-86 00:01:33 EST
Article-I.D.: ulowell.167
Posted: Tue Jan 21 00:01:33 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 23-Jan-86 20:50:58 EST
References: <1277@hpda.UUCP>
Organization: University of Lowell
Lines: 77

> I'm looking for comments and ideas from other DM's on how to handle
> mixed technologies in an AD&D world.  I've recently begun a campaign

My imediate reply is *DON'T*. As both player and DM having to deal with
these things, it gets pretty messsy, but when needed, as in your case...


> that puts a group of modern (actually circa 2010AD) individuals into
> a classical AD&D world (rules by-the-books).  They've gone through a
> polymorph race-filter to make sure that their classes don't conflict
> with the book's human class limitations (i.e. human becomes elf or
> half-elf to allow split classes).

Neat idea, though you could have either made the humans split-class or
fudged the rules. I like it, though...
 
> The details of how they aquire weapon proficiency, etc have been covered
> along with the technological basis for magic and monster existance.  The
> real problem is how do I map (with a reasonable outcome) the ancient
> artifacts that are part of the precursor civilization that resulted in
> the AD&D world?  This could be a parallel problem to the recent discussion
> of putting lasers into a game.  The difference here is that my 'world' is
> based on the idea that:
> 
> "A sufficiently advanced technology would be indistinguisalble from magic."
> 
> To be specific, I would like opinions on how to map 'blasters' into AD&D
> weapons statistics.  (i.e. +4 longbow {d6+6 dmg / shot} ?)
> 
> 1.  Blaster rifle.

Rate of Fire: as light crossbow (same proficiency too)
Damage:  nd8  (where 'n' [suggested range 2-4] is thing's relative power)

> 2.  Blaster pistol.

ROF: as hand crossbow (same proficency as well)
damage: md6   (where 'm' is less than 'n' above, in the range 1-3)

> 3.  Blaster cannon.

ROF: as ballista (if I am assuming this thing to be comparable)
dmg: pd10 or pd12 (where 'p' is in the range 4-7)


#1-#3 are assuming no charges (or a set number per hour or whataver)
If you limit them to non-replacable charges, by all means up the power.

> 4.  Defense shield.  (i.e. Minor Globe of Invulnerability)?

What does it defend against? It could act as Ring of Protection +a
with other advantages as well.

> 5.  Laser knife.

Think along the lines of a +n (whatever appropriate) Dagger, Flame tongue.
Not only swords can have neat features.

> 6.  Force shield.    (Wizard locked invisible door)?

Again, see #4's comment.

------

Also, as a general help, take a look at module
S3 "Expedition to the Barrier Peaks"

It deals a lot with how tech-items translate into AD&D terms.

Going back to my first comment - be very careful how this works.
Items that do not use up charges can become very powerful, but
without replacable charges they get used up fast.
Maybe some MU could research a spell to charge tech items...

Good luck, let us know how things work out.

						Gryphon