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16:52, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera.

Posted by baxtheslayer
baxtheslayer
member, 67 posts
Thu 11 Jun 2020
at 23:41
  • msg #1

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

So, got this original setting that's been percolating in my head for a few years.  Very Metabarons and Power Metal and Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy.  Over the top metal space opera, right?

Anyway, tried running it with Fate but it was such a hassle to try and balance widely varying stunts and extras, not to mention the lack of, shall we call it 'RPG style' equipment.  I feel like I'd need to spend many hours building a slew of weapons, armor, and powers.  And maybe that's what is necessary, in the end, but I'd like to explore some other options first.

So, looking for suggestions of what kind of system people think might work.

One obvious option is Mutants and Masterminds, and I'm very familiar with the system.  It could handle the setting easily, I guess it just feels a little flat in play.

I also love Numenera (et al), and think the 'I'm a blank blank that blanks' would be awesome, but I fear it would overpower the flavor and become 'that metal Numenera game' rather than what I want.

So, looking for suggestions, ideas, advice, disagreement, and also interest in such a game if/when the system issue gets sorted out.
larcen13
member, 30 posts
Numenera player
Vampire player
Thu 11 Jun 2020
at 23:50
  • msg #2

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

I was going to suggest a Cypher System version.  Not Numenera per se, but the same base mechanics.  The Cypher System Core Book has options for scifi and The Stars Are Fire has a lot more details about levels of space scifi, vehicles, etc.  If you're familiar with Numenera, you can certainly adapt cyphers and artifacts from it, as needed (or vehicles and installations, if you have Destiny).  Cypher Core has Subtle Cyphers, too, so not everything needs to be an over the top techno-magic thing.  One of the things I like about the Cypher System is the flexibility ... just assign a level to the thing (task, monster, etc.) and work from there.  You can be flexible, too, with a Level 5 Creature defending as level 4 due to bulkiness, but maybe has 2 Armor due to a thick hide.  It's also more character driven, with XP for achieving tasks and handling complications, less about body count and riches accumulated.
baxtheslayer
member, 68 posts
Fri 12 Jun 2020
at 01:37
  • msg #3

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

Oh, yeah, cypher system makes running a breeze with difficulty and monster levels.  Love the system.  Haven't read cypher core, yet, but I figured it was pretty much Numenera with the serial numbers filed off.
Nintaku
member, 638 posts
Fri 12 Jun 2020
at 18:13
  • msg #4

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

Have you heard of Metal Opera? It's a free over the top metal space opera RPG about using the power of metal to fight the cold machine overlords. Unfortunately I can't find a copy of it right now. The developer's website is gone, but it might still exist in someone's archives.
Cubist
member, 87 posts
Sun 14 Jun 2020
at 02:04
  • msg #5

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

In reply to Nintaku (msg # 4):

Assuming my google fu has worked, Metal Ă–pera can be found here:

https://web.archive.org/web/20...pera/metalopera.html
Nintaku
member, 639 posts
Sun 14 Jun 2020
at 02:24
  • msg #6

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

This is exactly the thing! Bax, does this help?
baxtheslayer
member, 69 posts
Sun 14 Jun 2020
at 03:36
  • msg #7

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera


A fun idea, but too light for what I intend.
Siran
member, 99 posts
Sun 14 Jun 2020
at 07:14
  • [deleted]
  • msg #8

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was moot, at 12:32, Sun 14 June 2020.
NowhereMan
member, 369 posts
Sun 14 Jun 2020
at 09:35
  • [deleted]
  • msg #9

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was moot, at 12:33, Sun 14 June 2020.
Siran
member, 100 posts
Sun 14 Jun 2020
at 09:54
  • [deleted]
  • msg #10

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was moot, at 12:33, Sun 14 June 2020.
horus
member, 951 posts
Wayfarer of the
Western Wastes
Sat 20 Jun 2020
at 23:19
  • msg #11

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

Since you mentioned Fate, have you looked at Interstellar Patrol (based in FAE), or Baroque Space Opera (based in FATE).

From the intro to Interstellar Patrol:

The intrepid officers of the Interstellar Patrol explore new worlds, make first contact
with friendly species, and face down criminals and aggressive neighbors alike. Their
state-of-the-art ships are bright and clean. Their form-fitting uniforms come in designer
colors.
Inspired by optimistic space fiction such as the original Star Trek, Interstellar Patrol is a
sci-fi campaign frame for Fate Accelerated Edition. Your characters are the crew of a
starship charged with protecting the Coalition of Worlds and expanding the bounds of
its knowledge. In addition to example aspects and stunts for your characters,
Interstellar Patrol also includes rules for using spacecraft in your FAE game and
guidelines randomly generating alien worlds and adventures to have on them.

From the intro to Baroque Space Opera:

Baroque Space Opera is a setting for Fate Core that takes place in a fantastic yet
familiar universe filled with mysteries, wonders, and dangers. Baroque is designed
to facilitate fast-paced, pulpy adventures in a futuristic setting with improbable
science and technologies. While the primary feel is space opera, Baroque blends
elements from steampunk and cyberpunk to horror and fantasy.
Baroque takes its inspiration from multiple sources, everything from Lexx to
Frank Herbert's DUNE to Metabarons to Farscape and the Ancient Astronaut
Hypothesis. You can find a more complete list of inspirational sources at the end
of this book.

I have both of these in my library.  I've never found the time yet to run either, but I like some of the concepts I've seen in both games.
This message was last edited by the user at 23:20, Sat 20 June 2020.
AegisGame
member, 25 posts
Wed 1 Jul 2020
at 17:43
  • msg #12

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

Have you looked at Ashen Stars. I think it can do a good bit of that stuff you wanted in there. Probably have to reflavor it a bit.

It’s a version of Gumshoe, like Nights Black Agents, so it’s pretty fast and pulpy.

If you figure out a system for the game, I’d be interested in playing in it.
baxtheslayer
member, 70 posts
Wed 1 Jul 2020
at 21:30
  • msg #13

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

Ashen Stars is neat, and I'd love to try Gumshoe at some point, but I feel like the power level isn't as high as I want it.

Glad to see there's at least one person interested, though! lol

Right now, I'm wondering if the easiest path would be hacking DC Universe.  I love the feel of the D6 Legend system, 3+ on a D6 just feels powerful, even if it's not great for the underlying math.  I'd probably re-write attributes and skills to be evocative of the setting, ditch the wild die, and tweak some (or many) of the powers, but I feel like the bones are at least where I want them to be.

A reskinning of nWoD could work, but that's probably one of my favorite systems ever, so I could be biased.
AegisGame
member, 26 posts
Wed 1 Jul 2020
at 23:57
  • msg #14

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

You had me at Dune and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing when I suggested it.

DC or Mutants and Masterminds could definitely get there, it’s a big enough toolbox to work with. And the rest is flavor and description after a point.

NWoD can do just about anything, but I think that would also be a lot reskiinning and I don’t know if the power level would be there, like Ashen Stars.

But all of those could be great.

Another approach may be something more narrative but different than Fate. Like a powered by the apocalypse game. You could home brew it or take something like Worlds in Peril and modify that.
This message was last edited by the user at 00:11, Thu 02 July 2020.
baxtheslayer
member, 71 posts
Thu 2 Jul 2020
at 17:00
  • msg #15

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

I think nWoD can handle the power level easily.  A simple matter to alter the number of dots people get.  And there's such a wide variety of powers I don't think we'd lack for options.

I think the difficulty would actually be making sure different powers that do the same thing are balanced.  Like Life arcanum to add strength, Vigor for vampires, the werewolf one that lets you spend essence for infinite strength, or the changeling one that gives you a bunch of bonuses for free if you meet the requirements of the... Forget the term... Catch?  And I think I recall one for Prometheans that horrified me a bit.  Since they're all mostly variations on the same thing, I think the nuance of the mechanics could rub off the setting flavor.  Might have to try and limit it to the more generic versions, like Vigor being the most bland imo, but easily conveys terrifying strength.
AegisGame
member, 27 posts
Thu 2 Jul 2020
at 18:54
  • msg #16

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

Yeah. That definitely sounds like it could work.
AegisGame
member, 33 posts
Tue 28 Jul 2020
at 23:57
  • msg #17

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

One more thing that could work is Genesys. Another narrative toolbox.

You could probably adapt the Star Wars stuff.
dlantoub
member, 254 posts
Anime Fan
Virtually all genres
Thu 30 Jul 2020
at 12:41
  • msg #18

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

Tentatively interested.
baxtheslayer
member, 72 posts
Mon 3 Aug 2020
at 02:20
  • msg #19

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera


After giving doing a deeper read into Cypher system, I think that's the route I'm going for this game.  I'm still in the process of prepping things for the game, but should have an ad up sometime this week (or, heck, tonight, depending on how quickly I can get some details ironed out).  Stay tuned!
AegisGame
member, 36 posts
Mon 3 Aug 2020
at 15:31
  • msg #20

System for Over The Top Metal Space Opera

Very cool! I’ll keep my eyes open for it.
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