Anyone saw a convert of this setting to the Edge system? Who will be interested in such mod?
Eclipse Phase
Eclipse Phase is wonderful for the setting. I only wish someone would runnit for me so I can get a feel for the system.
[Trigger Warning: Body Horror]
I have not seen a conversion of Eclipse Phase to the Edge system, and honestly, I don't think it's a good idea.
I know some people might respond by saying things like "System and setting are two different things," and "House rules can help any system adapt," but hear me out.
1. The system does not match the setting. Eclipse Phase (which I've had the privilege of running a few times now) is a fantastic setting, but it needs the right system to help facilitate the setting. One thing systems can do well, if properly matched up to the right setting, is help facilitate the feeling of the setting for the players. Eclipse Phase is not a game of thrilling heroics. It is a game where the Players die constantly and often. In Edge, on the other hand, it is very difficult to kill PCs with anything short of applied vehicle combat. In Edge, most trees give you additional Strain and Wounds, where in Eclipse Phase it is very, very difficult to gain additional Endurance on any morph.
2. Converting systems is easier if you use a similar type of system. Eclipse Phase's system is very "simulationist", more so than most systems I've run. It's up there with Shadowrun, Rifts, and most GURPS games in that respect. In these sorts of games, you have a strict adjudication of what actions are allowable in a given set of time, equipment and ammo are closely monitored, and in Eclipse Phase, your character's state of mind ie how close they are to unplayably insane is carefully tracked. Edge is much more "abstract" in comparison, with very loose adjudication for what can be done in a combat round, the use of destiny and talents like Utility Belt allows for less strict monitoring of resources, and (more importantly) a simple skill check to resist fear. If you are going to convert EP to another system, it works better to convert it to another "simulationist" system.
3. There are really no character flaws or rules for such a thing in Edge, because it really doesn't fit the flavor of game Edge is. Edge doesn't have the tools for a GM to write and run a "character vs self" story; it's much better set up to run "character vs character" or "character vs society" style conflicts.
4. There is no existing subsytem within Edge to properly deal with the levels of horror and madness an Ego has to deal with in EP. Eclipse Phase is truly a horror setting, especially if the PCs are playing Firewall agents. There is no good way in Edge to deal with the levels of "wrong" a character will confront, or (especially) the scars left behind. Where on Edge's Fear table would you put "I can feel my intestines moving under the control of an alien intelligence. I know it's only a matter of minutes before they burst forth and strangle everyone in the room, but I can't warn anyone because all I can do is whimper and blink." Or how about the aftermath: "I remember all of that happening in my previous body. I remember dying and watching those around me be strangled by my own organs. Now I'm in a new body that looks nothing like how I imagine myself to look, and if I see a plate of spaghetti I'm going to scream and hide in a corner."
If you think that level of body horror is too far for Eclipse Phase, you should read some of the published adventures ("Glory" comes to mind). The Exsurgent virus is a nasty piece of work, and simply having the PCs roll a Discipline check or get black dice on their actions or strain downplays just how nasty and long-lasting the effects would be otherwise.
5. Space combat. You can actually win space combat in Edge. In EP, if you are in space combat, you are already dead.
Don't get me wrong, I love Edge. It would work well adapted for heroic fantasy, or pulp adventure a la Indiana Jones. I just think Eclipse Phase is a setting that Edge would not do very well.
This thread has sold Eclipse Phase to me. Well done, thread.
This thread has sold Eclipse Phase to me. Well done, thread.
Honestly, the idea of the game is great (it rings of Paranoia, but less ridiculous. A lot less ridiculous), but where it shines is in its history, and the mysteries it leaves open to explore and exploit.
Spoilers?
Where did the machines go? Why, at the end, did they spare humanity when they could so obviously eliminate them? The only occurrence of an alien is one extremely non-humanoid telling humans to stay in their tiny solar system and never leave - why?
End spoilers.
Is good.
Edited by Comrade Cosmonaut[Trigger Warning: Body Horror]
I have not seen a conversion of Eclipse Phase to the Edge system, and honestly, I don't think it's a good idea.
I know some people might respond by saying things like "System and setting are two different things," and "House rules can help any system adapt," but hear me out.
1. The system does not match the setting. Eclipse Phase (which I've had the privilege of running a few times now) is a fantastic setting, but it needs the right system to help facilitate the setting. One thing systems can do well, if properly matched up to the right setting, is help facilitate the feeling of the setting for the players. Eclipse Phase is not a game of thrilling heroics. It is a game where the Players die constantly and often. In Edge, on the other hand, it is very difficult to kill PCs with anything short of applied vehicle combat. In Edge, most trees give you additional Strain and Wounds, where in Eclipse Phase it is very, very difficult to gain additional Endurance on any morph.
2. Converting systems is easier if you use a similar type of system. Eclipse Phase's system is very "simulationist", more so than most systems I've run. It's up there with Shadowrun, Rifts, and most GURPS games in that respect. In these sorts of games, you have a strict adjudication of what actions are allowable in a given set of time, equipment and ammo are closely monitored, and in Eclipse Phase, your character's state of mind ie how close they are to unplayably insane is carefully tracked. Edge is much more "abstract" in comparison, with very loose adjudication for what can be done in a combat round, the use of destiny and talents like Utility Belt allows for less strict monitoring of resources, and (more importantly) a simple skill check to resist fear. If you are going to convert EP to another system, it works better to convert it to another "simulationist" system.
3. There are really no character flaws or rules for such a thing in Edge, because it really doesn't fit the flavor of game Edge is. Edge doesn't have the tools for a GM to write and run a "character vs self" story; it's much better set up to run "character vs character" or "character vs society" style conflicts.
4. There is no existing subsytem within Edge to properly deal with the levels of horror and madness an Ego has to deal with in EP. Eclipse Phase is truly a horror setting, especially if the PCs are playing Firewall agents. There is no good way in Edge to deal with the levels of "wrong" a character will confront, or (especially) the scars left behind. Where on Edge's Fear table would you put "I can feel my intestines moving under the control of an alien intelligence. I know it's only a matter of minutes before they burst forth and strangle everyone in the room, but I can't warn anyone because all I can do is whimper and blink." Or how about the aftermath: "I remember all of that happening in my previous body. I remember dying and watching those around me be strangled by my own organs. Now I'm in a new body that looks nothing like how I imagine myself to look, and if I see a plate of spaghetti I'm going to scream and hide in a corner."
If you think that level of body horror is too far for Eclipse Phase, you should read some of the published adventures ("Glory" comes to mind). The Exsurgent virus is a nasty piece of work, and simply having the PCs roll a Discipline check or get black dice on their actions or strain downplays just how nasty and long-lasting the effects would be otherwise.
5. Space combat. You can actually win space combat in Edge. In EP, if you are in space combat, you are already dead.
Don't get me wrong, I love Edge. It would work well adapted for heroic fantasy, or pulp adventure a la Indiana Jones. I just think Eclipse Phase is a setting that Edge would not do very well.
I am mostly convinced EP needs to be the main system, skill and attribute naming wise.
Rolling system needs to be narrative dice. Morphs will be built via talent trees, some new talents will be merged from EP. Flaws and such traits can be the new Obligation system, and its just part of the play, like the rest of the horrors in the genre. Fear could be still used with matching skill.
I also agree that EP needs space combat
I absolutely love Eclipse Phase, but I'm fine with leaving it in the system as is. I agree that I'm not sure that the horror vibe of EP would work as well with the narrative system.
That being said, I'd encourage anyone to try the game out. They have put many of the books out for free on PDF. Amazing people.
The pdfs and Books are Creative Common Licence, but you can still buy them on drivethru and they are totally worth it.