Question: Using D20 Stats with GURPS Character Creation

[Elliander]

Originally Posted by Dalillama

Poorly. It's not clear to me why you're not using the Pathfinder character generation system, as GURPS character sheets are likely to be quite difficult to accurately convert over to compatibility with Pathfinder rules.

We are not going to be using traditional classes, but we will be using some mechanics based on Pathfinder. Believe it or not, this is actually the simplest approach I can come up with for what the players want to be doing.

Originally Posted by Dalillama

No. GURPS is a point-buy system, which means that initial stats, skills, etc. are purchased from an initial pool of points. When more points are handed out (experience points), they can be spent to improve existing abilities or buy new ones, within the limits of the setting (e.g. in a D&D type setting, you probably can't spend your points on Pilot: X-wing fighter).

Are the players normally restricted on what they can spend points on after initial creation? For example, after building their stats, can they spend new points on stats at any time?

Originally Posted by Dalillama

I suppose you could change the prerequisite system, divide the GURPS spell list into 'spell levels' instead, and rule that you need X number of spells from the previous level before you can buy spells of the next level up. In most GURPS magic systems, spells are treated like skills, or based on skills, although you can build them as sets of advantages too (this takes a lot of work).

Actually, in my campaign spells will come from items, with spell points based on Intelligence and/or Wisdom, but caster levels are determined by character level usually. If that's the way it works it might just be simpler to give a cost to increasing caster level manually, but my only concern with that is giving players access to spells that are too strong too soon.

Originally Posted by Dalillama

Popular figures from previous discussion tend to go round 100-200 points for first level, +25-50 points per additional level, but Pathfinder style Challenge Ratings don't really convert.

So, in theory, would a 250 point character be equivalent to a level 2 Pathfinder Character? In which case that could be caster level 2, but what challenge rating of a monster would be appropriate if it doesn't really convert?

Originally Posted by Dalillama

I'd convert slightly differently to Kalzazz, which just points up the difficulties involved.
ST= A mixture of Str and Con; ST determines lift, damage, and hitpoints
DX= A mixture of Str and Dex: DX affects your Dodge and your ability to learn and use weapon skills, and your speed.
IQ= Int, pretty much straight across. Affects your ability to learn and use spells and mental skills. No bonus languages, buy languages as usual.
HT= part of Con+ some other things. HT governs endurance, ability to resist poisons, drugs and environmental extremes, and also to survive extreme injury. HT also affects your Basic Speed and hence Dodge.
Will= A part of Wis; governs ability to resist interrogation, mental attacks, etc. Also the basis of some related skills.
Per= part of Wis; the governing attribute of skills that take the place of the Pathfinder skill Perception, and what you roll against to notice things when you haven't got a relevant skill
Charisma is an advantage in GURPS rather than an attribute. Purchasing it improves NPC reactions, but doesn't come with any of the other associated traits from Pathfinder (followers, bardic magic, etc.)
FP: Pathfinder doesn't really track this, although it would be equivalent to Magic Points if you're using the default GURPS Magic system.

It's the "mixture" stats that confuse me. Remember, the characters have not yet been created yet. This isn't something as complex as converting an existing character, I need to modify the character sheets and let the players know the cost of each modified stat and what happens when an Advantage gives them a bonus or a reduction to one of the named stats.

For example, suppose an advantage gave the players a bonus to ST, which would I apply that to? Strength or Constitution?

For Charisma that makes it a bit easier, because I can give them a Charisma stat and not worry about abilities that may increase it.