Compatability of Previous Editions

Kesendeja · 09-16-2013, 11:19 PM

Recently I've been digging through a friends 3rd edition books for setting information in preparation for a fantasy game I'm going to be running.

It's going to be in 4th edition, but I've found several things I'd like to use. I know that the setting information is usable but what about NPC's?

I'd also like to use the Magic Item books, but don't know if they can be used as is, or how difficult would it be to translate them?

David Johnston2 · 09-16-2013, 11:29 PM

While the cost of stats changed between the editions, the stats can pretty much be used as is. You just drop passive defense. Magic has not been significantly changed.

Blind Mapmaker · 09-16-2013, 11:45 PM

For simple combat stats just drop PD as David has said, but increase all active defences by +3 to compensate. The amount a given character can lift has also been changed. For a more detailed treatment have a look at the free GURPS Update. It will solve most of your problems. Generally there's not so much to adjust unless you made extensive use of modifiers. Many disadvantages use a graduated scale now and talents are a good way to model some character types that were lacking in 3rd Edition.

Magic has changed somewhat, but mostly in how much energy you can put into some spells and that limiting Magery to three levels is just a suggestion now. Magic Items should almost always work without much tweaking. If you want to make magic more flavourful I can highly recommend GURPS Thaumatology: Magical Styles. Best eight bucks I ever spent to patch some atmosphere into GURPS Magic.

09-16-2013, 11:19 PM	#1
Kesendeja Join Date: Jul 2013	Compatability of Previous Editions Recently I've been digging through a friends 3rd edition books for setting information in preparation for a fantasy game I'm going to be running. It's going to be in 4th edition, but I've found several things I'd like to use. I know that the setting information is usable but what about NPC's? I'd also like to use the Magic Item books, but don't know if they can be used as is, or how difficult would it be to translate them?

09-16-2013, 11:29 PM	#2
David Johnston2 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Compatability of Previous Editions While the cost of stats changed between the editions, the stats can pretty much be used as is. You just drop passive defense. Magic has not been significantly changed.

09-16-2013, 11:45 PM	#3
Blind Mapmaker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mannheim, Baden	Re: Compatability of Previous Editions For simple combat stats just drop PD as David has said, but increase all active defences by +3 to compensate. The amount a given character can lift has also been changed. For a more detailed treatment have a look at the free GURPS Update. It will solve most of your problems. Generally there's not so much to adjust unless you made extensive use of modifiers. Many disadvantages use a graduated scale now and talents are a good way to model some character types that were lacking in 3rd Edition. Magic has changed somewhat, but mostly in how much energy you can put into some spells and that limiting Magery to three levels is just a suggestion now. Magic Items should almost always work without much tweaking. If you want to make magic more flavourful I can highly recommend GURPS Thaumatology: Magical Styles. Best eight bucks I ever spent to patch some atmosphere into GURPS Magic.