Spycraft

infobox RPG
title=Spycraft


caption="Spycraft Roleplaying Game (2nd edition)" cover
designer=Patrick Kapera, Scott Gearin, Alex Flagg, Kevin Wilson
publisher=Alderac Entertainment Group
date=2003 "(1st edition)"
2005 "(Revised edition)"
genre=Espionage, Action
system=d20 System (variant) "(1st edition)"
OGL "(Revised edition)"
footnotes=

Spycraft is a d20-based role-playing game dealing with superspies and modern action. It is published by the Alderac Entertainment Group. After the release of the core book (subsequently referred to as the "Spycraft Espionage Handbook" [http://www.crafty-games.com/node/53 "Spycraft Espionage Handbook"] . Crafty Games product page. Retrieved 7 January 2008.] ) in 2002, multiple supplements were released in the following years. A new edition of the rules, Spycraft 2.0, was released in August 2005. [ [http://www.rpg-resource.org.uk/index.php?article=487&visual=12 "Spycraft"] . RPG Resource. Retrieved 7 January 2008.]

Early in 2006, a new company announced it would be acquiring the Spycraft line from AEG. This company, Crafty Games, was founded by the authors of "Spycraft 2.0" Alex Flagg, Scott Gearin and Patrick Kapera (who also co-authored "Spycraft 1.0").

ystem

pycraft 1.0

Spycraft 1.0 is a d20 System game, implementing changes to give more of a modern-day feel:

* The system used a Vitality/Wound Point system, later used in the Star Wars d20 RPG.
* Characters gained both a Defense and Initiative bonus which improved with their character levels, while armor instead adds damage resistance rather than add to defense (Armor Class).
* Modern day skills like Computers and Electronics were added to the skill list. Characters in Spycraft can also critically succeed or critically fail at skill checks.
* A system for resolving high-speed chases was included in the main rulebook (and expanded somewhat in later supplements). The system involves both sides of the chase picking maneuvers with specific game effects and then rolling a contest of skill to determine which takes effect.
* Characters kept a certain amount of personal gear, but the gear would be replaced by the Agency the characters worked for when lost. Characters also received additional gear for each mission based on the threat level code of the mission (White, Yellow, Red, or Black).
* Characters received a number of "Action Dice" based on their character level (and feat selection) for each play session. These Action Dice would be used during play to add to die rolls or to activate a critical success (or critical failure on the part of your opponents). The Game Control (Spycraft's term for a Game Master) also received a number of Action Dice to use for his NPCs, and could award the players (and himself) additional Action Dice for particularly good play.

pycraft 2.0

Spycraft 2.0 took these changes a step further and was released under the Open Game Licence (OGL), but not the d20 System Trademark License. There were also numerous changes from Spycraft 1.0, such as:

* New character options, including Wealth and Interests help flesh out characters more effectively.
* The introduction of plug-and-play modifications called Campaign Qualities that allow characters to advance in some skills and abilities faster at the expense of others that slow down by the same rate. Other Campaign Qualities have more general effects like setting the game in a specific time period, or making combat more dangerous than it already is.
* Each character chooses an Origin at character creation. Unlike D&D's Race mechanic and Spycraft 1.0's Departments, Origins consist of two parts which allow players to choose an almost unending variety of character benefits and detriments.
* The skills system has been largely reworked. The d20 System skill list has been replaced by a new list, and each skill has a variety of codified checks that that skill can perform. The skills rules more rigorously detail matters that were often left to group contract in other d20 System games.
* A re-designed gear system that simplifies [ [http://www.crafty-games.com/node/52 "Spycraft 2.0 Rulebook Second Printing"] . Crafty Games product page. Retrieved 7 January 2008.] one of the more unwieldy parts of Spycraft 1.0. Budget and Gear Points have been replaced with a number of Gear Picks based on a character's class and gadgets can now be designed.
* Vehicular chases have been expanded into a new rules mechanic called Dramatic Conflicts. The one system covers chases, seduction, hacking and other suitably dramatic events.
* Mission and NPC creation have been redesigned, and are now crafted to give a set amount of XP based on their ability instead of using Challenge Ratings. As well, it is presumably a relatively simple exercise to create a mission.

Campaign settings

hadowforce Archer

The first of all the Spycraft campaign settings. The world of Shadowforce Archer (SFA) is an Earth where mystical and psionic powers are real. A series of supplemental books that were released to support the SFA worldbook. Each book details one of the international Chambers of world. Each book has a different theme and includes new rules and agent options appropriate to the theme. The setting was discontinued at the beginning of 2005. Spycraft 2.0 contains many classes and feats that first appeared in the SFA line.

The Shadowforce Archer World Book has recently been re-released in PDF format by Crafty Games. The rest of the SFA line will also be made available in PDF format throughout the rest of the year (and possibly into the next).

Dark Inheritance

Released in 2004 by Mythic Dreams Studios, Dark Inheritance (DI) was originally a d20 Modern campaign setting but converted across to the "Powered by Spycraft" banner using the Spycraft 1.0 rules. It describes an Earth that has been ravaged by ancient mystical powers, allowing Demons and other foul beasts access to this dimension. The setting book contains new rules that allow agents to play as Titans (powerful descendants of antediluvian demi-gods), worship the demonic forces and gain access to mystic powers (reprinted from the SFA world book).

There are a number of supplements planned for DI, similar in fashion to those for SFA. There is no release date as yet for any of these supplements.

World On Fire

Released in December 2007, "World On Fire" is the title of the world book that covers the setting detailed in the Spycraft CCG. Agents are able to fight the forces of evil alongside such groups as the Shadow Patriots and Banshee.Net. The book features even more character options (in the form of new origins, base and expert classes, and new master classes for higher level characters). New classes include the Ace, the Centurion, the Edgemaster, the Fixer, the Forward, the Goliath, the High Roller, the Martial Artist, the Medic, the Menace, the Mole, the Ninja, the Provocateur, the Saboteur, the Spin Doctor, the Street Knight, and the Terrorist.

10,000 Bullets

Long teased on the Spycraft forums under the name 'Project X', "10,000 Bullets" is a gritty crime setting that brings Spycraft down to street level. New rules will allow players to become police, gangsters and everything in between. It had been mentioned on the official forums that Ten Thousand Bullets would be released at Gen Con Indy 2007 but has been delayed until, at least, the release of Fantasy Craft [ [http://www.crafty-games.com/forum/index.php?topic=875.msg12830#msg12830 "Where can this book be purchased at?"] . Crafty Games forum. Retrieved 7 January 2008.] .

Fantasy Craft

Currently without a release date, Fantasy Craft is "Crafty Games" entry into the fantasy genre. [ [http://www.crafty-games.com/node/348 "Fantasy Craft"] . Crafty Games product page. Retrieved 7 January 2008.]

Living Spycraft

Spycraft could also be played as part of the Living Spycraft campaign, which was a part of the Role Playing Game Association's (RPGA's) network of Living Campaign settings. As a Living Campaign, judges download official modules created by volunteers and run the modules according to the "MRD" rules document. Players track character progression on a log sheet.

"Crafty Games" announced that the campaign would end on 31 December 2007 [ [http://www.crafty-games.com/forum/index.php?topic=973.msg13936#msg13936 "Living Spycraft Site, Boards, and Lists"] . Crafty Games forum. Retrieved 7 January 2008.] although the original campaign scenarios are available as free downloads. [http://www.crafty-games.com/downloads]

upplements

pycraft 1.0

* Modern Arms Guide (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* Gentleman's Agreement (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* Game Control Screen (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* Soldier/Wheelman Class Guide (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* Fixer/Pointman Class Guide (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* Faceman/Snoop Class Guide (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* The 1960s Decade Book (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* Most Wanted (Paradigm Concepts)
* Agency (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* Mastermind (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* U.S. Militaries (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* World Militaries (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))
* Battlegrounds (Alderac Entertainment Group (print), Crafty Games (PDF))

Crafty Games has re-released the first edition books in PDF format [ [http://www.crafty-games.com/store "PDF Store"] . Crafty Games PDF Store. Retrieved 7 January 2008.] . The first two PDF releases, the "Spycraft Espionage Handbook" and "Shadowforce Archer" came with a Conversion Document that allows owners use the material with Spycraft 2.0.

pycraft 2.0

There are currently thirteen supplements available for the new version of Spycraft (ten from Crafty Games and 3 licensed products).

* Back to Basics: Modern SRD Classes for Spycraft (Crafty Games (PDF))
* Bag Full of Guns: Red Heat (Crafty Games (PDF))
* Bag Full of Guns: This is My Rifle (Crafty Games (PDF))
* Spellbound Volume 1: The Channeler (Crafty Games (PDF))
* Conspiracies (Paradigm Concepts (print and PDF))
* Black Knight Casino (Darkfuries (print))
* Origin of the Species: Light of Olympus (Crafty Games (PDF))
* Practice Makes Perfect (Crafty Games (PDF))
* Fragile Minds (Crafty Games (PDF))
* World on Fire (Crafty Games (print and PDF))
* Origin of the Species: Classic Fantasy (Crafty Games (PDF))
* Combat Missions (Paradigm Concepts (print and PDF))
* Bag Full of Guns: This is My Gun (Craft Games (PDF))

There are a number of other supplements currently in production for Spycraft 2.0.
* Farthest Star (Crafty Games)
* Shatterpunk (Crafty Games)
* Spellbound (Crafty Games)
* Fantasy Craft (Crafty Games)
* The Crucible (Crafty Games)
* Throwdown (Crafty Games)

Online sources

* The official [http://www.crafty-games.com Spycraft website] has a selection of free downloads for both versions of Spycraft, including downloadable missions and character sheets.
* [http://www.modus-operandi.co.uk Modus Operandi] is a fan-run site for all things Espionage Role-playing related. They have a large collection of material for Spycraft players.

ee also

The Spycraft system was used in the Stargate SG-1 role-playing game. This has often been referred to as Spycraft 1.5 due to some small changes that were made to the Spycraft 1.0 rules.

References

External links

* [http://www.crafty-games.com/ Official Crafty Games Spycraft site with Wiki and Forums]