Microlite 20: Pathfinder-Equivalent Classes

There's a new edition of the Microlite 20 Collection available, over on RetroRoleplaying, which includes everything from the 2012 version plus updates. My games — Ultimate Fantasy, Ultimate Modern-Day, Ultimate Costumes, Ultimate Mecha, and Ultimate Ultramicrolite — are all on there. So those are the versions I'll be referring to when I write new content for the game, and using the page numbers listed there, even though each game has its own page numbers (in case you're not looking at the whole thing).

All these characters can be yours, even without your Pathfinder books. (image: Paizo.com)

My new Microlite 20 content will look something like this:

While there are Pathfinder RPG versions in the Ultimate Collection (specifically, page 1169), Ultimate Fantasy offers a unique set of classes, which uses the Class Points rules described on page 212. The classes themselves are on page 233.

Here's a list of Pathfinder classes and their Microlite 20 Ultimate Fantasy class equivalents, because one of my goals for Ultimate Fantasy was to cover as many "Fantasy RPG" bases as I could with the game expansion. This includes all the Pathfinder classes to date, as found on PFSRD.com.

Pathfinder Class	Microlite 20 Ultimate Fantasy Class
Barbarian	Barbarian
Bard	Bard
Cleric	Cleric
Druid	Animal Master, Druid, Wanderer
Fighter	Fighter
Monk	Monk
Paladin	Paladin
Ranger	Animal Master, Ranger, Twin Blade
Rogue	Rogue
Sorcerer	Sorcerer
Wizard	Wizard
Alchemist	Alchemist
Cavalier	Knight
Gunslinger	Gunslinger
Inquisitor	Wrathbringer
Magus	Mystic
Oracle	Invoker
Summoner	Summoner
Vigilante	see below
Witch	Warlock
Anti-Paladin	Anti-Paladin
Ninja	Ninja
Samurai	Samurai
Arcanist	Sorcerer, Wizard
Bloodrager	Barbarian
Brawler	see below
Hunter	Ranger
Investigator	Assassin, Rogue
Shaman	Shaman
Skald	see below
Slayer	see below
Swashbuckler	Swashbuckler
Warpriest	Cleric
Kineticist	Warlock
Medium	Cleric
Mesmerist	see below
Occultist	Wizard
Psychic	Psion
Spiritualist	Summoner

There are a few classes that don't have a match in Microlite 20 Ultimate Fantasy.

Vigilante

Class Type: Rogue

+1 Subterfuge, +1 Knowledge, +1 Communication

Improved Initiative, Monster Knowledge, Reputation (Easy To Ignore), Wealth

Brawler

Class Type: Fighter

+2 Physical, +1 Subterfuge

Attack Bonus: Melee/Hand-To-Hand, Strikeback, Unarmed Damage, Wuxia Defenses

Skald

Class Type: Rogue

+1 Physical, +2 Communication

Brute Force, Good Fortune, Medium Armor, Performance

Slayer

Class Type: Fighter

+1 Physical, +2 Subterfuge

Attack Bonus: Melee/Hand-To-Hand, Heavy Armor And Shields, Medium Armor, Monster Knowledge

Mesmerist

Class Type: Wizard

+2 Knowledge, +1 Communication

Lesser Spell List: Illusionist, Quick Thinker, Sneak Attack

USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part VII — Villains

Our villains are presented as of the beginning of “Return Of The Jedi” — so they’re all still alive... none of them actually survive the film!

Darth Vader, Level 4, Experience Points 15

Action D10, Wits D8, Ego D6

Specialisms: Pilot +2, The Force +4, Intimidate +3

Hit Points: 33

Equipment: Lightsaber +2, Body Armor with Breathing System +3

Narrative Points: 3

Is this Polish "Return Of The Jedi" poster the best of all "Star Wars" movie posters? Yes, yes it is. (image: reddit.com)

Jabba The Hutt, Level 3, Experience Points 10

Action D6, Wits D8, Ego D10

Specialisms: Command +2, Great Wealth +3, Underworld Contacts +3

Hit Points: 24

Equipment: None

Narrative Points: 7

Boba Fett, Level 4, Experience Points 15

Action D10, Wits D8, Ego D6

Specialisms: Bounty Hunter +3, Pilot +3, Negotiation +3

Hit Points: 33

Equipment: Mandalorian Armor +2, Blaster Rifle +2, Grappling Line, Rocket Pack

Narrative Points: 3

The Emperor works in the background, even during the final showdown at the end of “Return Of The Jedi” (all he physically does is shoot Force Lightning — and fall down a ventilation shaft, of course). He’s better represented as a Power Level VI monster than as a character.

USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part VI — More Heroes

Just like last time, this is as of the beginning of “Return Of The Jedi,” except for Obi-Wan).

The new trailer for "The Last Jedi" has been released, but our blog post is a look at "Star Wars" history. (image: vanityfair.com)

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Level 4, Experience Points 15 (note: his statistics are as of the start of “A New Hope” — after that, he becomes a Specialism for Luke)

Action D8, Wits D10, Ego D6

Specialisms: The Force +4, Inspiring +3, Investigation +2

Hit Points: 33

Equipment: Lightsaber +2

Narrative Points: 5

C-3PO, Level 3, Experience Points 10

Action D6, Wits D10, Ego D8

Specialisms: Etiquette & Protocol +3, Languages +3, Storytelling +2

Hit Points: 26

Equipment: none

Narrative Points: 7

R2-D2, Level 3, Experience Points 10

Action D6, Wits D10, Ego D8

Specialisms: Computers +3, Repair +3, Deception +2

Hit Points: 26

Equipment: Electric Shock Probe +1 (note: R2-D2 doesn’t use his rocket jets in the original films, so they’re not included here, either)

Narrative Points: 6

Lando Calrissian, Level 3, Experience Points 10

Action D8, Wits D6, Ego D10

Specialisms: Bureacracy +3, Pilot +2, Gambler +3

Hit Points: 24

Equipment: Blaster +2, Expensive Clothes, Unlimited Line Of Credit (until it’s called in by the bank)

Narrative Points: 5

Yoda, Level 5, Experience Points 20

Action D8, Wits D10, Ego D6

Specialisms: The Force +5, Inspiring +2, History +3

Hit Points: 38

Equipment: none (note: again, as this doesn’t include the Prequel movies, Yoda is simply a wise mentor, not a super-acrobatic military leader)

Narrative Points: 7 

USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part V — Heroes

We wrap up our series on the classic "Star Wars" films with the main characters, as of the beginning of "Return Of The Jedi." Note that they have much less adventuring equipment than most RPG characters, since they don't need to carry medical packs for healing, extra weapons, rope, 10-foot-poles, and so much more.

Those robes don't provide any combat bonus. (image: LucasFilm)

Luke Skywalker, Level 3, Experience Points 10

Action D10, Wits D8, Ego D6

Specialisms: Jedi In Training (The Force) +2, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Force Spirit +1, Fighter Pilot +3, Impulsive +2

Hit Points: 28

Equipment: Lightsaber +2, Blaster +1

Narrative Points: 4

Han Solo, Level 4, Experience Points 15

Action D10, Wits D6, Ego D8

Specialisms: Millennium Falcon +2, Reckless +3, Quick Reflexes +2, Bargain +1, Loyal +1

Hit Points: 31

Equipment: Blaster Pistol +1

Narrative Points: 6

Leia Organa, Level 3, Experience Points 10

Action D6, Wits D10, Ego D8

Specialisms: Diplomat +3, Tough In A Fight +2, Galactic Etiquette And History +2, Observation +1

Hit Points: 26

Equipment: Blaster Pistol +1, Data Files

Narrative Points: 6

Chewbacca, Level 4, Experience Points 15

Action D10, Wits D8, Ego D6

Specialisms: Pilot +3, Repair +2, Intimidate +2, Perception +2

Hit Points: 33

Equipment: Wookee bowcaster +2, Tool kit

Narrative Points: 5

USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part IV — Experience Levels

We’ll wrap up our series on the original “Star Wars” trilogy with statistics for the heroes and villains from the films. But first, a note on levels: unlike Dungeons & Dragons, the Fantasy Flight Star Wars RPGs, and other professionally published games, USR doesn’t rely on characters adding a host of new abilities as they gain levels. Yes, they may add Specialisms and hit points, but we don’t have a list of special abilities added at each level for each class. We don’t even have classes for characters. So here’s the guideline I’m using for Domino Writing-style USR characters.

As seen in the USR rules, you gain 1 to 3 experience points per adventure, and go up a level every 5 XP. In other words, one level per two to three adventures, or roughly one level for every five or so game sessions (depending on how long your game sessions last). A character can gain unlimited levels, but by levels above 5, most monsters will no longer be a real threat. So let’s say a level 6 character has to “retire” from adventuring, or at least stop gaining XP.

Here’s “A New Hope,” complete with experience point awards.

Read this text box to start the adventure. (image: LucasFilm)

First game session

Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi join Han Solo and Chewbacca (and the droids) in the Mos Eisley cantina, where they have to make a quick escape off the planet Tattooine. They escape to Alderaan, per the “quest giver” Princess Leia hologram. But Alderaan has been destroyed, and their ship is captured. 1 XP for everyone!

Everything before the cantina — the death of Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, the escape of C3PO and R2-D2 with the Death Star plans — is backstory, helping develop the personalities of the characters. Obi-Wan and Han (and probably Chewie, too) should be level 2 or 3, really, but RPGs don’t often work with characters of different levels in the same party, so we’ll have to chalk it up to the difference between a movie and a tabletop RPG.

Second game session

In the Death Star, the party frees Princess Leia and Obi-Wan dies (soon to become a new Specialism for Luke). 2 XP for the dramatic conclusion to the game session.

Third game session

The Empire follows the Millennium Falcon to Yavin IV, triggering the dramatic space battle and destruction of the first Death Star. 2 more XP, and everyone goes up a level. The End.

You could define the events of the entire movie as one adventure (so they advance to level 2 at the end of “Return Of The Jedi”), but I want my heroes to gain XP a little more quickly. There are big challenges ahead; they need to be ready.

After “The Empire Strikes Back,” they go up another level. And since we’re only looking at the original films, that’s where we’ll stop. Despite what I said before, to “accurately” portray the characters, they’ll be at different levels. That’s what you’ll see next week, when we provide USR statistics for the heroes of Star Wars.

How many game sessions will it take to play the Harry Potter novels?