Spycraft
Encyclopedia
Spycraft is a d20
and OGL
-based role-playing game
dealing with superspies and modern action. Originally published by the Alderac Entertainment Group
, it is currently published under licence by Crafty Games
.
.
A new edition of the rules, Spycraft 2.0, was released in August 2005. Shortly afterwards, economic issues forced AEG to cull Spycraft from its product range. As a result, early in 2006 the core authors of the 2nd edition—Alex Flagg, Scott Gearin and Patrick Kapera (who also co-authored Spycraft 1.0). -- formed Crafty Games to continue the line under licence, predominantly through PDF file releases supported by strategic print releases. This model has changed over time, permitting a growing number of print releases including compilations of previous PDF releases.
game, implementing a number of changes to the core mechanics in order to give a more contemporary feel:
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).
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.
External links:
Indy 2007, the creative process behind Fantasy Craft has resulted in its being slated for release as a Mastercraft title.
. For several years 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, modules created by volunteers are available for play, and players track character progression on a log sheet.
Crafty Games has re-released the first edition books in PDF format. The first two PDF releases, the Spycraft Espionage Handbook and Shadowforce Archer came with a Conversion Document that allows owners to use the material with Spycraft 2.0.
. This has often been referred to as Spycraft 1.5 due to some small changes that were made to the Spycraft 1.0 rules and were subsequently incorporated into Spycraft 2.0, such as Gear Picks.
D20 System
The d20 System is a role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons...
and OGL
Open Gaming License
The Open Game License may be used by game developers to grant permission to modify, copy, and redistribute some of the content designed for their games, notably game mechanics.-Language of the licence:The OGL describes two forms of content:...
-based role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
dealing with superspies and modern action. Originally published by the Alderac Entertainment Group
Alderac Entertainment Group
Alderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
, it is currently published under licence by Crafty Games
Crafty Games
Crafty Games is an American publisher of role-playing games based on espionage and fantasy themes, particularly Spycraft. The company was founded by the creative team behind the Spycraft and Spycraft 2.0 RPGs, shortly after both lines were shut down by then-publisher Alderac Entertainment Group...
.
History
Originally envisioned—and initially publicised—as a paranormal superspy game called Series Archer, the game was split into 2 complementary product lines: Spycraft (silver trade dress) which devoted itself to a generic cinematic superspy/action setting, and Shadowforce Archer (black trade dress) which featured a setting focused on a global shadow conspiracy based on a wide variety of supernatural elements. After the release of the core book (subsequently referred to as the "Spycraft Espionage Handbook") in 2002, multiple print supplements were released in the following years for both lines. Each of these books sported highly distinctive cover art by artist Veronica V. JonesVeronica V. Jones
Veronica V. Jones is a commercial digital illustrator specializing in the fantasy and science fiction genres. She began her professional illustration career in 1997, and has since worked on a wide variety of role-playing, collectible card game and fantasy literature publications.- Select published...
.
A new edition of the rules, Spycraft 2.0, was released in August 2005. Shortly afterwards, economic issues forced AEG to cull Spycraft from its product range. As a result, early in 2006 the core authors of the 2nd edition—Alex Flagg, Scott Gearin and Patrick Kapera (who also co-authored Spycraft 1.0). -- formed Crafty Games to continue the line under licence, predominantly through PDF file releases supported by strategic print releases. This model has changed over time, permitting a growing number of print releases including compilations of previous PDF releases.
1st Edition
- ENnie (Nominee for Best d20 Game, 2002)
- Outie (Best New RPG, 2002)
- Pen & Paper (Best Graphic Design Runner-Up, 2002)
- Pen & Paper (Best RPG Runner-Up, 2002)
- Grog d'Or (Best RPG Nominee, 2003)
2nd Edition
- Outie (Best Retread, 2005)
- Diana Jones (Nominee for Excellence in Gaming, 2006)
- ENnie (Nominee for Best d20 or OGL Product, 2006)
- ENnie (Nominee for Best Game, 2006)
- ENnie (Nominee for Best Product, 2006)
- ENnie (Nominee for Best Rules, 2006)
Spycraft 1.0
Spycraft 1.0 is a d20 SystemD20 System
The d20 System is a role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons...
game, implementing a number of changes to the core mechanics in order to give a more contemporary feel:
- The system used the Vitality/Wound Point system originated in the Star Wars d20 RPGStar Wars Roleplaying Game (Wizards of the Coast)On June 5, 2007, Wizards released the Star Wars Roleplaying Game: Saga Edition. The game was streamlined to be easier to play and a greater emphasis was placed on miniatures. Some of the major changes include:...
. - Races were replaced by Departments. The mechanic would later evolve into the slightly more simulist meta-Departments before then being used to model non-humans.
- 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. The system was later used by the d20 conversion of White Wolf'sWhite WolfWhite Wolf is a publisher of role-playing games, notably the World of Darkness.White Wolf may also refer to:*White Wolf , a location in Yosemite National Park*White Wolf , a Canadian heavy metal band...
AeonverseTrinity UniverseThe Trinity Universe is the shared science fiction setting created by White Wolf. Its component game lines include:* Adventure!, a pulp-action game set in 1924....
games. - 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.
Spycraft 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 SystemD20 SystemThe d20 System is a role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons...
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 SystemD20 SystemThe d20 System is a role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons...
games. - A re-designed gear system that simplifies one of the more unwieldy parts of Spycraft 1.0. Budget and Gear Points have been replaced with Common Items, and a number of Gear Picks based on a character's class and gadgets can now be designed freeform style.
- 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 NPCNon-player characterA non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
creation have been redesigned, and are now crafted to give a set amount of XPExperience pointAn experience point is a unit of measurement used in many role-playing games and role-playing video games to quantify a player character's progression through the game...
based on their ability instead of using Challenge Ratings. As well, it is presumably a relatively simple exercise to create a mission.
Shadowforce Archer
The first of all the Spycraft campaign settings. The world of Shadowforce Archer (SFA) is an Earth where mysticalMagic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
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 ModernD20 Modern
d20 Modern is a roleplaying game designed by Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, and Charles Ryan. It was published by Wizards of the Coast in November 2002, and uses the d20 System...
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.Fantasy Craft
Fantasy Craft is Crafty Games entry into the fantasy genre, prompted by the dissatisfaction many Spycraft fans felt with 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons. Originally intended for release as a Spycraft 2.0 expansion, but was later changed to a stand alone product utilising Crafty Games' updated and refined Mastercraft mechanic.External links:
Ten Thousand Bullets
Long teased on the Spycraft forums under the name 'Project X', Ten Thousand Bullets is a gritty crime setting intended to bring Spycraft down to street level with new rules to allow players to become police, gangsters and everything in between. Originally intended for release at Gen ConGen Con
Gen Con is one of the largest and most prominent annual gaming conventions in North America. It features traditional pen-and-paper, board, and card-style games, including role-playing games, miniatures wargames, board games, live action role-playing games, collectible card games, non-collectible...
Indy 2007, the creative process behind Fantasy Craft has resulted in its being slated for release as a Mastercraft title.
Organized Play
Spycraft has a long history with Organized Play and Living CampaignsLiving campaigns
Living Campaigns are a gaming format within the table-top role-playing game community that provide the opportunity for play by an extended community within a shared universe...
. For several years 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)
RPGA
The RPGA , is part of the organized play arm of Wizards of the Coast that organizes and sanctions role-playing games worldwide, principally under the d20 system...
network of Living Campaign settings. As a Living Campaign, modules created by volunteers are available for play, and players track character progression on a log sheet.
Living Spycraft
Crafty Games ended the Living Spycraft campaign on 31 December 2007 although the original campaign scenarios are still available as free downloads.For Queen & Country
For Queen & Country is a UK only campaign started after Crafty Games announced that Living Spycraft was ceasing. Uses the Spycraft v1 rules.Spymaster
October 2008 the managing staff who ran Living Spycraft when it ended restarted the campaign independently. The Spymaster campaign is community run and independent of Crafty Games but still uses the most recent Spycraft rules. Living Spycraft characters can be directly converted for play in Spymaster. The Spymaster campaign rules are the same as used in Wyrmstone, the fantasy Living Campaign for Fantasy Craft.Spycraft 1.0
- Modern Arms Guide (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - Gentleman's Agreement (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - Game Control Screen (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - Soldier/Wheelman Class Guide (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - Fixer/Pointman Class Guide (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - Faceman/Snoop Class Guide (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - The 1960s Decade Book (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - Most Wanted (Paradigm ConceptsParadigm ConceptsParadigm Concepts, Inc. is a small-press game publishing company located in Miami, Florida.They published the award-winning Arcanis campaign setting and managed the Living Arcanis campaign independent of the RPGA....
) - Agency (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - Mastermind (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - U.S. Militaries (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - World Militaries (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF)) - Battlegrounds (Alderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment GroupAlderac Entertainment Group, or AEG, is a publisher of role-playing game and collectible card game products. AEG was formed by Jolly Blackburn in 1993 and is based in the city of Ontario, California...
(print), Crafty Games (PDF))
Crafty Games has re-released the first edition books in PDF format. The first two PDF releases, the Spycraft Espionage Handbook and Shadowforce Archer came with a Conversion Document that allows owners to use the material with Spycraft 2.0.
Spycraft 2.0
There are currently 27 supplements available for the new version of Spycraft (21 from Crafty Games and 6 licensed products).- Agent X: Firebrand (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Agent X: One Man Army (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Agent X: The Runner (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Back to Basics: Modern SRD Classes for Spycraft (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Bag Full of Guns: Dragon's Fury (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Bag Full of Guns: Red Heat (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Bag Full of Guns: This is My Gun (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Bag Full of Guns: This is My Rifle (Crafty Games (PDF))
- The Big Score (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Black Knight Casino (Darkfuries (print))
- Combat Missions (Paradigm ConceptsParadigm ConceptsParadigm Concepts, Inc. is a small-press game publishing company located in Miami, Florida.They published the award-winning Arcanis campaign setting and managed the Living Arcanis campaign independent of the RPGA....
(print and PDF)) - Conspiracies (Paradigm ConceptsParadigm ConceptsParadigm Concepts, Inc. is a small-press game publishing company located in Miami, Florida.They published the award-winning Arcanis campaign setting and managed the Living Arcanis campaign independent of the RPGA....
(print and PDF)) - Fragile Minds (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Odd Jobs (Crafty Games (print))
- Operation: Nightfall (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Origin of the Species: Classic Fantasy (rafty Games (PDF))
- Origin of the Species: Light of Olympus (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Origin of the Species: Transmechs (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Practice Makes Perfect (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Skyshark Stealth Helicopter (Fat Dragon Games (PDF))
- Shadow Play (Crafty Games (print))
- Spellbound: The Channeler (Revised) (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Spellbound: The Seer (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Spycraft 2.0 Game Control Screen (Crafty Games (PDF))
- Twilight 2013 Shooter's Guide: Alternate Arms (93 Games Studios (PDF))
- Twilight 2013 Shooter's Guide: Pistol-Caliber Carbines (93 Games Studios (PDF))
- World on Fire (Crafty Games (print and PDF))
Online sources
- The official Spycraft website has a selection of free downloads for both versions of Spycraft, including downloadable missions and character sheets.
- Modus Operandi is a fan-run site for all things Espionage Role-playing related. They have a large collection of material for Spycraft players.
See also
The Spycraft system was used in the Stargate SG-1 role-playing gameRole-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. This has often been referred to as Spycraft 1.5 due to some small changes that were made to the Spycraft 1.0 rules and were subsequently incorporated into Spycraft 2.0, such as Gear Picks.