Babylon 5: The Palladium Project - Attributes


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Conversion : B5 Palladium

Converting ability scores from Babylon 5 to Palladium can be done with a little simple math. All the scores except for mental atrributes can be figured by taking the related B5 attribute, adding 2, and multiplying by 2 to get the new palladium score. For ME, the only difference is the Psionic attribute is added to the final score. Obviously, this only affects psionic characters. To figure up IQ, add the Intelligence, Insight and Perception scores. To get MA, add up Finesse, Presence and Xenorelation.

IQ = Intelligence + Insight + Perception
ME = [(Wits + 2) X 2] + Psionics
MA = Finesse + Presence + Xenorelation
PS = (Strength + 2) X 2
PP = (Coordination + 2) X 2
PE = (Endurance + 2) X 2
PB = (Charm + 2) X 2
Spd = (Agility + 2) X 2

Ability Score Comparison Chart
B5PalladiumB5 Description
0 0 Nonexistant (only Psionics should have this value)
1 3 Very inept, awkward or unable
2 4-5 Inept
3 6-8 Mediocre
4 9-12 Adequate
5 13-15 Average
6 16-17 Good
7 18-19 Adroit
8 20-21 Excellent
9 22-23 Incredibly apt, graceful and able
10 24+ Not in B5 - included for completeness

Starting from Scratch in Palladium

Below are three systems for creating Babylon 5 characters using palladium ability scores. System 1 is for those people who like to develop their characters as opposed to randomly rolling them. This is the method that most closely resembles the B5 method, and allows the best character creation options in my opinion. The second system rolls three six-sided dice for each attribute, and then adds modifiers to ability scores based on race. This method can be used if some random character generation is preferred, but still keeps the racial differences somewhat intact. The third system is the standard palladium system for generating characters. Unless you're a die-hard die roller, I suggest you avoid this system. The third system has the greatest chance of being misused by unscrupulous players and should be used only under the supervision of the GM.

System 1:
Take 110 points, and divide them up between the eight attributes.

System 2:
Roll 3D6 for all attributes, with the following modifiers.
Humans - Add 2 to PB.
Narn - Add 2 to PS and PE, subtract 1 from MA and PB.
Centauri - Add 2 to ME.
Minbari - Add 3 to IQ, subtract 1 from MA.

System 3:
Roll 3D6 for all attributes. On a 16, 17 or 18 roll an additional 1D6 and add it to the total. No modifications for race are made.

Palladium Exceptional Attribute Rules

When using palladium rules, scores of 17 or higher add bonuses to certain things. In keeping with the somewhat less powerful level of characters in B5, I have trimmed the bonuses down slightly and limited ability scores to 24 - what can be rolled with four sixes and would be an ability score of 10 in Babylon 5.

Attribute Bonus Chart
.1718192021222324
IQ add to all skills. One time bonus. +3%+4%+5%+6% +7%+8%+9%+10%
ME save vs. psionic attack/insanity +1+1+2+2 +3+3+4+4
MA trust/intimidate 45%50%55%60% 65%70%75%80%
PS Hand to Hand Combat: Damage +2+3+4+5 +6+7+8+9
PP parry, dodge and strike bonus +1+1+2+2 +3+3+4+4
PE save vs. coma/death +5%+6%+8%+10% +12%+14%+16%+18%
save vs. poison +1+1+2+2 +3+3+4+4
PB charm/impress 35%40%45%50% 55%60%65%70%
Spd dodge bonus +1+1+1+2 +2+2+3+3

Hit Points & SDC

Hit points are easily figured, since B5 uses some abstract hit-wound location tables and other stuff. Good 'ole hit points can be figured by taking the PE score of the character and adding 1D6. And additional 1D6 hit points are added each time the character increases in level as well.

SDC is a little harder, and depends on the Ocupational Character Class of the character. SDC points can be figured as follows.
Pilot - 40
Solider, Military Officer - 30
Scientist, Diplomat, Psionic - 25
Colonist, Trader, Freebooter - 5D6