Howdy! First post.
After doing some side-by-side comparisons between OSRIC and Novus 2E, here are some conversion formulas I'm playing around with. Please note I'm new to the Novus2E system, but these look workable to me right now.
*Damage*
Find equivalent damage by comparing weapons with the same damage between systems.
- Dagger Equivalent: OSR 1d4 = Novus2E DR 2.
- Short Sword Equivalent: OSR 1d6 = Novus2E DR 5.
- Long Sword Equivalent: OSR 1d8 = Novus2E DR 6.
- Great Sword Equivalent: OSR 1d10 = Novus2E DR 9.
- REALLY Big Weapon Equivalent: OSR 1d12 = Novus2E DR 10.
In general, I think it’s safe to go with this:
- Smaller creatures / Light attacks: Novus2E damage = (Maximum OSR damage)/2, round down.
- Intermediate creatures / Medium attacks: Novus2E damage = (Maximum OSR damage)/2, round up, +1.
- Large creatures / Heavy attacks: Novus2E damage = Average OSR damage, round up, +3.
*Hit Points and Hit Dice*
How many (average) hits from a dagger can a creature survive? That gives us a baseline.
- OSR Rat, Giant, 3 hp (1d4) = Novus2E Giant Rat 22.
- OSR Wolf, Normal, 11 hp (2 HD +2) = Novus2E Wolf, 30 hits.
- OSR Skeleton Warrior 5 hp (1 HD) = Novus2E Skeleton Warrior, 30 hits.
- OSR Young Gold Dragon 20 HP (assuming 2 hp per 10 HD) = Novus2E Wyrmling, 38 hits.
In general, the Novus2E hits are slightly less than (OSR hp + 20). So, the formula I'm going with for now is (OSR hp + 18).
*Armor*
The critter's AR can be found by likening their AC to the armor equivalent, and then comparing that.
- OSR Padded Gambeson, AC -2 (AC 8) = Novus2E Quilted Gambeson (LS#4) AR 3.
- OSR Leather Armor, AC -2 (AC 8) = Novus2E Reinforced Leather AR 5.
- OSR Ring Armor, AC -3 (AC 7) = Novus2E No clear equivalent, we’ll call it AR 6.
- OSR Mail Hauberk, AC -5 (AC 5) = Novus2E Chain AR 7.
- OSR Banded Armor, AC -6 (AC 4) = Novus2E no clear equivalent, we’ll call it similar to Scale, AR 9.
- OSR Plate Armor, AC -7 (AC 3) = Novus2E AR 11.
A pretty close formula would be (14 - OSR AC) = Novus2E AR; +-1 point to taste, or halve that for “soft” enemies in padded armor (or slimes, etc.).
*Primary Stats*
Most OSR games don’t give Stats to monsters. When they do though, the Novus level is equal to ⅓ the OSR Level, minimum 1.
Novus Wisdom and Resolve both equal (OSR Wisdom)/3. May take away 1 point from one to give to the other, as desired.
Novus Dexterity and Speed both equal (OSR Dexterity)/3. May again take away 1 point from one to give to the other, as desired.
If the game doesn’t give you a formula, here’s one that’s not bad:
- Total of all Novus2E Stat Levels = (Novus2E hits)/2 +1d5.
*Saving Throws*
Don’t bother converting Saving Throws directly over. Calculate based on Primary Stats.
*Skills*
Of the three “monster” Skills (Perception, Stealth, Track), choose one at 14, one at 11, and another at 9. Attack Skills all start at 11.
Divide an additional 1d5 Levels between all Skills. Increase by +2 for more dangerous lieutenant creatures, and by +5 for “boss” creatures.
Large creatures cannot have Stealth as their largest Skill. Stealth suffers an additional -1, as well.
