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I plan on running a brief Gamma World campaign with my group, and I am wondering if 4E monsters are compatible between systems without any sort of level adjustment? From a quick perusal, it seems like PCs are considerably more powerful than 4e characters of equivalent level: adding level rather than 1/2-level to rolls, alpha mutations/tech cards, major critical bonuses, hit points are restored with a short rest, etc. At the same time they are much less "survivable": the only reliable healing is through second wind, no specialized leader roles. To be equally challenging should I treat the party as a few levels higher when building an encounter with 4e monsters? Any advice would be appreciated!

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"only 1 second wind" - do you mean one healing surge? Even in 4e you only ever have one second wind (per encounter, that is) - but you have plenty of healing surges. – Jonathan Hobbs Dec 23 '12 at 23:00
I'm not sure the book ever uses the term healing surge, but in effect you only have one surge (triggered through your second wind). I'll edit it for clarity. – BRZA Dec 23 '12 at 23:48
Just to make sure we're clear: In 4e, you get a bunch of healing surges, and you can only activate a second wind once per encounter, and a second wind uses one healing surges. Outside encounters, you can rest and use as many healing surges as you want. So in Gamma World, it sounds like you only get second winds, and don't get to use healing surges whilst resting? – Jonathan Hobbs Dec 23 '12 at 23:56
Essentially in Gamma World each PC has one Second Wind available as a minor action which returns 1/2 max HP. However, aside from some Origin abilities and mutation cards (both of which are randomized), this is the only way to restore HP in combat. Outside encounters, a short rest returns all HP and powers (there are no daily powers), and an extended rest is only really needed to level up. – BRZA Dec 24 '12 at 1:38
Are you asking for someones opinion as to whether they are balanced, or whether the books/the authors have promised/said they are balanced if used in gamma world? – Callan S. Dec 24 '12 at 10:43
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up vote 3 down vote accepted

D&D 4E and Gamma World encounters can be used almost as is in the other game

Characters in Gamma World dish out more damage, and are a bit more brittle than their 4e equivalents, but that just makes fights a bit more swingy and a run a bit faster.

D&D 4E and Gamma World monsters can be used almost as is in the other game

Comparing some monsters in the two games

Gamma Word

Porker Marauder 100XP
Level 1 Soldier, 29 HP, AC 17, NADs 16, 13, 12
Melee Basic: +6 vs AC, 2d6+1 damage

Sep Thresher 200XP
Level 5 Brute, 75 HP, AC 17, NADs 18, 16, 16
Melee Basic: +10 vs AC, 2d6+6 damage

D&D 4E, Monster Vault

Dwarf Clan Guard 100XP
Level 1 Soldier, 33 HP, AC 17, NADs 15, 15, 13
Melee Basic: +6 vs AC, 1d10+3 damage

Ravenous Ghoul 200XP
Level 5 Brute, 76 HP, AC 17, NADs 18, 17, 15
Melee Basic: +10 vs AC, 3d8+4 damage

Also see this Extreme Reskinning article for an example of reskinning a white dragon from the Monster Vault into a cyborg assassin for Gamma World.

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up vote -1 down vote

GW plays loose where 4E is stricter about balance, so just wing it and see what happens. Maybe it's a cakewalk (add reinforcement baddies) or maybe it's a bloodbath (various options), but as long as everyone has fun it's all good.

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Welcome to the site Foo Bar! Unfortunately, "try it and find out" doesn't really answer the question. We'd prefer a link to some developer comments about 4e/GW interoperability, or maybe a comparison of a low-level enemy from each system. – Oblivious Sage Jan 10 at 17:04

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