[DL] Which System to Use for a New Game

["Daniel Stack" <danielstack@mediaone.net>]

Dan bravely delurks...  I realize this is a fairly sensitive topic so
I hope not to start a bitter system argument.

I'm currently mulling over which system to use for my Deadlands
campaign which begins in the fall.

All of the players like and are at least somewhat familiar with the
d20 system - we've played both d20 D&D and Star Wars with it.
The players have mixes of preferences - some really like science
fiction, some like Victorian era, some like the fantasy and magic of
D&D.  All like action and adventure.  We're currently in a Star
Trek game.  Discussing what to do when that winds down,
all players have found something that they find interesting
in a Deadlands game.

As Marshal, I have access to both incarnations of Deadlands.  I
certainly feel that using the d20 system will be easier, at least in
the first phases of the game, given the prior games the players have
been in.  However, I wonder if the flavor of the
game would be better served by using the original rules engine.
As a caveat, I've never actually used the Deadlands system,
though I have used similar systems.  However, I have heard
some indicate that it can get quite complicated rather quickly.
My biggest worry is that I, as gamemaster/Marshal/etc., tend
to be the only owner of the rules - we tend to run rules-lite
and I'm curious if others have run Deadlands campaigns in
a similar manner. (i.e. the Marshal is teacher).

It looks like it'd be a lot of fun, dealing out cards, playing chips, etc.
Also, I rather like the deadliness of the combat system and the less
ablative approach to damage.  So far the players seem neutral
to enthusiastic in trying out the Deadlands rules.

If I do go with the d20 version, I'll certainly not run it like a D&D
game - for example I plan on being somewhat restrictive with
hucksters and other arcane characters - characters who behave like
D&D wizards will quickly find themselves being accused of being in
league with Lucifer...  However, I do worry that higher level
characters will be very, very tough to threaten.

Honest, non-flammable opinions sought.

-Dan