What would you change for d20 Modern 2.0

[RangerWickett]

I'd want them to use Mythic Earth's magic system. It's scalable and modular, like d20 modern classes. I think it fits better than the re-purposed D&D magic rules. Including a version of the Grim Tales magic system would be good too, for genres where it's more appropriate.

I haven't seen any reviews of Spycraft 2. Could someone explain the mechanics mentioned -- the flavorful feats, the dramatic combats, the organization rules?

Basic superhero, fantasy, and sci-fi rules in the core book.

Keep nonlethal damage as it is. I could punch you for hours and you'd never pass out. Instead, you'd probably get pissed after a minute or so and you'd take that -4 penalty to try to beat me into submission, instead of going for a knock-out punch. However, I could also get behind a Mutants & Masterminds-esque damage save.

Streamline the guns, yes. We'd need, like:

• Hold-out pistol, Pistol (revolver, clip), and Heavy Pistol (revolver, clip)
• Machine gun (light, heavy)
• Shotgun (light, heavy)
• Carbine/Rifle (standard, sniper).

 

[JPL]

Oh...not too much, really. Take a good look at all the old Bullet Points articles, for starters.

Mostly clothes, I guess. Seriously. If this is going to be a modern game, then by golly, make it look current, not five years ago.

 

[Committed Hero]

Nonlethal damage.

I would probably use DR for armor, although it doesn't really come up enough to be an issue for me.

A psionic system that doesn't feel like a cheap substitute for spellcasting, witohut sucking up too many extra skill ranks and feats.

 

[amethal]

Introduce Ronin Arts' Heroic Stunts.

Have at least something in the core book (and the SRD) relating to each of the supplements, so it is possible to play (say) a bare bones future or apocalypse game without needing anything else - then, if you like it, you can buy the specialist book to flesh out your game.

Just have generic weapons - e.g. early rifle, modern rifle, futuristic rifle - and then bring out a separate supplement with thousands of extra firearms for the gun enthusiasts.

Cut out most of the spells and psionic powers, but include detailed rules for making your own and guidelines for importing spells etc. from other games e.g. D&D.

A more tool-kit approach, e.g. guidelines and options for running games which are more or less lethal, more or less horrific etc.

 

[Turanil]

Most important of all : streamline / simplify character generation! Currently, creating d20M PCs and NPCs is really an aggravating experience.

Most stuff from Grim Tales could also find its way into revised d20M.

Why the hell the Soldier AdvCl doesn't have a fighter-like BAB???

 

[delericho]

I think I'd be inclined to wait to see what happens with D&D 4th edition first...

However, assuming it were to be published in the immediate future, I would change just a few things:

Incorporate the simpler 3.5 version of the cover and concealment rules.

Switch nonlethal damage to the D&D model.

Tone down the Fast Hero - between the Defense bonus and the Evasion talent, this looks like a must-have class.

Increase the Reflex save DCs on grenades and autofire. I'm not sure exaclty how.

I would also probably drop all but one or two of the campaign models in favour of a long section on building your own campaign models. One of the problems with d20 Modern is that it can do an awful lot for me, but requires a lot of work and inspiration on my part to do those things.

I might well swap out the monsters for more appropriate critters, but I can't really be sure of that, what with not having the Menace Manual. I wouldn't bring in anything from d20 Future or other supplements - there's not enough room in the core book to do these things justice. (In fact, I sometimes think there's not enough room in d20 Future to do them justice.)

 

[C. Baize]

Ah yes...
Armor as DR with only the Level based Defense progression and Dex modifier for total defense.

 

[Hjorimir]

I would abandon the HP system altogether in favor of the damage conditions used in True20 or Mutants and Masterminds.

Also, I'd use the class system in Grim Tales and remove all of the Advanced/Prestige classes and just produce new Talents as opposed to new classes.

I'd hire somebody much smarter than me to design a free form magic system that was lighter on crunch and very fast in play.

 

[takyris]

Why the hell the Soldier AdvCl doesn't have a fighter-like BAB???

Nitpick: Because it'd be unbalanced. The Strong Hero and Martial Artist get full-BAB because they are melee-combat specialists whose coolest abilities do not kick in at range (melee smash, living weapon), and they get d8 for hit points. The fact that the soldier gets weapon focus and specialization on the weapon of his choice would make him unbalanced from a class perspective if you also gave him full-BAB progression, especially given the fact that he uses d10 for hit points.

The Soldier is not specifically a hit-everything offensive expert. If you wanted that, you'd be better off going with Martial Artist. The Soldier is designed to survive -- he can hit a lot and do a lot of damage, as he has combat-buffing abilities up the wazoo and he has the standard "Good Offense" BAB of x3/4, as well as good Defense (armor bonus feats, good class progression) and good hit points. He also gets more skill points.

There's only one Basic Class that gets full BAB progression, and that's for a reason. There's also only one Basic Class that gets d10 hit dice, and that's also for a reason. Full-BAB progression doesn't mean "Good at Offense", like it does in D&D. It means "Effing Awesome at Offense, to the point where you're losing out in other areas".

If you pop the Soldier up to full BAB, I hope you're also dropping his skills to 3+Int, dropping his hit points to d8, and/or dropping one of his good saves.

 

[C. Baize]

I would abandon the HP system altogether in favor of the damage conditions used in True20 or Mutants and Masterminds.

Ugh. Maybe as options, but not hard wired.

Also, I'd use the class system in Grim Tales and remove all of the Advanced/Prestige classes and just produce new Talents as opposed to new classes.

Ugh. Maybe as options, but not hard wired.