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AFMBE Conversion Summary Wrap Up
I almost forgot to finish this - sorry
I didn't mention this last time, but the d20 Modern conversion appendix in AFMBE is not published under the d20 License but only the Open Game License - so technically (and legally) it's not a d20 Modern conversion. It doesn't use the d20 logo, but Eden Studios have their own new logo - a twenty-sided die (showing the 20 face) with the word "Modern" below it. In the conversion appendix, rather than saying "d20 Modern", this new logo is displayed in the text. It is listed in the included Open Game License as the AFMBE Conversion. Note also that only the AFMBE Conversion is listed as OGC, not the entire campaign book, and some aspects from the Unisystem referenced in the conversion appendix remain Eden's Product Identity. Anything "d20" is considered Open Game Content, however.
Oh, one other thing - the Game Master (GM) is called a Zombie Master (or ZM) in AFMBE.
Combat Conversion:
Weapons - since the tables for both the Unisystem and d20 Modern are essentially similar, you just pick your weapons from d20 Modern and use those stats. They optionally recommend slashing and piercing type weapons use the Unisystem damage-doubling rule to reflect the deadly tone of AFMBE. The damage-doubling rule doesn't apply to damage vs. zombies however.
Armor/Helmets: A chart of Unisystem armor and helmets with the suggested d20 Modern replacement in the next column is given.
Bullet-type effects - new d20 rules are given for hollow point and armor piercing bullets found in Unisystem AFMBE, as well as shotgun rounds. I'm not a "gun nut", but I know there's a lot of good folks around here who are and might be interested in taking a look. They could probably give you a better gauge of how "realistic" these new rules are than me as well.
Called shots - all so important when targeting a zombie's head! Includes penalties to the attack roll when targeting a specific part of the body - head, neck/throat, arms/legs, hands/feet/wrist/ankle, and vital organs.
Rules for a Fear check are given - basically a Will save. The table of effects of a failed save remain the same as the Unisystem table, but that table is referenced and not OGC.
Zombie Conversion:
First off, d20 Modern stats for a "base" AFMBE zombie are given. It is not a template. From this, you can build customize zombies by adding Unisystem "Aspects". Each Aspect has a Power Point level. The base zombie has some starting Aspects. A chart is given to convert Power points to Challenge Rating modifiers and there are rules for HD advancement. (Power and Power Points are NOT Open Game Content.) Conversions are given for Aspects that require d20 Modern versions of the rules, but some Aspects don't change from the Unisystem, so they are not in the conversion document. Conversions for Aspects found in the AFMBE Zombie Master's Screen (not included) are given as well.
Rules are given for Zombies with classes (requires certain aspects, like Long Term Memory), Zombies possessing Skills and Feats, and Zombie Saving Throws. Zombie Power goes up when you give them Skills and Feats outside of class advancement, so there are adjustments to CR etc. required.
So do you want this book? Well, if you like movies like Night of the Living Dead and Return of the Living Dead, not to mention hundreds of others in the genre, then yes, you probably do. As for quality, remember this is a reprint of an award-winning RPG, and the d20 Modern conversion appendix has been well though out and certainly can't be considered an afterthought - it clearly wasn't just "slapped on" - but rather a legitimate attempt to bring d20 gamers into AFMBE. I really hope Eden Studios considers doing this with their other Unisystem games like Witchcraft and Terra Primate.
I almost forgot to finish this - sorry
I didn't mention this last time, but the d20 Modern conversion appendix in AFMBE is not published under the d20 License but only the Open Game License - so technically (and legally) it's not a d20 Modern conversion. It doesn't use the d20 logo, but Eden Studios have their own new logo - a twenty-sided die (showing the 20 face) with the word "Modern" below it. In the conversion appendix, rather than saying "d20 Modern", this new logo is displayed in the text. It is listed in the included Open Game License as the AFMBE Conversion. Note also that only the AFMBE Conversion is listed as OGC, not the entire campaign book, and some aspects from the Unisystem referenced in the conversion appendix remain Eden's Product Identity. Anything "d20" is considered Open Game Content, however.
Oh, one other thing - the Game Master (GM) is called a Zombie Master (or ZM) in AFMBE.
Combat Conversion:
Weapons - since the tables for both the Unisystem and d20 Modern are essentially similar, you just pick your weapons from d20 Modern and use those stats. They optionally recommend slashing and piercing type weapons use the Unisystem damage-doubling rule to reflect the deadly tone of AFMBE. The damage-doubling rule doesn't apply to damage vs. zombies however.
Armor/Helmets: A chart of Unisystem armor and helmets with the suggested d20 Modern replacement in the next column is given.
Bullet-type effects - new d20 rules are given for hollow point and armor piercing bullets found in Unisystem AFMBE, as well as shotgun rounds. I'm not a "gun nut", but I know there's a lot of good folks around here who are and might be interested in taking a look. They could probably give you a better gauge of how "realistic" these new rules are than me as well.
Called shots - all so important when targeting a zombie's head! Includes penalties to the attack roll when targeting a specific part of the body - head, neck/throat, arms/legs, hands/feet/wrist/ankle, and vital organs.
Rules for a Fear check are given - basically a Will save. The table of effects of a failed save remain the same as the Unisystem table, but that table is referenced and not OGC.
Zombie Conversion:
First off, d20 Modern stats for a "base" AFMBE zombie are given. It is not a template. From this, you can build customize zombies by adding Unisystem "Aspects". Each Aspect has a Power Point level. The base zombie has some starting Aspects. A chart is given to convert Power points to Challenge Rating modifiers and there are rules for HD advancement. (Power and Power Points are NOT Open Game Content.) Conversions are given for Aspects that require d20 Modern versions of the rules, but some Aspects don't change from the Unisystem, so they are not in the conversion document. Conversions for Aspects found in the AFMBE Zombie Master's Screen (not included) are given as well.
Rules are given for Zombies with classes (requires certain aspects, like Long Term Memory), Zombies possessing Skills and Feats, and Zombie Saving Throws. Zombie Power goes up when you give them Skills and Feats outside of class advancement, so there are adjustments to CR etc. required.
So do you want this book? Well, if you like movies like Night of the Living Dead and Return of the Living Dead, not to mention hundreds of others in the genre, then yes, you probably do. As for quality, remember this is a reprint of an award-winning RPG, and the d20 Modern conversion appendix has been well though out and certainly can't be considered an afterthought - it clearly wasn't just "slapped on" - but rather a legitimate attempt to bring d20 gamers into AFMBE. I really hope Eden Studios considers doing this with their other Unisystem games like Witchcraft and Terra Primate.
