Assassin Advanced Class

[comrade raoul]

Here's a version of an assassin advanced class. The idea here is that nobody in d20 Modern has a sneak attack ability; hopefully, this integrates the 3E classic into d20 Modern in a balanced and fun way. Thoughts?

 

[Visceris]

My only criticism of this advance class is that I feel that the Crippling Attack and sniper should be switched. Sniper is a fairly powerful ability in comparison, in my opinion.

 

[Crothian]

Not too bad, a few comments though. The class is really easy to get into. I'd increase the skill ranks to 6 in each skill. Sneak attack should be less. In modern, the massive damage rules make added damage like this really powerful. I'd make those d4's instead of d6's. And I agree with the comment above.

Good job though.

 

[comrade raoul]

Thanks for the feedback.

I'll switch Crippling Strike and Sniper, then. It does seem a bit too easy to get into (even compared to the other advanced classes), but remember that no two basic classes have both Hide (limited to Fast heroes) and Investigate (limited to Smarts and Dedicateds) as class skills, so that makes it a bit tougher. A 6 rank minimum does sound about right, though.

I more or less agree with you on the sneak attack issue. Question: is it better to retain the d6 sneak attack die, but have sneak attacks not count for determining massive damage (thus, an assassin's Walther PPK that hits for 4 points of damage, plus 15 points of sneak attack damage, is only treated as hitting for 4 points when determining whether the attack overcomes the target's massive damage threshold), or should I lower the dice to d4?

 

[Plane Sailing]

Thanks for the feedback.

I'll switch Crippling Strike and Sniper, then. It does seem a bit too easy to get into (even compared to the other advanced classes), but remember that no two basic classes have both Hide (limited to Fast heroes) and Investigate (limited to Smarts and Dedicateds) as class skills, so that makes it a bit tougher. A 6 rank minimum does sound about right, though.

Are you forgetting the "permanent class skills" that someone gets from their occupation? e.g. a Criminal Smart or Criminal Dedicated will have both those as class skills, as will an Investigative Fast hero...

 

[comrade raoul]

Good point. 6 ranks each sound good? (this makes qualifying for assassin about on par with qualifying for gunslinger, which seems okay to me.)

 

[Crothian]

Good point. 6 ranks each sound good? (this makes qualifying for assassin about on par with qualifying for gunslinger, which seems okay to me.)

All the advanced classes need at least three levels of hero classes, so that is why I suggested that.

 

[ascendance]

Interestingly, giving assassins sneak attack gives them a very good reason to go down the two-gun fighting route. Now we know why Chow Yun Fat uses two pistols in The Killer

 

[Visceris]

I have a quick question, comrade raoul. Would you mind if I use a modified version of your assassin and Martial Artist advance classes in my Concrete Kingdom Setting?

Just as a off hand question, but what happened to the old Sleeping Imperium site. I can't seem to find it. Ken Hood's material rocked.

 

[comrade raoul]

No, not at all. Go for it.
And yeah, I liked Ken's stuff, too. Who knows?