Buffy/Angel D20 thoughts (using Blood and Vigilance)

[Kheti sa-Menik]

There was a thread over on WOTC's boards that I got hooked onto about D20 Modern adaptations for Buffy/Angel. (Yes, we all know there's Unisystem, the books are nice and I own both core books but I'm not sure Unisystem is great for either game)

I've been playing with various incarnations of Slayers, Buffy/Angel-style vamps, and magic in their world for a while now.

When I got the superhero supplement for D20 Modern by RPGObjects/Charles Rice called "Blood and Vigilance," I redesigned some of what I had. Buy this product, it rocks for supers games.

I created a Slayer template that is automatically applied to the Chosen One. I also created a Slayer Advanced Class that represents the training that the Slayer gets once she knows of her destiny, under the cautious eye of her Watcher.

I'd love folks' thoughts on both the template and the class.



Vampire Slayer (Template)
Template Traits
“Vampire Slayer” is an acquired template that can be added to any human female (referred to hereafter as the base creature). The creature’s type doesn’t change. It uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here. Special Note: there can only be a single human female with this template applied at any given time on Earth. In order for a second being to gain this template, the first must die. Immediately upon her death, the template is applied to the next candidate in line amongst the pool of Potential Slayers.

Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
Hit Dice: Same as the base creature.
Speed: Same as the base creature.
Defense: The base creature gains a natural armor bonus of +2.
Attacks: A slayer retains all the attacks of the base creature.
Special Qualities: A slayer retains all the special qualities of the base creature and gains the additional special qualities described below.

Slayer Powers (Ex): A slayer immediately gains several abilities commonly referred to as “superpowers.” Each template-endowed slayer power is considered a class power for purposes of the initial investment of power points.
Superhuman Physical Abilities (Superhuman Constitution, Superhuman Dexterity, and Superhuman Strength) – the Slayer is endowed with 4 ranks in each of these powers, resulting in a +4 bonus to each physical stat.
Regeneration – the Slayer gains 8 points in the Regneration power.
Danger Sense – the Slayer gains 2 points in the Danger Sense power.
Precognition – the Slayer gains 3 points in Precognition. It should be noted that these dream visions are involuntary and often occur when the slayer is asleep. Rarely does a slayer gain the ability to control these. [Perhaps this should be a power limitation?]
Fast Healing 3 (Ex): A slayer heals 3 points of damage each round so long as she has at least 1 hit point. This functions while the slayer is conscious. If unconscious, the slayer’s Regeneration power would govern her HP recovery.

Allegiances: Previous allegiances are kept, and if not already included, she gains an allegiance to destroying vampires and demons.

Saves: A Slayer gains +2 to all saves.
Ability Scores: Slayers gain the ability score increases provided by the “Slayer Powers” special quality defined above.
Skills: Same as the base creature. Slayers receive a +3 enhancement bonus on Listen, Move Silently, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot checks.
Feats: Slayers gain the bonus feats Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved Initiative.
Advancement: By character class.

 

[Kheti sa-Menik]

Slayer Advanced Class

Slayer Advanced Class
Requirements
To qualify to become a Slayer, a character must fulfill the following criteria.
Must have had the Vampire Slayer template applied.
Must be under the tuteledge of a Watcher.
Base Attack Bonus: +3.
Skill: Knowledge (arcane lore) 3 ranks.
Feat: Brawl or Combat Martial Arts.

Class Information
Hit Die: d10
Action Points: 6 + one-half character level, rounded down, every time the character attains a new level in this class.
Class Skills: The Slayer’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are: Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Escape Artist (Dex), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (arcane lore) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Class Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special Defense Bonus
1st +0 +1 +1 +0 Archaic Weapons Proficiency +1
2nd +1 +2 +2 +0 Improvised Weapons +1
3rd +2 +2 +2 +1 Bonus feat +2
4th +3 +2 +2 +1 4 Power Points +2
5th +3 +3 +3 +1 Weapon Focus +3
6th +4 +3 +3 +2 Bonus feat +3
7th +5 +4 +4 +2 Improved Reaction +4
8th +6 +4 +4 +2 4 Power Points +4
9th +6 +4 +4 +3 Bonus feat +5
10th +7 +5 +5 +3 Undead Specialization +5

Class Features
The following features pertain to the Slayer advanced class.

Archaic Weapons Proficiency
At 1st level, a Slayer gains the Archaic Weapons Proficiency feat as as a class feature. Slayers are trained in the use of swords, crossbows, axes, and other older style weapons as these tend to be useful in the fight against demons and vampires than more modern weapons, such as guns.

Improvised Weapons
At 2nd level, a Slayer gains the Improvised Weapons feat as a class feature. Slayers often need to improvise weapons while in the field, e.g. broken broom handle as a stake.

Bonus Feats
At 3rd, 6th, and 9th level, the Slayer gets a bonus feat. The bonus feat must be selected from the following list, and the Slayer must meet all the prerequisites of the feat to select it.
Brawl, Cleave, Combat Martial Arts, Combat Reflexes, Conviction, Defensive Martial Arts, Enemy, Exotic Melee Weapon Proficiency, Far Shot, Great Cleave, Improved Brawl, Improved Knockout Punch, Knockout Punch, Power Attack, Weapon Focus.

Power Points
At 4th and 8th level, the Slayer gets 4 additional power points that she may use to improve the Slayer Powers granted by the Slayer Template. They may spend these points on the following powers only: Danger Sense, Precognition, Regeneration, Superhuman Constitution, Superhuman Dexterity, and Superhuman Strength. These powers are treated as class powers for purposes of spending the power points.

Weapon Focus
At 5th level, the Slayer gains the Weapon Focus feat as a class feature. The Slayer may choose any melee or archaic ranged weapon that she is proficient in to apply this feat to.

Improved Reaction
At 7th level, a Slayer gains a +2 competence bonus on initiative checks.

Undead Specialization
At 10th level, a Slayer gains the ability to threaten criticals against undead creatures, particularly vampires. This represents the Slayer’s long time study of the creatures and how they fight.

 

[Vigilance]

Awesome stuff

Something you might find useful is the Mystic Arts supplement I just did, which has some rules for magic as well as magic-themed origins, including the Living Dead which would be perfect for characters like Angel or Spike.

There is also an origin or two that might work for Buffy (I think Mystic Heritage would come closest).

I like your Slayer class a lot.

Chuck

 

[Kheti sa-Menik]

Awesome stuff

Something you might find useful is the Mystic Arts supplement I just did, which has some rules for magic as well as magic-themed origins, including the Living Dead which would be perfect for characters like Angel or Spike.

There is also an origin or two that might work for Buffy (I think Mystic Heritage would come closest).

I like your Slayer class a lot.

Chuck

Thanks, I appreciate it. You didn't mind the details I used from B&V, did you? I credited you properly at the top of the post I believe. If it violates Fair Use or whatever, I'll take it down.

I kept thinking the slayer template or the class were too powerful. But then I thought...there's only one (pre buffy season 7/angel season 4). And the player that plays her will have enough going on as it is, and everyone will be gunning for them, so why not?

I didn't even think about actually statting out the characters from either series. My concentration was more making Buffy/Angel playable by D20 rules.
Slayer stuff, magic rules, new vampire rules, etc.

 

[Vigilance]

Thanks, I appreciate it. You didn't mind the details I used from B&V, did you? I credited you properly at the top of the post I believe. If it violates Fair Use or whatever, I'll take it down.

No problem here, I thought it was good stuff. I've run some pretty Buffy-esque campaigns myself for B&V so it was cool to see someone else's take.

Chuck