D&D 3.5 for Post-Apocalyptic Games?

[MadMaxim]

Well, what IS he keen on?

The only thing I think he's keen on is squeezing a Fallout-ish campaign into the D&D 3.5 ruleset because that's the system he and his fiancé are most comfortable with whereas I'm more than willing to try out different (and more suitable) systems for this kind of campaign. I'm giving it a shot, but I'm just afraid that something's going to break within a couple sessions (we first start playing next year because of the things people are doing in December). But once again, thank you very much for all your suggestions (especially yours, Darrin, and I still think d20 Apocalypse is an awesome book )

And of course you're right about all the Double Tap and firearms stuff, Herobizkit

 

[scourger]

...a greataxe-wielding babarian (which I'll be playing)

Sounds like you've found a way to make it fun for you, so enjoy. d20 is not a bad system at all for this type of game. As I mentioned above, Omega World was really just a little add-on to 3.0. One of the great promises of d20 was the ability to use it for different games without having to learn a whole new rules system. I say be glad to have a DM who will bring a game in a non-fantasy genre and enjoy it while it lasts. Then, when you want a new game, bring it. (That's what I'm doing in my group.)

 

[Herobizkit]

Oh, yes. Why play a greataxe-wielding barbarian when you could play a chainsaw-wielding barbarian?

 

[avin]

Oh, yes. Why play a greataxe-wielding barbarian when you could play a chainsaw-wielding barbarian?

Playing both Fallouts (Tactics and 3 are a joke) I would use a hammer or punching gloves...

By the way, one of the coolest things on Fallout are called shots, how will you handle using 3.5?

 

[MadMaxim]

By the way, one of the coolest things on Fallout are called shots, how will you handle using 3.5?

It will not be handled, I'm afraid. It will not be there. And Herobizkit, you really got a point there. I'll try running it by the GM

 

[Angellis_ater]

I'd recommend using True20 for all the reasons Darrin mentioned above.

 

[avin]

Isn't there a S.P.E.C.I.A.L. pen and paper conversion around?

 

[Herobizkit]

It will not be handled, I'm afraid. It will not be there. And Herobizkit, you really got a point there. I'll try running it by the GM

Well, again, I don't see the issue your DM would have... the d20 Modern books have all the "modern" gear you'd expect is a post-apoc game... now, if your DM is specially running a fantasy version of Fallout and accenting the fantasy, you're likely S.O.L. for modern gear.

Oh, and from the d20 modern core rules:
Chain saw 3d6 (20) 10lbs. Slashing, Size Large

Where have I seen those stats before... (Oh yeah, 2nd edition two-handed sword, versus Large creatures iirc). Your current zwiehander:

Greatsword 2d6 (19-20/×2) 8 lb. Slashing, size Large

... but your DM will decide. If he doesn't like it, you might as well wield a scythe:

Scythe 2d4 (x4) 10 lb. Piercing or slashing, size Large

Less punch per swing, but when you get that 20...! One of my NPCs is a Gnoll Barbarian who uses a scythe to wonderful effect, plus you can trip with it!

 

[MadMaxim]

Well, again, I don't see the issue your DM would have... the d20 Modern books have all the "modern" gear you'd expect is a post-apoc game... now, if your DM is specially running a fantasy version of Fallout and accenting the fantasy, you're likely S.O.L. for modern gear.

He is mixing the d20 Modern gear with the D&D gear, so that will not be a problem. It is a post-apocalyptic game set more or less on Earth in the year 2054 after a nuclear war but using D&D classes without magic or psionics. I don't mind the combination, but I just don't like that the cleric, wizard, sorcerer and the other spellcasters get shafted and aren't allowed. That leaves all the martial classes more or less with no real healing opportunities other than his homebrew Craft (herbalism) system that tops at 5d6 points of healing depending on the check result with a limited amount of uses per day and increasing penalties to the user (because it was seemingly not healthy in Fallout to use herbs). So that's pretty much the premise of the game. The player characters (us) are supposed to be members of a small community that survived the nuclear war and are making a living while battling marauders and mutants. I like the premise but I'm uncertain about the use of the rules with all his homebrew changes.

 

[Herobizkit]

Well, I can sympathize with you. D20M classes are designed specifically for low- or no-magic campaigns. Classes that don't have magic in D&D are fighters, barbarians, and rogues. Everyone else has maaaagic. Now, you could enter the NPC side of things and ask to tack on Aristocrat.

Or, you might even use the Warrior, Expert, Spellcaster classes from Unearthed Arcana. Then you have a) teh fighter who fights or b) the expert who uses skills. Heck, if we're houseruling anyway, might as well make every character a Warrior/Expert Gestalt and go from there.