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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Malacoda" data-source="post: 946286" data-attributes="member: 6345">I have to chime in and add that in my own system most NPCs can be made via the standard system of classes. While The Custom Hero is not quite 100% balanced with the standard system—that may be impossible—it comes close enough it will rarely matter. Then, you can spend the time and effort on the NPCs who need the tweaking.Plus, I am not so certainly that you are completely correct, at least for Custom Heroes. When it comes to basic numerical traits, points can be faster as they take less reference. If you are building someone who is going to be a badass gunmen, you need to decide on which classes and levels it will take. Then, you have to reference each class and their traits. With Custom Heroes you take the number of points they have for their level, spread them out, make sure they don’t go above their level limit, then choose skills and feats. You will have to watch feat prereqs, but that is always true. Want them to have a BAB of +4? Then they have it. No need to look up classes and mix and match to get what you need.I wouldn’t use the term “straightjacket”; that is a bit extreme. I would use the term “baggage,” though. Each class has baggage that may or may not be applicable to your character. Plus, some classes have benefits that aren’t always useful, and you have no recourse when they are not.For example, the Smart Hero has a good Will save and lousy Fort and Reflex. In a campaign with magic or psi, this is OK. Stops you from being mind controlled or dropped to sleep. But in a mundane, no-FX campaign, your Will save mean jack, and you get nothing to make up for it. But the Tough Hero? His good save is handy all around.The classes of d20 Modern are certainly more freeform and flexible than most out there. But they are still classes, and they still have baggage, and for some people that just isn’t satisfactory. And some of those people like the rest of the d20 system. I know I do. I like the skills, the feats, the overall feel and the mechanics. I can’t get that via GURPS or HERO or whatever. For us, the best choice to get rid of classes in d20. So, I did that.</blockquote>

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