"D20 Modern" in Oct 2002
- Thread starter EricNoah
- Start date
Here's the full scoop (thanks to Squirrel Nutkin:
d20 Modern will be released in October 2002, and it's a "major new product line that will provide a baseline of rules to run contemporary fantasy campaigns." It will contain 4 campaign models to choose from and rules adaptable for more. It's being designed by Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb and Rich Redman.
Shadow Chasers is "heroic modern horror in a darkened world." It's a preview campaign setting for d20 Modern, and it's "in the tradition of Resident Evil, Special Unit 2, Alone in the Dark, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
The most interesting thing to me are the rules themselves. Apparently, d20 Modern's changes to the core rules include the usual, like VP/WP instead of HP, and Defense instead of AC, but there are some surprises:
Armor doesn't add to Defense, instead it reduces damage.
The five classes in Shadow Chasers represent areas of expertise -- The Charismatic Hero (CHA), the Dedicated Hero (WIS), the Fast Hero (DEX), the Smart Hero (INT) and the Strong Hero (STR). (There's a sixth one in D20 Modern for CON).
Prestige classes are an integral part of this new system, and include the Mage, the Mentor, the Soldier, the Thief and the Slayer. There are 11 more in d20 Modern's core rules.
PCs can spend Action Points to influence die rolls.
Alignment is optional.
d20 Modern will be released in October 2002, and it's a "major new product line that will provide a baseline of rules to run contemporary fantasy campaigns." It will contain 4 campaign models to choose from and rules adaptable for more. It's being designed by Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb and Rich Redman.
Shadow Chasers is "heroic modern horror in a darkened world." It's a preview campaign setting for d20 Modern, and it's "in the tradition of Resident Evil, Special Unit 2, Alone in the Dark, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
The most interesting thing to me are the rules themselves. Apparently, d20 Modern's changes to the core rules include the usual, like VP/WP instead of HP, and Defense instead of AC, but there are some surprises:
Armor doesn't add to Defense, instead it reduces damage.
The five classes in Shadow Chasers represent areas of expertise -- The Charismatic Hero (CHA), the Dedicated Hero (WIS), the Fast Hero (DEX), the Smart Hero (INT) and the Strong Hero (STR). (There's a sixth one in D20 Modern for CON).
Prestige classes are an integral part of this new system, and include the Mage, the Mentor, the Soldier, the Thief and the Slayer. There are 11 more in d20 Modern's core rules.
PCs can spend Action Points to influence die rolls.
Alignment is optional.
RangerWickett
Legend
Dang it, I wanted to write this. Or at least do some type of modern fantasy.
Squirrel Nutkin
Explorer
Like I said in another thread, I'm not about to give up my beloved BESM or Fudge, but... this is the first D20 game that I would actually want to run. 
The hero per ability idea seems interesting, but I wonder if it goes to far.
Most of the time I have seen DND do things for each ability, it ususual runs out around the fourth or fifth ability. This is becasue in the past one went with the classes which float around four attributes before 3rd edition. And now in third edition, the Sor is sort of considered the "Chra" character. But I think there is a reason why we haven't heard details on the Con Hero yet.
Most of the time I have seen DND do things for each ability, it ususual runs out around the fourth or fifth ability. This is becasue in the past one went with the classes which float around four attributes before 3rd edition. And now in third edition, the Sor is sort of considered the "Chra" character. But I think there is a reason why we haven't heard details on the Con Hero yet.
Squirrel Nutkin
Explorer
More scoops
Since I'm such a nice rodent, I'll give you some more detail:
Charismatic Hero level-based abilities include Favors and Coordinate.
Dedicated Hero level-based abilities include Skill Focus, Heart, Inspire Confidence, Inspire Greatness, Slippery Mind, and Immunity to Charm and Compulsion.
Fast Hero level-based abilities include Lucky, Evasion and Skill Mastery, and Uncanny Dodge.
Smart Hero level-based abilities include Research, Bonus Languages, Instant Mastery, Secrets, and skill emphasis.
Strong Hero level-based abilities include extra WPs, Power Strike, and Extreme Effort.
What we usually think of when we think of classes are the prestige classes here, which have ten levels each. And it's presumed that you'll integrate these into your characters too.
Oh, and here's another scoop: GMs can let characters take special "Blood of Shadow" templates like Fiendish Blood, Lycanthropic Blood, and Vampiric Blood...
Since I'm such a nice rodent, I'll give you some more detail:
Charismatic Hero level-based abilities include Favors and Coordinate.
Dedicated Hero level-based abilities include Skill Focus, Heart, Inspire Confidence, Inspire Greatness, Slippery Mind, and Immunity to Charm and Compulsion.
Fast Hero level-based abilities include Lucky, Evasion and Skill Mastery, and Uncanny Dodge.
Smart Hero level-based abilities include Research, Bonus Languages, Instant Mastery, Secrets, and skill emphasis.
Strong Hero level-based abilities include extra WPs, Power Strike, and Extreme Effort.
What we usually think of when we think of classes are the prestige classes here, which have ten levels each. And it's presumed that you'll integrate these into your characters too.
Oh, and here's another scoop: GMs can let characters take special "Blood of Shadow" templates like Fiendish Blood, Lycanthropic Blood, and Vampiric Blood...
Dark Psion
First Post
Wouldn't Buffy require an "Angst Hero"?
Maybe an "Annoying Hero" for Cordillia and Anya?
"ButtMonkey" Prestige class for Xander?
"Fallen Hero" for Faith?
Maybe an "Annoying Hero" for Cordillia and Anya?
"ButtMonkey" Prestige class for Xander?
"Fallen Hero" for Faith?
Temprus said:
How is it that Squirrel Nutkin is passing out the scoops (okay, and Eric too
It's from Dungeon/Polyhedron, apaprently. If you've got your copy (assuming you buy it) you should be able to see it yourself. I haven't seen yet, though - just relying on the kindly Squirrel for the info.
JoeCrow
Explorer
Rockin' good news!
"d20 Modern", huh? One system to rule them all...The ghost of Alternity rises from the grave to stalk the living! Spooky...
Y'know, this just cries out for an urban fantasy ruleset. I've been tinkering with ideas for a Charles deLint/Borderlands kind of setting, and this'll come in damn handy. Hey, RangerWickett, you're working on a Fey guidebook, right? Interested in some more modern slanted bits?
"d20 Modern", huh? One system to rule them all...The ghost of Alternity rises from the grave to stalk the living! Spooky...
Y'know, this just cries out for an urban fantasy ruleset. I've been tinkering with ideas for a Charles deLint/Borderlands kind of setting, and this'll come in damn handy. Hey, RangerWickett, you're working on a Fey guidebook, right? Interested in some more modern slanted bits?
