I know that I’ll never convince my players that the three classes in Spellslinger can provide enough variety. A quick look in my library provided the answer.
I’ll use Occupations (d20M) and Backgrounds (Spycraft/SG-1) to add some spice to the PCs. For example, a player could have a Celebrity Maverick who’s come to the Territories with a Debt over his head.
In some ways, the use of the two mechanics pretty much makes up character concepts.
A Rural (Occupation) half-elf Trailblazer has Problematic Relationships (Background) since the human Mayor knows his daughter is casting moon-eyes at the PC.
A Religious Gunslinger human has Amnesia and can’t remember his past
An Academic Maverick gnome has the Long Range Goal of making a better steam engine.
There is more variety in the game, Spellslinger also has 6 special 1st Level only classes called Brands, which are like magical bloodlines. But you have to multiclass out to the main three classes after that and I know that won’t do for my players.
I’ll use Occupations (d20M) and Backgrounds (Spycraft/SG-1) to add some spice to the PCs. For example, a player could have a Celebrity Maverick who’s come to the Territories with a Debt over his head.
For Occupations:
My generalist players will love expanding their skill list, while my min/maxers think they’ll “sneak” a +3 Occupation/Racial Bonus combo past me. There will have to be some modification since Spellslinger meshes some skill groups into one skill, i.e. Heist replaces Disable, Open Locks and Pick Pocket. I’ll also just say each wealth bonus is an extra 100 gp.
For those without d20 Modern, Occupations replace race to a degree. You get minor skill & wealth advantages for meeting certain requirements and character age.
For Backgrounds:
This seems pretty plug n play. AEG is also listed in the OGL Copyright, so that makes me feel pretty confident.
For those without Spycraft or SG-1, Backgrounds let you spend skill points for a subplot. You get XP when the subplot shows up or if your GM forgets you subplot after while. The severity of the subplot and its prominence in a session modify the XP reward
In some ways, the use of the two mechanics pretty much makes up character concepts.
A Rural (Occupation) half-elf Trailblazer has Problematic Relationships (Background) since the human Mayor knows his daughter is casting moon-eyes at the PC.
A Religious Gunslinger human has Amnesia and can’t remember his past
An Academic Maverick gnome has the Long Range Goal of making a better steam engine.
There is more variety in the game, Spellslinger also has 6 special 1st Level only classes called Brands, which are like magical bloodlines. But you have to multiclass out to the main three classes after that and I know that won’t do for my players.
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