From Man to Superman

[Archon]

hey guys,
i'm currently running a d20 modern game in which the PC's have mutant powers but do not realize it yet. In fact to most of the world, in my setting, superpowers are still just for comic books. So, it's a very "normal" modern game in which they are all playing young college friends, BUT, i'm going to drop them into some unusual circumstances that will trigger their hidden talents.
Original? no. Fun? i hope so. But my question to the community is what rules should i use to make the switch to a super powered campaign? and how do i keep it balanced?
sincerely,
mik aka "Archon"

 

[Herpes Cineplex]

You might take a look at Mutants and Masterminds, though I'll admit that I haven't the slightest idea how well it would mesh with D20 Modern. It's a nifty d20-based supers system, though; one of the better supers games on the market, in fact. If nothing else, it might give you ideas about how to structure powers in your game so that each character ends up on a more-or-less even playing field.

You might not have to worry about the larger balance issue for at least a little while, though. If getting mutant powers is genuinely a surprise (as in, there aren't a lot of superpowered characters running around the game setting), then ideally for at least a few sessions, they should be the toughest, most overpowered people they have ever even heard about. If things that were once nigh-impossible for them are now ridiculously easy, that's perfect!

In other words, give 'em a few sessions of great power, and then start to hit them with the great responsibility that goes along with it.

Plus, you can use those sessions to evaluate just how powerful their characters are, and then you have a better idea of the kinds of obstacles and opponents you'll need to present them with in order for the game to stay challenging without being overwhelming.


...and if M&M doesn't suit your needs, I think there might actually be another, indie supers system for d20 on RPGNow (at least, I seem to remember our current GM mentioning one); you could go hunting for it and see if it's any good, I suppose.

--
can't vouch for it or direct you to it, since i've never read it
ryan

 

[Negative Zero]

i'll second what HC said. M&M would work nicely. in fact, a friend once ran that very type of game. much fun was had by all. though if you're running it in d20M you'll have a little bit of work to do getting the two systems to mesh.

of course, you'd probly have to add some M&M super villans for them to overcome

good luck!

~NegZ

 

[mhacdebhandia]

There's also Aberrant from White Wolf/Sword and Sorcery Studios, which is a d20 Modern-based version of the original Storyteller game. The default setting is heavily present in the book, and probably not what you want, but the advantage is that all PCs are presumed to be "natural supers", i.e., mutants, and the rules are set up to reflect that through the use of templates and "template classes".

 

[Wraith Form]

And, lastly, there's The Authority from Guardians of Order.

If you wanna play on a MUCH larger scale of superbeing.