Modern Fantasy - what books?

[Sidekick]

Hi all.

I'm about to go home to NZ for a wedding and my mate has asked me to pick him up a coupld of d20 modern books for an upcoming campiaign that he wants to run.

He's going for a d20 Modern feel with a fair bit of fantast and a pinch of sci-fi stuck in.

I can aford to get him 2 books - so apart from teh d20 Modern book what other book shoudl I get him?

I can't quite decide between Urban Arcana, d20 Future or d2o Dark*Matter ('cuse it sounds hella cool)..

 

[jaerdaph]

Urban Arcana is modern fantasy - D&D in the modern day. It's more of a d20 Modern Fantasy toolkit than it is an actual developed campaign setting.

Dark*Matter is more like X-Files for d20 Modern: conspiracy theories and aliens, with an established, well-developed campaign setting. But it is extremely cool.

d20 Future is a sci fi toolkit for d20 Modern with campaign settings that aren't fully developed, much like d20 Modern.

 

[Stormborn]

Of all the d20 M books I have from WotC I have found Menace Manual to be the most useful after the core book, with challanges in the book appropriate for fantasy, sci-fi, or mor e mundane games. However for a Modern Fantasy tool kit Urban Arcana is your best choice of the line.

 

[RangerWickett]

Elements of Magic - Mythic Earth has an alternate magic system for d20 Modern that is much more flexible and, in my opinion, magical, than the core d20 Modern magic system. It's available in pdf and print formats.

 

[buzz]

Urban Arcana probably has the kind of content your pal is looking for, and would be useful if he's planning on doing the "D&D in the modern world" thing. That said, I think that UA is a very weak book overall. I wrote a review of it on RPG.net you can read.

I would suggest that your friend grab all of the UA (and d20F, and MM) content that's now free as part of the MSRD: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/msrd

Then, I'd look to RPGObjects and The Game Mechanics for stuff to buy. The latter's Modern Player's Companion is a good place to start.

 

[PosterBoy]

Urban Arcana would be my suggestion.

I don't own Dark Matter. I got to get it. I keep forgetting.

d20 Future is not as well done as Urban Arcana and in many case, some of the 3rd party stuff did the content found in d20 future in more depth and better mechanics. It's still worth getting.

Someone also mentioned Menace Manual. That books is very good and I would get it before d20 future as well.

-chris

 

[arscott]

Dark•Matter is a really great setting, but it's just that: a setting. If your friend has his own setting in mind, then it might not be the way to go.

I was never happy with d20 future--It's very fragmented and poorly balanced. And if the only thing you're using it for is to swipe some futuristic gizmos for a present-day setting, then it'll be mostly wasted.

If your friend wants to do Urban Fantasy, then Urban Arcana is probably the best choice.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The books I find are key for Modern Fantasy in D20 are:

1) Urban Arcana:

This one is the key. It will provide a lot of the basis for what your bud is looking for.

2) Second World:

Second World is non-WotC. It provides an excellent fluff & crunch framework for modern FRPGs in the Neil Gaiman Neverwhere / Clive Barker Imagica / Simon Green Nightside / Friday the 13th: The Series vein.

Essentially, it paints in what Urban Arcana sketches.

3) Dark*Matter:

This is more of an X-files type setting, and would do better for simulating stuff like Steven King's Firestarter, but has many of the same vibes as Urban Arcana. You should be able to use it and UA together almost seamlessly, which also means it will work well with Second World.

4) Modern Magic:

This product from Green Ronin expands the magic system in UA with spells balanced for a modern setting, as well as some feats, etc.

5) Arsenal:

This is a weapons book full of techno-magical gadgetry- probably more appropriate for a near future/magic campaign like a D20 version of Shadowrun, but still pretty useful overall.

http://www.amazon.com/Arsenal-Syste...0972135804/ref=pd_sim_b_1/105-7283598-4911601

In addition, I've heard good things about (but do not own)

6) The Factory:

Essentially, more of the same goodness found in Arsenal. I've been told it gets into even more advanced magitech than the previous book, and may be more like an equipment sourcebook for D20 Rifts type gaming.

http://www.amazon.com/Factory-Compendium-Magical-Computers-Dweoware/dp/0972135812

 

[Sidekick]

Thanks everyone.

I think I'm going to get him d20 Modern and Urban Arcana.

he better appreciate it though - shakes fist at stingy friends in NZ!!!

Thanks again everybody who answered.

Happy Gaming!!

 

[tadk]

Urban Fantasy

Hey sidekick

I am starting to work on my own urban fantasy setting book
if either of you want I will email it to you guys
It is not complete, but I am happy to share