Modern House Rule question

[Desdichado]

I've been gearing up for a campaign that uses tweaked d20 Modern in a pseudo-traditional fantasy setting (actually more like the Iron Kingdoms, but that's a topic for another thread.) I'm somewhat dismayed, however, by the fact that none of the basic classes start out with a martial weapons feat. You eliminate the extra feat for non-humans that d20 Modern has baked in, and you end up with very few people who can actually use a sword! While this may be realistic from a certain point of view, it's decidedly no fun. So, I'm thinking about adding Martial Weapons Proficiency to at least some of the classes in addition to the Simple Weapons Proficiency that they all already have.

However, I'm not sure I want to add it to everyone: after all, that makes it somewhat silly; I can just call it "weapons proficiency" and do away with the distinction between martial and simple weapons if I do that. The other option I've considered is adding it just to the physical classes: Strong, Fast and Tough. You can either pick up the feat or multiclass through one of those classes to simulate some "soldierly" training of some sort. Both have pros and cons, and I'm undecided on which way makes the most sense. So, when that happens, the only sensible thing to do is come to enworld and get a second (and third, and fourth, etc.) set of eyes to look at the problem!

Please advise.

 

[Crothian]

Well, are you going to do the same with the armor feats? The modern classes do get more feats so it would be easier to pick up these things as one gains levels.

However, I don't see anything wrong with adding martial weapons to those classes.

 

[Mr Fidgit]

... none of the basic classes start out with a martial weapons feat.

i don't think this is necessarily a bad thing.

even in a modern setting, a PC is more than likely going to gain any 'advanced' weapon feat from their starting background. the police officer background can provide for the personal firearms feat (which a couple of people in our game have taken), so a similar background for a pseudo-traditional fantasy game (something like 'Militia') could provide the martial weapons feat as a choice, along with Brawl.

 

[Mistwell]

Well, I think it would depend how fantasy-rich your world is.

Is the fantasy element hidden from normal observation by your average people in the world? If so, did your PCs get hint of the secret fantasy presense themselves and then decide to adventure? If that is the senario, I would say that they should have to train in to the martial weapons proficiency, since it is part of their discovery and training into the shadow elements.

If, however, the fantasy element is common place in the world, or at least common to these PCs prior to starting the game, and it would not be an unusual thing for people to know how to use swords and carry them, then I would say give it to all the PCs for free, or to all the physical-stat folks for free (the three you listed).

 

[Pagan priest]

There is no need to add those proficiencies to any of the classes. Using the rules as they already exist in D20 Modern, you simply need to have a suitable list of occupations to represent a midevil time frame.

For example:
Knight
Skills: Ride, Diplomacy, whatnot. Bonus Feats: Armor Proficiency (Light, Medium, Heavy) Martial Weapons Proficiency. Wealth Bonus +4

Man at Arms
Skills: Craft (armor), whatever. Bonus Feats: Armor Proficiency (Light, Medium), Martial Weapons Proficiency. Special: weapons and armor provided by liege lord. Wealth Bonus +1

Peasant
Skills: farming, grovelling. Wealth Bonus: -2 (minimum starting wealth 0)

The actual skills and feats can be changed to reflect the time frame and culture of the campaign. Since I have no familiarity with Iron Kingdoms, I can't be too specific, but this should give you the idea you need. I guess you will want to create an appropriate list of advanced classes as well... hard to picture a Gunslinger in a typical D&D setting!

 

[Desdichado]

I forgot to look at the professions I've created; I've already got martial weapons proficiency baked into a number of those! Sure, not everyone will have it, but I think that would probably cover me pretty well. Thanks. Good solution.

 

[Mistwell]

I forgot to look at the professions I've created; I've already got martial weapons proficiency baked into a number of those! Sure, not everyone will have it, but I think that would probably cover me pretty well. Thanks. Good solution.

Just a quick note (personal pet peeve)...I think you mean occupations you have created, not professions. You no longer add professions in d20 Modern (and yes, I am convinced adding particular professions that are stackable as a house rule WILL break the wealth system).

 

[aurin777]

I just thought I'd back up Mistwell real quick - if you add multiple profession skills, the wealth system will crumble. It no longer has the ( ) for you to write multiple ones in for a reason. Now, all of your jobs are added into one skill called (duh) "Profession." Use it, don't abuse it.
~~Brandon

 

[Desdichado]

Yes, I do mean the occupation template, not to be confused with the profession skill.