New Prestige Classes at WotC site

[Vigilance]

True. I guess its a question of how random you want combat to be. Increasing the MDT save DC doesn't just make combat more deadly, it makes it more random.

To me, in the d20 Modern system, characters don't get one-shot by unseen snipers. In a game without the ability to bring back the dead, an event like this is terribly disruptive to the flow of the game.

I think +5d6 extra damage, which will almost always force a character to make a MDT save, is appropriate. It's going to get less deadly as characters get higher level (the damage will stay about the same- since the sneak attack damage gets higher- but the save will become easier).

Chuck

 

[JPL]

My major beef with the sniper class is that you need..what is it...four levels of Gunslinger to qualify?

I think of Gunslinger as your John Woo or John Wayne two-guns-blazing guy...not one shot, one kill.

Spec Ops, on the other hand, is good. There would be some argument for having a seperate prestige class for each special forces group...

Vig, would you care to spill the beans a little re: Blood and Guts?

 

[Saeviomagy]

True. I guess its a question of how random you want combat to be. Increasing the MDT save DC doesn't just make combat more deadly, it makes it more random.

When combined with 'critical shot' it makes combat far, far more deadly.

To me, in the d20 Modern system, characters don't get one-shot by unseen snipers. In a game without the ability to bring back the dead, an event like this is terribly disruptive to the flow of the game.

I agree entirely. One-shot-one-kill isn't really suited to d20 modern, especially when it's as simple as taking -8 to your to-hit roll. I'd almost guarantee that players will avoid taking this class as long as that means that I won't give it to NPC's. To me that stinks of a lack of balance.

I think +5d6 extra damage, which will almost always force a character to make a MDT save, is appropriate. It's going to get less deadly as characters get higher level (the damage will stay about the same- since the sneak attack damage gets higher- but the save will become easier).

I would have far, far preferred sneak attack mechanics to the ones which were presented. More damage is infinitely preferable to save-or-die.

 

[Vigilance]

My major beef with the sniper class is that you need..what is it...four levels of Gunslinger to qualify?

I think of Gunslinger as your John Woo or John Wayne two-guns-blazing guy...not one shot, one kill.

Spec Ops, on the other hand, is good. There would be some argument for having a seperate prestige class for each special forces group...

Vig, would you care to spill the beans a little re: Blood and Guts?

Well- my sniper class does not require four levels of gunslinger

I liked a lot of aspects of the specops, although, having done a boatload of research over the past few days it struck me odd- the class is clearly based on the special forces, but they called it special ops.

I will spill the beans as you say shortly- the book is still in the draft stage- but is nearing completion- so shortly (like less than 12 hours) I will be able to post a TOC for you folks to give an idea of what I'm up to

You can see the cover and a blurb at vigilance HQ (link below).

 

[Vigilance]

Whoops! There go some beans

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52158

Well- Im not ready to post the entire TOC yet, but here's the class list to the book, which should give an idea of what I have going on in the book

Chuck

 

[JPL]

I liked a lot of aspects of the specops, although, having done a boatload of research over the past few days it struck me odd- the class is clearly based on the special forces, but they called it special ops.
(link below).

I think it's a question of specificity. In most games, there's no need to distinguish between various Spec Op forces --- a SEAL and an SAS operator and a Green Beret can all be translated into the same game terms. In a military-themed game, however, the distinctions might matter more.

Same thing as martial arts in d20 Modern, actually --- those of us who wanted more options beyond DMA/CMA/Brawl can buy that Blood and Fists book all the kids dig.

Interesting that you have gone the other direction and actually provided a different class for each specialty within a Special Forces A-team.

 

[Vigilance]

Interesting that you have gone the other direction and actually provided a different class for each specialty within a Special Forces A-team.

I have that sort of specificity for all the special ops teams- because I provide rules for taking an MOS (Military Occupational Specialty for those playing the home game), which works just like an occupation, expanding your range of skills. So within a Force Recon team, you can have a medic, and a radio man, and so forth.

But when I looked the special forces teams, and how clearly the army breaks down what they do- it just looked like an adventuring group to me, so I just had to go there

Chuck

 

[Vigilance]

Hey guys, the TOC is up here, check it out

http://www.rpgobjects.com/index.php?page=pro&product_id=23&

 

[JPL]

The Coast Guard got the shaft.

It occurs to me that "Commando Training" could benefit from a rename [if it's the same feat as in Blood and Fists], just to clarify that it's military hand-to-hand combat specifically, and not "Commando Training" in general.

How will you model Special Forces operations sergeants, warrant officers, and commissioned officers?

Gonna do some foreign units as the web bonus?

 

[Vigilance]

The Coast Guard got the shaft.

It occurs to me that "Commando Training" could benefit from a rename [if it's the same feat as in Blood and Fists], just to clarify that it's military hand-to-hand combat specifically, and not "Commando Training" in general.

How will you model Special Forces operations sergeants, warrant officers, and commissioned officers?

Gonna do some foreign units as the web bonus?

Hmm- all good points, let's take them one at a time

On Commando training- that's a good point- I really just included it to give people some basic rules for special ops.

In my research, the operations sergeant either didn't come up, and when it did, it seemed to be used synonymously with Intelligence. If you can provide me with some alternate sources of information, I'll be glad to look into it. I have also sent an email to some military friends of mine on this subject.

The game has a Rank system, and you will be able to start a character as a Pfc straight of boot and (theoretically) advance his rank all the way to 4 star general.

Warrant Officers and Commissioned Officers have a couple of required training courses that they need, and then it's just a matter of getting promoted.
Chuck