Resident Evil in d20m

[Majin Cthulhu]

Hi all.
I've been a lurker for some time, but I've decided to try and participate in the community now.

Anyhow, I'm going to be running a Resident Evil game with d20m in a few monthes and I need help ironing out some of the stats for various creatures. I know that AFMBE would seem to be a better choice for a zombie game, but I think d20 will handle the various bioengineered beasts that will be inevitably introduced a little better, not to mention already having all the stats for over sized animals in d20m and the d&d MM. Also, one of my players is very bad with math and new systems and he likes d20. Frankly, I couldn't get him off it with a crowbar.

I'm going to start the game around the time of RE 2, for those that care. Its going to use the d20m and Ultra modern firearms books. Plus, I'll probably use normal subdual damage from 3e.

My main concern right now is that the d20 zombies use a 'slam' attack instead of a bite. As much as fantasy zombies may enjoy beating people with their big undead ham hands, I think that the zombies need a bite attack. Now the question is, should I just scratch 'slam' off the sheet and write in 'bite' or should they be changed more radically? I'll get to work on stating out other horrors from the games all in due time.

 

[Bagpuss]

I think it might be an idea to add a special bite attack that can only be used after a successful grapple.

Zombies in RE carry the T-virus and can spread it via a bite. You want to make a bite a dangerous but 'rare' event. As it would be a pain to have your players contracting the T-virus every session, but less threatening if the zombie could never infect a player.

Limiting the bite to a special attack that it can't use all the time would make it more scary but keep them balanced.

That's my thoughts anyway.

 

[Majin Cthulhu]

Thanks for the reply, but I think you have to be killed, in the games at least, to come back as a zombie from a bite. All the main characters can be bitten multiple times and not become zombies, assuming they survive the damage. I know that one bite was good enough in the movie, but the movie took more than its fair share of creative liscence, not only by changing how the zombies worked but also by not including a single character from the games. I do, however, think having them grapple first then bite would work rather well.

What CR do you think would be appropriate for some of the monsters from the games? I'm aiming for lickers (RE2) being about cr 2, hunters (RE) as CR 3, maybe. Tyrants, like Tyrant from RE1 and Mr.X from RE 2 I am having trouble with. Maybe CR 5 or so? Nemisis would probably be CR 6 then.

I appreciate any help you all care to give

 

[Kesh]

Be sure to check out the Shadow Chasers campaign in the back of d20 Modern. There's some good suggestions there about taking off zombie's heads with critical hits.

Yeah, changing their attack to bite shouldn't affect the game too much. I'd go for it. And yes, RE zombies only rise after the person has died.

If you want to use the Crimson Heads from RE:Remake, I'd use the Corpse template from Book of Vile Darkness. Much tougher and allows them to move quickly. I'd add a claw attack to the creature though.

Cerberus hounds are essentially Dogs with the Corpse template.

If you have Oriental Adventures, the Bakemono might be a good starting place for hunters.

 

[Bagpuss]

I think one of the extra's in the the actual games changes after a bite. But yes none of the main characters transform from a bite so if you did make it possible to contract the virus while alive I'ld make it a really easy save to resist (DC 5) so you are very unlikely to fail.

 

[Kenpo Wolf]

Welcome to the forum, MC, and enjoy your stay.

My main concern right now is that the d20 zombies use a 'slam' attack instead of a bite. As much as fantasy zombies may enjoy beating people with their big undead ham hands, I think that the zombies need a bite attack. Now the question is, should I just scratch 'slam' off the sheet and write in 'bite' or should they be changed more radically? I'll get to work on stating out other horrors from the games all in due time.

It's your game so you can change things as you see fit. Personally, I gave my zombies a bite attack as well as a slam attack. AFMBE new book will have D20 stats in it, from what I hear, and their site has some good adventure ideas

 

[Majin Cthulhu]

Thanks for the suggestion Kesh. Since massive bodily trauma will also put down a RE zombie and their heads are a particular weak point, should I just have them open to criticals? I know it may go against the normal undead rules, but who doesn't love seeing a zombie's head pop in a fountain of blood?

Bagpuss, you may be right, but I can't recall what extra that was that turned. I seem to remember a couple of people turning after dying from their injuries, but my memory is fuzzy on some of the games I've not played in a while.

Hmm, maybe I should give the zombies some mild damage reduction, like 3/- or so, to represent their ability to ignore knives , and balance them against thier new found weakness to crits as well. I heard that the Call of Cthulhu D20 zombies were pretty scary, but I've never seen their stats. How were they different?

 

[Bagpuss]

Better to say they take half damage from piercing attacks that some damage reduction that applies to everything.

 

[Majin Cthulhu]

ok, here are my first two creatures, for anyone that cares

T-virus Zombie
Medium-sized undead
Hite dice: 2d12+3 (16 hp)
Initiative: -1 (dex)
Speed 30ft
Defense: 11 (-1 dex, +2 natural armor)
Attacks: bite +2
Damage: bite 1d6+1
Face/Reach: 5’ x 5’/ 5’
Special abilities: Create zombie
Special qualities: Undead, move or attack only, can be critically hit ( because their head is vulnerable), damage reduction 3/-.
Feats: toughness
Saves: fort + 0, ref -1 will +3
AP: 0
Rep: +0
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 8, Con -, Int -, Wis 10, cha 1
Challenge rating: 1

Create zombie: Anyone slain by a zombie, and not devoured, will revive as a t-virus zombie in 1d4+1 minutes as the t-virus transforms his or her body into another shambling corpse.

Cerberus (corpse dog)
Small undead
Hite dice: 1d12 (6 hp)
Initiative: +2 dex
Speed: 40ft
Defense: 15 (+1 size, +2 natural, +2 dex)
Attack: bite +4 melee
Damage: bite 1d4+ 3
Face/reach 5’ x 5’/ 5’
Special abilities: create zombie.
Special qualities: undead, dark vision 60’, scent
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +1
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 15, Con -, Int -, wis 12, cha 6
Skills: listen +5, spot +5, swim + 7, wilderness lore +1 (+9 when tracking by scent)
Challenge rating 1

Any input is welcome ^.^

 

[Skade]

This would probably change their CR but maybe you could add:

Infect: After succeeding in a grapple check, an subsequently pinning a character, the zombie may make an infectious bite attack. Fort save 10.

If they fail they are infected with the T-virus. Symptoms would include -2 to all actions, due to blurred vision and unnatural hungers. If not treated in 6 hours another check is made making the symptoms worse.

Just a thought.