Rewriting the d20 Modern Basic Classes

[dm4hire]

Well the thought is that professions should be more fleshed out than they were.

Given you are probably reading Numenera and have read True20, have you thought about a three class approach similar to them instead of five? Then subdivide from there for specialty subclasses.

 

[Ahnehnois]

That's even more bland than the existing d20M basic classes!

Have you ever played CoC d20? Trust me it's not. You're pretty much making your own class at that point, which means its only as bland as you make it.

 

[Armadillo]

I like the idea of dropping advanced classes in favor of subclasses or suggested builds that get to the same place.

What about backgrounds/occupations? They can also help to shape a character within each of your classes, particularly if they can be used like aspects from FATE.

 

[Morrus]

I like the idea of dropping advanced classes in favor of subclasses or suggested builds that get to the same place.

What about backgrounds/occupations? They can also help to shape a character within each of your classes, particularly if they can be used like aspects from FATE.

I think they're fine as they are. I'm not familiar with aspects though?

 

[Armadillo]

I think they're fine as they are. I'm not familiar with aspects though?

In the FATE system (Dresden Files, Spirit of the Century, Bulldogs, etc.), aspects are traits that cover a wide range of elements intended to illustrate who a character is, who and what they are connected to, and what's important to them, i.e. relationships, beliefs, catchphrases, descriptors, items, etc. Aspects are individually customized to a character.

Ideally, an aspect should be able to be used both positively or negatively. When positive, a character receives a bonus at a task. When used to bring complications to the adventure and create trouble for a character, an aspect can be compelled by a player, GM, or other player, gaining the character a fate point (aka Hero Point).

That's a brief intro. In some ways, aspects are similar to Backgrounds in 13th Age, only aspects go to relationships and provide a skill bonus and 13thA's Backgrounds are used as skills with relationships playing a part.

 

[Morrus]

Ah; well I don't think we need yet another layer of specialisation. We already have an occupation, class, talent tree, skills, and feats, many of which do the same function of simply saying "this is the thing that this character does well".