Rules for money in play?

[Erekose]

I've recently acquired a few d20 Modern books (d20 Modern, Future, Past, etc.) and while they are generally mechanically similar to 3.xE D&D the way money and acquiring items is handled is very different. It does appear quite elegant but in my experience one of the aspects that many players focus on is the accumulation of either wealth or the trappings of wealth.

This leads me to two questions:

- how does the d20 Modern system "work" in play
- has anyone removed it and replaced it with a standard monetary system and what were the results?

Many thanks!

 

[Ahnehnois]

I've used the d20 Modern wealth system in other games (i.e. CoC d20). I thought it worked very well with almost no modification. The only problem is coming up with purchase DCs on the fly; where I have a pretty good idea of what a DC 15 skill check is in the d20 system, I just haven't developed the same 'feel' for what a DC 15 wealth check means. I imagine this would come with time.

 

[jaerdaph]

I'm one of those folks who thought the Wealth system in d20 Modern was both innovative and elegant (and apparently in the minority if you've seen the discussions on the Wealth system over the years). In my experience, It worked really well in play in the sense that it simplified bookkeeping on the part of the players and myself. The keys to using it successfully include the Purchase DC to Dollars conversion chart on p. 204 in the game-mastering section of the d20 Modern Core Rule book (this chart is not in the Modern SRD) and these articles at WotC:

Bullet Points: The Wealth System

Bullet Points: Wealth Revisited

Bullet Points: The Root of All Evil

I'm glad the Wealth system made it into True20 too.

 

[Aus_Snow]

I don't like the Wealth system at all, not for d20 Modern and not for True20. So I replaced it with cash, credit, interest rates and all that stuff. My players *much* prefer dealing with actual monetary values as well, having cold hard cash in pocket, stuff tucked away in accounts, etc.

Basically, although there are a couple of PDFs that contain conversions (one for modern, one for future), you don't really need them. I ended up using price lists from other modern, cyberpunk and sci-fi RPGs. Or, in the case of using here and now as a setting, you can obviously just use the real prices for things, even updating as often as you like - particularly if you use a notebook, netbook, PDA or smartphone.

 

[ValhallaGH]

[stuff that's true]

I can't add anything to jaerdaph's post, except a voice of agreement.

As Aus_Snow said, you don't really have to do anything special to not use wealth. A bit more research than other games require and you're done.

Whether or not the extra effort and bookkeeping are worth the effort is up to you and your group (who can track their in game finances to a fiddlier degree than their real life finances). Some people love it; I've always been more interested in what happens than in how we pay for it.
Stylistically, it'd be the difference in how wealth is handled between the T.V. show Burn Notice and the movie Silverado. Both have characters that are limited to the clothes on their backs and the kindness of friends. And both have those characters advance to a point where money stops being a major concern. One of them talks about it in generalities, while the other tracks every penny owed. Which style works better depends upon you and yoru group.

 

[Erekose]

Thank you for the replies

In particular thanks to jaerdaph for providing the links to the bullet point articles!

My current feeling is that for campaigns in contemporary settings the Wealth System may be the best route forwards but as many of my players (including myself) were brought up with Traveller where amassing credits was the incentive for characters to take up adventures I can't see the Wealth System being similarly motivating for campaigns set in the future . . .

 

[Armadillo]

I'm also a fan of the Wealth system. The only problem that I've had has been in translating financial rewards into Wealth benefits. When an NPC offers the PCs $10,000 to take on a mission, the players rightfully wanted to know how this worked with the Wealth system.

 

[Erekose]

I'm also a fan of the Wealth system. The only problem that I've had has been in translating financial rewards into Wealth benefits. When an NPC offers the PCs $10,000 to take on a mission, the players rightfully wanted to know how this worked with the Wealth system.

I think that's my problem in a nutshell - well said

 

[Bumbles]

I'm also a fan of the Wealth system. The only problem that I've had has been in translating financial rewards into Wealth benefits. When an NPC offers the PCs $10,000 to take on a mission, the players rightfully wanted to know how this worked with the Wealth system.

Depending on the group(and the mission), I'd have said this would be a routine transaction to pay for their operations or a huge windfall that would bring them up a step or two in terms of wealth.

Obviously not knowing the specifics of your group, it's hard to translate. 10,000 dollars in a 1930s group would be a different thing to a post-2000 one.

And FWIW, I've liked this kind of system since I first saw it in Kromosome. It's generally how I do things in all my games.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Anyone know why the wealth to money conversion chart isn't in the SRD; other than: to make you buy the book?