Trying to Simulate Anime in d20

[GravyFingerz]

I'm in the process of planning a game which is very anime in style. In order to do so, I've had to improvise a lot of new stuff. Here are some ideas for an anime game you may run!

Anime Points
Characters in anime seemingly do things which can be described as incredibly lucky.

Every player character and non-player character with Script Immunity receives a number of Anime Points equal to their character level.

Anime Points can be used on any check, attack roll, saving throw, or damage roll. If an Anime Point is used, the character receives the best possible result on the roll. If used on an attack roll, the character must still roll to confirm a threat, unless an Anime Point is used again.

Anime Points can be regained by performing actions that are incredibly skilled, lucky, etc. without using an Anime Point. In short, any action which is the embodiment of the spirit of Anime.

Script Immunity
Many characters in anime are special, and do not die easily. If some characters did die, then the story would be grounded to a halt.

A character with Script Immunity receives the special abilities of Evasion and Uncanny Dodge as if the character were a 3rd-level Rogue. Characters with levels in Rogue or another class add 3 to their class levels in Rogue to determine their Uncanny Dodge ability. They also receive the Defensive Roll special ability.

Characters with Script Immunity receive a luck bonus to their Armor Class and all Saving throws equal to their level in Script Immunity. For example, a character with Script Immunity 4 has a +4 luck bonus to his Armor Class and all Saving throws.

Characters with Script Immunity add their character level to all damage rolls.

This ability is only granted to characters who have a major impact on the story. Once they are no longer important, they no longer possess this ability.

Vitality/Wounds
This system that replaces hit points is perfect for Anime.

Every player character and non-player character with Script Immunity receives vitality points, using their hit die from class or race to determine how many they receive per hit die.

Everyone else only possesses wound points.

New Feat
Super Leap
You are able to make incredible leaps.
Benefit: Whenever you jump, you may add 5 feet to the total distance you leap. Your jumps do not have the usual maximums for jumping distance.
Special: You may take this feat multiple times. Each time you take it, you add +5 feet to the total distance you leap.

Comments?

 

[omedon]

Have you tried Big Eyes, Small Mouth by Guardians of Order. It isn't D20 but the system is built around Anime and seems to be fairly popular.

 

[GravyFingerz]

I have BESM 2e.

I wanted to try Anime action in 3e is all.

 

[Geoff Watson]

It depends a lot on what type of anime you want, as anime covers a wide variety of genres.

Your 'Anime Points' sound a lot like 'Hero points', 'Force points', 'Luck points', etc from various games; though I think a re-roll would be better than a maximum instead of rolling.

'Script Immunity' is sort of covered by hit points in D&D. Giving important people luck bonuses is fine, but giving the Rogue abilities to everyone seems to devalue the rogue.

Vitality points is a decent way of dividing the characters between important and unimportant. Like 'named' and 'unnamed' in Feng Shui.

Semi-OT:
Guardians of Order is producing a Super-hero system called Silver Age Sentinels that is a lot like BESM2. They are also producing a d20 version that has a detailed conversion system. You might want to have a look at that when it comes out.

Geoff.

 

[Oni]

I think trying to do anime in dnd comes down to two things. First is attitude, not a rules thing you just have to get your players in that slightly goofy, over the top, balls to the wall state of mind.

Second (in my opinion) is feats, I think that feats of a certain style really set the tone. I have a list I made of anime feats (though originally intended for humor, so balance was never even close to an issue, though I am of the opinion that anime style feats are going to be more powerful and out of whack with regular feats). Anyway here they are:

http://personal.rmc.edu/~jcpugh/animefeats.html

I don't know where it is, but Kaptain Kantrip has actually done some work toward balancing these for actual play.

 

[GravyFingerz]

Well, maybe if I shed some more light on what I'm doing anime for.

If you have seen Record of Lodoss War, I'm trying to do it for d20.

 

[Codename: GhostFox]

How about using the ACTION DICE mechanic from AEG's Spycraft? I think AEG also plans to use action points for their d20 swashbuckling sourcebook...

Adding an additional d4 or two, to your 'regular' rolls might give you that "over-the-top-anime" feel to your attacks, defense, skill rolls, etc...

 

[Corinth]

That's what Action Dice are? They used the concept I saw first in Shadow Chasers for this?

 

[Geoff Watson]

Well, maybe if I shed some more light on what I'm doing anime for.

If you have seen Record of Lodoss War, I'm trying to do it for d20.

Record of Lodoss War?
That's dead easy. RoLW is based on short stories based on the authors D&D game. Just use the old Basic rules (the ones with Elf and Dwarf as seperate classes). Or 3e, if you prefer a bit more detail.
I'm sure you noticed all the D&D cliches in RoLW.

Geoff.

 

[Horacio]

That's what Action Dice are? They used the concept I saw first in Shadow Chasers for this?

Not! It's a most elaborate concept, and villains also have action dice, and action dice can be awarded and... and... and...

It's a whole nice system, not the concept in Shadowchasers. For more info, ask Kap_Kantrip