What makes a game D20?

Chauzu

First Post
Simple question.

Reason for asking is because I want to change the rules a bit so that there are no classes. Players will have skills and feats to define their characters.
 
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First a question to your question: If you change the rules so much that it is no longer d20, does it really matter?

Just curious on that one. d20 by defintion is anything that uses the SRD. OGL games by defintion move away from that, so I think tecnically going classless would by OGL. But I don't think that's really what you are talking about.

d20 is just a mechanic. Roll the d20 and add some things to get a result. So, maybe just having that as the primary basic rule is all you need.
 

Crothian said:
First a question to your question: If you change the rules so much that it is no longer d20, does it really matter?

I'm just interested in knowing what is D20 and what is not.
 

Well, if you want to be safe, follow the same format as D&D or d20 Modern.

If you want to deviate one or two elements (like using only one class), you can still use the Wizards' trademarked d20 logo. Just tell them that in your game there is only one class option.

Anything else?
 


The point of levels in d20 is that characters of the same level should be roughly the same power. Other games can let you become hyperspecialized in one aspect like having +20 BAB with a longsword but only +1 BAB with any other weapon or 30 ranks in hide and no more than 2 ranks in any other skill at "level 3"
 



You may wish to look at this page at WOTC, which has links to d20 System Licenses and FAQs: http://www.wizards.com/D20/main.asp?x=welcome,3

Publishers are able to call a product "d20 System" if they comply with that license that includes the following requirements: (a) a minimum 5% of the text is Open Game Content, (b) it uses the proper d20 System logo, (c) it has no rules for character creation, (d) it has no rules for applying the effects of experience.

It must also use a certain set of defined terms (that takes up several pages) and not change or expand those game term definitions. You may wish to look at that license to see what set of rule mechanics WOTC apparently considers integral to the d20 System.

If you radically changed what happens when a character gets experience or "levels up" (pick a class, etc.), then my reading is that it would not be publishable under the d20 System license.
 
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If you go by games like Mutants and Masterminds, and BESM d20, it would seem that the only thing you really need is the d20 roll + bonus > DC mechanic.
 

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