D20 Modern

[Rabbit]

Has anyone played D20 Modern?

Reefwood, I think you have.

How did you like it?
How is it different?
Do they have clerics and wizards like regular DnD 3.5?

And while I'm asking; has anyone tried Spycraft?

[Rabbit]

Here is a review that helps lay out some major differences. BUT I'm still interested to hear what any of you have to say about the system.

The biggest difference between D&D and D20 Modern is the attitude towards classes. In D&D, your class is what you are: a wizard, a barbarian, a cleric. In D20 Modern, a class just adds something to your character. The basic classes are Strong, Fast, Tough, Smart, Dedicated, and Charismatic. Each gives you abilities in line with one of the basic ability scores. You are not only free to mix different classes, but encouraged to do so. The addition of advanced classes like Soldier or Techie adds another layer of customization.

The other modern concepts are handled well. Guns do decent damage but not vastly more than the weapons found in D&D. This is tempered by the massive damage rule which states that any time you receive damage equal to or greater than your constitution score you must make a fortitude save or be reduced to -1 hit points instantly. Similarly, driving vehicles is handled much like character movement, with associated feats and skills to allow you to be a more effective driver or pilot. Finally, the vagaries of modern finance are abstracted away with an elegant wealth system.

[Enric]

I've never read it, but I own a copy of the book. I'd be happy to lend it to you if you'd like to take a look at it.

[Rabbit]

Dec 2, 2011 1:57:35 GMT -5 Enric said:

I've never read it, but I own a copy of the book. I'd be happy to lend it to you if you'd like to take a look at it.

That would be awesome. Maybe I can get it at the next MouseGuard, and I can give you that mic stand.

[michael]

I was part of a (breif) d20 modern campaign. It was fun, but we had a first time GM, and players largely guided where the game went. That's normally preferrable, but we rarely hit the challenges the GM laid out, and nobody knew the system well enough to make them on the fly, so we never actually got to use the mechanics.

[reefwood]

I did play a "zombies in space" game on GG that used d20 Modern, but it didn't last very long, and I don't remember too much. The main difference I recall is what the above blurb spelled out - how the classes are set up differently. I don't remember coming across any magic, but I think that had more to do with the setting than the system.

Also, as the name, it is a lot more modern, so you can take all sorts of fields of study for knowledges and maybe even any language that has existed. Although, I'm not sure if it has any way to handle the interbot. And maybe it took a bit longer to build up to awesomeness with these kind of classes, but maybe I just rolled not so hot stats. Still, I did enjoy the game but just don't remember much about the mechanics.

Anyway, I would certainly give it another shot.