D20 Past Books - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

D20 Past Books

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
chonen
Jun 01, 2009 11:07:10 I was looking to buy some d20 Past books and I noticed that there are 2 versions.
The first one looks more stylized:
http://www.bookndice.co.kr/ttmall/data/goods/images/d20past.JPG

And the second seems to fit in with the scheme of the other books I have:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q46VEBYCL._SL160_OU01_SS160_.jpg

Is there any difference in the content of the books? I assume that the second one is the newer one.

Thanks,
Chance Morgan
#2
TheRealOrion
Jun 01, 2009 14:13:10 Looks like they just re-coloured the same image. Somebody doing a second printing decided to get fancy.
#3
atanakar
Jun 01, 2009 15:53:36
I was looking to buy some d20 Past books and I noticed that there are 2 versions.
The first one looks more stylized:
http://www.bookndice.co.kr/ttmall/data/goods/images/d20past.JPG

And the second seems to fit in with the scheme of the other books I have:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q46VEBYCL._SL160_OU01_SS160_.jpg

Is there any difference in the content of the books? I assume that the second one is the newer one.

Thanks,
Chance Morgan

The first link shows the image of the actual printed book. The second link shows the image of «preliminary» artwork used to announce the book before it came out.
#4
chonen
Jun 01, 2009 18:20:27 It seems to be a bit more than different coloration. The art is very similar but the style is kinda different, and their faces are changed.

I noticed both pictures listed on Ebay and wasn't sure if there was a difference. I kinda like the first one better it looks a bite more "vintage."
#5
rustam1
Jun 01, 2009 21:22:07
I was looking to buy some d20 Past books and I noticed that there are 2 versions.
The first one looks more stylized:
http://www.bookndice.co.kr/ttmall/data/goods/images/d20past.JPG

And the second seems to fit in with the scheme of the other books I have:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q46VEBYCL._SL160_OU01_SS160_.jpg

Is there any difference in the content of the books? I assume that the second one is the newer one.

Thanks,
Chance Morgan

well, this cover is from the actual WotC printing.

I, myself, wouldn't trust the source of the other cover.
#6
Bloodlust1997
Jun 03, 2009 17:29:13 its the same book folks. the second one was just like stated, the artwork graphic used when it was announced.
#7
chonen
Jun 09, 2009 9:12:44 I've been seeing only softcover versions of this book. Was a hardcover ever released?
#8
atanakar
Jun 09, 2009 9:27:01
I've been seeing only softcover versions of this book. Was a hardcover ever released?

No hardcover edition.

I was disappointed by the content. I was expecting much more than a few new classes and sketchy campaign ideas. I recommend buying a used one.
#9
chonen
Jun 09, 2009 9:53:55 Ya... I wasn't expecting much really but I can get it for just under $10 so not that bad. In the event I do a Fallout game I was wanting to use elements from Past, Modern and Future.

I've seen Ebay listings with actual pictures (not stock photos) of both covers. So I guess I'll just choose the one that looks better to me since there should be no difference in content.

I've started collecting these books since they are cheaper now. Although it seems that the Weapons Locker is the most expensive for some reason.
#10
darth_clumsy
Jul 02, 2009 14:39:05 Truthfully, d20 Past was pretty grim.

There are three main areas covered.

There's a Victorian era adaptation of the Shadow Hunters campaign setting from the core rulebook.

There's a thumbnail sketch of a 1920's-1930's Pulp Hero setting.

There's a 17th Century mishmash of a Golden Age of Piracy/Three Musketeers era setting.

Pros:
* Can be found dirt cheap. Picked mine up for $3 on Ebay recently.
* A pretty good selection of weapons, including black powder weapons can be found.
* A nice selection of new Feats & Starting Occupations more appropriate to the eras is included.

Cons:
* Only worth $3. Unlike some of the other 100 page softcovers in the d20 Modern/Future line, which are pretty well loaded to the gills with crunch and game ideas, this book manages to take 96 pages and use them badly. When you're having problems filling a 96 page book, you're not thinking things through. If I'd paid more than the $6 or so I paid including shipping, I'd have been angry.
* For somebody unfamiliar with the periods suggested by the Campaign Settings, there really isn't enough in this book to build a single campaign, let alone a game world.
* Page count. This is the big one. If WotC had been serious about wanting to cover past games with d20 Modern, they'd have made this book at least as big as d20 Future. There was so, so much more that could have been done with all of this if they'd simply shown the subjects the respect they deserved.
* Advanced Classes. Some of these are good, some of them are just terrible.
* Where's the equipment? One of the things that would have been most helpful to players and GMs out of this book would have been an updated equipment list to reflect the obvious differences in technology between the three settings, and to provide equipment unique to the era.

For the money I paid for it, I was glad for the black powder weapons. I may make use of a creature or two, and the Feats and Occupations, but frankly, about 60 pages of this book are basically dead to me. There's just not enough of anything there.

Truthfully, if you are looking to run stuff in the Victorian Era, or a Pulp Heroes game, I'd suggest taking a look at Adamant Entertainment's "The Imperial Age" for Victorian era stuff, and their "Thrilling Tales" for Pulp Era stuff. Both of them will give you a lot more setting material, a better selection of Advanced Classes, etc.

As for the Piracy setting, the best I've seen d20 wise (but predating d20 Modern, unfortunately), is Skull and Bones. I'm in the process of writing my own d20 Modern Advanced Classes, feats, skills and stuff to do a Golden Age of Piracy game. I may post the stuff as I get to it.
#11
kingkato21
Jul 04, 2009 11:37:31 Are there anyother D20 Modern books than the 7 listed on the main page? Please email me at [email]yaunti@yahoo.com[/email] if there are. ty.
#12
TheRealOrion
Jul 04, 2009 12:38:06 The d20 expansion books seem to mostly function as collections of optional material, like weapons and advanced classes. You don't use what doesn't work. But that's the case with almost any expansion book, isn't it?
#13
kingkato21
Jul 04, 2009 14:52:08 what are the core books?
#14
narukagami
Jul 04, 2009 15:30:41 There is only one Core book. That being, the d20 Modern Core Rule Book.

Everything else are optional suppliments.
#15
kingkato21
Jul 05, 2009 9:07:31 Is D20 Modern future tech printed in 2006 a reprint of the d20 odern future printed in 2004?
#16
rhialto
Jul 05, 2009 11:35:17 No.

Future is a collection of rules. Future Tech is a weapons and equipment catalogue.
#17
kingkato21
Jul 05, 2009 19:25:41 alright thx.
No.

Future is a collection of rules. Future Tech is a weapons and equipment catalogue.

#18
trappedslider
Jul 06, 2009 11:42:27
No.

Future is a collection of rules. Future Tech is a weapons and equipment catalogue.

along iwth trying to clear up combat between mecha starship and humans...

The d20 expansion books seem to mostly function as collections of optional material, like weapons and advanced classes. You don't use what doesn't work.

like d20 future:P but in its defense we did figure out that two abuses of that book don't work very well
#19
TheRealOrion
Jul 06, 2009 13:33:04
like d20 future:P but in its defense we did figure out that two abuses of that book don't work very well

Which are the Big Two, in your mind? I'm guessing it's Gadgets and Skill/Feat plexes?
#20
narukagami
Jul 06, 2009 13:37:17
Which are the Big Two, in your mind? I'm guessing it's Gadgets and Skill/Feat plexes?

Gadgets weren't necessarily broken mechanically in most cases, it was mostly just logically absurd.

Skill/Feat plexes creating infinite wealth still works going strictly by RAW, like Pun-Pun or the Locate City Nuke. But like Pun-Pun and the Locate City Nuke, Common Sense(TM) was meant to override RAW.
#21
trappedslider
Jul 06, 2009 15:23:06
Gadgets weren't necessarily broken mechanically in most cases, it was mostly just logically absurd.

Skill/Feat plexes creating infinite wealth still works going strictly by RAW, like Pun-Pun or the Locate City Nuke

The skill thing doesn't work due to the compentce bonus not stacking and the feat pluxes + heir occupation just creats loop becuase you would still wind up back at 10 wealth

Infinite wealth cheat and yet another wealth thread but WITH math!
#22
narukagami
Jul 06, 2009 15:26:45
The skill thing doesn't work due to the compentce bonus not stacking and the feat pluxes + heir occupation just creats loop becuase you would still wind up back at 10 wealth

Infinite wealth cheat and yet another wealth thread but WITH math!

Ah, I see.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 chonen Jun 01, 2009 11:07:10	I was looking to buy some d20 Past books and I noticed that there are 2 versions. The first one looks more stylized: http://www.bookndice.co.kr/ttmall/data/goods/images/d20past.JPG And the second seems to fit in with the scheme of the other books I have: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q46VEBYCL._SL160_OU01_SS160_.jpg Is there any difference in the content of the books? I assume that the second one is the newer one. Thanks, Chance Morgan
#2 TheRealOrion Jun 01, 2009 14:13:10	Looks like they just re-coloured the same image. Somebody doing a second printing decided to get fancy.
#3 atanakar Jun 01, 2009 15:53:36	I was looking to buy some d20 Past books and I noticed that there are 2 versions. The first one looks more stylized: http://www.bookndice.co.kr/ttmall/data/goods/images/d20past.JPG And the second seems to fit in with the scheme of the other books I have: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q46VEBYCL._SL160_OU01_SS160_.jpg Is there any difference in the content of the books? I assume that the second one is the newer one. Thanks, Chance Morgan The first link shows the image of the actual printed book. The second link shows the image of «preliminary» artwork used to announce the book before it came out.
#4 chonen Jun 01, 2009 18:20:27	It seems to be a bit more than different coloration. The art is very similar but the style is kinda different, and their faces are changed. I noticed both pictures listed on Ebay and wasn't sure if there was a difference. I kinda like the first one better it looks a bite more "vintage."
#5 rustam1 Jun 01, 2009 21:22:07	I was looking to buy some d20 Past books and I noticed that there are 2 versions. The first one looks more stylized: http://www.bookndice.co.kr/ttmall/data/goods/images/d20past.JPG And the second seems to fit in with the scheme of the other books I have: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q46VEBYCL._SL160_OU01_SS160_.jpg Is there any difference in the content of the books? I assume that the second one is the newer one. Thanks, Chance Morgan well, this cover is from the actual WotC printing. I, myself, wouldn't trust the source of the other cover.
#6 Bloodlust1997 Jun 03, 2009 17:29:13	its the same book folks. the second one was just like stated, the artwork graphic used when it was announced.
#7 chonen Jun 09, 2009 9:12:44	I've been seeing only softcover versions of this book. Was a hardcover ever released?
#8 atanakar Jun 09, 2009 9:27:01	I've been seeing only softcover versions of this book. Was a hardcover ever released? No hardcover edition. I was disappointed by the content. I was expecting much more than a few new classes and sketchy campaign ideas. I recommend buying a used one.
#9 chonen Jun 09, 2009 9:53:55	Ya... I wasn't expecting much really but I can get it for just under $10 so not that bad. In the event I do a Fallout game I was wanting to use elements from Past, Modern and Future. I've seen Ebay listings with actual pictures (not stock photos) of both covers. So I guess I'll just choose the one that looks better to me since there should be no difference in content. I've started collecting these books since they are cheaper now. Although it seems that the Weapons Locker is the most expensive for some reason.
#10 darth_clumsy Jul 02, 2009 14:39:05	Truthfully, d20 Past was pretty grim. There are three main areas covered. There's a Victorian era adaptation of the Shadow Hunters campaign setting from the core rulebook. There's a thumbnail sketch of a 1920's-1930's Pulp Hero setting. There's a 17th Century mishmash of a Golden Age of Piracy/Three Musketeers era setting. Pros: * Can be found dirt cheap. Picked mine up for $3 on Ebay recently. * A pretty good selection of weapons, including black powder weapons can be found. * A nice selection of new Feats & Starting Occupations more appropriate to the eras is included. Cons: * Only worth $3. Unlike some of the other 100 page softcovers in the d20 Modern/Future line, which are pretty well loaded to the gills with crunch and game ideas, this book manages to take 96 pages and use them badly. When you're having problems filling a 96 page book, you're not thinking things through. If I'd paid more than the $6 or so I paid including shipping, I'd have been angry. * For somebody unfamiliar with the periods suggested by the Campaign Settings, there really isn't enough in this book to build a single campaign, let alone a game world. * Page count. This is the big one. If WotC had been serious about wanting to cover past games with d20 Modern, they'd have made this book at least as big as d20 Future. There was so, so much more that could have been done with all of this if they'd simply shown the subjects the respect they deserved. * Advanced Classes. Some of these are good, some of them are just terrible. * Where's the equipment? One of the things that would have been most helpful to players and GMs out of this book would have been an updated equipment list to reflect the obvious differences in technology between the three settings, and to provide equipment unique to the era. For the money I paid for it, I was glad for the black powder weapons. I may make use of a creature or two, and the Feats and Occupations, but frankly, about 60 pages of this book are basically dead to me. There's just not enough of anything there. Truthfully, if you are looking to run stuff in the Victorian Era, or a Pulp Heroes game, I'd suggest taking a look at Adamant Entertainment's "The Imperial Age" for Victorian era stuff, and their "Thrilling Tales" for Pulp Era stuff. Both of them will give you a lot more setting material, a better selection of Advanced Classes, etc. As for the Piracy setting, the best I've seen d20 wise (but predating d20 Modern, unfortunately), is Skull and Bones. I'm in the process of writing my own d20 Modern Advanced Classes, feats, skills and stuff to do a Golden Age of Piracy game. I may post the stuff as I get to it.
#11 kingkato21 Jul 04, 2009 11:37:31	Are there anyother D20 Modern books than the 7 listed on the main page? Please email me at [email]yaunti@yahoo.com[/email] if there are. ty.
#12 TheRealOrion Jul 04, 2009 12:38:06	The d20 expansion books seem to mostly function as collections of optional material, like weapons and advanced classes. You don't use what doesn't work. But that's the case with almost any expansion book, isn't it?
#13 kingkato21 Jul 04, 2009 14:52:08	what are the core books?
#14 narukagami Jul 04, 2009 15:30:41	There is only one Core book. That being, the d20 Modern Core Rule Book. Everything else are optional suppliments.
#15 kingkato21 Jul 05, 2009 9:07:31	Is D20 Modern future tech printed in 2006 a reprint of the d20 odern future printed in 2004?
#16 rhialto Jul 05, 2009 11:35:17	No. Future is a collection of rules. Future Tech is a weapons and equipment catalogue.
#17 kingkato21 Jul 05, 2009 19:25:41	alright thx. No. Future is a collection of rules. Future Tech is a weapons and equipment catalogue.
#18 trappedslider Jul 06, 2009 11:42:27	No. Future is a collection of rules. Future Tech is a weapons and equipment catalogue. along iwth trying to clear up combat between mecha starship and humans... The d20 expansion books seem to mostly function as collections of optional material, like weapons and advanced classes. You don't use what doesn't work. like d20 future:P but in its defense we did figure out that two abuses of that book don't work very well
#19 TheRealOrion Jul 06, 2009 13:33:04	like d20 future:P but in its defense we did figure out that two abuses of that book don't work very well Which are the Big Two, in your mind? I'm guessing it's Gadgets and Skill/Feat plexes?
#20 narukagami Jul 06, 2009 13:37:17	Which are the Big Two, in your mind? I'm guessing it's Gadgets and Skill/Feat plexes? Gadgets weren't necessarily broken mechanically in most cases, it was mostly just logically absurd. Skill/Feat plexes creating infinite wealth still works going strictly by RAW, like Pun-Pun or the Locate City Nuke. But like Pun-Pun and the Locate City Nuke, Common Sense(TM) was meant to override RAW.
#21 trappedslider Jul 06, 2009 15:23:06	Gadgets weren't necessarily broken mechanically in most cases, it was mostly just logically absurd. Skill/Feat plexes creating infinite wealth still works going strictly by RAW, like Pun-Pun or the Locate City Nuke The skill thing doesn't work due to the compentce bonus not stacking and the feat pluxes + heir occupation just creats loop becuase you would still wind up back at 10 wealth Infinite wealth cheat and yet another wealth thread but WITH math!
#22 narukagami Jul 06, 2009 15:26:45	The skill thing doesn't work due to the compentce bonus not stacking and the feat pluxes + heir occupation just creats loop becuase you would still wind up back at 10 wealth Infinite wealth cheat and yet another wealth thread but WITH math! Ah, I see.