We play 3.5 dnd, and are all familiar with the rules. I can see that most of the rules for d20 modern are similar enough that I think I can get off by playing with 3.5 rules, taking out innapropriate classes, and stealing feats. I am only letting them take levels of fighter, ranger, rogue or barbarian to start, after that they can go to more exotic classes or whatever.
All I wanted was any advice on anything I can do to make it better. Any way I can hybrid d20 modern and dnd 3.5 together better or anyting would be much appreciatied.
Thanks!
Secondly, I'd buy d20 Apocalypse (you're running a zombie apocalypse game after all).
Third, you should try to search the boards for the numerous Zombie threads that there have been over the ages, there should be plenty of material you could use.
So, you guys are zombie freaks? What books have you read? World War Z? The Zombie Survival Guide? etc...
What type of zombie are you looking for? Slow Zed? Fast Ghoul? Both? How do they hunt? Do they hunt? What are they vulnerable to? Headshots? Cold? etc...
About making a D&D/d20 Modern hybrid, I don't think it's a great idea. D&D is kinda overpowered compared to d20 Modern, and d20 Modern is already a hybrid product of some sort... So if you guys are planning to play d20 Modern for a while, spend the cash on those two books there (my guess is you should be able to buy 'em both for about 50-80 $ - I live in Denmark, so I wouldn't know exactly about the US prices though). If it's only a one-shot thing, then just grab the MSRD off the wizards website, or look here: http://www.d20resources.com/ .
You won't have access to d20 Apoc though.
My 2 cents. I hope you enjoy your Zombie game.
I haven't seen a D20Modern/D&D hybrid that I've liked, but that's just me.
Oh, if you do end up using Modern classes, be sure that your players understand that there isn't just one class for their character (like D&D's fighter, rogue, etc...), but that they have to use multiple classes to build the archetype they want. It's really a lot of fun, especially because two people can create characters that fall under the same archetype... but have taken none of the same classes.
Oh, also be sure to check out the Future section of the MSRD, particularly mutations. Those can be fun in a zombie apocalypse game whether they are used by the humans or zombies.
It's great.
And your idea is one I've been toying with for years. We actually made ourselves for a game once where we get abducted by aliens to play in d20 Future.
And Apoc has really good rules for some of this stuff. The only problem I've never been able to get around in a Zombie Apocolypse d20: How do you keep fighting the same zombies over and over fun?
1. Numbers= Fun!: The fun thing about zombies is that, while individually they tend to be easy to kill it's the fact that they just keep coming that makes them a real threat. As Max Brooks said in his 10 rules of a zombie attack "4. Blades don't need reloading." It's easy and fun to pick off zombies with a sniper rifle, but then the ammo runs out you've got to get into melee. This gets pretty intense however since that means the zombies are gonna get a few attacks on you, even if you only have 5 zombies with terrible attack bonuses that's a 1 in 4 chance that one of them will land a crit. Now imagine an army of 300, 500 maybe a few thousand, whatcha gonna do then.
Basically I'm saying keep the numbers high and the threat present, but don't under or overwhelm your players. Try a few small wandering groups of 2-3 zombies to test what your players can do and ramp it up from there.
2. Common and crazy NPCs: In a realistic zombie world like yours you probably want a few survivors to be around, even if they're in hiding or in scattered pockets. Most of these people should be common folks, businessmen, kids, store owners, mothers or any other mundane occupation gives them a much more real feeling. These common people make good targets for zombie attacks as well since the players will feel some connection to people like them and be all the more horrified and angry at the undead when they start munching on people they know.
On the flip side of the coin it's always fun to throw in a wacky NPC who mixes things up. An ex-marine who knows how to fight, a petty theif who has managed to survive by hiding and looking out for number one or even something as simple as a doctor working on a zombie cure. Make sure you either have a list of names (I just grabbed the phone book) so you can give your NPCs real sounding names, it helps people connect with them better than if you come up with "Umm...Blade...Killerguy, yeah, that's my name" ^^
3. Location, location, location: Realistic settings like abandoned suburbs, old log cabins, prisons and any other modern building you can think of makes a great place to either hold up for the night or to try and build a fort. Always plan for a way to bring down your PC's defences or give them a reason to keep moving, it's tempting in a zombie game to stay somewhere safe with lots of food, but this isn't all that fun in the long run. Have an NPC wig out and open the back door as he flees into the night, an unfortunately eletrical fire shorts out the lights and leaves the players in total darkness or you could just have the zombies bash their way inside after finding a weak point the players missed. Don't make them feel like their hard work was for nothing, but don't let the game stagnate and become a "sit and wait" excersize for too long or your players will get bored, no matter how proud they are initially of their anti-zombie fort.
Get a town or city map of the place where the game will occur (either online or, as I did, grab some from a travel and tourism booth and hand them out, players loved it!) Become at least slightly familiar with major locations in the city or at least in the immediate area the PCs are likely to travel to so you can have an idea of how the place is laid out.
I hope this helps, if you have any more questions or want some more tips or advice just send me a message here or an e-mail. Good luck zombie master!
3. Location, location, location:
A few Ideas:
1.Have the PC's awaken in their homes to either explosions or the sound of distant gunfire on a quiet night in a suburban community/city
2. the PC's awaken from a drug induced sleep where they hadn't dreamed and each finds out that it is a long time, weeks/months/years, since the last day that they remember... maybe slight amnesia
BTW what classes are the players allowed to be?