. Pathfinder seems to pose some nice ideas that don’t change the game too fundamentally. So here goes…===
Human Racial Traits
+2 to any one ability score: Humans get a +2 bonus on one ability score of their choice at creation.
Medium: Humans are Medium creatures, and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Normal Speed: Humans have a base speed of 30 feet.
Bonus Feat: Humans select one extra feat at 1st level.
Skilled: Humans gain an additional skill rank at first level and one additional rank whenever they gain a level.
((This is a thought that I’m not sure I worded correctly, so any help or improvements on it would be nice.))
Favored Skill: Humans chose one skill (bar Profession) that becomes a permanent class skill at creation, a skill that is broken into multiple categories (Example: Craft) can only select one such category (Example: Craft [Chemical]). If this skill is already a Class-skill then the selected skill gains a permanent +1 to results. If the skill is both a Class-skill and was selected by an Occupation the bonuses stack (for a total of +2).
+2 to any one ability score: Humans get a +2 bonus on one ability score of their choice at creation.
Medium: Humans are Medium creatures, and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Normal Speed: Humans have a base speed of 30 feet.
Bonus Feat: Humans select one extra feat at 1st level.
Skilled: Humans gain an additional skill rank at first level and one additional rank whenever they gain a level.
((This is a thought that I’m not sure I worded correctly, so any help or improvements on it would be nice.))
Favored Skill: Humans chose one skill (bar Profession) that becomes a permanent class skill at creation, a skill that is broken into multiple categories (Example: Craft) can only select one such category (Example: Craft [Chemical]). If this skill is already a Class-skill then the selected skill gains a permanent +1 to results. If the skill is both a Class-skill and was selected by an Occupation the bonuses stack (for a total of +2).
I like the Human Racial Traits. But isn't the +2 kinda overpowered? I mean, there are no penalties? Perhaps +2/-1, so that either the human would add 2 to one ability and take a -1 penalty to another, or gain a +1 to a single ability score (i.e. +2 to STR, and -1 to STR : Result +1 to STR).
Though admittedly I feel that the Archaic Weaponmaster, and to some degree, the Swashbuckler could be improved a bit.
Here's my versions of the two if interested.
Archaic Weaponmaster
Archaic Weaponmaster (Revised)
Prerequisites
Base Attack Bonus: +3
Skills: Knowledge (History) 4
Feats: Archaic Weapon Proficiency or Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Weapon Focus with either with an Archaic or Exotic Weapon
Class Information
The following information pertains to the Archaic Weaponmaster advanced class.
Hite Die
The Archaic Weaponmaster gains 1d10 hit points per level. The character's Constitution modifier applies.
Action Points
An Archaic Weaponmaster gains a number of action points equal to 6+1/2 their character level, rounded down, every time he attains a new level in this class.
Class Skills
The Archaic Weaponmaster class skills are as follows
Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (mechanical, structural, visual art, writing) (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (art, history, tactics, theology and philosophy), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), and Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 3+Int Modifier
Lv Base Attack Bonus Fort Ref Will Special Def Rep
1 +0 +2 +0 +0 Weapon Specialization +1 +0
2 +1 +3 +0 +0 Stunning Prowess +1 +0
3 +2 +3 +1 +1 Bonus Feats +2 +0
4 +3 +4 +1 +1 Uncanny Dodge X +2 +1
5 +3 +4 +1 +1 Greater Weapon Focus +3 +1
6 +4 +5 +2 +2 Bonus Feat +3 +1
7 +5 +5 +2 +2 Improved Critical +4 +2
8 +6 +6 +2 +2 Greater Weapon Specialization +4 +2
9 +6 +6 +3 +3 Bonus Feat +5 +2
10 +7 +7 +3 +3 Deadly Opponent +5 +3
Weapon Specialization
At 1st level, a archaic weaponmaster gains weapon specialization with a specific melee or ranged weapon that he or she also has applied the Weapon Focus feat to. The archaic weaponmaster gets a +2 bonus on damage rolls with the chosen weapon.
Stunning Prowess
Whenever an Archaic weaponmaster performs an Intimidation or Performance check with the weapon which he has weapon specialization with he gains a +2 competence bonus to the result.
Bonus Feats
At 3rd, 6th, and 9th level, the Archaic Weaponmaster gets a bonus feat. The bonus feat must be selected from the following list, and the archaic weaponmaster must meet all the prerequisites of the feat to select it.
Advanced Two-Weapon Fighting, Blind-Fight, Combat Expertise, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Dead Aim, Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Far Shot, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Power Attack, Sunder, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus.
Uncanny Dodge X
The Archaic Weaponmaster gains the ability of Uncanny Dodge, or increases the potency of this ability if he already has it.
If the weaponmaster does not have Uncanny Dodge 1 (usually gained as a Fast hero), he gains Uncanny Dodge 1: He retains his Dexterity bonus to Defense (if any) regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck by a hidden attacker. (He still loses his Dexterity bonus to Defense if he’s immobilized.)
If the weaponmaster already has Uncanny Dodge 1, he gains Uncanny Dodge 2: He can no longer be flanked; he can react to opponents on opposite sides of himself as easily as he can react to a single attacker.
If the weaponmaster already has Uncanny Dodge 2, then he gains no further benefit from this ability.
Greater Weapon Focus
At 5th level, a archaic weaponmaster receives a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls made with the selected from the Weapon Specialization ability. This bonus stacks with the bonus provided by Weapon Focus.
Improved Critical
For the weapon the archaic weaponmaster has applied weapon specialization to the threat range increases by one.
Greater Weapon Specialization
At 8th level, a Archaic Weaponmaster gains greater weapon specialization with the weapon he or she chose to apply Greater Weapon Focus. This ability increases the bonus on damage rolls to +4 when using the selected weapon.
Deadly Opponent
Such is the lethal prowess of the Archaic Weaponmaster that his very presence rattles his opponents defenses. When ever an opponent with an Intelligence of at least 3 attacks him in melee, that opponent takes a penalty to their Defense equal to the weaponmaster’s Charisma modifier (minimal of 1). Creatures immune to fear are also immune to this effect as are creatures with less than 3 Intelligence.
Archaic Weaponmaster (Revised)
Prerequisites
Base Attack Bonus: +3
Skills: Knowledge (History) 4
Feats: Archaic Weapon Proficiency or Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Weapon Focus with either with an Archaic or Exotic Weapon
Class Information
The following information pertains to the Archaic Weaponmaster advanced class.
Hite Die
The Archaic Weaponmaster gains 1d10 hit points per level. The character's Constitution modifier applies.
Action Points
An Archaic Weaponmaster gains a number of action points equal to 6+1/2 their character level, rounded down, every time he attains a new level in this class.
Class Skills
The Archaic Weaponmaster class skills are as follows
Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (mechanical, structural, visual art, writing) (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (art, history, tactics, theology and philosophy), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), and Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 3+Int Modifier
Lv Base Attack Bonus Fort Ref Will Special Def Rep
1 +0 +2 +0 +0 Weapon Specialization +1 +0
2 +1 +3 +0 +0 Stunning Prowess +1 +0
3 +2 +3 +1 +1 Bonus Feats +2 +0
4 +3 +4 +1 +1 Uncanny Dodge X +2 +1
5 +3 +4 +1 +1 Greater Weapon Focus +3 +1
6 +4 +5 +2 +2 Bonus Feat +3 +1
7 +5 +5 +2 +2 Improved Critical +4 +2
8 +6 +6 +2 +2 Greater Weapon Specialization +4 +2
9 +6 +6 +3 +3 Bonus Feat +5 +2
10 +7 +7 +3 +3 Deadly Opponent +5 +3
Weapon Specialization
At 1st level, a archaic weaponmaster gains weapon specialization with a specific melee or ranged weapon that he or she also has applied the Weapon Focus feat to. The archaic weaponmaster gets a +2 bonus on damage rolls with the chosen weapon.
Stunning Prowess
Whenever an Archaic weaponmaster performs an Intimidation or Performance check with the weapon which he has weapon specialization with he gains a +2 competence bonus to the result.
Bonus Feats
At 3rd, 6th, and 9th level, the Archaic Weaponmaster gets a bonus feat. The bonus feat must be selected from the following list, and the archaic weaponmaster must meet all the prerequisites of the feat to select it.
Advanced Two-Weapon Fighting, Blind-Fight, Combat Expertise, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Dead Aim, Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Far Shot, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Power Attack, Sunder, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus.
Uncanny Dodge X
The Archaic Weaponmaster gains the ability of Uncanny Dodge, or increases the potency of this ability if he already has it.
If the weaponmaster does not have Uncanny Dodge 1 (usually gained as a Fast hero), he gains Uncanny Dodge 1: He retains his Dexterity bonus to Defense (if any) regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck by a hidden attacker. (He still loses his Dexterity bonus to Defense if he’s immobilized.)
If the weaponmaster already has Uncanny Dodge 1, he gains Uncanny Dodge 2: He can no longer be flanked; he can react to opponents on opposite sides of himself as easily as he can react to a single attacker.
If the weaponmaster already has Uncanny Dodge 2, then he gains no further benefit from this ability.
Greater Weapon Focus
At 5th level, a archaic weaponmaster receives a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls made with the selected from the Weapon Specialization ability. This bonus stacks with the bonus provided by Weapon Focus.
Improved Critical
For the weapon the archaic weaponmaster has applied weapon specialization to the threat range increases by one.
Greater Weapon Specialization
At 8th level, a Archaic Weaponmaster gains greater weapon specialization with the weapon he or she chose to apply Greater Weapon Focus. This ability increases the bonus on damage rolls to +4 when using the selected weapon.
Deadly Opponent
Such is the lethal prowess of the Archaic Weaponmaster that his very presence rattles his opponents defenses. When ever an opponent with an Intelligence of at least 3 attacks him in melee, that opponent takes a penalty to their Defense equal to the weaponmaster’s Charisma modifier (minimal of 1). Creatures immune to fear are also immune to this effect as are creatures with less than 3 Intelligence.
I'd much appreciate it if you didn't die right away then. :D
((Tema69 thanks for the short-term concern for my heath:rimshot
)========
Base Races
Dwarves
+2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom, -2 Charisma
Medium:
Slow and Steady: Dwarves have a base speed of 20 feet, but their speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance.
Darkvision 60 feet
Stonecunnnig: Dwarves consider Craft (structural) to be a class skill regardless of class. In addition, they receive a +2 bonus on Spot or Search check to notice hidden traps or doors located in stone walls or floors. They receive a check whenever they pass within 10 feet of them, regardless of whether or not they are actively looking.
Hearty: A +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poisons, spells, and spell-like abilities.
Hatred: A +1 bonus on attack rolls against humanoid creatures of the Orc and Goblin subtypes due to special training against these hated foes.
Defensive Training: Dwarves receive a +4 dodge bonus to Defense against monsters of the Giant type.
Stability: A +4 bonus to resist being bull rushed or tripped when standing on the ground.
Languages: Dwarves know how to speak and write in their native tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Elves
+2 Dexterity, +2 intelligence, -2 Constitution
Medium
Normal Speed: 30 feet.
Low-light Vision: Elves can see twice as far as humans in conditions of poor illumination.
Keen Senses: +2 bonus on Spot an Listen check and can detect secret or concealed doors if they pass within 10 feet, regardless of whether or not they are actively looking.
Elven Magic: Even though they are far from their heritage elves take with them the collective knowledge of generations of magical practices. Elves gain a +2 racial bonus on caster-level check made to overcome spell resistance. Additionally elves receive the ‘Arcane Skills’ feat for free.
Elven Immunities: Elves possess an immunity to magic sleep effects and get a +2 racial bonus to saving throws against enchantment spells or effects.
Languages: Elves know how to speak and write in their native tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Gnomes
+2 Constitution, +2 Charisma, -2 Strength
Small
Slow Speed: 20 feet.
Low-light Vision: Gnomes can see twice as far as humans in conditions of poor illumination.
Obsessive: +2 racial bonus on a Craft or Performance skill of their choice, chosen at character creation.
Illusion Resistant: +2 racial bonus on saving throws against illusion spells or effects.
Gnome Magic: +1 to the DC of any saving throws against illusions that they cast. Gnomes with a Charisma of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1/day- dancing lights, ghost sound, prestidigitation, speak with animals. The caster level for these spells is 1. The DC for these spells is equal to 11+ gnomes Charisma modifier.
Hatred: A +1 bonus on attack rolls against humanoid creatures of the Reptilian and Goblin subtypes due to special training against these hated foes.
Defensive Training: Dwarves receive a +4 dodge bonus to Defense against monsters of the Giant type.
Languages: Gnomes know how to speak and write in their native tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Half-Elves
+2 to any one ability score chosen at character creation.
Medium
Normal Speed: 30 feet
Keen Senses: +2 bonus on Spot an Listen check and can detect secret or concealed doors if they pass within 10 feet, regardless of whether or not they are actively looking.
Elven Immunities: Immune to magic sleep effects and get a +2 racial bonus to saving throws against enchantment spells or effects.
Adaptability: Half-elves receive a +2 racial bonus to any one skill chosen a character creation.
Elf Blood: Half-elves count as both humans and elves for any effect related to race.
Languages: Half-elves know how to speak and write in the Elven tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Half-Orcs
+2 Strength, +2 Wisdom, -2 Intelligence
Medium
Darkvision 60 feet
Weapon Familiarity: Half-Orcs gain either Archaic Weapon Proficiency or Exotic Weapon Proficiency at the first level.
Orc Ferocity: With a burning fighting-spirit and a powerful will to live, half-orcs are infamous for never going down easy. Treat as the Tough Hero Talent; Remain Conscious. This ability is counted for determining whether you apply for any feat, talent, effect, or class.
Orc Blood: Half-orc’s count as orcs for any effect related to race.
Languages: Half-orcs know how to speak and write in the Orcish tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Halfling
+2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, -2 Strength
Small
Slow Speed: Halflings have a base speed of 20 feet.
Keen Senses: Halflings receive a +2 racial bonus on all Listen checks.
Sure-footed: Halflings receive a +2 bonus on all Jump, Balance, and Climb checks.
Halflings Luck: Halflings receive a +1 racial bonus on all saving throws.
Fearless: Halflings receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against fear effects. This bonus stacks with the bonus granted by Halfling Luck.
Languages: Halflings know how to speak and write in their native tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Dwarves
+2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom, -2 Charisma
Medium:
Slow and Steady: Dwarves have a base speed of 20 feet, but their speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance.
Darkvision 60 feet
Stonecunnnig: Dwarves consider Craft (structural) to be a class skill regardless of class. In addition, they receive a +2 bonus on Spot or Search check to notice hidden traps or doors located in stone walls or floors. They receive a check whenever they pass within 10 feet of them, regardless of whether or not they are actively looking.
Hearty: A +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poisons, spells, and spell-like abilities.
Hatred: A +1 bonus on attack rolls against humanoid creatures of the Orc and Goblin subtypes due to special training against these hated foes.
Defensive Training: Dwarves receive a +4 dodge bonus to Defense against monsters of the Giant type.
Stability: A +4 bonus to resist being bull rushed or tripped when standing on the ground.
Languages: Dwarves know how to speak and write in their native tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Elves
+2 Dexterity, +2 intelligence, -2 Constitution
Medium
Normal Speed: 30 feet.
Low-light Vision: Elves can see twice as far as humans in conditions of poor illumination.
Keen Senses: +2 bonus on Spot an Listen check and can detect secret or concealed doors if they pass within 10 feet, regardless of whether or not they are actively looking.
Elven Magic: Even though they are far from their heritage elves take with them the collective knowledge of generations of magical practices. Elves gain a +2 racial bonus on caster-level check made to overcome spell resistance. Additionally elves receive the ‘Arcane Skills’ feat for free.
Elven Immunities: Elves possess an immunity to magic sleep effects and get a +2 racial bonus to saving throws against enchantment spells or effects.
Languages: Elves know how to speak and write in their native tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Gnomes
+2 Constitution, +2 Charisma, -2 Strength
Small
Slow Speed: 20 feet.
Low-light Vision: Gnomes can see twice as far as humans in conditions of poor illumination.
Obsessive: +2 racial bonus on a Craft or Performance skill of their choice, chosen at character creation.
Illusion Resistant: +2 racial bonus on saving throws against illusion spells or effects.
Gnome Magic: +1 to the DC of any saving throws against illusions that they cast. Gnomes with a Charisma of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1/day- dancing lights, ghost sound, prestidigitation, speak with animals. The caster level for these spells is 1. The DC for these spells is equal to 11+ gnomes Charisma modifier.
Hatred: A +1 bonus on attack rolls against humanoid creatures of the Reptilian and Goblin subtypes due to special training against these hated foes.
Defensive Training: Dwarves receive a +4 dodge bonus to Defense against monsters of the Giant type.
Languages: Gnomes know how to speak and write in their native tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Half-Elves
+2 to any one ability score chosen at character creation.
Medium
Normal Speed: 30 feet
Keen Senses: +2 bonus on Spot an Listen check and can detect secret or concealed doors if they pass within 10 feet, regardless of whether or not they are actively looking.
Elven Immunities: Immune to magic sleep effects and get a +2 racial bonus to saving throws against enchantment spells or effects.
Adaptability: Half-elves receive a +2 racial bonus to any one skill chosen a character creation.
Elf Blood: Half-elves count as both humans and elves for any effect related to race.
Languages: Half-elves know how to speak and write in the Elven tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Half-Orcs
+2 Strength, +2 Wisdom, -2 Intelligence
Medium
Darkvision 60 feet
Weapon Familiarity: Half-Orcs gain either Archaic Weapon Proficiency or Exotic Weapon Proficiency at the first level.
Orc Ferocity: With a burning fighting-spirit and a powerful will to live, half-orcs are infamous for never going down easy. Treat as the Tough Hero Talent; Remain Conscious. This ability is counted for determining whether you apply for any feat, talent, effect, or class.
Orc Blood: Half-orc’s count as orcs for any effect related to race.
Languages: Half-orcs know how to speak and write in the Orcish tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
Halfling
+2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, -2 Strength
Small
Slow Speed: Halflings have a base speed of 20 feet.
Keen Senses: Halflings receive a +2 racial bonus on all Listen checks.
Sure-footed: Halflings receive a +2 bonus on all Jump, Balance, and Climb checks.
Halflings Luck: Halflings receive a +1 racial bonus on all saving throws.
Fearless: Halflings receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against fear effects. This bonus stacks with the bonus granted by Halfling Luck.
Languages: Halflings know how to speak and write in their native tongue and the language of the location they first arrive.
. Any suggestions as to what to work on next? Magic? Incantations? Feats? Skills? Advanced/Prestige classes? Etc. It seems I got some basic things down, I just don’t know where to start next.What would you consider changeable for feats? Effects? Prerequisites? Or just adding more feats to the system?
The same questions apply to skills.
I have a number of different houserules concerning feats, but they are somehow specific.
Also, I use a modified version of CyberDave's Skillset, you might want to look at that. It's based somewhat on SAGA.
Hn I’ve just read it all and while a novel idea, skill-condensing simply not fit for d20 Modern as a whole. In the modern world (and most of its literature) people are not THAT talented, there are scant few people that could be said to be skilled in Mountain Climbing, Long Jumping, and Cross-continental Swimming (and that’s not even all your skill points under his system), let lone adding High-quality skills in three different performance skills. Hell most musicians favor one aspect of music and stick with it and no one is a master of all the performing arts…well baring David Bowie
.Most people avoid making a “Buckaroo Banzi” character at all costs…
Perhaps there’s little that needs any real change in the skills department.
Is there anything you can think of that warrants a good deal of change: class, feat, ability?
Quick Reload could be a sleight of hand check, with the DC varying according to how fast you wanna do it. Failure means a longer reload time, for example.
Like after 5 ranks in the skill Marksmanship, you get +1 to hit and damage within 30 ft (or whatever houserule for PBS), and after 10 ranks, you get Far Shot, etc...
And what do you mean by Ride By Attack?
I have corrected my errors in the prior post.
So as for firing a pintlemounted M2, I don't see any problem there, even without 'higher levels of DBA'.
Your thoughts on this train of my minds own thoughts?
Reasonable or totally being a jerk?
Unaffected- nothing happens except his aim is thrown off for a few seconds or he loses his rifle
Dazed- roll 1d3 for time dazed
Knocked out- roll 1d4 for time unconscious
Would that work?
While the idea is novel it would require a complete reworking of the whole system, my aim to remain compatible with the current one (otherwise it be no different than 4E/$).
Yeah, sorry, you're right.
I think the races (human included) can just be cribbed directly from PF. The Classes are fine, as are occupations (aside from the change to skills as Class/Trained/Untrained).
As for skills, well, I like the combined PF skill list, especially Acrobatics and Linguistics (though a split into speak or read/write per rank would fit Modern better). Computer Use, Drive, Navigate, Pilot, and Research would all have to be added, perhaps with cribs from SAGA for the Computer Use rules (for one thing).
Feats would have to incorporate the CMB rules, which I think would work really well in Modern.
Advanced Classes, well, I think a simpler method would be to just present the Non-class amount, and then add a basic caveat that being trained halves the prerequisite amount.
Specific Advanced Classes. I think that the Acolyte and the Mage, as well as the other class conversions (Sorcerer, Shaman, etc) should adopt the changed spell rules (domains/schools) from PF.
The problem with skill-condensing is that it means we rewrite all the Occupations, Advanced/Prestige classes and several abilities.
For instance, Jump (in Pathfinder) is apart of Acrobatics (composed of: Jump, Tumble, Balance) which is a Dexterity skill…which means the Strong Hero loses a skill and the Fast Hero gains an additional one…And the Fast Hero’s got enough already.
Point 2:The Strong Advanced class Martial Artist (for example) is no longer accessible to the class it was meant for, least a level three.
Likewise Concentration (the only Constitution-based skill) is not present in Pathfinder being absorbed into Spellcraft (which isn’t a class skill for any class). In addition to that the Tough Hero Advanced/Prestige Classes use Concentration as a primary prerequisite (since only Tough Hero’s get it without spending a feat).
Err its way to late at night to be fully coherent.
Bottom line is that skill-condensing wont work without a major rewrite and is thus rather counterproductive.
However I do realize that skills will need some improvement in this system…would it be sufficient to raise the minimal SPPL (Skill Points Per Level) to 4+Int Mod and the Maximum to 10+Int Mod?
I do agree on the Combat Maneuvers the would be helpful…though some of the CM Feats may need to be Advanced Class abilities since some are rather strong.
As long as Save or Die/Suck (as I belive people call them) spells remain then I see no reason why not in terms of the New Spellcasting ways...though we'll have to think about what to do with Magical Heritage, Divine Heritage, and Wild Talent.
Can you try making a character (any type) with these changes and see if it helps or not?
Are you sure they put Jump under Acrobatics? That would be kinda stupid.
What's really funny, and I've thought about this for a long time, is that the Tough Hero has COncentrationd20M, but none of the class skills that would take long enough to need it. No Treat Injuryd20M, no Disable Deviced20M, nothing. So the one class that gets the skill, doesn't need it. I'd say, let them have SpellcraftPF, without the ability to cast spells, they can't exactly use it any more than they are now, and if, per chance, someone decides to use Tough to enter Mage, well, it's no easier than if they had done it originally, they just get more out of it.
This isn't to suggest that d20 Modern needs no improvement. I'm interested in what goals you are attempting to achieve. I could randomly suggest a number of changes that may all be based on my preferences, but then I've really only created a game with the rules that I like. While my prefences might be really whizzo... it is hard for the community to see where I'm headed.
What design goals did you have in mind? Faster play? One page characters? Rapid advancement? Easier to Ref? More defined roles? More realistic combat? etc...
The only goal I can gather from the OP is "make d20 Modern like Pathfinder" which would then be preferable to WotC altering the system in some unsatifactory way. *shrug* Sure, why not? I'm sure Pathfinder is a good system. But it might help to suggest what strengths of the system you were going for or what weaknesses you were trying to solve. Or if the intent really was to create a d20 Modern / Pathfinder conversion, simply state that as the goal.
d20 Modern is, as a whole, a great system, but it hasn't changed, hasn't been upgraded to the more streamlined ideas that have grown over the last half-dozen years. It's also been the genesis for many great ideas (I'm looking at you, Talents), but hasn't been able to show benefit from the evolution of those ideas.
Pathfinder, much like SWSE, shows the Evolved d20 system feel without the game change of 4th Edition.
) along with making it a bit easier for the DM to run their games (though its always going to require a good bit of effort to make a good campaign).After that I suppose it be simply trying to improve the ‘concept’ of a Modern d20 that allows for generally any theme (well Super Heroes will always be hard, but I hate super heroes…so not my problem:D ) without needing a completely different rule set for each one.
rant
Also the Modern they promise will most likely fail for several reasons. Poor managing of how its advertised will probably happen again (if I recall, this was why our current Modern did get a lot of publicity). Second is that they have specifically said that they will NOT be making a 4.5Ed($) and since I said on the “4Ed Out Reactions” that 4Ed($) rules are geared towards epic fantasy will mean that the rules will require major change in order to acquire a non-superhero, non-Matrix ‘modern theme’…which in short means a 4.5.
And to bring an end to this little 4ed($) rant is the idea of trust between customer and company…not many will deny that customer-relations are bad, they acted rather poorly at the announcement of 4ed($) and only seem to encourage the idea that they didn’t care in the slightest about its customer’s as time went on (disrespecting the product they were just selling and name-calling on their side did little to help.)
And to bring an end to this little 4ed($) rant is the idea of trust between customer and company…not many will deny that customer-relations are bad, they acted rather poorly at the announcement of 4ed($) and only seem to encourage the idea that they didn’t care in the slightest about its customer’s as time went on (disrespecting the product they were just selling and name-calling on their side did little to help.)
Seems like a good idea you've got there. I've heard a lot of good stuff about Pathfinder.
I like the Human Racial Traits. But isn't the +2 kinda overpowered? I mean, there are no penalties? Perhaps +2/-1, so that either the human would add 2 to one ability and take a -1 penalty to another, or gain a +1 to a single ability score (i.e. +2 to STR, and -1 to STR : Result +1 to STR).
Well, Pathfinder did away with the racial penalties to stats, so, Elves get +1 Dex, +1 Cha, dwarves +1 Str, +1 Con, etc. So, with that in mind, the human's +2 to any one or 2 +1 to two stats is not overpowered. Now, whether this would work or not in a Modern Game, is up to you. Personally, i don;t see why it would not, in either an all human campaign or in a mixed race campaign
That's an interesting idea kcn. I've also thought a lot about how linear and 'boring' it gets with identical feats, and how it could be emulated with skills.
Quick Reload could be a sleight of hand check, with the DC varying according to how fast you wanna do it. Failure means a longer reload time, for example.
Or you could take many of the feats and tailor them into Talent trees for the various Classes and Advanced Classes
Well, Pathfinder did away with the racial penalties to stats, so, Elves get +1 Dex, +1 Cha, dwarves +1 Str, +1 Con, etc. So, with that in mind, the human's +2 to any one or 2 +1 to two stats is not overpowered. Now, whether this would work or not in a Modern Game, is up to you. Personally, i don;t see why it would not, in either an all human campaign or in a mixed race campaign
Eh? Which version do you have, cuase that's more 4E($); not Pathfinder.
Its now: Two positive and one negative for all the base races (except humans, that get one bonus and no penalty), the half-orc has +2 Strength and +2 Wisdom with their normal -2 penalty to Charisma...they're no longer as stupid as thier pure-blooded kin...though full-blooded orcs will be scary in thier own rights.
Though the idea in a sense of balance is that the races as a whole benfit not just one (they all gain some benefit from this boost, though for some its just a drop from Level Adjustment +1 to 0)...though perhaps I should get around to making the other base races modern-worthy.