Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 brutticus Jun 24, 2013 11:35:24	So we started a d20 modern game, and I built a pretty basic Charisma hero 3. Hes a con artist with okay dex and int, so hes pretty irresistable, and more than a little sneaky. I went with the fast talk tree, and my feats are mostly focused on my social skills. Im throwing a +15 to lie. I did pick up Personal Firearms from my background (criminal) my question is, what do i want to do from here? There are some things I need: Investigate, use computer, disable device, and sense motive. I am also a sitting duck in combat, and Im not sure what to do aside dip in fast hero. I was thinking about a dip in Smart, wise, or fast.  I also dont really know which advanced class to go to. Negotiator and Swinder were mentioned, but i have no idea how those stack up. Im thinking this campaign will end up be a "shadowrun" campaign, where in our group of nere'dowells do unsavory "field work" for coporate exec. Im unsure how long this game will even last. I'd like to focus on lying, being the face, and talking our ways in and out of places.  Anyways, suggestions are appreciated.
#2 Tempest_Stormwind Jun 24, 2013 12:00:01	Might want to check with the non-D&D boards that specialize in d20 Modern. I'm really not sure most of us would be familiar enough with the system to help.
#3 dbay Aug 06, 2013 4:05:31	I've dabbled a bit in the system, and my recommendations really depend on what's abailable and where you want to go. If the non-futury bits of D20 Future are allowed, the Field Officer Advanced class (on the srd) is hardcore. Full BAB charisma based class? Yes, please. A dip into fast hero does wonders for your AC, but so does this: if you can splurge a lot of money and get a +3 mastercraft undercover shirt (PDC 21, AC +5) even without light armor proficiency (no ACP), you're pretty golden. If wealth is a problem, just sell all the guns the enemies drop. Most guns are PDC15 or higher, which guaruntees +1 to your wealth for selling. Combat in D20 modern is a little wonky, especially at mid-to-high levels. This is largely because of the firearms rules: HP increases with level, but gun damage does not. The only ways to increase weapon damage are: Double Tap (+1d6), Burst Fire (+2d6, doesn't stack with double tap), and Point Blank Shot (+1 damage, +1 to hit). At early levels being shot is pretty rough (2d6 damage usually) but with decent constitution, in a few levels you'll be able to soak bullets without much difficulty. Amusingly enough, short of tank weapons a man on a horse with a lance and the right feats is much more deadly than an equivalent-level character with an assault rifle. If Arms Locker is open, nothing beats the 5-7 as a pistol (2d8 damage, small size) or the HK G11 as a rifle (only -2 on burst fire, not -4). Before then, if being hit is still an issue, don't forget about cover or going prone. Both add +4 to your AC against ranged attacks. Say you have +2 dex, non-masterwork undercover shirt (+2 ac), and you fall prone (+4ac) you're up to AC18, which isn't bad at low levels. Anything you can do to increase your dex, you should do. It's the most important combat stat: It comes up every attack you make, every time you get attacked, and reflex saves (the most common save in D20modern, due to lack of magic but existence of autofire and explosives). If that's still not enough, there's more you can do, but the keeping style becomes trickier, depending on the campaign. For example, a buckler (+1AC) can be made up to +3 mastercraft (+4AC) at really low cost (less than PDC14, so it won't set you back unless you're pretty poor) at only -1ACP. Because of the Mastercraft rules, wealth in D20 modern is one of your most important stats. Never pass up the opportunity to loot a room, especially the surprisingly valuable guns that mooks drop, and never neglect to put ranks in Profession. A rich character with a mastercrafted gun and a laser sight (+1 to attack and +3 to damage or +4 to attack) is more dangerous than a poor character with a better BAB and dex. If you're not happy with ranged combat, a guy with a sword in D20 modern is ludicrously effective, because melee combat is unchanged from 3.0. Power attack? Yes please! If that doesn't fit stylistically, barefist works well too. With mastercraft +3 brass knuckles (+4 damage to unarmed) and the brawl feats, you can do insane damage just by punching people. Much more than you can with a gun that isn't a 2d10 fired on burst.