d20 Modern vs. 3.5 monsters - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

d20 Modern vs. 3.5 monsters

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
CanineLord
Apr 17, 2009 22:19:41 For my most recent campaign I plan on sending d20 modern characters into a standard D&D fantasy-type setting. The obvious problem being that d20 modern heroes are much weaker than their 3.5 fantasy counterparts. How could I help these characters survive without totally rewriting the game?

My initial plan is allowing Gestalt for d20 modern classes only. If characters later pick up 3.5 classes, no Gestalt.

I'm also giving them all Able Learner for free.

Would this do it, or do they need more power?

Thanks
#2
Balthanon
Apr 17, 2009 22:35:21 PCs only need as much power as is required for the encounters that you want them to run into. (Unless they decide they absolutely must go dragon hunting or something.) So the question isn't really "Do d20 Modern characters need beefed up to deal with 3.5?" It's how difficult do you want to make things for your group.

If you're going to be throwing them up again goblins, orcs, ogres, and other low CR creatures they aren't going to have any issues-- if you're putting a beholder or high level monsters into the picture (particularly if they are designed as a challenge for the party wizard or cleric) then you might have issues. Basically, if you find the party is lagging behind and having problems with your encounters, just reduce their effective party level-- if they're all level 5, treat them a level 4 instead until they level up.
#3
dr_rocktopus
Apr 17, 2009 23:07:54 You might also find it useful to allow them to bring some Strangeness with them, or you might refer to the Iron Kingdoms stuff if you can find it for some help in translating them across. You'll find IK to be a better setting to move them into, generally I think.
#4
jameswilliamogle
Apr 18, 2009 8:19:09 Items will win the day . Consider potions in particular (the dragon breath one from the SRD is fun).
#5
mcpoyo
Apr 18, 2009 14:20:50
Items will win the day . Consider stealth bombers and tanks in particular .

Fix'd
#6
jameswilliamogle
Apr 18, 2009 14:31:53 HAH! fair enough.
#7
cloer
Apr 18, 2009 15:20:44 I assume you are letting them bring guns and enough ammo???

are they gonna be normal people mysteriously transported to a d&d world or a group of elite commandos on a mission?
#8
CanineLord
Apr 19, 2009 2:22:55 are they gonna be normal people mysteriously transported to a d&d world or a group of elite commandos on a mission?

It's a special ops military team. They'll start with ammo, but it will run out eventually. I want them to be able to switch between bows and arrows and M16s as the setting changes back and forth.
#9
Balthanon
Apr 19, 2009 8:18:26 I would say unless they've taken a 3.5 class, then it might be interesting to have them unfamiliar with using a bow unless they've taken archaic weapon proficiency. They'll realize they need to remedy that quickly enough (you could give them the opportunity to retrain if they take some downtime for it too.)
#10
carnivore
Apr 19, 2009 18:03:09 there are a couple of D20 Modern PrCs... that are VERY nice... if they take them

:D
#11
madgryphon
Apr 19, 2009 21:10:42 I really don't find D20 Classes of similar type as D&D classes to be particularly underpowered. Now, if you start comparing strong hero to wizard or cleric or druid or something, then yeah. But strong vs fighter... meh.
#12
CanineLord
Apr 20, 2009 17:02:13
there are a couple of D20 Modern PrCs... that are VERY nice... if they take them

:D

Can you be more specific?
#13
carnivore
Apr 21, 2009 4:30:34 sure ..... if you go to the D20 Modern SRD... here:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/msrd

look in the Advanced Classes II .... there are several very nice Advanced Class PrCs:[indent]
Telepath
Battle Mind.... VERY nice, like a Combo Soulknife/PW
Mage
Acolyte[/indent]

all can be acquired very easily... also here are some others:

Advanced Classes I[indent]Soldier
Martial Artist[/indent]

Arcana Advanced Classes:[indent]Techno Mage
Archmage
Artificer
Ecclesiarch
Holy/Unholy Knight[/indent]

D20 Future Advanced Classes:[indent]
Dreadnought
Engineer
[/indent]

:D
#14
CanineLord
May 01, 2009 20:40:06 Field Commander (d20 Future) and Sorcerer and Shaman (d20 past) aren't bad either.

Still, I'd like to be able to throw my PC's against equal CR's from the Monster Manual, just as I would a standard D&D party.

This is my plan so far:
*starting level: 3rd
*d20 supplement (Modern, Future, Arcana, etc.) classes only. So no dippin' into Warblade or UrPriest.
*28 point buy
*Base classes (Strong, Smart, etc.) may be gestalt-ed with other base classes. Advanced and Prestige classes may not.
*Free Able Learner feat for everyone.
*Saving throws determined 4e style (ie. the best of Str/Con, Int/Dex, and Wis/Cha)
*Updates 3.5 spells and psionics for the appropriate classes

Given decent weapons (using the wealth system), will these characters be able to keep up with Monster Manual monsters and D&D NPC's? Obviously, it'll help if a PC takes a d20 modern arcane and/or divine spellcasting class for basics like healing and dispel magic.

Thoughts appreciated.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 CanineLord Apr 17, 2009 22:19:41	For my most recent campaign I plan on sending d20 modern characters into a standard D&D fantasy-type setting. The obvious problem being that d20 modern heroes are much weaker than their 3.5 fantasy counterparts. How could I help these characters survive without totally rewriting the game? My initial plan is allowing Gestalt for d20 modern classes only. If characters later pick up 3.5 classes, no Gestalt. I'm also giving them all Able Learner for free. Would this do it, or do they need more power? Thanks
#2 Balthanon Apr 17, 2009 22:35:21	PCs only need as much power as is required for the encounters that you want them to run into. (Unless they decide they absolutely must go dragon hunting or something.) So the question isn't really "Do d20 Modern characters need beefed up to deal with 3.5?" It's how difficult do you want to make things for your group. If you're going to be throwing them up again goblins, orcs, ogres, and other low CR creatures they aren't going to have any issues-- if you're putting a beholder or high level monsters into the picture (particularly if they are designed as a challenge for the party wizard or cleric) then you might have issues. Basically, if you find the party is lagging behind and having problems with your encounters, just reduce their effective party level-- if they're all level 5, treat them a level 4 instead until they level up.
#3 dr_rocktopus Apr 17, 2009 23:07:54	You might also find it useful to allow them to bring some Strangeness with them, or you might refer to the Iron Kingdoms stuff if you can find it for some help in translating them across. You'll find IK to be a better setting to move them into, generally I think.
#4 jameswilliamogle Apr 18, 2009 8:19:09	Items will win the day . Consider potions in particular (the dragon breath one from the SRD is fun).
#5 mcpoyo Apr 18, 2009 14:20:50	Items will win the day . Consider stealth bombers and tanks in particular . Fix'd
#6 jameswilliamogle Apr 18, 2009 14:31:53	HAH! fair enough.
#7 cloer Apr 18, 2009 15:20:44	I assume you are letting them bring guns and enough ammo??? are they gonna be normal people mysteriously transported to a d&d world or a group of elite commandos on a mission?
#8 CanineLord Apr 19, 2009 2:22:55	are they gonna be normal people mysteriously transported to a d&d world or a group of elite commandos on a mission? It's a special ops military team. They'll start with ammo, but it will run out eventually. I want them to be able to switch between bows and arrows and M16s as the setting changes back and forth.
#9 Balthanon Apr 19, 2009 8:18:26	I would say unless they've taken a 3.5 class, then it might be interesting to have them unfamiliar with using a bow unless they've taken archaic weapon proficiency. They'll realize they need to remedy that quickly enough (you could give them the opportunity to retrain if they take some downtime for it too.)
#10 carnivore Apr 19, 2009 18:03:09	there are a couple of D20 Modern PrCs... that are VERY nice... if they take them :D
#11 madgryphon Apr 19, 2009 21:10:42	I really don't find D20 Classes of similar type as D&D classes to be particularly underpowered. Now, if you start comparing strong hero to wizard or cleric or druid or something, then yeah. But strong vs fighter... meh.
#12 CanineLord Apr 20, 2009 17:02:13	there are a couple of D20 Modern PrCs... that are VERY nice... if they take them :D Can you be more specific?
#13 carnivore Apr 21, 2009 4:30:34	sure ..... if you go to the D20 Modern SRD... here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/msrd look in the Advanced Classes II .... there are several very nice Advanced Class PrCs:[indent] Telepath Battle Mind.... VERY nice, like a Combo Soulknife/PW Mage Acolyte[/indent] all can be acquired very easily... also here are some others: Advanced Classes I[indent]Soldier Martial Artist[/indent] Arcana Advanced Classes:[indent]Techno Mage Archmage Artificer Ecclesiarch Holy/Unholy Knight[/indent] D20 Future Advanced Classes:[indent] Dreadnought Engineer [/indent] :D
#14 CanineLord May 01, 2009 20:40:06	Field Commander (d20 Future) and Sorcerer and Shaman (d20 past) aren't bad either. Still, I'd like to be able to throw my PC's against equal CR's from the Monster Manual, just as I would a standard D&D party. This is my plan so far: starting level: 3rd d20 supplement (Modern, Future, Arcana, etc.) classes only. So no dippin' into Warblade or UrPriest. 28 point buy Base classes (Strong, Smart, etc.) may be gestalt-ed with other base classes. Advanced and Prestige classes may not. Free Able Learner feat for everyone. Saving throws determined 4e style (ie. the best of Str/Con, Int/Dex, and Wis/Cha) *Updates 3.5 spells and psionics for the appropriate classes Given decent weapons (using the wealth system), will these characters be able to keep up with Monster Manual monsters and D&D NPC's? Obviously, it'll help if a PC takes a d20 modern arcane and/or divine spellcasting class for basics like healing and dispel magic. Thoughts appreciated.