D20 Modern
D20 Modern (abbreviated as D20M or simply Modern) is a role-playing game (RPG) designed by Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, and Charles Ryan. It is published by Wizards of the Coast. It is the Modern equivalent of Dungeons & Dragons and is mostly compatible with it, as they both use the D20 System.
Classes
In D&D, most character classes have very specific roles, and most people simply use one class rather then multiclassing (choosing two or more classes) due to the penalties associated with them. D20 Modern is the opposite: the six Basic Classes are Strong Hero, Fast Hero, Tough Hero, Smart Hero, Dedicated Hero, and Charismatic Hero. All the Basic Classes are based off the six Ability Scores (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma). All classes are versatile, and multiclassing is encouraged, and certainly not penalized.
Advanced Classes are the more powerful classes; however, they have requirements needed to get into them. These are basically the same as D&D Prestige Classes.
Skills and Feats
The basic architecture for Skills and Feats is the same as from D&D, with the exception of some additions and removals. For example, the Use Rope skill was removed, as it had not much place in modern society. On the other hand, Computer Use was added, as you need some skill to demonstrate abilities at computer cracking.
The feat changes were basically the same as the skill changes, with archaic feats being taken out and modern ones put in their place. As little magic is avaliable by default in D20 Modern, Feats, Skills, and equipment do much of the job that magic did in D&D.
Equipment
There were many changes from D&D here, as modern equipment is much more advanced then in D&D. It shows the introduction of firearms, cars, cell phones, and more. Many pieces of equipment do the same job that magic did in D&D (for example, night vision goggles replace the lenses of darkvision). Also, the concrete wealth system of D&D was replaced by the abstract wealth bonus system.
Campaign Settings
Shadow Chasers
In a Shadow Chasers campaign, the heroes play the roles of Shadow Slayers and Occultists, hunting down the monsters that stalk the world and unlocking long-lost magic. It is a very horrendous setting, where it often feels like there is no way to win.
Agents of Psi
This is a psionic campaign setting combined with espionage and action. In it, Telepaths and Battleminds work for The Paranormal and Scientific Investigations Agency, a little known government agency. It is essentially a James Bond-like work, with a touch of the supernatural thrown in.
Urban Arcana
Main article: Urban Arcana
See also
External links
- Official D20 Modern Site (http://www.wizards.com/d20modern/)
- Modern System Reference Documents (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/msrd)
- Unofficial, Web Viewable SRD (http://www.12tomidnight.com/d20modernsrd/Home.php)