D20 Modern: Difference between revisions

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There are six base character classes, [[The Big Guy|Strong Hero]], [[The Lancer|Fast Hero]], [[Made of Iron|Tough Hero]], [[The Smart Guy|Smart Hero]], Dedicated Hero and [[The Charmer|Charismatic Hero]]. These each correspond to one of the classic ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'' stats, and can be expanded on to dozens of advanced classes, such as a [[The Medic|Medic]] or a Celebrity. There are many careers available, from Priest to Criminal, all working as a base to kick your character off into a world of adventure.

 

 

You can read and/or download the MSRD [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/msrd here].

== d20 Modern ==

 

* '''Shadow Chasers''': In this game mode, inspired by shows like ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', normal ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'' monsters roam the earth. These beings, known as Shadow Creatures, came here from [[The Multiverse|alternate worlds]]. They have no memory of life before they arrived, and depending on their personalities, they either settle down and get a job or need to be exterminated by the player characters. In this world, most of the human population has a built-in [[Weirdness Censor]], and can't see Shadow Creatures for what they are. A normal person would look at an Ogre and see a tall man, or look at a Dragon and see a small Chinese man (a definite case of not judging a book by its cover). Players are capable of seeing these creatures for what they really are, and work for a secret organization that hunts them down. Most characters fight monsters with conventional weapons only, though the Occultist advanced class allows Smart Heroes and villains to tap into the arcane powers of magic. But the monsters must also rely on conventional weapons; you have seen nothing as cool as a dragon with a rocket launcher.

* '''Urban Arcana''': The classic ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'', in a modern setting. The character classes and weapons are the same as the basic Modern system, but a variety of new classes are available. There are two categories of magic-users, Mages, based off the ''D&D'' Mage, and Acolytes, based off the ''D&D'' Priest. However, these have a modern spin; for instance, calling someone on the phone allows a mage to teleport down the phone lines, and the right electricity spell can interfere with your enemies' mobile phones. You can be an Acolyte of whatever ''D&D'' god you fancy, or an Acolyte of Christ or Vishnu. Like Shadow Chasers, monsters have somehow crossed the void from classic ''D&D'' worlds into our own, and a [[Weirdness Censor]] prevents most of humanity from noticing, so it's up to the players to deal with them. In this world, it's just as likely that the CEO of a large company is a gold dragon as a human. Why would a mob boss use a human as a henchman when a cave troll is more loyal? There are several factions that the player can work for or against. Department-7 is a magical organization that works for human interests (but whose biggest backer just happens to be a dragon). The Corsone crime syndicate works as a front for Shadows to gain control of the human underworld. The Fraternal Order of Vigilance is a human supremacist group who hunt Shadows, and the Black Feathers are a group of eco-terrorists run by elves. Arcana has become the most popular of the D20 settings for its mix of modern weapons and fantastical elements, or, as a fellow gamer once put it, ''[[Rule of Cool|"Dude, Uzis and fireballs!"]]'' Along with ''Dark•Matter'', it's the only specific campaign model to receive a sourcebook all to itself.

* '''Dark•Matter''': An update of the ''Dark•Matter'' campaign setting first published in 1999 for TSR's ''[[Alternity]]'' RPG (itself an adaptation of 2nd edition ''D&D'' rules to non-fantasy settings), this is a world where [[Conspiracy Kitchen Sink|every]] lunatic [[Conspiracy Theorist|conspiracy theory]] is true. There really are psychic gray aliens abducting humans and mutilating cattle. [[The Illuminati]] really are working to bring the entire world under their control. Bigfoot? He's out there too. And [[The Government]] is covering it all up. The players are field agents for the shadowy private organization known as the Hoffman Institute, devoted to investigating the activities of psychics, cultists, and "xenoforms" and protecting humankind from the tide of dark matter seeping into the fabric of the universe that's the ultimate cause of all things paranormal.

== d20 Future ==

 

 

Additionally, ''d20 Future'' spawned two sub-sourcebooks detailing games based on specific sci-fi genres: ''d20 Apocalypse'' for [[After the End|post-apocalyptic]] campaigns and ''d20 Cyberscape'' for [[Cyberpunk]], as well as ''d20 Future Tech'', an add-on with additional rules for gizmos, gadgets, and other cool science-fictiony technology to fill up your inventory.

* ''d20 Future'':

** '''Bughunters:''' A [[Bug War]] setting in which you're a genetically engineered [[Space Marine]] clone grunt sent to kill some [[Big Creepy-Crawlies]]. Adapted from TSR's early-'90s RPG ''[[Amazing Engine]]''.

** '''Genetech:''' Genetically-altered mutants and [[Petting Zoo People|human/animal hybrids]] fight for survival in a world ruled by heartless [[Mega Corp|megacorporations]]. Later got its own sourcebook that expanded it into a full campaign setting.

** '''Mecha Crusade:''' War engulfs the solar system! [[Hot-Blooded]] heroes clash in mighty [[Humongous Mecha|mecha]]! A setting inspired by sci-fi anime, first published in ''Polyhedron'' magazine #154 and adapted for the ''d20 Future'' hardcover.

In addition to the books listed above, a few other campaign models were suggested for ''d20 Modern'', mostly in the pages of ''Polyhedron'' magazine:

 

* '''Omega World''': A post-apocalyptic world gone mad, filled with human explorers and deadly mutants. Inspired by the classic ''[[Gamma World]]'' RPG. Published in ''Polyhedron'' #153 and incorporated into ''d20 Apocalypse''.

* '''V for Victory''': Hard-bitten heroes taking on the Nazi menace. A game of [[World War II]] combat published in ''Polyhedron'' #156, later incorporated into ''d20 Past''.

 

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* [[After the End]]: All of the ''d20 Apocalypse'' settings.

* [[Alien Invasion]]: In the backstory of ''Plague World''. It ended badly for everyone, including the aliens.

* [[Mutants]]: In ''[[Gamma World|Omega World]]''.

* [[Nanomachines]]

* [[Petting Zoo People]]: "[[The Island of Doctor Moreau|Moreaus]]" are genetically-engineered human/animal hybrids in ''Genetech''.

* [[One Stat to Rule Them All]]: Want to be able to handle a gun? Want to have a high Armor Class in a world where nobody wears armor anymore? Put points into Dexterity.

[[Category:Tabletop Games]]

[[Category:D20 Modern]]