I'm thinking about DMing a campaign for D20 modern about RE, zombies and all this apocalyptic stuff that they say in the book. However, I don't think the hit point system is a good call, b/c it may look funny that your character gets shot 5 times and is still on his feet, tryng to escape from the zombie horde and find an antidote.
So I was thinking that the vitality/wound system(I really like this system)could be useful. The problem is, how should i create the templates for the zombies? Should I give them vitality points or not? And if zombies are undead(and thus no CON score), what would be their wound points?
I'd like to hear your opinions and what do you guys think about it. Also, if you know any other system that could be used here I'd be glad to hear. Thanks
Use strength - then multiply by 3 (to account for the fact that they are already dead - so tough to "kill", slow down, or fatigue).
You could borrow from True 20 or Perfect 20. They use damage resistance checks-- which successfully dodge escalating HP problems, but do increase damage resistance as you level. The True 20 Bestiary has undead in it, so if you're looking for an already created solution...
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Being a zombie/RE fanboy myself, I would suggest a few things.
For the Heros
1)Unless you want to play a realistic game in which bullets kill people the go for the V/W point way. I however have found that I prefer a much more heroic action game so leave the HP as is(after all dead heros are no fun for anyone in the end).
For the Zombies
2)Just say that bullets(ballistic damage) only do 1 point of damage per shot period!
3)Damage reduction is another option DR10 or 15 for really scary zombies
4)Make it so that your zombies have a vulnerable place (head for RE type zombies)and say that only on a critcal hit or called shot to the head (say a -4 to -8 penalty)does any damage to the zombies and leave their hit points at what they should be for normal zombies.
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For the heroes I would also suggest using reserve points from unearthed arcana,this keeps the action going longer and negates the need for healing potions (or in one d20 modern game I ran cure light wounds eppy pen injectors!)
If your running a campaign in which the zombies infestation has caused an apocalypse then theres lots of possiblities for scavaging tech, however if the world has been in an apocalyptic state for some time now, itcould be hard to come by anything thats not primitive or a jury rigged piece of junk.
It may not even be a huge deal if you keep the hit points. The main reason such a scenario is scary is the feeling of helplessness caused by limited supplies and an inexhaustible enemy. If you keep healing items and ammunition super rare, avoiding fights becomes the most important aspect of survival. Opportunities to rest unmolested by the dead should be very rare, so even natural healing isn't a great option.
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The best all around weapon for zombies is a crowbar. You can take a zombie out with a head shot AND it's useful for opening up doors quick when you're trying to run away from zombies.
Shotguns with buckshot are real good too, but not as useful in opening doors, and crowbars don't run out of ammo.
You gotta check out The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks.
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The best all around weapon for zombies is a crowbar. You can take a zombie out with a head shot AND it's useful for opening up doors quick when you're trying to run away from zombies.
Shotguns with buckshot are real good too, but not as useful in opening doors, and crowbars don't run out of ammo.
You gotta check out The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks.
I've been meaning to get that book, just so I know what you living folk are planning when my festering brothers and I make our move. mwahahahahaha...
Well the easiest solution that comes to mind is to track injuries as well as HP loss. For example, if the character took 5 points of damage from getting shot in the leg and 3 points of damage falling a story off a fire escape, then feel free to make frequent mention of the web of pain that accompanies each breath that those broken ribs have caused, or the fact that even turning a doorknob with that shot arm is an excercise in will and pain endurance. He might have another 20 hit points left, but he's not going to feel cocky about that at all. Just because the guy isn't dying doesn't mean his injuries put the hurt on him.
I like the idea of a damage reduction for the zombies, with headshots or the like being the only way past the DR.
The problem with the vitality/wound system as written is that you end up with characters who are a lot more full of dodgy wushu than you might normally expect to find in your average horror story. A possibility here is to make vitality damage a sortova' stun damage that comes from fist fights, bumps and bruises, and light melee damage (bat yes, axe no). Wound damage would then reflect the really nasty kinds of damage such as bullets, getting hit by cars, catching a machete to the guts--that sorta' thing. We've done this system before and it's really worked out well for us.
The ultimate in hardcore is to just take the base hit die for the class + Constitution modifier as your hit points and make the characters increase them by getting Toughness, or by raising their Constitution. This really makes damage feel real, but it also makes character death an everpresent reality (not necessarily a bad thing in a horror game).
Anyhow I wish you luck. I have a soft spot for horror games, and most especially zombies.