So I have stated my inability to mesh with the d20 modern base classes, as such I am thinking on a generic base class that is the combination of all base classes the "hero" class. However in keeping it all together I would incorporate the characters occupation as their class. In the example for instance the hero base class has the strong hero base attack, the fast hero defense and charismatic reputation, a decent set of saves, and 8 class skills of the players choice. Then the occupations bonus class skills would add to the list, as well as more feats (all would get simple weapons). They player could then take any talents they would otherwise be available.
I really hated strong, fast and such heroes. Either go with base concepts " warrior, expert" and such or go with stuff like "soldier, scoundrel, explorer" and such
I really hated strong, fast and such heroes. Either go with base concepts " warrior, expert" and such or go with stuff like "soldier, scoundrel, explorer" and such
I so agree. I would also tinker with level advancement. On the few occasions where I've played d20 Modern my character concepts often became exercises in over managing the various classes and their abilities in order to meet my goals. I felt this problem was more prevalent in d20 Modern than it ever was in 3.5.
I too dislike those classes.
Side track...
I thought they had a decent pre-made system but then proceeded to make a poor version of D&D Modern: Crimes and Capers.
I couldn't play after 5th level or so especially when I realized my character could take a .50 cal sniper round to his unarmoured face and be in no danger of taking a dirt nap.
Instead of cleaning off the magic and slapping on guns they should have used the relatively solid and well known game base and created something that wasn't so bland.
I so agree. I would also tinker with level advancement. On the few occasions where I've played d20 Modern my character concepts often became exercises in over managing the various classes and their abilities in order to meet my goals. I felt this problem was more prevalent in d20 Modern than it ever was in 3.5.
I've noticed the same problem with advancement. I remember building a concept and then realizing the character had almost no BAB because I needed to so many disparate class abilities to reflect the concept, and thus had multiclassed the character to death. I've been working on my own homebrew where I've taken the interesting class abilities from Advanced Classes and turned them into "Advanced Talent Trees" with certain higher-level prerequisites.
I then took the base classes and made them go out to 20th level; if they qualify for Advanced Talent Trees, they can take those Talents instead of the their class talents. While they still have to qualify for the Talents, they don't have to multiclass out, thus not potentially disabling their BAB, Defense, and Saves so much.
I don't mind the d20 base classes. They have crappy names, but they cover modern action movie archetypes very well--the damage-dealer, the tank, the fast-n-dirty guy, the nerd, the detective, the face. (And I don't think those names are very good either).
In core d20 Modern, I always described my character by their classes and/or occupation together -- "She's a Fast, Charismatic Negotiator" or "She's a Charismatic Debutante." Makes it a lot more interesting, and allows you to describe the niche role your character plays as accurately as you like.
They have crappy names, but they cover modern action movie archetypes very well--the damage-dealer, the tank, the fast-n-dirty guy, the nerd, the detective, the face. (And I don't think those names are very good either).
To be honest I actually do dig those names, well except the damage dealer which I would change to something like Bad a%& or whatever. But yea I think kind of making the characters proffession into a a part of their specialized base class is cool.
Besides my goofy plot is going to end up with the characters finding out they are all brainwashed sleeper agent assassins of a sinister post-Nazi terrorist cell who have basically been the instruments of armaggeddon and have to fight their former bosses to stop the plot they themselves put in motion. So in the beggining they have their "normal" identity abilities (ie low level base hero stuff) and as they level they remember their skills.... campy I know but I do love the classics.
So I'm heavily contemplating actually just building new base classes that are generic action movie classes but are cool enough to be 20 level classes and then take the advanced class concept into where prestige classes are and follow crafty games ideas for master classes and make them like unique identities semi developed by characters and setting. So just as an example off of d20 modern as is, Ill have the strong hero become the soldier class (but in the end i want it to actually be less soldier and more can represent any trained character), the fast hero becomes the Speedfreak, the Tough becomes the Bad A%%, the Smart becomes the Investogator, the Dedicated becomes the Ally (or something) and the CHarismatic becomes the Personality. These are just examples not final names.... As for the concept, I would fold some of the generic talents into the classes, and then use some of the grim tales stuff to increase the pull of abilities as well as some star wars saga converted talents. Beyond that I might do some skill monkeying, and use a more saga inspired skill theme. I know most of you are saying just play saga sans serial numbers. I thought of that, and contemplated it for a fantasy game and may still but in the end I want to go more into the 3.5 than saga resides so as to appeal to my player base and make it easier on everyone. These are just my thoughts.
Ps. if anyone has some cool names for base classes or some cool homebrewed classes of their own please feel free to post em!
Have you started revising the base classes yet (if your contemplation took you that route)? I was also wondering whether you would remain with OGL or try to 'pathfinderize' 'em?
Have you started revising the base classes yet (if your contemplation took you that route)? I was also wondering whether you would remain with OGL or try to 'pathfinderize' 'em?
Not yet, currently my project has led me in a different direction... I'm actually modernizing the core 3.5 classes to use them instead. We'll see if that works or not soon enough
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I'd suggest mixing the Base 3.5 classes with d20 Modern classes. The Wisdom based class can be spliced with the Cleric to create a Holy Man class, for example. The Tough Hero and the Barbarian can become the Brawler.
Then you can use Talent trees to allow characters to more accurately choose what kind of each hero archetype they are.