Trinity Universe: D20 Aberrant game?

[ProfPotts]

Dammit ::angry ! I had an inspiration for another game today... which is mad ::wacko , 'cos I don't have enough time as it is... ::sleeping but I thought I'd just throw the idea out for feedback (without any promises - I probably just need to purge the concept from my system anyway ::wink ).

Anyhow...

The game would revolve around the activities of a Directive cell - all the members of which would be baselines. The really radical bit would be - to use the Aberrant D20 rules!

"WTF Prof? What are you smokin', dude - y'all are whack, man!"

Ah yes - a reasonable comment ::biggrin , but my reasons for going D20 are two-fold:

1. I kinda' have a bit of a "don't knock it 'till ya' tried it" thing.

2. D20 characters, thanks to stuff like Feats & Class Abilities, are pretty nifty & cinematic without all the super-powered bells & whistles. In this respect, D20 baselines are a lot better off as heroes than Storyteller baselines.

Since I only really got hit by this 'inspiration particle' today I only have a few thoughts, but they include: standard point-buy method for Ability Scores, standard non-random Hit Points per level, Aberrant D20 classes, & 'free' Background Feat being auto' assigned to Cipher ('cover ID' & all that).

I've got an image of a small group of agents who work together for a 'cover' company - maybe an OpNet site which reports on Nova activities, or an insurance group which covers Nova-related incidents - something to allow plausible reasons to investigate stuff undercover.

The game would be split between investigation & combat-type events. Characters would have Directive uniforms (with those cool little 'flag' patches on the arm showing the country sponsoring the agent) & gear for when they go in 'hot' - but would usually take a more softly-softly approach.

Assignments would be anything Nova-related - both directly (dealing with criminal or suspect Novas) & indirectly (dealing with Nova-groupies, anti-Nova hate groups, Nova-based drugs rings, etc.).

"Hey - can I play a half-elf wizard?"

Er... no... ::rolleyes

I blame the 'sniper' thread for getting me thinking all D20-style again...

Anyway - no promises - but would anyone actually be interested in such a beast? ::squid

[malkboy]

Intrested.. yes.. able to play yet.. no (no book.. sigh)

[Haze]

Ditto for me too. Interested as hell, but without the Aberrant D20 rules.

[Alex Green]

No book yet.

[ProfPotts]

No one would need the Aberrant D20 book - since it'd be a baselines only game, there's not actually a huge amount in there that you can't find elsewhere - & I could fill in the blanks. Either the PHB 3.5 or D20 Modern books would be a help though - if only for the basic system, list of Feats, & Skills.

I'm thinking a game limited to 5 players: there are 5 character classes (which I can define for those sans book), & 5 member states in the Directive (the Russian Confederation, UK, Japan, USA, & Germany). I'd be looking for one (& only one) of each to form the team - first come first serve, natch.

The character classes (in brief) are:

Entertainer - a bit of a misleading class name, this is the character who specialises in social skills, influencing others & boosting moral: ideal for an undercover specialist, hostage negotiator, or field commader type.

Investigator - the guy who's an expert on analysing crime scenes & hunting down clues.

Scholar - the brains character, be he a scientist, engineer, or academic.

Scoundrel - a covert entry specialist trained to bypass security systems & similar skills.

Warrior - a straight combat expert type.

[Prince of Boredom]

If rules aren't an issue, I'd be interested in trying my hand at the American Warrior... perhaps a reprise of Brian Courage from the now defunct Lethal Experiments game.

I do have extensive experience with D&D 3.5, so the transition shouldn't be too bad (I hope).

[ProfPotts]

I do have extensive experience with D&D 3.5, so the transition shouldn't be too bad (I hope).

Aberrant D20 basically uses the PHB 3.5 rules, with a few Feats & Skills from D20 Modern added in for the modern-day setting, plus a few of their own (like 'Background Feats') - so you shouldn't have any problems at all.

Changes from PHB 3.5:

Different character classes, all characters are human.

Skills:

No Spellcraft, Use Magic Item, or Craft [alchemy] skills

New Craft sub-skills: chemical, electronic, mechanical, pharmaceutical, structural, visual art, & writing.

Knowledge sub-skills available are: art, behavioral sciences, business, civics, current events, Earth & life sciences, history, physical sciences, popular culture, streetwise, tactics, technology, & theology & philosophy.

Perform sub-skills available are: act, dance, keyboards, percussion instruments, sing, stringed instruments, & wind instruments.

Speak Language: human languages only - characters start with their native language, plus their Intelligence bonus languages - extra ranks in the Speak Language Skill add whole language groups (like 'Romance Languages') rather than just individual languages (although some groups have just one language in them).

New Skills: Computer Use [int], Demolitions [int, trained only], Drive [Dex], Investigate [int, trained only], Pilot [Dex, trained only], Repair [int, trained only], & Research [int]

Feats:

No Metamagic or Item Creation Feats.

No: Augment Summoning, Combat Casting, Eschew Materials, Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Extra Turning, Improved Counterspell, Improved Turning, Improved Unarmed Strike, Leadership, Magical Aptitude, Martial Weapon Proficiency, Natural Spell, Rapid Reload, Shield Proficiency, Improved Shield Proficiency, Tower Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus, Spell Mastery, Spell Penetration, or Greater Spell Penetration.

Combat Martial Arts replaces Improved Unarmed Strike where that Feat is normally a prerequisite.

Archaic Weapon Proficiency replaces both Martial & Simple Weapon Proficiencies.

Ranged weapon Feats (Point Blank Shot & its buddies) can be used equally with firearms as well as bows & the like.

New Feats (mostly taken from D20 Modern):

Note - indented Feats have the lesser-indented Feats above them as prerequisites, other prerequistites are in [brackets].

Archaic Weapons Proficiency

Brawl

- Improved Brawl [bAB +3]

- Knockout Punch [bAB +3]

- - Improved Knockout Punch [bAB +6]

- Streetfighting [bAB +2]

Combat Martial Arts [bAB +1]

- Improved Combat Martial Arts [bAB +4]

Defensive Martial Arts

- Unbalance Opponent [bAB +6]

Double Tap [Dex 13, Point Blank Shot]

Drive-by Attack

Escapist [search 6 ranks]

Exotic Melee Weapon Proficiency [bAB +1]

Force Stop [Drive 6 ranks]

Personal Firearms Proficiency

- Advanced Firerams Proficiency

- - Exotic Firearms Proficiency

- - Strafe

Quick Reload [bAB +1]

Skip Shot [Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot]

Surgery [Heal 4 ranks]

Swiftness

Vehicle Dodge [Dex 13, Drive or Pilot 6 ranks]

Background Feats:

Characters tend to gain these as class features at later levels, but can also spend normal Feats on them. Background Feat categories are in bold type, with the available (tiered) Feats listed under them.

Ally

Loyal Friend

- Boon Companions

- - Band of Heroes

Backing

Company Man

- Boss [3rd level]

- - In Charge [5th level]

Cipher

Shadowy Past

- Secret Life

- - Mystery Man

Contacts

Well-Connected

- Information Broker

- - Kingpin [5th level]

Followers

Retainers

- Troops [4th level]

- - Legions [8th level]

Influence

Celebrity

- Luminary [4th level]

- - Icon [8th level]

Mentor

Old Pro

- Wise Counselor

- - The Mandarin

Nemesis

Thorn in the Side

- Dedicated Foe

- - Archenemy

Reputation

Recognized

- Celebrated

- - Renowned

Resources

Well-Off

- Deep Pockets

- - Wealth Beyond Avarice

Sanctum

Hideout

- Private Palace

- - Sanctum Sanctorum

Being me, I'll also add to the mix the follow Feats from the Ultramodern Firearms book:

Armed to the Teeth [Two-Weapon Fighting]

Hard-Eyed [Cha 13, Intimidate 4 ranks]

Improved Autofire [Personal Firearms Proficiency, Advanced Firearms Proficiency]

Hail of Bullets [Point Blank Shot, Double Tap]

Reactive Shooter [Dex 13]

- High Ready

- Guns Akimbo [shot on the Run, Two-Weapon Fighting]

I'll be using Ultramodern Firearms & the D20 Modern Weapons Locker for firearms statistics in any case.

Most Skills & Feats are pretty self-explanitory.

At 1st level the classes grant the character the following:

Entertainer

BAB +0

AC +0

Fort Save +0

Ref Save +2

Will Save +2

Hit Points 8

Skill Points 28

Wealth 8

Class Skills: Appraise, Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Disguise, Escape Artist, Forgery, Gather Information, Jump, Knowledge (art, current events, popular culture, streetwise), Listen, Perform, Profession, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Speak Language, Swim

Bonus Feat - one of: Acrobatic, Agile, Deceitful, Deft Hands, Negotiator, Nimble Fingers, or Persuasive

Stories from the Road - a chance to know any ordinary fact from anywhere in the world (this class likes to keep up on current events & has probably traveled a lot)

Inspire Competence - can grant a bonus to allies' combat & skill rolls with an encouraging speech or snappy patter.

Investigator

BAB +0

AC +1

Fort Save +2

Ref Save +0

Will Save +2

Hit Points 8

Skill Points 36

Wealth 6

Class Skills: Bluff, Computer Use, Disable Device, Drive, Forgery, Gather Information, Intimidate, Investigate, Knowledge (behavioural sciences, civics, current events, popular culture, streetwise, theology & philosophy), Listen, Profession, Research, Search, Sense Motive, Speak Language, Spot

Bonus Feats - Personal Firearms Proficiency & Persuasive

Sweep the Scene - a bonus on Spot & Sense Motive checks after sizing up a scene

Scholar

BAB +0

AC +0

Fort Save +0

Ref Save +0

Will Save +2

Hit Points 6

Skill Points 28

Wealth 7

Class Skills: Computer Use, Concentration, Craft, Decipher Script, Demolitions, Disable Device, Heal, Investigate, Knowledge (any), Profession, Repair, Research, Search, Speak Language

Bonus Feat - one of: Diligent, Investigator, or Negotiator

Knowledge Speciality - a bonus on one Knowledge category (in which he has at least 1 rank)

Scoundrel

BAB +0

AC +2

Fort Save +0

Ref Save +2

Will Save +0

Hit Points 8

Skill Points 36

Wealth 6

Class Skills: Appraise, Balance, Bluff, Climb, Craft, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Disguise, Drive, Escape Artist, Forgery, Gather Information, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (civics, current events, streetwise), Listen, Move Silently, Open Lock, Perform, Profession, Rope Use, Search, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Spot, Tumble

Bonus Feat - one of: Brawl or Personal Firearms Proficiency

Cool Customer - can take 10 even under stress with 3 choosen skills

Trapfinding - can locate traps of DC higher than 20

Warrior

BAB +1

AC +1

Fort Save +2

Ref Save +0

Will Save +0

Hit Points 10

Skill Points 20

Wealth 7

Class Skills: Climb, Craft, Demolitions, Drive, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (current events, history, popular culture, tactics), Listen, Profession, Ride, Speak Language, Spot, Survival, Swim

Bonus Feats - Brawl, Personal Firearms Proficiency, one Warrior Bonus Feat (pretty much any combat-type Feat)

Notes: the above listings include extra Skill points for being human, but not extra points for Intelligence (Int bonus x4), or extra Hit Points for Constitution, or extra Wealth for having ranks in the Profession Skill (one or more ranks in Profession adds +1 Wealth - total, not per rank).

Ability Scores: Standard Point Buy method - all Ability Scores start at 8, with 25 extra points to spread out amongst them, with the following costs (Score [cost]):

9 [1], 10 [2], 11 [3], 12 [4], 13 [5], 14 [6], 15 [8], 16 [10], 17 [13], 18 [16]

Being human, all characters start with two Feats (beyond those granted by their class at level 1), & the free Background Feat of Cipher - Shadowy Past.

[Bahamut810]

There is a d20 modern SRD from TSR on their site. When I get home I will link it for you guys,

[ezekiel]

Cool! I've always wanted to play Directive! hmmm...maybe a Russian Scoundrel. Old KGB...dunno...what year would we be playing? Can't be that old now that I think of it...

[ProfPotts]

Year will be 2008 (again).

Characters will be young - between 16 & 27 years old.

This will be a different 'universe' from the Quantum Zero games.

As a world-related note, a vast majority of the population are either the 'Commoner' or 'Expert' classes from the DMG (with slightly modified Skills) - representing the (so called) 'unskilled' & 'professional' workers who populate the planet. As is usual in D20 adventuring character classes are something a little bit special.

Note my edited post above (I got carried away & did the lot).

[ezekiel]

Das ist cool!

Just so I know, what's the actual skill point calculation for the scoundrel. 4+int x 10 or something?

[malkboy]

Hey I'd love to do the UK Entertainer.. and I do have D20 rules around here somewhere.. (have to dig them out...)

[Heritage]

Oh dear god, now I'm intrigued... ::rolleyes

So has anyone taken the German Investigator? ::halo I'd play a guy, maybe Max Berger III...or are there already too many Max's at EON? Helmut Berger, then, grandson of the great Max Berger of 'The Game's Afoot' fame ::tongue

[Asbjørn]

I'm being reasonable. I'm not joining in. Really, I'm not. But why not put them in the Quantum Zero universe? Would be cool to see baselines investigating cases related to the characters in the other threads...

[ezekiel]

'Cause Terry has enough to be paranoid about?

[ProfPotts]

Okay, so far we have:

American Warrior - Prince of Boredom

Russian Scoundrel - ezekiel

UK Entertainer - malkboy

German Investigator - Heritage

So - one slot left at the moment: anyone up for playing a Japanese Scholar?

Just so I know, what's the actual skill point calculation for the scoundrel. 4+int x 10 or something?

Skill Points use the standard D20 formula - to work out base Skill Points per level from my 1st level listings subtract 4 (the 1st level bonus from being human) & divide by 4 (since characters get x4 Skill Points at level 1). So: Entertainer & Scholar = 6 per level, Investigator & Scoundrel = 8 per level, & Warrior = 4 per level. The normal +1 Skill Point per level for being human is added to that, as is the character's normal Intelligence bonus. (At first glance it looks like the Scholar is a bit hard done by on Skill Points, but check out the Class Skills & you'll see he's the only guy to get Heal as a Class Skill & has a generally nice selection.)

BTW - I'll probably allow other D20 Modern Feats which fit in the game - I just say 'cos I noticed they left the 'Burst' Feat out of Aberrant D20, as well as the Armour Proficiencies higher than Light. Several D20 Modern Feats don't apply - like those covered by the game's Background Feats, & any that use Action Points (which Aberrant D20 doesn't use) - but most should.

But why not put them in the Quantum Zero universe?

'Cos I've got enough on my plate without trying to accurately convert stats from Storyteller to D20 in such a way that everyone involved is happy about it. ::crazy

[Bahamut810]

Here is the d20 Modern SRD (basically the $30 book for free).

d20 Modern SRD

[Prince of Boredom]

ok, here's my first rules lawyer type question:

Can the feats brawl and combat martial arts be combined?

For example, can a character with both make an unarmed attack dealing 1d6+STR nonlethal dmg (brawl) with a +1 competence bonus to attack rolls (brawl), but the attack counts as armed for purposes of attacks of opportunity (combat martial arts)? Or, could the same character make a lethal unarmed attack for 1d4+STR dmg (combat martial arts) but get the +1 competence bonus to attack rolls (brawl)?

I know it seems kinda silly but just wondering since warriors get brawl for free, and I'm debating if it's worth an ever-precious feat to pick up combat martial arts.

Relating to that, does it make more sense for my character to be more of a general military type guy (ie. jack-of-all-trades) or perhaps a specialist of some sort (ie. a sniper)? This question is addressed to both Prof and the other players.

EDIT:

Another question:

In your list of feats from the Ultramodern Firearms book you listed 'Improved Autofire'. Is that similar to, or does it replace, 'Burst Fire'?

[ezekiel]

I think we need Rambo more than we need a sniper...say the scoundrel is taken prisoner...what's the sniper gonna do? Nah...really...guy with the bowie knife who dispatches all the goons himself... ::tongue

Edit: Thanks for the link btw Bahamut... ::thumbsup

[brilyn]

I was hoping to play not-Derek, but I'll go for the japenese scholar. ::wink

[ezekiel]

Not all scholars have to be absent minded scientists. Could be a bleached-blond haired, sunglass donning, Japanese cool geek. Y'know, the type who can play those dance arcades blindfolded, beats the shlt out of you on all FPS computer games and hacks into stuff for fun.

Btw, here's a link to the pdf version of the d20 Modern book. Bookmarks and all included. Bahamut's link was all in rtf...annoying... ::rolleyes

I'm get some reading done now...

[Prince of Boredom]

Prof, just a question/comment.

Is the plan that all characters will start at 1st level? The reason I ask is that it seems to me that the Directive wouldn't employ 'green' recruits in this manner. I guess I always envisioned them taking highly skilled and trained people from other organizations (CIA, MI5, spec ops, SWAT, etc.).

Just a thought.

[ezekiel]

I think D20 assumes that level 1 characters are extraordinary. Not green...only thing I'm wondering about is the point buy system...is 25 a little low for heroes? From the SRD I've read that ordinaries (common folk) have:

15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 in their ability scores...the same as a 25 pt buy.

Its possible to have an extraordinary ability but that's really min-maxing.

16, 12, 12, 11, 10, 10

18, 10, 10, 10, 10, 9

[brilyn]

Not all scholars have to be absent minded scientists.

No, I agree. ::smile

I meant not-Derek from the skills, not the personality.

It's no biggie. I can have fun with another science-guy. ::wink

I think D20 assumes that level 1 characters are extraordinary.

They are.

Compare the Fighter Class to the Warrior Class.

Additional feat, more HP.

Same with every PC class vs. NPC class, even at 1st level. They are typically a step up.

As for stats.... Meh.

The stat differences only make a real impact at low level.

I mean, a first level fighter with 18 strength fights as a lvl 5 fighter with 10 str, but deals *much* more damage per hit. But the 5th lvl fighter has more HP, sklls, Feats, and the whole lot.

I wouldn't object to a higher point choice, but I can live happily enough with the low stuff.

[ProfPotts]

Phew - lots of questions... ::lookaround

Okay - brilyn snags the last spot with his Japanese (kick-ass karate-style non-Derek ninja) Scholar. ::ninja

Can the feats brawl and combat martial arts be combined?

For example, can a character with both make an unarmed attack dealing 1d6+STR nonlethal dmg (brawl) with a +1 competence bonus to attack rolls (brawl), but the attack counts as armed for purposes of attacks of opportunity (combat martial arts)? Or, could the same character make a lethal unarmed attack for 1d4+STR dmg (combat martial arts) but get the +1 competence bonus to attack rolls (brawl)?

That sounds about right. Different Feats usually stack - with both Brawl & Combat Martial Arts you'd have a character who is better trained in hand-to-hand unarmed combat than a character with either one of those by itself. Note though that what you can't do is convert Brawl's greater damage to Lethal by using Combat Martial Arts - to inflict Lethal damage you'd need to use Combat Martial Art's lesser damage.

In your list of feats from the Ultramodern Firearms book you listed 'Improved Autofire'. Is that similar to, or does it replace, 'Burst Fire'?

No. As I noted a bit earlier Burst Fire is available (even though they left it out of Aberrant D20's list of Feats).

Improved Autofire adds +5 to the DC of the Reflex save of targets caught in the 10 ft x 10 ft autofire 'zone'. Burst Fire allows a character to use autofire accurately against a single target.

Is the plan that all characters will start at 1st level?

Yes - for the reasons people have already pointed out. A character with even one level of an adventuring class is a cut above the rest of humanity - something a little special.

... only thing I'm wondering about is the point buy system...is 25 a little low for heroes?

No. The characters will be baselines in a world of Novas - if they all started with high Ability Scores then the boost which D20 rules Novas get from their Mega-Attributes would seem very lame for a potential 'god-like' being.

From the SRD I've read that ordinaries (common folk) have:

15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 in their ability scores...the same as a 25 pt buy.

Nah - that's the so-called 'Elite Array' - another method of creating PC (or important NPC) Ability Scores (with even less thought required by the players). Normal folks get 3d6 - or an average of 10 in each Ability Score. Normal folks also don't automatically get maximum Hit Points at 1st level - since I'm not using random Hit Points, that means they get half maximum (rounded up).

So - your average Burger King employee will have no Ability Score bonuses & 3 Hit Points - a lucky punch from an untrained PC with no Strength bonuses can stagger the guy, a gunshot wound will leave him dying. A PC with Brawl will almost certainly KO the guy with one punch.

There - feel more 'heroic' now? ::tongue

[knave]

Shouldn't the japanese scholar have to be a diminutive gentleman with exceedingly bad personal hygiene, the horny flaw and kick ass ninja skillz??? ::tongue

[ProfPotts]

Nah - a sixteen year-old genius virgin - with bad personal hygiene & the horny flaw... & hidden mental powers of epic proportions (which still don't get him a girlfriend...).

Must... stop... watching... animé... ::crazy

[Prince of Boredom]

ok, more rules stuff.

I can't seem to find any skills that would apply to someone jump (ie. parachute) qualified or scuba qualified (other than swim).

[brilyn]

Kinda curious as to the specifics of the Diligent, Investigator, and Negotiator Feats.

I'm guessing that Investigator would be +2 Investigate and +2 Research, and Negeotiator would be +2 Sense Motive and +2 Bluff ( ::tongue ), or Diplomacy, but I'm not quite sure what Diligent does?

As for parachuting....

I suggest that Tumble would govern 'soft landings', and Balance would determine if you're on target or not.

For scuba gear, you're *still* swimming. Just the chance of drowning is pretty much removed.

As for Japanese Scholar/Law-Enforcement, I'm actually thinking along the lines of 2002, if any of ye have seen that movie. ::biggrin

[ezekiel]

No. The characters will be baselines in a world of Novas - if they all started with high Ability Scores then the boost which D20 rules Novas get from their Mega-Attributes would seem very lame for a potential 'god-like' being.

Ok, since I haven't read the abbie d20 book I don't know how the system works exactly...

Btw, is it me or do some feats give baselines huge advantages in D20 over the storyteller system? Feint removes the dexterity bonus to AC for example...does this work against novas? Could a baseline with improve feint whoop a mega-dex nova in melee combat? Unbalance Opponent also removes oppenents strength modifier to attack rolls which gives baselines somewhat of an edge over mega-strong novas (This one I'm all for it...modifier to damage remains the same)

Nah - that's the so-called 'Elite Array' - another method of creating PC (or important NPC) Ability Scores (with even less thought required by the players). Normal folks get 3d6 - or an average of 10 in each Ability Score. Normal folks also don't automatically get maximum Hit Points at 1st level - since I'm not using random Hit Points, that means they get half maximum (rounded up).

Ahh, cool. You can't blame a guy for trying right? ::wink

So - your average Burger King employee will have no Ability Score bonuses & 3 Hit Points - a lucky punch from an untrained PC with no Strength bonuses can stagger the guy, a gunshot wound will leave him dying. A PC with Brawl will almost certainly KO the guy with one punch.

This makes the Knockout Punch feat seem much more useful...(gives critical damage to first unarmed strike against flat-footed targets) Cool.

There - feel more 'heroic' now? 

Actually...yes! ::thumbsup

I'm trying to think of a way to make a character à la Splinter Cell / Covert Op agent. I'm thinking computer use, disable device, move silently, hide, listen, spot, climb, jump, tumble, demolitions, search...anything else that would seem a priority to you?

Also, do we pick starting occupations like in d20 Modern? Gives the opportunity to have some class skills which aren't from your class. (like the aristocrat turned kung-fu master. Might have art knowledge or business 'n stuff) Also allows for that SEAL background PoB wanted. I think that gives a feat (choice of light armor, martial arts or brawl...or something like that) and 3 military skills as class skills (or +1 bonus)

[ProfPotts]

I can't seem to find any skills that would apply to someone jump (ie. parachute) qualified or scuba qualified (other than swim).

For basic parachuting (i.e. landing without hurting yourself) you'd use Jump, for more advanced stuff (i.e. guiding a professional sky-diving parachute to a specific location) you'd use Balance. For SCUBA (it's an acronym) you'd use Swim.

Kinda curious as to the specifics of the Diligent, Investigator, and Negotiator Feats.

As per the PHB 3.5: Diligent [+2 Appraise & Decipher Script], Investigator [+2 Gather Information & Search], Negotiator [+2 Diplomacy & Sense Motive]

I'm actually thinking along the lines of 2002, if any of ye have seen that movie. 

Yes - very cool movie, although a bit more WoD than Trinity Universe.

Ok, since I haven't read the abbie d20 book I don't know how the system works exactly...

There's only one Ability Score scale - unlike the duel scales for Attributes & Mega-Attributes in the ST version - Mega-Abilities grant Novas a bonus to the base Ability Score, & Enhancements, rather than throw the entire scale out of the window. A low-powered Nova with Mega-Abilities could well just have the equivalent of high human Ability Scores: it takes a specialist or a high level to start to push those Scores past the limits of the human range.

As a general indication of power levels a dose of Mite grants a +4 enhancement Bonus to Strength.

Btw, is it me or do some feats give baselines huge advantages in D20 over the storyteller system?

Yes - because baselines can have their own 'special abilities' via Feats they are better equiped to tackle Novas than their ST counterparts - which was, if you recall, one of the reasons I stated for going D20 with this one.

Also note that Novas spend Feats on Mega-Abilities & power Extras as well - so Novas who choose to go the 'power development' route will tend to lack the added perks & tactical bonuses which normal baseline characters develop. Isn't that nice? ::biggrin

Feint removes the dexterity bonus to AC for example...does this work against novas?

There's usually no reason for Novas to be immune to Feats, no. Feint, of course, is a combat tactic based on the Bluff Skill, rather than a Feat (although there is an Improved Feint Feat) - so anyone can use it. Some Novas could have a high Sense Motive to counter the tactic, whilst others may be so inhuman that there's the usual penalty to use the tactic against them - but generally that's a good example of why baselines using their brains should have at least a chance against the 'Quantum gods'.

Could a baseline with improve feint whoop a mega-dex nova in melee combat?

Well, the tactic wouldn't eliminate the Nova's other bonuses, but yes - if the Nova relies mostly on a high Dexterity to avoid attacks, then this would be a sensible way to go about 'whooping' him. Just remember that he'll, most likely, be whooping you back at the same time... ::sly

Unbalance Opponent also removes oppenents strength modifier to attack rolls which gives baselines somewhat of an edge over mega-strong novas (This one I'm all for it...modifier to damage remains the same)

Yes - it's a very nice Feat. It also requires a minimum BAB of +6 - which no character will have before level 6. Higher level Feats are meant to be pretty powerful. Shows how Captain America can go toe-to-toe with the Hulk though, which is good.

Also, do we pick starting occupations like in d20 Modern?

No. I'm trying out the Aberrant D20 rules, not running a D20 Modern game - the character's occupation is represented by the class he chooses (as in D&D & other D20 games); D20 Modern uses much more abstracted core classes which allows for seperate occupational choices to grant bonuses above & beyond the class's own.

[ezekiel]

No. I'm trying out the Aberrant D20 rules, not running a D20 Modern game - the character's occupation is represented by the class he chooses (as in D&D & other D20 games); D20 Modern uses much more abstracted core classes which allows for seperate occupational choices to grant bonuses above & beyond the class's own.

Ok...on the bright side, scoundrel, warrior and entertainer is so much better sounding than fast, strong and smart hero. ::rolleyes

and thanks for answering those other questions. ::smile

[ProfPotts]

A few general thoughts:

I suggest that the players discuss their characters openly before final chargen - unlike most games in these parts the PCs are meant to be a team - they know each other & have trained together. Also, with the whole Class game mechanic it'll be a good idea to put forward now any ideas or preconceptions you have about the roles your own & the other players' characters will take - for example: it won't help the team if they all presume someone else will take the Drive Skill, & it turns out that none of them can drive...

As far as Nova power-levels go there will be a larger range than in a standard ST game: more X-Men than Justice League. ST presumes pretty powerful Novas on the whole (30 NP is a big ol' sack o' vroom!), D20 ranges from characters with just a single power on up to the Quantum gods like Pax & Mal. A kid could erupt with just a Quantum Bolt which inflicts less damage than a good gun, or a pair of wings, or metal skin - rather than a whole host of powers from day one. Mega-Abilities will be fairly common (as they cost only Feats, not power slots) - but their base impact is less than in ST (although many of the Enhancements are actually better than the ST versions).

The AC bonuses associated with character Classes also mean different thing for baseline & Nova characters - a Nova's AC bonus represents actual toughness on the part of that character, a baseline's AC bonus is more of a luck or intuitive bonus. Normal characters don't get an AC bonus from Class levels (the Commoner & Expert Classes don't get any AC bonuses) - PCs are cinematic hero types, after all. To a certain extent the same is true for Hit Points - with Novas they can represent sheer toughness, but for baselines they represent not getting hit so badly. In any case, the importance - in terms of game mechanics - of the AC distinction is that Nova Class AC is reduced by the 'Armour Piercing' Extra for powers, but baseline AC isn't. On the other hand, a tied-up baseline looses his Class AC bonus, but a bound Nova doesn't.

[brilyn]

Alright, with that in mind.

I havne't taken the Drive skill. ::wink

I have a couple of knowledge skills covered, and I've tried to have a finger in all the 'Scholar-only' skills, so the bases are covered, and they can be built on later.

I'm not taking any craft skills.

Heal is taken (after Prof pointing out the Field Surgery application. ::tongue ), so that should work out nicely.

Anyone have anything they thing should be covered by the Scholar-type?

I probably *have* got it covered, but feel free to throw some out there. As a note, I've only got 3 knowledge skills right now, but I'll be branching out as the levels go up.

[ProfPotts]

I think I'm going to publically post PC character sheets for this one - since the group is a team & everything. What's everyone think?

[brilyn]

Sounds ok to me. ::smile

Though I think I'd prefer to wait til the char is a little closer to 'final draft' stage. ::wink

[ezekiel]

Y'know, we can use online character sheet thingies (profiler) like this.

Considering all the skills, bonuses 'n stuff, it's much easier to see what's going on on an actual sheet. This is an artificer I'd made for an Eberron game. The sheet is on www.3eprofiler.net I think the sheet works for all d20, it just won't calculate things automatically like it does if you enter "Rogue" or "Fighter" in the class section. Anyway, making an account is easy, what do you think?

As for skills, I pretty much mentioned what I'd be making already. Covert op specialist. Guy who wears black and rappels down a rope into someplace. I think he needs to be able to hack to be of any use, but computer use isn't a class skill which is kinda annoying. Or is it available for all classes? Is the drive skill needed to drive or only for maneuver/high speed chases/parallel parking, etc?

oh, it'd probably be useful if we all spoke a common language...like English for instance..

Now I'm wondering whether I should take Brawl or Firearms...I think I'm leaning towards brawl since its less lethal...we aren't expected to do assasination missions are we? Or are we...Definitely need Disable Device, probably some demolitions if its a class skill...(better check, can't remember) Anyhoo, I'm spread pretty thin already, I'll only take drive if its really needed to drive at all. My character's the guy inside, someone else should do the pickup/getaway...which by the way Helicopters 'n stuff would be way cool if someone chose to go that way.

Oh! Forgot, what do you suggest I take my "Cool customer" skills in? Take 10 even under stress...I was thinking move silently but you can already take 10 with it. Maybe search/computer use? Dunno...

[ProfPotts]

I think he needs to be able to hack to be of any use, but computer use isn't a class skill which is kinda annoying. Or is it available for all classes?

Any Skill is available as a cross-class Skill, as per normal D20 rules.

Is the drive skill needed to drive or only for maneuver/high speed chases/parallel parking, etc?

Drive can be used untrained, Pilot can't.

... we aren't expected to do assasination missions are we? Or are we...

It's a possibility - some Novas are just impossible to restrain, after all.

Oh! Forgot, what do you suggest I take my "Cool customer" skills in? Take 10 even under stress...I was thinking move silently but you can already take 10 with it.

You can't take 10 with any Skill when you're being threatened or under stress - Move Silently is no exception.

[ezekiel]

Wouldn't you always be under stress with move silently? It isn't very useful when no one's around to hear it...

[ProfPotts]

There's a big difference between sneaking past a bunch of accountants who aren't looking for you, & sneaking past a bunch of Mite-crazed gang-bangers who are actively trying to find & squish you. IMHO, natch. ::wink

Oh - I checked out that character sheet site - pretty cool (& it allows you to let other people - like the DM - edit your sheet as well). Do you know if there's any way to alter the template?