d20 modern, tell me about it. Options

[ludomastro]

Any thoughts?

Yes, don't.

[/snark]

If you are going to try it, you need to section out the parts of SR that make it SR.

Example: Gritty Realism makes SR, SR.
Do away with hitpoints or fix them at low levels (and never raise them) or use a would/vitality system (See pre-Saga Starwars or SpyCraft). Otherwise, you have the high level elf taking a shot to the face and laughing.

Example: Combination of Magic and Tech is what makes SR, SR.
Do away with fixed level based casting (aka vancian magic) as it gets beat in a protracted fight always-functioning tech. It gets too powerful too quickly.
Alternatively, you could cap spells at much lower levels.

Now, once you accept the limitations any of the d20 stuff puts on SR, you are in a better starting place. On, to your core questions:

I would not do feats for cyber unless you are willing to let them be changed or upgraded at some level. (Default d20 assumes the feat is the feat is the feat.) Skills might work better; however, the skill system in d20 is more afterthought than integral part of the core system - read, combat.

Monks/spells? I assume you mean chi powers. If not, please explain. That should work just fine. Now, if you meant, mystic adepts, then yes. Again, be careful of spell levels.

Have fun and good luck!

[PBTHHHHT]

oh yeah, by the way someone made the ghost in the shell net sourcebook for d20
http://www.serenadawn.com/GhostintheShellRPG.htm

[Caine Hazen]

and they did a cyberscape book for d20 modern; to cross w/ d20 SciFi. They have the rules you're looking for (somewhat). The system just feels wrong, and icky. Like oil on my sink. It worked though, and could probably be adapted for what you need.

[Maelstrome]

I guess I'll piggyback onto this post - Has anyone who has every tried Shadowrunning with D20 rules found iteasier or harder? In looking into this the two big obsticles Im finding are how to handle adepts and Cybernetics.

The adepts Im sorta thinking can be worked like monks only with some extra spells available

In terms of the cybernetics I'm thinking feats and skill advancement might work best in this regard.

Any thoughts?

i did it. i combined ogl steampunk with ogl cybernet. it works rather well. it depends on what sr is to you. is it the setting and style? or is it the system? it worked for me but probably isnt for everyone.

i made a thread on this some time ago. ill look for it.

[Lass]

Hey Maelstrome

Yeah you bring up a good point about What SR is to me. Im a fan of high adventure in RPGs and also a huge fan of the SR setting - so to me I want to play/run a game with high magic and big epic battles. As such Im wondering if the D20 system where the "gritty" aspects cant be incorperated into larger than life adventures. Ive seen SR's combat described as using a hammer to crack an egg which doesnt fit well into epic adventure so characterised by WOTC style games. Thats pretty much why Im looking into an alternative system so that I can keep the SR setting while still adapting it to my needs.... and avoiding bucket loads of six sided dice.

[Maelstrome]

try using the ogl cybernet as your core rules then add from other sources. it has that gritty sr feel with epicness of the high adventure games.
i used cybernet for the core rules and steampunk for the races and magic.

[hobgoblin]

d20 modern caps quick to cast magic at around level 4. Anything beyond is a ritual.

as for elf taking a bullet to the head and laughing, only if he is a high con tough hero with the right talent tree filled, as massive damage is con, not 50hp like in d&d. take more damage in a single attack and your at -1 and dropping...

[Lass]

Thanks again Maelstrome,

Im goner check that out esp since used copies of OGL Cybernet seem pretty cheap.

[ludomastro]

d20 modern caps quick to cast magic at around level 4. Anything beyond is a ritual.

as for elf taking a bullet to the head and laughing, only if he is a high con tough hero with the right talent tree filled, as massive damage is con, not 50hp like in d&d. take more damage in a single attack and your at -1 and dropping...

I stand corrected. I had forgotten about the hp changes.

[Lass]

i did it. i combined ogl steampunk with ogl cybernet. it works rather well. it depends on what sr is to you. is it the setting and style? or is it the system? it worked for me but probably isnt for everyone.

i made a thread on this some time ago. ill look for it.

I picked up the OGL Steampunk game - Im impressed! It looks like a really cool setting in of itself. Shame it never really caught on. I'd have loved to have played it even in an Online game of some sort.

[Maelstrome]

I picked up the OGL Steampunk game - Im impressed! It looks like a really cool setting in of itself. Shame it never really caught on. I'd have loved to have played it even in an Online game of some sort.

i was heavily considering running one online. if i can get the time and players to work on it i just might.

im also working on a ogl steampunk version of the maelstrom storytelling material. i was looking at steampunk last night and there are so many things i want to do with it.

[Lass]

OMG - if you run an online game of OGL Steampunk count me in! That would be the Cat-Hybrid's Meow!

[Maelstrome]

OMG - if you run an online game of OGL Steampunk count me in! That would be the Cat-Hybrid's Meow!

ill see what i can do. do you have yahoo messenger?

i think i can get a few people together.

[Lass]

yup yup - you can find me at lassfromwales on YIM. Im on frequently enough that finding me shouldnt be an issue. Look forward to something coming of it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

[Maelstrome]

yup yup - you can find me at lassfromwales on YIM. Im on frequently enough that finding me shouldnt be an issue. Look forward to something coming of it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

i sent you an add.