d20 Modern is a modern fantasy role-playing game designed by Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, and Charles Ryan. It was published by Wizards of the Coast and released in November 1, 2002. The game uses the d20 System and Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 edition rules. It also provided players the tools to build a campaign in a modern setting.
Alterations to the d20 System
Basic Classes
In d20 Modern each character is referred to as a hero. All heroes start with a first level basic class. Each basic class corresponds to one of the six ability scores in the d20 System. They have their own set of skills, feats, talents, saves, hit dice, wealth bonus, and so on. A hero will become a specific hero, but it depends on the players in what ability they favor. The six basic classes are:
The Strong Hero, based on Strength (STR). These heroes are brawny, and they greatly favor melee combat.
The Fast Hero, based on Dexterity (DEX). They’re nimble and quick, and able to evade most incoming attacks.
The Tough Hero, based on Constitution (CON). Difficult to take down and can resist most sicknesses.
The Smart Hero, based on Intelligence (INT). The typical know-it-all hero has most the skills and points.
The Dedicated Hero, based on Wisdom (WIS). A strong intuitive hero and always vigilant.
The Charismatic Hero, based on Charisma (CHA). A hero who has a way with words and personal magnetism.
Advanced Classes
In addition to basic classes, there are also advanced classes. Similar to basic classes but with requirements to fulfill. There’s 14 advanced classes to qualify: Acolyte, Bodyguard, Daredevil, Field Medic, Field Scientist, Gunslinger, Infiltrator, Investigator, Mage, Martial Artist, Negotiator, Personality, Soldier, and Techie. Advanced classes can be easily achieved depending on the hero’s basic class. For instance, a Tough Hero can be an excellent candidate for Bodyguard or Daredevil. In later levels, the player may choose to multiclass their hero. A Strong and Dedicated hero, or Smart and Field Scientist hero, are examples. There’s no limitations how many classes the hero may have, but heroes tend to have two or three classes.
However, some Gamemasters (GMs) may have restrictions on certain advanced classes in his or her campaign. Thus, the advanced classes might be tougher to acquire or won’t be available. The most frowned upon advanced classes are the Acolyte and Mage. Gamemasters tend to shun these classes because they involve spellcasting, as seen in Urban Arcana. Reasons may greatly vary on the Gamemaster.
Action Points
One of the interesting additions to the system was the action points. Actions points are used by characters to affect game play greatly. Whenever a character spends one action point, the character receives a small boost in his or her skill checks, ability checks, level checks, or saving throws. There’s a bit of restriction when and where to use them. As the character spends these points, they’re very limited. However, through level advancement, he or she replenishes spent action points.
Feats, Skills, and Items
In order to fit the d20 Modern setting, some skills and items are reworded and rebalanced, and both the feats and skills mechanics receive expansions.
Also included are game statistics for both modern weapons and “archaic” weapons, such as swords, axes, and crossbows.
Occupations and Wealth Bonus
Occupations aren’t considered classes but act as a job or career that a character holds. He or she may hold multiple occupations, but over time. There are over 19 different occupations and each with its own restrictions, such as age. As well, they open more options when choosing skills and higher Wealth bonus. The 19 occupations are: Academic, Adventurer, Athlete, Blue Collar, Celebrity, Creative, Criminal, Dilettante, Doctor, Emergency Services, Entrepreneur, Investigative, Law Enforcement, Military, Religious, Rural, Student, Technician, and White Collar.
Instead of using real world currency, such as United States dollar (USD) or Euro (EUR), it’s been replaced with the Wealth bonus. It functions just like any real world currency: income, credit, debit, to deposit or withdraw, purchasing and selling, and so on. It also defines the characters’ financial conditions, from being opulent to impoverishment. All characters have their own wealth. Determining wealth at first level, the player rolls a four-sided die two times (2d4), and then adds the results together. The result can be increased by occupation, the Windfall feat, and the Profession skill. Whenever the character advances in level, the player rolls a Profession check.