Timewaster's Guide Archive

But despite hoping beyond hope, wishing on a star, and chanting "I do believe in zombies, I do, I do!", wasn't.  Not a single solitary member of the undead.

My wife, daughter, several of our friends, and I opted to do a day trip down to monterey. Originally intended to give one our number inspiration for his zombie game (and my daughter a trip to the aquarium), it instead ended up being a tour of a lovely urban ruin (and a trip to the aquarium).

Fun for all, even if there weren't any zombies. Though those with photoshop skills are encouraged to add some.

Link to Flickr (Note that I can't enable javascript on the browser that I use to upload these flickr, so I can't use the organizer. Tonight I'll fix that but for now it'll look a bit hokey): http://www.flickr.com/photos/35947940@N06/

I understand that, based on precedence, that WOTC generally releases their support for non-good characters choices farther down the release schedule. Most people don't have groups that run evil aligned (or really selfish Unaligned) games.

I do however.

My players are a bit odd you see. Oh they do fine in regular run of the mill games, I'm running one now that is steadily creeping its way to paragon tier and there is little if any problem. But on some occasions, they just like to walk on the wrong side of the summoning circle.

So here, for your enjoyment are a selection of Divinity Feats for evil clerics.

Asmodeus' Command [Divinity]
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature; must worship Asmodeus
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity to use Asmodeus' Command.
Channel Divinity: Asmodeus' Command Feat Power
You utter a single command, invested with the very voice of your master himself..
Encounter ✦ Divine
Minor Action Range 5
Target: One creature
Effect: You slide the target 1 square and knock him prone.
Special: You must take the Asmodeus' Command feat to use this power.

Bane's Blessing [Divinity]
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature; must worship Bane
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity to use Bane's Blessing.
Channel Divinity: Bane's Blessing Feat Power
Bane inspires you to greater acts of tyranny.
Encounter ✦ Divine
Minor Action Personal
Target: You
Trigger: When the Dreadmaster becomes bloodied
Effect: You gain a +4 bonus to all damage rolls for the rest of the encounter or until no longer bloodied.
Special: You must take the Bane's Blessing feat to use this power.

Beshaba's Luck [Divinity]
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature; must worship Beshaba
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity to use Beshaba's Luck.
Channel Divinity: Beshaba's Luck Feat Power
Beshaba  shows your target the folly of trusting too much to luck.
Encounter ✦ Divine
Minor Action Ranged 5
Target: One bloodied target
Effect: Your target takes a -1 penalty  to all attack rolls and saving throws until  the end of your next turn.
Special: You must take the Beshaba's Luck feat to use this power.

Incite Faith [Divinity]
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature;
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity to use Incite Faith.
Channel Divinity: Incite Faith Feat Power
Your words and deeds inspires your allies to greater feats of valor.
Encounter ✦ Divine
Minor Action close burst 5
Target: A number of allies equal to your level within the area of effect.
Effect: Your allies gain 5 temporary HP.
Special: You must take the Incite Faith feat to use this power.

Lolth's Gait [Divinity]
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature; must worship Lolth
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity to use Lolth's Gait.
Channel Divinity: Lolth's Gait Feat Power
By invoking the power of the spider queen, you scuttle through the shadows like a deadly spider.
Encounter ✦ Divine
Move Action Personal
Target: You
Effect: Shift 1 + your charisma modifier squares. This movement can include up walls. The arachne must end her move on a flat surface.
Special: You must take the Lolth’s Gait feat to use this power.

Loviatar's Delight [Divinity]
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature; must worship Loviatar
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity to use Loviatar's Delight.
Channel Divinity: Loviatar's Delight Feat Power
While receiving pain, you feel Loviatar's caress, inspiring you to share the gift of pain.
Encounter ✦ Divine
Immediate Interrupt Personal
Target: Your attacker
Trigger: When the Pain is hit by a melee attack
Effect: Your target takes 1d6 damage.
Special: You must take the Loviatar's Delight feat to use this power.

Shar's Slip [Divinity]
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature; must worship Shar
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity to use Shar's Slip.
Channel Divinity: Shar's Slip Feat Power
By invoking the power of your dark mistress, you slide into the shadows unseen.
Encounter ✦ Divine
Move Action Personal
Target: You
Effect: Shift 1 + your charisma modifier squares. After your move you are granted concealment until the start of your next turn.
Special: You must take the Shar's Slip feat to use this power.

Talona's Rot [Divinity]
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature; must worship Talona
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity to use Talona's Rot.
Channel Divinity: Talona's Rot Feat Power
You invoke Talona's Rot and a fresh wound of your enemy fills with disease and rot.
Encounter ✦ Divine
Minor Action Target
Target: One creature hit by your melee attack this turn
Effect: Your target takes necrotic damage equal to 1+WIS modifier.
Special: You must take the Talona's Rot feat to use this power.

Whispers of Madness [Divinity]
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature; must worship Cyric
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity to use Whispers of Madness.
Channel Divinity: Whispers of Madness Feat Power
You recite Cryic's holy words and those around you share in his vision..
Encounter ✦ Divine
Standard Action Close Burst 1
Target: Every creature in the burst
Effect: Every creature in the burst suffers a -4 penalty to will defenses until the end of your next turn.
Special: You must take the Whispers of Madness feat to use this power.

Zehir's Poison [Divinity]
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature; must worship Zehir
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity to use Zehir's Poison
Channel Divinity: Zehir's Poison Feat Power
You invoke Zehir's Poison and a fresh wound of your enemy fills with poison.
Encounter ✦ Divine
Minor Action Target
Target: One creature hit by your melee attack this turn
Effect: Your target takes poison damage equal to 1+WIS modifier.
Special: You must take the Zehir's Poison  feat to use this power.

<edited because I was told to>

The vicious, but largely unconfirmed rumor is that WOTC intends to move D20 Modern to it's streamlined system from 4e/Saga.

Since this isn't even on their release schedule (or I've missed it) I've got LOADS of time to speculate how they'll do it.

Combat works the same way that 4e does. Attacks are made against defenses. Your attack is done as 1/2 level +stat mod +circumstance modifiers (weapon bonus, magic, feats, etc). Fort/Ref/Will modifiers are as follows

Strong +1 Fort / +1 Ref
Fast +2 Ref
Tough +2 Fort
Smart +1 Ref / +1 Will
Dedicated +2 Will
Charismatic +1 Fort / +1 Ref

HP will be CON+

Strong 12 +5/lvl
Fast 12 +5/lvl
Tough 15 +6/lvl
Smart  10 +5/lvl
Dedicated 12 +5/lvl
Charismatic 12 +5/lvl

The existing tiers from D20 Modern won't be used, nor will the ones from 4e be used exactly. It will be a hybrid.
Basic is 1st -5th
Advanced is 6th-10th
Paragon is 11th-20th
Epic is 21st-30th

In D20 modern, advanced classes were purely optional. In order to make this better fit the framework, they're required.

The skill list would have to expand a bit. Things like repair and craft would likely be rolled into single skills (Mechanics (INT) and Electronics (INT)). Craft Chemical would be handled as a feat ala alchemy from Adventurers Vault.

Backgrounds: Occupations are now your backgrounds. That feature was already pretty consistent with both games.

Feats: All (human) characters start with 2 feats plus any they may get from their occupation. Non human characters start with 1

talents: Human characters begin with 2 at will powers at 1st level and gain an additional at will when they take an advanced class. Non human characters start with 1 and gain the additional when they take an advanced class.

Progression (at this point) is going to look something like this

Basic
Level   Stat Increase   Feats    Talents     At will  Encounter   Daily 
1                -                           2                         2           1             1
2                -                           3                         2           2             1
3                -                           3                         2           2             1
4         +1 to two                 4                         2           2              1
5                -                           4                         2           2             2
Advanced
6                -                            5                         3            3             3
7                -                            5                         3            4             3
8         +1 to two                  6                         3            4             3
9               -                             6                         3            4             4
10             -                             7                         3            5             4

I envision talents as being a mix of utility and attack powers.  For Example:

Talents draft:

Strong Hero

At-Will Talents

Put in the effort
Strong At-Will Basic
You push yourself to new heights
At-will
Standard Action Personal
Effect: You make a strength check or strength skill check. You gain a +2 to the roll.

Board Breaker
Strong At-Will Basic
You can find weakness in objects and smash them to pieces
At-Will ✦ Martial,Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One object
Attack: Strength +2 vs. FORT
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier at 21st level

Melee Smash
Strong At-Will Basic
Your attacks hurt, a lot
At-Will ✦ Martial,Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One target
Attack: Strength vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage +2
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier +1 at 21st level

Encounter Talents

Climb that mountain
Strong Encounter Basic
Few things stand in your way
encounter
Standard Action Personal
Effect: You make a strength check or strength skill check. You gain a +4 to the roll.

Wall Smasher
Strong Encounter Basic
You can bring down large obstacles with a mighty swing
Encounter ✦ Martial,Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One object
Attack: Strength +4 vs. FORT
Hit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage.

Melee Crush
Strong Encounter Basic
Your attacks leave opponents reeling
Encounter ✦ Martial,Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One target
Attack: Strength vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage +2 and the target is dazed until the start of your next turn

Daily Talents

Unstoppable Fitness
Strong Daily Basic
Nothing stands in your way
Daily
Standard Action Personal
Effect: You make a strength check or strength skill check. You gain a +6 to the roll.

Rock Crusher
Strong Daily Basic
You can bring low the strongest obstacles
Daily ✦ Martial,Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One object
Attack: Strength +6 vs. FORT
Hit: 3[W] + Strength modifier damage.

Hulk Smash!
Strong Daily Basic
Your attacks leave opponents reeling
Daily ✦ Martial,Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One target
Attack: Strength vs. AC
Hit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage +2 and the target is dazed until the end of your next turn


On skills

Number of Skills per basic class:
Strong: 4
Fast: 6
Tough: 4
Smart: 9
Dedicated: 6
Charismatic: 6

Half-thought out skill list

Acrobatics (Dex)
Arcana (Int)
Athletics (Str)
Bluff (Cha)
Computer Use (Int)
Diplomacy (Cha)
Drive (Dex)
Electronics (Craft and repair) (Int)
Endurance (Con)
History (Int)
Insight (Wis)
Intimidate (Cha)
Mechanics (Int)
Nature (Wis)
Perception (Wis)
Perform ** Waiting to see if PHB2 covers this **
Pilot (Dex)
Religion (Int)
Stealth (Dex)
Streetwise (Cha)
Technology (Knowl)
Thievery (Dex)
Treat Injury (Heal) (Wis)

Couple of feats to handle unarmed brawler types

Fisticuffs!
Your hands, feet, elbows? Lethal weapons
Effect: You are proficient enough with your unarmed attacks that they no longer are considered improvised weapons and gain a proficiency bonus of +2. Unarmed attacks for medium sized creatures do 1d6 dmg

Fists of Fury
You've watched every bruce lee movie, twice
Prequisites: Fisticuffs
Effect: Your unarmed attacks do 1d8 damage

For those of you not familiar with XCrawl, it is beer and pretzels D&D, dungeon crawling as a professional sport. My group has had regular side events using it over the years and it's been mindless fun.

One of my players is starting up a 4E crawl and between he and I we think we've got most of the bases covered (Fame, Mojo - team bonuses basically, and campaign backdrop), but I'm curious if anyone here has tried using the new edition for XCrawl.