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View Full Version : d20 Modern Vampire Hunters: Build advice, please?



Archpaladin Zousha
2007-08-27, 11:05 PM
I originally posted this on the official d20 Boards, but I wasn't able to get much advice, so I thought I'd put it up here to see if I could find some help or advice.

My brother and I recently purchased the d20 Modern Core Rulebook, and we've already got an idea to run a campaign involving a group of characters who hunt vampires (and supernatural threats in general), similar to the Shadow Chasers campaign model but focusing more on traditional horror monsters, such as undead, werewolves and semi-Lovecraftian entities. My brother and I will both be playing, and I'd like to be able to assist him in building an efficient character. I would also greatly appreciate any advice for the character I have planned.

My character is basically going to be a Smart Hero 10/Techie 10, who will function as the group's weaponsmith and getaway driver. I know that I'm going to definately take ranks in Craft (mechanical), since most of the items I'll be building will be guns, and Drive, since I plan on being the getaway driver to make myself more useful (we could get an NPC to do this sort of thing, but my brother thought it'd be cool if I could build the group specially modified weapons meant to deal with supernatural enemies, and I find it an interesting proposition as well). I'm also taking Computer Use and Disable Device to qualify for the Techie class. I'm at a loss for selecting effective feats and other skills that would be benificial to my chosen specialization.

My brother plans on playing the group's main "warrior" as it were. He's definately taking Archaic Weapon Proficiency, since he plans on using a sword most of the time, and I'm thinking that the Shadow Slayer class will be his best bet in the future, since that's the kind of things we'll be encountering. He also plans on roleplaying him as a zealot, very much in the manner of Alexander Anderson from Hellsing. This has left me at a loss as to what base class he should pursue. He wants a powerful, but agile character, and thus is leaning toward a multiclass Strong Hero/Fast Hero, but that leaves out several skills that would make sense for his character, such as Knowledge (theology), Knowledge (arcane lore) and Tumble (I'm aware that it's a class skill for Fast Heroes, but he wouldn't be able to develop it as well as a pure Fast Hero). However, judging from the way he plans on roleplaying, a Dedicated Hero would be a much better choice, especially with the Faith talent.

Any and all advice that could help these characters become the best they can be will be greatly appreciated, of course. Thank you all very much.

Zincorium
2007-08-28, 02:57 AM
Tech heroes are very poor choices in a campaign where hacking and repairing things are sidelines at best. That said, field scientist is a definite choice for a few levels, given that it is a much more combat oriented class that doesn't skimp on skills.

Also, ten levels of any base class is usually a poor decision since you can get into most advanced classes at level 4, if only because you'll get fewer action points. You will need action points, period, especially because you aren't specialized in survival. Unless your DM is willing to blatantly metagame, the chances of a vampire seizing you and ripping into your throat are probably up there. If you're set on taking all 10 though, you might as well get the entire strategy tree and Savant for skills with high DCs where that +10 is actually going to make a difference (most DCs are easy to make past 5th or so with a well built character).

Shadow Slayer is a stupidly good prestige class, I've played one before. The ability to get +5 magic weapons is ungodly in a campaign where even +2 items are almost unobtainable. Nevermind the fast healing when the most you can get otherwise is a good field surgeon or gimped acolyte. Strong is a good basis, fast is excellent if you're willing to stay in for evasion (hint: near immunity to automatic weapons). He shouldn't have any trouble. Dedicated seems nice and all but it's built for detectives and medics, not combat junkies.



One last thing: if you can get ahold of a copy of unearthed arcana and use it in the game, look through it. Lots of good stuff for a supernatural campaign.

Dhavaer
2007-08-28, 07:49 AM
fast is excellent if you're willing to stay in for evasion (hint: near immunity to automatic weapons).

Autofire is Reflex negates, so Evasion doesn't actually come into it.

Fast/Strong with perhaps the Religious occupation might be what the Shadow Slayer is looking for. Smart/Fast/Soldier/Field Scientist is a good, survivable skill heavy build, with Technician or something similiar to keep your tech skills high. Just stand back and double-tap when it comes to combat; a Glock 17 with Weapon Specialisation and Exploit Weakness or Smart Weapon is your friend here.

puppyavenger
2007-08-28, 10:01 AM
Smart Hero 10/Techie 10

you do realise that modern has no epic rules and recomends against playing epic?

ravenkith
2007-08-28, 10:47 AM
Here (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/MSRD:Modern_System_Reference_Document) is a web page full of love for you!

No, seriously. Bad assness in web format for d20 modern players.

Mmm, html.

Wait, what was I talking about?

Oh, oh yes...

A couple of (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/MSRD:Techno_Mage_%28Class%29)
things for you (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/MSRD:Feats#Craft_Cybernetics)
to look into. (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/MSRD:Feats#Cybernetic_Surgery)

Archpaladin Zousha
2007-08-28, 03:35 PM
you do realise that modern has no epic rules and recomends against playing epic?

What do you mean, epic? I thought that the basic classes were 10 levels so advanced classes were a must. Why have 10 levels available for an advanced class if 10 is maximum level?

Zincorium
2007-08-28, 03:43 PM
What do you mean, epic? I thought that the basic classes were 10 levels so advanced classes were a must. Why have 10 levels available for an advanced class if 10 is maximum level?

Possible misunderstanding.

First, is this just a plan for advancement, or are you actually somehow starting at 20th level?

If the former, no big, 'epic' was referring to going past 20th.

If the latter, d20 modern isn't really set up for going that high or higher.


Autofire is Reflex negates, so Evasion doesn't actually come into it.


My bad, must have been thinking of explosives.

Either way, because of the set save DCs, automatic weapons and explosives becomes significantly less effective/dangerous after a few levels.

Archpaladin Zousha
2007-08-28, 04:42 PM
It's a plan for advancement. We're starting at level 1. Also, I know that vampires would be extremely difficult at the early stages, but we'd also be dealing with other, more easily defeated supernatural stuff. I know that my brother plans to try and talk the GM into letting him fight a werewolf at some point and not have it go so well (obviously meaning infection), though this would probably take place at a much higher level. He wants to play it as a sort of "Hound of God" (Read the Wikipedia article on werewolves and you'll see what I mean.)

ravenkith
2007-08-28, 04:44 PM
I swear; you won't regret having both magic and technology at your disposla.

Also: Cybernetics.

Archpaladin Zousha
2007-08-28, 05:49 PM
I don't have Urban Arcana, as of right now, though I'll pick it up first chance I get. I'm not so sure about cybernetics at the moment, though. We aren't going for a Vampire Hunter D feeling as far as I can tell.

ravenkith
2007-08-28, 08:13 PM
<The website I linked to earlier contains almost all of the urban arcana information....as well as the core book. It is the official d20 srd, in HTML form. As such, it is all wotc product.>

Archpaladin Zousha
2007-08-28, 11:31 PM
Gosh! That is convenient! Thanks Ravenkith!:smallsmile:

ravenkith
2007-08-29, 08:48 AM
...if you aren't going technomage, a divine caster is brilliant for an anti-vampire game...

Healing is always a problem in d20 modern.

DeathQuaker
2007-08-29, 11:22 AM
My brother plans on playing the group's main "warrior" as it were. He's definately taking Archaic Weapon Proficiency, since he plans on using a sword most of the time, and I'm thinking that the Shadow Slayer class will be his best bet in the future, since that's the kind of things we'll be encountering. He also plans on roleplaying him as a zealot, very much in the manner of Alexander Anderson from Hellsing. This has left me at a loss as to what base class he should pursue. He wants a powerful, but agile character, and thus is leaning toward a multiclass Strong Hero/Fast Hero, but that leaves out several skills that would make sense for his character, such as Knowledge (theology), Knowledge (arcane lore) and Tumble (I'm aware that it's a class skill for Fast Heroes, but he wouldn't be able to develop it as well as a pure Fast Hero). However, judging from the way he plans on roleplaying, a Dedicated Hero would be a much better choice, especially with the Faith talent.

If he is literally a religious zealot, why not give him the "Religious" Starting Occupation (or something similar). That would give him three class skills, including the Arcane Lore and Theology if he wants them, at all times. He can then take levels in whatever class he wants.

Archpaladin Zousha
2007-08-29, 11:36 AM
That's what I think I'm going to reccomend to him. Like I said, he plans on playing a zealous holy warrior.

SpikeFightwicky
2007-08-29, 11:41 AM
If you need a downloadable version of the SRD, you can find it here:
http://ca.geocities.com/spike_fightwicky/d20modernsrd/srdhome.html

I haven't seen the DandDWiki version of it, so I'm not sure how they compare.

If your brother plans on being in melee often, tough hero levels wouldn't hurt. Also, depending on his starting occupation, you can get some knowledge skills as class skills. Academic gives any knowledge, and Athlete gives Tumble. I'm not sure if these fit into the character idea, but it's a way to get other class skills without level dipping (though the fast hero is a good choice anyways for a few levels).

Archpaladin Zousha
2007-08-29, 11:47 AM
Since he's playing a zealous Christian, as I've said, I'm probably going to reccomend the Religious profession, which has Knowledge (arcane lore) and Knowledge (religion and theology), like Deathquaker reccomended. I think Tumble is on the Class Skill list for the Fast Hero, isn't it?

SpikeFightwicky
2007-08-29, 11:51 AM
Since he's playing a zealous Christian, as I've said, I'm probably going to reccomend the Religious profession, which has Knowledge (arcane lore) and Knowledge (religion and theology), like Deathquaker reccomended. I think Tumble is on the Class Skill list for the Fast Hero, isn't it?

Yes it is. The only class that has it.


EDIT (An idea for the GM): If you don't want them to fight real vampires 'cuz they're too powerful, you can always try porting 'Vampire Spawn' to d20 Modern (from D&D 3.5). Take away Domination, Gaseous Form and Energy Drain (which would lower the CR), and you have a weaker vampire-type creature.

Archpaladin Zousha
2007-08-29, 04:05 PM
Thanks for the suggestion! Though I suspect he'll have already thought of that. *shrug*