RPG Archives ad20 - Character Workshop

Looking good. Just one question to make sure. What class are you?

 

Oh, well you're off to a great start then! Yes, relevant ability is the modifier.

11 points spent of 52 means you still have 41 points left. Wow, are students skilled! ^^;

Don't forget to choose a specialization for each of those skills as well. Read their descriptions for some choices.

 

Step 6 - Attributes, Feats, and Defects

This part is covered in three chapters - 6, 8, and 9. The reason I lumped Attributes, Feats, and Defects together, is that the order they are chosen in really depends on your creation methods - and all 3 deal with character points.

Attributes are special powers, natural, magical, or supernatural that you can buy ranks in.
Feats are less powerful powers that allow you to do things that are not covered by standard skills. Feats are unranked.
Defects are flaws, either in your character or attributes, that pay back character points to spend elsewhere.

Feats cost 2 character points each, and are detailed in Chapter 8 of the SRD.

Attributes cost a varying amount of character points per rank, and are detailed in Chapter 6.

Defects pay back varying amounts of character points per defect, and are detailed in Chapter 9. I am limiting the number of choosable defects to 5.

This is the most time consuming part of character creation, but also the most defining. Attributes and Defects will go a long way towards making your character unique. Read through the three linked documents at the bottom of this post to find what interests you. As always, if you need clarification, feel free to ask.

Let's build on our Robot character design some. We haven't dealt with character points since step 3. Remember how I was left with only 2 points after buying my ability stats? Let's pick out a defect so we have a little more to spend...

Ah, here we go - Phobia. Our character is afraid of something...hmmm, let's use Haphephobia, the fear of being touched. Our robot's tragic past has her afraid that someone might tinker with her systems and cause her to go beserk again. She keeps a fair distance from people, and will get very antsy in crowded places, or when cornered. This is a phobia that will be very common, so we're justified to take 3 bonus points from it.

Now let's build an attribute or two.


Attribute #1
------------
As an assassin model, she should be entitled to a Special Attack, so let's build her one as described in the documentation.

We'll call it "Assassination Crush Blow"
-She's a hand-to-hand fighter, so it will have the disadvantage of "Melee". (+2d8 damage)
-It's an "Accurate" blow, allowing her to hit more often. (-1d8 damage)

We'll settle for 1 rank, since the Attribute description lists Special Attacks as 4 CP/rank.
This simple fist special attack will do 2d8 damage when it hits (1 rank(d8)+modifiers(2d8-1d8)).

4 character points spent from the 5 we had.

Attribute #2
------------
How about a little boost in the way of the Speed Attribute?

But, each rank costs 2 CP, and we only have one left. This would be a nice time to assign a defect to this attribute so we can afford it. Let's make it a Detectable Attribute, as when she engages her extra speed modification it creates overheating and makes her visible on radar to those tracking her. That's a 1 point bonus as it's detectable through 1 means. That extra point gives us enough points to buy rank 1 of Speed, allowing her to move at 50mph, unknowingly giving away her position on radar at the same time.

Attribute #3
------------
We have no character points left, but the Giant Robot chart in the Classes chapter indicated we got a rank in Features (listed under the special column as "Features +1"). This means we get this rank for free. Let's equip our robot with a small area scanner that will allow her to form rough maps of places within 50' around her.

SRD Links: Chapter 6 - Attributes,Chapter 8 - Feats,Chapter 9 - Defects

 

Step 7 - Finishing Touches

Welcome to the final step! Here we'll just round out the final points of our character. Chapter 10 covers all the details short and sweet.

Here's a very quick rundown of the chapter:

Base Attack Bonus / Armour Class Bonus
Check your class chart for level 1. If you have a +1 under Base Attack Bonus, you have the choice of applying it towards your Base Attack or Armour Class.

Our example character has a 0 on her chart, so we skip this step.


Armour Class (AC)
Armour Class is determined by adding the character’s modifier from Dexterity, any Ranks of the Defence Combat Mastery Attribute, Size Modifier, and any other appropriate bonuses or penalties. Record your total modifier on your sheet.

Our example character is normal size +0, and her Dex modifier of 24 grants her a +7. She has no other direct modifiers, so her AC is equal to a +7. When defending against attacks unarmed she will be able to apply her skill, though.


Hit Points (HP)
A characters’ Hit Points are determined by the Hit Dice appropriate for their class Rank, plus any Ranks of Damn Healthy!, plus their Constitution modifier per die rolled, minus any modifier for the Not So Tough Defect, plus any other modifiers. Use the maximum number when rolling your hit die.

Our example character has a d10 for HP as indicated in her class description. She has no constitution modifiers, since she has no constitution, and she has no other modifiers beyond that. So, she ends up with 10 hit points.


Energy Points (EP)
A character’s Energy Point total is determined by taking the lowest modifier of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (the weakest aspect of the character determines his or her energy reserves) and adding 2 per character Level (with a minimum of 1 per Level).

Our example character's lowest stat of those three is her Wisdom of 4. On the chart, that's a -3 modifier. (2-3=-1). Since the minium EP per level is one, she still gets 1 EP.


Saving Throws
These are listed on the character class progression charts in Chapter 5. Run across the level 1 listing and add the number to the appropriate modifier as listed below:

Fortitude
These saves measure a combatant’s ability to stand up to massive physical trauma, or attacks against a character’s vitality and health. Apply a character’s Constitution modifier to Fortitude saving throws.

Reflex
These saves test a combatant’s ability to evade attacks or otherwise avoid deadly situations. Apply the character’s Dexterity modifier to Reflex Saving throws.

Willpower
These saves reflect a character’s resistance to mental influence and domination. Apply the character’s Wisdom modifier to Will saving throws.

Our example character's Saves are as follows (Base Save + Ability Modifier):

Fortitude: (2 + no constitution modifier with 0 con) = +2
Reflex: (0 + Dex Mod of 7) = +7
Willpower: (0 + Wisdom Mod of -3) = -3


Background Presentation (optional)
Here's the rewarding part for creating a diverse character beyond just fleshing out his/her character sheet.

Provide detail through a background history, a character story, or a character drawing.

For each of these things, I will reward you 1-3 Background points which you can then use to improve your character buy buying more attributes, ability points, or feats. If that's not incentive enough, keep in mind that doing these extra points can be fun and better show your character off.

Well, that's the end of the character tutorial. For those who got lost, don't get discouraged. It does take time to make a d20 system character, but trust me that it is worth it. If you need help stepping through any of the above parts of the creation process, I'm willing to do so.

Edit: I'll post a full character sheet of our example character in the near future.

SRD Links: Chapter 10 - Finishing Touches

 

Code:

[b]Name:[/b] Kay (Model # K-23)
[b]Race:[/b] Artificial Construct
[b]Class:[/b] Giant Robot
[b]Attack Bonus:[/b] +0
[b]Armour Class:[/b] +7
[b]Hit Points:[/b] 10/10
[b]Energy Points:[/b] 1/1


[b]Attributes[/b]        [b]Score[/b]     [b]Modifier[/b]
Strength            26       +8
Dexterity           24       +7
Constitution         0        0
Intelligence        12       +1
Wisdom               4       -3
Charisma            10        0

[b]Saving Throws[/b]
Fortitude: +2
Reflex: +7
Willpower: -3

[b]Skills[/b]                                    [b]Rank[/b]     [b]Modifier (Ability)[/b]     [b]Total Score[/b]
Computer Use (Intrusion Security)           2           1 (Int)                3
Knowledge, Police Sciences (Forensics)      4           1 (Int)                5       
Repair (Mechanics)                          3           1 (Int)                4

[b]Combat Skills[/b]                             [b]Rank[/b]
Unarmed Defence (Strikes)                   1

[b]Attributes[/b]
"Assassination Crush Blow" 
[i]Special Attack (Rank 1)[/i]
-Melee
-Accurate
-Damage: 2d8 (+4 to hit)

[i]Speed (Rank 1)[/i]
-Detectable by Radar
-50 mph
-+2 initiative

[i]Features (Rank 1)[/i]
-Area Scanner (short range)

 

Okay, here's the situation. "Teleport" is an Attribute, not a skill. You spend Character Points to get it, and not Skill Points... :S

Take out the teleporting from the list, and you can have all that, yes.

 

Teleport Breakdown:

5 points/rank. 6 ranks desired. 5x6=30 character point cost.

Every starting character gets 48 character points (these are different from skill points) to buy Attributes and Ability scores. You could go all out for maximum teleport at the first level, but you won't have many points left over for your main 6 ability stats.

Your characters will gain experience and levels in this RPG (and character and skill points upon each level), so it may be wise to settle for a lower rank of teleport to start with - and buy more ranks at a later level. Especially since teleport is a Ninja granted Attribute, if you look at their chart.

 

No, not a skill. It's an attribute.

Well, it depends on how many ranks of teleport you plan on buying. 1 rank costs 5, so rank 1 teleport would drop you to 2 points. If you are in need of more character points, you might want to take a look at some defects to pay for what you need.

These are bonus ranks to the attributes. If you put nothing into gear, you're considered to have rank 1 gear. If you had 2 ranks in jumping, you'd have 3 ranks after applying your class bonus.

I apologize here for Anime d20's bad name choices here. The +1 Jumping is to the jumping attribute, which is different from the jump skill.

1 rank of Jumping actually adds +20 to your jump skill. So you have the same number of points left, but a jump skill of +23.

 

Err...there are no points for Teleportation. It's an attribute, and all attributes are rated by ranks.

You have rank 1 Teleportation, in other words.

Sorry, this is a bit confusing for those unfamiliar with PnP gaming. :sweat:

 

Each character has two point pools to buy with.

Skill Points can only be spent on skills, and are based on your class and Intelligence.

Character Points are the same for all characters. We're using 48 as our starting number. You sepnd character points on your abilities, attributes, and feats. You can gain more character points by buying defects.

Skill points cost 1 SP/rank.
Combat Skills cost 1 SP/rank.

Feats cost 3 CP.
Attributes cost varies. Check the Attributes chapter of the documentation for individual costs.

 

Willpower is directly related to your Wisdom bonus. Beyond that, all of your saving throws do improve as you gain levels, so your willpower will improve after time.

Additionally, you could spend points on the following attribute to improve willpower in a secific case:

 

Ack! How could I have forgotten Iron Will?

Yes, you can purchase that feat for a +2 will.