65
votes
Can you run D&D 5e in a post-modern setting without magic?
You're trying to force a round peg into a square hole
Could you play in a post-modern setting with D&D by just using non-caster classes, non-magical feats, and redefining some of the other classes'...
- 135k
33
votes
Can you run D&D 5e in a post-modern setting without magic?
I've run D&D without magic. It technically works, but there's a lot missing.
TLDR: The easy way is to cut all classes/subclasses/races/subraces that are too magical for your setting, and to fluff ...
- 14.2k
16
votes
Accepted
In a "supernatural" world, how can I lead players to choose to NOT be supernatural?
Put a price on the power.
Consider including some sort of drawback to whatever supernatural options you're offering your players. Make it a high risk, high reward choice and some players will ...
- 11.8k
15
votes
Can I build a character based on modern technology?
If your DM lets you, you can do anything
This applies to almost everything in DnD 5e. If your DM says no, then you can't. If your DM says yes, then you can. The only thing you need to do is convince ...
- 8,108
10
votes
Accepted
Which skill should be used if I want to let my PC drive a modern vehicle?
There are some official rules for operating vehicles. Arms & Equipment Guide has some for ships (both wind-powered and oar-powered) and wagons/chariots/other things pulled by animals. Stormwrack ...
- 361k
9
votes
Accepted
Tech Casting - Limiting OP use with Modern Magic UA Ruleset
Those "tech abilities" are spells and should be limited by spell slots (or a similar resource)
In comments, you mentioned how you are using a homebrew "hacker" class, which is able ...
- 80.8k
7
votes
Accepted
How can I handle a car chase sequence in modern 5E?
Chases
Check Chapter 8 of the DMG, the Chases section.
This set of rules can make chases more exciting by introducing random elements.
It defines how to begin and end a chase, as well as random ...
- 47k
7
votes
In a "supernatural" world, how can I lead players to choose to NOT be supernatural?
Some Will
Some players are inclined to be ornery, or like "hardcore" play, or just like playing "normal people" and will choose to play non-magical characters. You'll have to decide if any of your ...
- 12.7k
6
votes
Can you run D&D 5e in a post-modern setting without magic?
You can but...
Let's say it is not even remotely D&D. Let me illustrate this by taking an older edition of game: D&D 3.5. The mechanics of D&D 3.5 do make the backbone for Star Wars D20, ...
- 46.9k
6
votes
Can you run D&D 5e in a post-modern setting without magic?
You could in theory but you would be much better off finding a system that specifically caters to the type of setting you want to run
Since magic is incorporated very deeply into 5E, the game would be ...
- 11.5k
6
votes
Accepted
How can I best implement a "suppressing fire" mechanic for guns in my campaign?
Use the DMG for firearms, and ready actions for suppression
You don't need to homebrew any rules. Wikipedia describes suppressing fire as:
Suppressive fire usually achieves its effect by ...
- 63.9k
6
votes
Can I build a character based on modern technology?
Yes, with GM approval
There are a number of ways this is doable, but will rely on GM approval. Depending on the setting, this will be more or less likely. Here's a few sample settings with the options ...
- 76.1k
5
votes
In a "supernatural" world, how can I lead players to choose to NOT be supernatural?
I don't know your reasoning for wanting them to chose to not have supernatural abilities. When playing an RPG, players almost always want to have cool powers. Otherwise, they will just be mundane ...
- 1,765
5
votes
How can I handle a car chase sequence in modern 5E?
Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus has vehicle rules in Appendix B, with the following tables:
Mishaps (p 220)
Chase Complications (p 222)
There are also rules for crashing on page 221.
- 6,614
4
votes
How can I handle a car chase sequence in modern 5E?
The rules for Chases are in the DMG. The rules for vehicles are in Appendix A of Ghosts of Saltmarsh.
Simply put, the rules for Chases are on p. 252-255 of the Dungeon Master's Guide. They discuss the ...
- 14.1k
4
votes
How can I handle a car chase sequence in modern 5E?
Dungeon Master's Guide page 252-255 gives a detailed rules about running a chase without vehicle.
These are what change if you ride vehicle:
Optionally, ignore the dashing exhaustion rule. You don't ...
- 33.1k
2
votes
Can I build a character based on modern technology?
If it is okay with your DM, anything is possible.
As long as your DM allows it, there's no reason why you can't. That said, there needs to be a good reason for it or it will clash too much with the ...
- 2,296
2
votes
Accepted
How to stat a non-human, primitive or semi-primitive NPC race?
Savage Worlds has a solid set of guidelines for creating PC races. The most up-to-date version of these is in the Sci-Fi Companion, although there is a slightly older version in the Deluxe Explorer ...
- 17.8k
2
votes
Accepted
how can I handle automatic rifles in my rules?
D20 Modern (from the D&D 3.0 era) that might help you here
In it automatic weapons shoot on autofire. Autofire targets a 10ft radius. You make an attack roll against AC 10 to hit the area you are ...
- 3,308
2
votes
Are there any rules for modern weapons/armor?
I don't know about modern armor, but modern weaponry definitely exists along with the rules for it:
Modern Firearms
The page includes things such as mustard gas, automatic weapons, and artillery.
- 12.3k
2
votes
In a "supernatural" world, how can I lead players to choose to NOT be supernatural?
Make the choices appealing
In brief, non-supernatural characters are still good to play, provided that they have their own advantages and extraordinary abilities.
In regular D&D 5e (as your ...
- 14.2k
1
vote
How can I handle a car chase sequence in modern 5E?
I'm sure you can kitbash some stuff from Tomb of Annihilation's dinosaur racing rules.
You can have them race up to a certain safe point or dead end at 300ft.
I'm making a racing scene based on these ...
- 31
1
vote
how can I handle automatic rifles in my rules?
Despite lacking the tag indicating thus, this question's body seems to indicate it's a very fundamental game-design question, one focusing on core principles, not even getting into specific dice ...
1
vote
In a "supernatural" world, how can I lead players to choose to NOT be supernatural?
I would take a lesson from games like Metamorphosis Alpha and GammaWorld (and OSR clones and other riffs) in which the 'pure strain human' has some significant advantage.
For example, a strong dis-...
- 2,676
1
vote
How to stat a non-human, primitive or semi-primitive NPC race?
Just Do It.
An NPC only race is shockingly easy to create.
Just create it. No special rules are required, no balance needs to be maintained. Since the race will not be playable, it does not need to ...
- 12.7k
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