D20 Superhero! Handbook

Introduction: New D20 Concepts
D20 Modern uses the same core mechanic as D20 D&D. However, it introduces a few
new concepts into the game, as outlined below.
ACTION POINTS
Action points provide characters with the means to affect game play in significant ways. A character always has a
limited amount of action points, and while the character replenishes this supply with every new level he or she
attains, the character must use them wisely.
Using Action Points: A character can spend 1 action point to: 1) Alter a single d20 roll used to make an attack, a
skill check, an ability check, a level check, or a saving throw; 2) Activate a power during your turn for which the
expenditure of 1 action point is required. You can only spend 1 action point in a round. If you spend a point to
activate a power, you can’t spend another one in the same round to improve a die roll, and vice versa.
Action Point Results: When you spend 1 action point to improve a d20 roll, you get to add 1d6 to the d20 roll to
help meet or exceed the target number. The action point improves the result not the roll itself, so it cannot raise a
roll to a critical threat. You can declare the use of 1 action point to alter a d20 roll after the roll is made—but only
before the GM reveals the result of that roll (whether it succeeded or failed). You can’t use an action point on a skill
check or ability check when taking 10 or taking 20. Depending on the hero’s character level (see the table below),
you may be able to roll more than one d6 when spending 1 action point. You apply the highest die result and
disregard the other rolls.
Character Level Dice Rolled
1st–7 th
1d6
8th–14 th
2d6
15th–20 th
3d6
Action Points on the Defensive (Optional): If an opponent spends an action point to increase the result of an attack
roll against you, you may spend an action point to defend yourself. Roll your action point as normal, and add the die
result to your Defense against that attack.
DEFENSE
Defense replaces Armor Class from D&D. Defense equals 10 + Dexterity modifier + class bonus + equipment
bonus + size modifier (plus any special bonuses like dodge, deflection, etc.).
Class Bonus: A character’s class levels grant the character an innate bonus to Defense. This bonus applies in all
situations, even when the character is flat-footed or when the character loses his or her Dexterity bonus.
Touch Attacks: The attacker makes his or her attack roll as normal, but the target’s Defense does not include any
equipment bonus or natural armor bonus. All other modifiers (class bonus, Dexterity, size modifier) apply normally.
DYING AND RECOVERY
Each round, a dying character makes a Fortitude saving throw (DC 20). If the save fails, the character loses 1 hit
point and must make another save on his or her turn the next round. If the save succeeds, the character becomes
stable. A stable character stops losing hit points every round, but remains unconscious.
Natural Recovery: If no one tends to the character, he remains unconscious and after 1 hour must make a Fortitude
save (DC 20). If the save succeeds, the character regains consciousness and becomes disabled. The current hit
point total remains where it is (even when negative). If the save fails, the character remains unconscious and must
make the save again each day—becoming conscious but disabled and starting to recover hit points naturally if the
save is made, remaining unconscious and losing 1 hit point if the save fails. Once an unaided character starts
recovering hit points naturally, the character is no longer dying (even if the current hit point total is negative).
Treat Injury: A dying character can be made stable by the Treat Injury skill (DC 15). One hour after being
stabilized, the character makes a Fortitude save (DC 20)—if successful, the character becomes conscious but
disabled. If the character remains unconscious, he or she makes the same Fortitude save every hour until he or she
becomes conscious. Even while unconscious, the character recovers hit points naturally.
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