I’ve been pondering how DnD 4e could work in settings like steampunk, westerns, modern, or sci-fi. I tend to find those genres more interesting and have rather been liking our current pirate themed campaign.
I think a lot is doable with a few small addition, some hybrid classes, and a lot of changing flavor.
First off, most of these settings have guns. To get them right, particularly as you get to modern and sci-fi, it probably makes sense to have them usable as both ranged weapons and implements. However, I’d still probably want to keep the damage comparable to other weapons.
Second, giving defenders ranged options is tricky. Sword mages have it, but the rest, even when hybrids, take a bit more thinking. Melee characters are fine in more modern settings, but I think ranged options do make sense. Part of the solution might be more powers that use ranged basics. For flavor purpose, I’d call ranged marking “covering fire.”
Third, in part to allow for mixed ranged and melee combat, some modern settings involve being less tied to a particular weapon. Going all out with a light sabre is fine in space opera, but with modern and sci-fi it probably makes sense to use the variant rules where you get extra hit and damage bonuses when leveling rather than from equipment.
Anyways, something to think about, if anyone has any ideas they want to share or critiques, please let me know.
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