How does the d20 Modern Wealth system work??

[Storyteller01]

I recently purchased 'Factory' by Perpetrated Press. It actually has a chapter for conversion to d20 Modern, but it doesn't explain the Wealth roll (all the equip has a purchase DC and some kind of restriction modifier).

Can anyone help me with this? Think I might just run this instead of credits.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Basically "Wealth" becomes like any other attribute modifier or skill ... it's a bonus added to a d20 roll to determine success or failure (in purchasing an item) compared against a DC.

It's an abstracted system ... your Wealth score basically says: "What is your purchasing power?" It takes in and rounds out everything like credit, debts, rent, payments, etc etc and renders it all into an abstract "score".

Some purchases don't really impact your Wealth (I can buy a sammich at McDonald's and it's not going to noticably keep me from buying a car, say.). Some purchases DO impact your Wealth score (anything over DC 15, anything higher than your Wealth at 1, 10, and 15 point increments). ... it's important to keep in mind that Wealth isn't really permanent, it's a measurement of your overall ability to make certain purchases at that point in the game.

I'll link you to the pertinent area in an online SRD:
http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/modern/roarerbull/Wealth.php

That'll run out the rules in less time than my explaining it.

Have any more questions, post 'em up. I also wrote a bit of a "Defense of Wealth" not too long ago, but it's geared more toward those who know the rules but aren't quite sure what good they are.

http://www.enworld.org/forums/article.php?a=104

--fje

 

[Storyteller01]

Thanks for the response Thaum!! I'll check the site immediately...

 

[wedgeski]

Have any more questions, post 'em up. I also wrote a bit of a "Defense of Wealth" not too long ago, but it's geared more toward those who know the rules but aren't quite sure what good they are.

I thought that was a very good article. I'll be starting a d20 Modern campaign next week after having rolled up the group a couple of days ago. I'm extremely interested to see how wealth mechanic plays out in the game, because I have to admit that at first glance and having observed my players buy their equipment, a starting character's purchasing power seems very slight indeed.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

For starting characters, they should have something along the lines of +7 starting Wealth (2d4 average of 5, +1 if they pump points into Profession, +1 at least for Starting Occupation).

The way to get as much gear as they want is to buy everything DC 6 and lower immediately and then start buying other things. That +7 character won't get alot of starting gear at 1st level, but he's not maximizing his possible Wealth. A guy with a +3 starting occupation and Windfall would be a bit better at it.

I honestly tend to start at 3rd level with Modern. So there's some more competence in the characters and they'll have more money for gear out the door.

--fje

 

[jerichothebard]

yeah - you have to figure that, based on relative skill levels, first level characters in D20M are, at best, recent college grads. I don't know about you, but when I was just out of college, I was pretty darn broke.


jtb