D20 Modern is an odd game for me. I find it tough to wrap my head around the generic classes that they have like the Fast Hero, the Strong Hero, etc. They seem to be versatile, but just not enough to actually do what I want them to do. And then I look at a product like this, the Versatile Hero. It is even more adaptable then the six base classes, with the possibility of doing them better then they do. But I am not sure it is actually better.

Versatile Hero is a ten page PDF by Big Finger Games. They have a few other PDFs like Troll for the Mutants and Mastermind Superlink system. There is no art and the layout could use a little help. It is nothing that makes the PDF unreadable, but the font and table sizes are a bit big and the last page has a big empty space that just does not look good. The book has book marks though at this size it might not actually need them.

The Versatile Hero is a single class that can do the job of all the others. Or that is what it seems to be able to do. It has a simple point system that allows it to select the saves, hit points, skills and skill points, base attack bonus, and talent tress it has access to. Since it can select any talent tree of the other classes, it can really become those classes.

There is also one new talent tree for each of the six original classes. They range from really not that great like the Rage talents for the Tough Hero to pretty cool like the Authority Talents for the Charismatic Hero. The talents offered are interesting and seem pretty well suited for the game.

The Versatile Hero is versatile but not in the right way. It can mix different class mechanics like the base attacks, saves, etc. but it does not really bring anything new with it. It would have been nice to see a talent tree specifically for the Versatile Hero to take advantage of it being able to be assembled in so many configurations. The Talent tress I feel are the more useful part of this book.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Disappointing<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>

When I first read the description of this product I was intrigued about the possibilities it offered. Here was a chance to make customize a class specially to how I needed (or wanted) it to be. And best of all every time I need to personalize a class this pdf will work.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: I found the point based system of buying characteristics for the class to be ingenious. It felt well rounded and was very easy to implement. The bonus new talents were also well done. Things like Authority - to make people stop and listen to the characters voice - and Soldiery - to emulate the basic abilities of the soldier - are useful in non-combat situations, as well as providing new ways of overcoming obstacles. <br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: There is nothing I can say bad about this product. The cost is very appealing, the size is good, and the content is usable in any setting.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

Interesting twist on D20 Modern. Woth checking out.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>

Although I don't think d20 Modern needs a 7th base class, there are some interesting ideas here. I think this would actually be better-off as a replacement for the 6 base classes; make this the one and only class available to players and they can customize more.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: It's a clean and neat layout without gaudy graphics and bad artwork.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Overall nothing; while not entirely useful for my gaming needs it is a strong product.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>

The Versatile Hero is part of the Postmodern line from Big Finger Games. This product showcases a base class for d20 Modern that allows customization on how the character specializes.

The file is just under 2.5 megabytes zipped, and is slightly larger than that once opened. Only one file is included; there is no printer-friendly version, though this file is relatively printer-friendly itself. The file is fourteen pages long, but one page is used for credits and an ad for the Postmodern line, and another is the OGL. There is no table of contents, but the product does have bookmarks.

In terms of artwork, the product has little. It has some color in that the Big Finger Games and d20 logo are in color, but beyond that the product is entirely black, white, and gray. There are three pictures of a character in various action poses throughout the product, but other than that, there?s no artwork. Pages have gray borders at the top and bottom, and tables are headed in gray.

The product is divided into two parts. The first part is the Versatile Hero class itself. The class is first presented in the standard format, explaining the hit dice, action points, class skills, presenting a skill table, etc. The interesting part is where it shows that most of the class specifics are determined using a mild point-buy system. ?Mild? because there?s not many points to spend, and comparatively little to buy, though it largely determines the entire character.

Versatile Heroes get eight Determination Points. There are five parts of the character to determine (that is, buy): Hit Dice Development, Skill Development, Defense Development (saves and defense bonus), Offensive Development (BAB), and Talent Tree Development. Each development has four amounts you can buy them in, ranging from 0 to 4 points. 0 is the poor, 1 is fair, 2 is good, and 3 is excellent. For example, spending 0 on hit dice gives you a d4 hit dice, whereas spending 3 gives you a d10. The more you pay, the better you get. This obviously translates into higher numbers for hit dice, skill points (and the number of class skills), base attack bonus, and saves and defense bonus. For talent trees, it determines the number of talent trees the Versatile Hero has access to.

The second half of the product deals with talent trees, presenting a dozen new ones, two for each of the base classes in Modern d20 (Strong Hero, Smart Hero, etc). While some of these are obviously mined from other Open Game sources, this is still the first time any of them have been presented as talent trees. Insightfully, many that mimic certain class abilities or feats have a notation saying they count as the similar ability or feat for the purpose of other prerequisites.

Altogether, this product presents an interesting new base class that cleverly provides an answer to the question of how to deal with how frustratingly narrow the Modern d20 base classes are. Using the Determination Point method, no two Versatile Heroes will ever be even moderately similar, and even if you don?t use this new class, you?ll definitely get mileage out of the new talent trees presented here. This product is exceptionally useful for any Modern d20 game. <br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: This product presented a class that was basically determined with a point-buy method, but one that was simple instead of cumbersome. The Versatile Hero is an excellent character to use in any Modern d20 game, one that seems like a more viable character than the existing base classes. Additionally, the dozen new talent trees presented are as innovative as they are useful, ensuring you'll get great use from this product.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: There was no printer-friendly version, though that's only a minor complaint.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

Excellent! If you want the most out of your character, or if you really like to get into the mechanics of making up your character, the Versatile Hero is the way to go. Lots of success in my games so far.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

This may be the best seventh basic class out there, and as far as I can tell, I've seen all the other ones. (The Post-Apocalyptic Hero from RPG Objects and The Psychic, Mystic Hero, and Action Heroes from Alternate Realities Productions) The thing that makes this so good is that it lives up to its name. This is about as customizable as d20 gets. In fact, this borders on escaping the class-and-level system. Everything from saves to defense bonus to talent trees, hit dice, BAB, skills, EVERYTHING is customizable. You get 8 development points to play with and buy the traits you want the class to have. Simple, but well balanced and very, very cool.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

A good solid product for players and GMs who want a bit more flexibility for their d20 Modern characters. The Versatile Hero is a new basic class that the player can customize to create a unique class that better fits their character needs. The quote from Ghost in the Shell was a bonus point too.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: It was a very nice touch that they included an editable file that can be read in Microsoft Word. Makes it easier for GMs who want to create their own Basic Classes for their campaigns.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>