neat20 RPG

A simple tabletop RPG system that glorifies the twenty-sided dice.

[neat20]

What is neat20?

neat20 is a tabletop RPG system designed to be easy to learn and run, and to accommodate different fantasy or sci-fi settings.

neat20 uses only twenty-sided dice (you'll need at least two, but it is recommended to have two per player). It also has Ability Scores and bonuses, reminiscent of other popular d20 systems, but with slight differences that, in my opinion, make interpretations and rulings better.

neat20 uses the concept of "Boons". Any item, skill or special ability can be represented as a Boon of a specific tier, giving different bonuses to your rolls or narrative permission. This makes improvising character traits on the fly very fast and simple.

neat20 is presented in a blog-like website, with each segment of rules added as a single post. This way, rules can be arranged and modularized in different hacks, or "mods". Rules and mechanics are designed to be modular pieces that you can mix and match to your own playstyle.

If you are new here, start reading the INTRO and continue with the CORE RULES section, which shows all core mechanics. Or go to the MODS section to find specific "packs" of mechanics meant to represent particular styles or flavors of games and settings.

You can also refer to the NEWS section (the landing page) which shows news updates or rants related to neat20 or RPGs in general.

[andfangs]

🎬| alien (1979) dir. ridley scott for @talesfromthecrypts

[neat20]

Tactical Combat Rules

Optional Rule. neat20 is designed to be played as Theater of the Mind, but tactical combat with miniatures can be easily plugged-in.

If you want to introduce tactical combat with minis, standees or tokens, use a typical square grid, 10x10 or more is recommended.

Movement and Actions

PCs can move 4 squares per turn, +1 extra square per 💧 gained (at player's choice). each square of "difficult terrain" (mud, debris, etc) counts as 2 squares for movement.

Apart from moving, each participant can do a single action as per the neat20 Conflict rules.

Movement can be split by moving a partial amount of squares, taking the action and then resuming moving.

Modifiers (Advantage & Disadvantage)

Beneficial occurrences like flanking*, being on higher ground, etc give Advantage to attacks from that PC to their enemy. Other contextual happenstances like being behind partial cover give Disadvantage to enemy attacks on that PC.

* flanking: when two allies are on opposing sides of an enemy in-between them.

Line of Sight

If any corner of the current square can trace an uninterrupted straight line to any corner of the target square, then that character has Line of Sight to their target. LoS is needed for any sort of ranged attack or spell casting.

Range

Melee attacks require that the attacker is in a square adjacent to their enemy, unless they have some benefit (like a really long weapon or being way bigger than your opponent) in which case they can attack from two squares away. Ranged attacks can be made safely up to 8 squares. Attempting to attack at a longer range gives Disadvantage, and each increment of 4 squares over that gives another Disadvantage.

[neat20]

Character Creation

Ability Scores

There are two different ways to generate your Ability Scores (Random or Manual). Ask your GM which method your table will be using.

Random Ability Scores

Roll a d20 for each Ability in order. For each result, consult the following table and assign the corresponding Ability Score:

Die Result / Ability Score (+mod)

1-5 -> 10 (+0)

6-13 -> 11 (+1)

14-19 -> 12 (+2)

20 -> 13 (+3)

After you rolled all 6 Abilities, swap one for another if you wish so, to better accommodate for the character concept you might have in mind.

Manual Ability Scores

Distribute 6 points however you like on your Abilities, with the caveat that you can't have any Ability greater than 13 (+3) during character creation.

You could have all of them at 11 (+1); or two at 13 (+3) and the rest at 10 (+0); or three at 12 (+2) and the rest at 10 (+0); or any other combination you want.

Boons

You'll get to pick a number of Boons from the Skills list and from the Equipment list (usually 3 of each at adept or common level (+1), but certain optional rules like using Races, Backgrounds or Magic might override this process).

Other

Name your character and set their Level to 1. Your total ❤️ amount is equal to [LEVEL+2] (since you begin at level 1, you start with ❤️❤️❤️).

Your 💧 starts at 0, and as per the Exhaustion Rules you gain or lose 💧 via different methods.

That's it, your character is ready to be played! have fun!

[neat20]

Skills

Skills are a type of Boons that your fantasy character can have.

They begin with 3 of your choice, all at the adept level (+1). Choose whichever you like, or roll randomly (two consecutive d20 rolls):

1-6:

1-2: Acrobatics 3-4: Alchemy 5-6: Arcana 7-8: Athletics 9-10: Blacksmithing 11-12: Craftmanship 13-14: Deception 15-16: Diplomacy 17-18: Disguise 19-20: Gambling

7-13:

1-2: Geography 3-4: History 5-6: Hunting 7-8: Intimidation 9-10: Investigation 11-12: Linguistics 13-14: Lockpicking 15-16: Marksmanship 17-18: Medicine 19-20: Performance

14-20:

1-2: Persuasion 3-4: Pickpocket 5-6: Religion 7-8: Riding 9-10: Sailing 11-12: Stealth 13-14: Survival 15-16: Tinkering 17-18: Tracking 19-20: Warmongering

[neat20]

Equipment

Each piece of Equipment is a type of Boon that characters can have. They are all of the common/mundane level (+1), meaning that it doesn't matter what type of weapon or armor it is; its quality is what gives a better mechanical advantage. Fictional positioning is still important, though, and that's where a distinction between each type of item matters (for instance, you can't break a door with a sword, but it may be possible with a warhammer or a battle-axe).

Pick three from the lists below, or roll randomly on each.

Weapons

Battle-axe

Claymore

Dagger

Flail

Halberd

Hand-axe

Long-sword

Longbow

Mace

Morningstar

Rapier

Scepter

Short-bow

Short-sword

Sling

Spear

Staff

Wand

Warhammer

Whip

Armor

1-2: Gambeson 3-4: Leather 5-6: Fur 7-8: Chainmail 9-10: Scale-mail 11-12: Brigandine 13-14: Half-plate 15-16: Full-plate 17-18: Buckler 19-20: Tower Shield

Tools

Listing each tool or miscellaneous item on your inventory is not necessary. Refer to the Gear section on the Item Rules for an explanation on Quantum Gear. If you choose to have a pack of Quantum Gear, pick that and spend one of your choices on it.

[neat20]

Optional: Races

As an optional rule, you can create your character by choosing a Race. The GM decides wether to use this optional rule.

Each Race gives one or more "features" to your character, in the form of a Boon, a fact that provides fictional positioning, or a mechanical effect like Advantage to specific situations. These features are added on top of any other gained during character creation.

Classic Fantasy Adventure Races are: Human, Elf, Dwarf, Halfling. Choose or roll randomly:

1-9: Human

10-13: Elf

14-17: Dwarf

18-20: Halfling

Modern Fantasy Adventure Races are: Human, Elf, Half-Elf, Dwarf, Halfling, Gnome, Dragonborn, Tiefling, Half-Orc, Tabaxi, Kenku, Tortle. Choose or roll randomly:

1-2: Human

3-4: Elf

5-6: Half-Elf

7-8: Dwarf

9-10: Halfling

11-12: Gnome

13-14: Dragonborn

15-16: Tiefling

17: Half-Orc

18: Tabaxi

19: Kenku

20: Tortle

Race descriptions and features

Human

They are Adaptable; They begin play with an extra Skill of the player's choice, and their flexible nature allows them to gain an extra Ability Score increase OR an extra Boon increase when they LEVEL UP.

Dwarf

They are very Tough; They gain Advantage to VIG rolls made to resist damage or ailments like disease or poison.

Elf

They are Perceptive; They gain Advantage to PER checks for things that are action-related, or to be alert and see clearly in low-light.

Gnome

They are Industrious; they gain Advantage to any INT or PER check related to tinkering with devices or crafting mechanisms.

Half-Elf

They combine the grace of elves with the appeal of humans. They gain Advantage to any CHA check.

Half-Orc

They are Savage; They gain Advantage on VIG rolls when they attack or in any other action that requires violent physical prowess.

Halflings

They are Nimble; They gain Advantage on DEX rolls when they need to dodge a danger, or sneak and be stealthy.

Dragonborn

They have a Breath Weapon (a ranged/area weapon that counts as a Boon at the adept (+1) level). Its element depends on their color: red is fire, white is cold, blue is lightning, green is poison, black is acid.

Kenku

They are expert at Mimicry; they can impersonate sounds and even voices with eerie accuracy. They gain Advantage to any roll related to deceive or create a distraction with said ability.

Tabaxi

They have Claws (which count as a Boon at the adept (+1) level). They can use it in close combat, or can gain their benefits when climbing or holding against walls or similar surfaces.

Tiefling

Their hellish inheritance gives them Resistance to any source of fire or heat, and to some types of arcane damage related to Darkness.

Tortle

They have sturdy Shells that work as natural armor (a Boon at the adept (+1) level). The Shell not only works as a natural defense, they can also disappear into them for extra protection (making them Immune to almost everything!).

[neat20]

Optional: Classes

As an optional rule, you can create your character by choosing a Class. The GM decides whether to use this optional rule.

A Class is like a profession or way of life. It defines your starting skills, items and amount of Spells. Choose (or roll) one:

1-2: Barbarian

3-4: Bard

5-6: Cleric

7-8: Druid

9-10: Fighter

11-12: Paladin

13-14: Ranger

15-16: Rogue

17-18: Wizard

19-20: reroll!

Class Skills, Items and Spells

Barbarian

adept berserker

adept survivalist

masterwork melee weapon

adventuring gear

Bard

adept entertainer

adept duelist

common melee weapon

common armor

thieves’ gear or adventuring gear

[2+INT] spells

Cleric

adept acolyte

common armor

common melee weapon

[2+INT] spells

devouts’ gear or healers’ gear

Druid

adept wildling

adept shapeshifter

common melee weapon

[2+INT] spells

healers’ gear or adventuring gear

Fighter

adept warrior

adept strategist

masterwork melee weapon

common armor

common shield or adventuring gear

Paladin

adept knight

common shield

common melee weapon

masterwork armor

devouts’ gear or adventuring gear

2 spells

Ranger

adept marksman

adept explorer

common ranged weapon

common melee weapon

adventuring gear

common armor

Rogue

adept burglar

adept assassin

common melee or ranged weapon

common armor

thieves’ gear or adventuring gear

Wizard

adept scholar

adept magic-user

common melee weapon

[2+INT] spells

scholars’ gear or alchemists’ gear

If a Class gives you a number of Spells, you can choose them from the Spell List in the Magic section. You can only cast Spells of your own level or lower, which usually during Character Creation means you get to pick some combination of Cantrips (level 0) and level 1 spells.

[neat20]

Optional: Backgrounds

As an optional rule, you can create your character by choosing a Background. The GM decides whether to use this optional rule.

Backgrounds replace the selection of Skills for your character during the Character Creation process.

A background is a skill at the adept level. Roll on this table:

1: Acrobat

2: Alchemist

3: Artisan

4: Assassin

5: Blacksmith

6: Bodyguard

7: Bounty Hunter

8: Burglar

9: Diplomat

10: Duelist

11: Entertainer

12: Exorcist

13: Explorer

14: Gambler

15: Healer

16: Hunter

17: Mercenary

18: Sailor

19: Scholar

20: Smuggler

[neat20]

Intro to neat20

neat20 is a tabletop RPG system similar to D&D, but with a mix of ideas and borrowed mechanics from Knave, Fate Core, Index Card RPG, World of Dungeons, and many others.

It is meant to be a simple rules system that can be expanded if necessary.

To play you will need two twenty-sided dice, pencils and some sheets of paper (or a digital device like a smartphone or tablet in which to take notes and record your Character).

neat20 was designed to enable GMs to kickstart one-shots or campaigns in little time, with the use of Boons and Formulaic Mechanics and Content Generation.

If you are acquainted with D&D or similar D&Derivatives, these rules will feel familiar. Just read them in order and you'll be ready to play in no time.

[neat20]

Fantasy Adventures: Table of Contents

neat20 Core Rules

Basics

Abilities

Advantage and Disadvantage

Boons

Action Resolution Mechanic

Resistance

Exhaustion

Conflict

Conflicts and Turn Order

Defending

Opposition

Vulnerabilities and Immunities

Defeat and Death

Miscellaneous

Item and Treasure Value

❤️Recovery

Level Up

Fantasy Adventures - Specific Rules

Character Creation

Skills

Equipment

Optional: Races

Optional: Classes

Optional: Backgrounds

Optional: Magic

[neat20]

Core Rules: Table of Contents

These are links to each post that comprises the Core Rules of neat20. If you want to learn the game, read the following snippets in order:

Intro to neat20

Basics

Abilities

Advantage and Disadvantage

Boons

Action Resolution Mechanic

Resistance

Exhaustion

Conflict

Conflicts and Turn Order

Defending

Opposition

Vulnerabilities and Immunities

Defeat and Death

Miscellaneous

Item and Treasure Value

❤️Recovery

Level Up

Sample Character Sheet

Popular Rules Used by other Mods

Magic

Tactical Combat Rules

Fantasy Character Creation

[neat20]

Magic

A Magic-user can only cast spells of a level equal to their own LEVEL or lower. Casting magic implies making a roll (usually d20 + INT + a related Boon).

▸ The difficulty is 10 + Spell Level (i.e. a 1st Level spell has difficulty 11, a 6th level spell has difficulty 16, etc). ▸ Even if the casting fails, 💧 are suffered equal to the Spell Level (note that Cantrips don’t provoke 💧).

Spells change reality, which means that they usually give narrative permission or alter fictional positioning. But they can also give or take Advantage/Disadvantage to certain rolls, deal or heal ❤️s, create Resistances/Vulnerabilities/Immunities, etc. They can also have a varying degree of success depending on Effort (❤️) generated on the roll.

Characters gain new spells by researching, finding them on unearthed spellbooks, or learning them from other spellcasters. There is no limit on the amount of known spells a spellcaster might learn.

Concentration

Certain spells that have sustained effects require Concentration on the part of the caster. This means that:

▸ Concentrating casters make all unrelated rolls at Disadvantage. ▸ Being disturbed (i.e. being hit) might cause the caster to lose Concentration, therefore ending the spell effect. ▸ Spells that require Concentration can be stacked, but the second cast already receives Disadvantage to the roll.

Sample Spells

Cantrips (0th level)

Message

Light

Mending

Prestidigitation

Shocking Grasp

Mage Hand

1st Level Spells

Cure Wounds

Disguise Self

Sleep

Magic Missile

Speak With Animals

Mage Armor

2nd Level Spells

Barkskin

Invisibility

Hold Person

Mirror Image

Web

Silence

3rd Level Spells

Fly

Call Lightning

Fireball

Speak With Dead

Water Breathing

Dispel Magic

4th Level Spells

Arcane Eye

Ice Storm

Stoneskin

Polymorph

Stone Shape

Fire Shield

5th Level Spells

Animate Objects

Flame Strike

Mass Cure Wounds

Tree Stride

Hold Monster

Telepathic Bond

6th Level Spells

Create Undead

Flesh to Stone

Disintegrate

Heroes’ Feast

Irresistible Dance

Chain Lightning

7th Level Spells

Prismatic Spray

Resurrection

Reverse Gravity

Plane Shift

Divine Word

Etherealness

8th Level Spells

Clone

Dominate Monster

Antimagic Field

Earthquake

Maze

Control Weather

9th Level Spells

Meteor Swarm

Time Stop

Wish

Power Word: Kill

Shapechange

Weird

Gate

Prismatic Wall

[neat20]

Abilities

VIG: Vigor. Used for actions requiring physical power, like melee attacks, lifting weight or bending bars, etc. and for resistance tests like enduring physical damage, poison, sickness, exposure, etc. DEX: Dexterity. Used for actions requiring poise, speed, and reflexes, like dodging, climbing, sneaking, balancing, etc. PER: Perception. Used for ranged attacks and actions requiring awareness and intuition, such as tracking, navigating, searching for secret doors, detecting illusions, detecting ambushes, etc. INT: Intelligence. Used for actions requiring concentration and meticulousness, such as wielding magic, recalling lore, crafting objects, tinkering with machinery, picking pockets, etc. CHA: Charisma. Used to persuade, deceive, interrogate, intimidate, charm, provoke, discuss, prove or disprove a point, overcome intimidation, etc. WIL: Willpower. Used to show confidence or discipline, or to resist or overcome fear, despair, stress, etc. Also related to resisting magical effects or other weird influences.

Ability Scores and Bonuses

Scores (and bonuses) range from 10 (+0) to 20 (+10). ▸ Ability Bonus = Ability Score - 10 (for instance, a score of 13 has a bonus of +3; a 17 has a +7, etc)

[neat20]

Advantage and Disadvantage

ADV/DIS are given to a die roll based on context or conditions. ▸ Advantage = Roll 2d20, keep highest. ▸ Disadvantage = Roll 2d20, keep lowest. ▸ Advantages and Disadvantages cancel out, 1:1. (i.e. if you have 3 ADV and 2 DIS, you end up with 1 ADV for your roll). ▸ Even if you end up with more than 1 ADV/DIS, you never roll more than 2 dice.

[neat20]

Boons

Boons can be Items, Skills or Special Abilities. They grant narrative permission and/or a bonus of +1, +3 or +5.

Boon bonuses cannot be stacked. When you use two or more Boons for the same action roll, you use the single highest bonus of them, and gain Advantage to your roll.

[neat20]

Action Resolution Mechanic

Tell the GM what’s your intent and your character’s precise actions in order to achieve it. If the GM considers it is easy enough or the outcome in case of failure is not very interesting, you just succeed. Else, you must roll as follows:

1d20 + ability bonus [+boon bonus]

against

target’s ability score [+boon bonus]

(or a set difficulty, the default is 12)

▸ A result equal to or higher than the difficulty is a success. You get what you wanted.

▸ A result lower than the difficulty is a failure. You don’t get what you wanted, or you do but with a heavy cost or complication.

▸ A natural 20 is always a CRITICAL. It makes things go extremely well, and if dealing ❤️s, you deal double the effort.

▸ A natural 1 is always a FUMBLE. It makes things go extremely wrong, at GM’s discretion.

Effort

▸ By default you deal 1 ❤️ if you match or beat the difficulty on a roll.

▸ For every 5 points above the difficulty of an action that you get on the total of your roll, you deal an extra ❤️.

▸ A Critical (natural 20) doubles the ❤️s dealt.

Mirrored Rolls

All rolls can be inverted, changing which side rolls the dice. i.e. instead of the GM rolling to attack a PC, the PC rolls to defend against the opponent’s ability + bonuses. Whichever the case, one side rolls and the other sets the difficulty, with both adding their respective bonuses. Mathematically, it’s symmetric.

▸ Advantages/Disadvantages mirror as well, by turning into the opposite (i.e. when defending against an attack that has Advantage, your roll gets Disadvantage).

▸ Natural 1’s and 20’s also mirror, turning into the opposite critical type (i.e. a nat 1 in a defense roll counts as a critical for the enemy).

▸ Effort is also inverted (i.e. if resisting, every 5 points below the difficulty means you receive an extra ❤️.)