System Overview

Midnight City Chronicles uses a d20-based system. Actions are resolved by rolling a 20-sided die and adding modifiers based on the character's stat bonuses, class or species bonuses, skills, and any items or temporary status effects. The difficulty class (DC) of any action is variable depending on the situation and action being performed, and are assigned at the GM's discretion. Characters must roll equal to or above the DC to succeed in performing an action.

Characters possess 7 stats: Strength, Dexterity, Perception, Endurance, Intelligence, Willpower, and Charisma. For any given action, a character will have to roll using the stat that best fits the situation. For example, lifting a heavy object will be a Strength roll. Picking a pocket will be a Dexterity roll. Operating a complicated computer system will be an Intelligence roll. Some actions may require a combination of stat rolls, such as driving a vehicle which combines Dexterity and Perception.

Skills are special abilities that a character can perform as part of their class or that can be picked from the General Skills available to all characters. For example, the Defender's skill Smite allows the Defender to make attacks with their shield. Sometimes these skills add permanent bonuses to certain actions, such as the Wheelman skill which gives a bonus to driving rolls. Characters earn skill points when they level up which can be spent on new skills.

Characters have Hit Points which measure the character's remaining health. When a character purchases armour, this adds HP on top of the character's base HP to act as a buffer before they take any damage to their body.

A character will take damage from an attack if that attack rolls equal to or higher than the character's Evasion rating. The Evasion rating is increased by increasing Dexterity.

Mana Points (MP) are used when casting magic. All characters can cast magic if they have MP and meet the Willpower requirements; basic magic is not exclusive to magic-based classes. Similarly, magic-based classes can still use swords and firearms as well if they meet the stat requirements.

For more detailed information about the game mechanics, please follow the links below.