Essence20 System

Essence20 is a mechanical system for tabletop roleplaying games designed as a flexible system for a series of games based on popular franchises like Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, and My Little Pony. The core mechanic of Essence20 involves rolling a twenty-sided die and one additional die and comparing the sum to a target number set by the game master. Exceeding this target number is a success. The additional die used in the roll depends on the rolling character's skill at the task at hand, and ranges from a d2 to a d20! Character abilities come from their Strength, Speed, Smarts, and Social stats, determined at character creation alongside their Origin, or background, Role, or purpose within their team, and Influence, or what caused them to become who they are. Specialties allow characters to access the full "ladder" of dice when applicable, rolling not just their additional skill die but every die smaller than it, and choosing the highest result. Critical successes also occur when any die shows its maximum value, not just the d20. These mechanics form the basic foundation for each Essence20 system game, which adds flavorful options, additional mechanics, and appropriate challenges and NPCs drawn from the worlds and properties of each game's setting.