Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CuttinCurt 05-11-07, 12:59 PM	Can someone get two alternative class features for the same character. I am looking at a half-dragon ranger/sorcerer with the Spellshield and Stalwart Sorcerer class features. This fits my character background perfectly since he is going to be mostly taking spells from the Draconoicon/Dragon Magic/Races of the Dragon books. Most of those spells are personal and breath altering. Is there a rule against this that I am unaware of? I have my DM telling me that it is against D&D RAW but I am finding nothing of the sort to support that. I have no problem with it if my DM is just wanting me to not use two, but that is not the case. Any input on this? CC I jsut realized I put this in the Cosmos forum. I appologize. I could have sworn I was in the Classes Races and Monsters forum. please forgive...
Dielzen 05-11-07, 04:42 PM	If both special abilities replace the SAME class feature, then you can't do it, but if they replace different ones, I've seen nothing that says you can't do it. I'm unfamiliar with either of these options you present, and the books you listed, as they're not Forgotten Realms products...so unless the sources say you can't do it, there's nothing against it.
CuttinCurt 05-11-07, 05:24 PM	Actually they are regular D&D sources. One is from the Complete Mage, the other is from Dungeonscape. I guess I just totally screwed up this post... :( Oh well. But to answer your question, no, they do not take away the same feature. One takes away the Familiar ability, the other takes away a single spell known of the highest level you can cast. They seem to be a perfect combination for my Half Dragon's melee tendencies. The SpellShield gives the sorcere the ability, with a successful concentration check, to deflect the damage of a single attack = to 5x the lvl of the spell slot sacrificed. The Stalwart Sorcerer gets 2x his sorcerer lvl in extra hp. The Sorcerer also gets a weapon proficiency feat and a weapon focus feat as well. As you can see, it seems to fit well with my character concept. CC
Dielzen 05-11-07, 06:50 PM	Actually they are regular D&D sources. One is from the Complete Mage, the other is from Dungeonscape. I guess I just totally screwed up this post... :( At least ya tried to put it in the right spot :) And even tho it's in the wrong spot (and I'm unfamiliar with the books) I did my best to help. But to answer your question, no, they do not take away the same feature. One takes away the Familiar ability, the other takes away a single spell known of the highest level you can cast. Nothing in DMG2 (the first book that I know of to utilize Alternate Features) gives even the slightest impression that you can't have more than one Alternate Feature. Since both of the ones you want to use take away from different standard abilities, having both is completely legal by RAW.
Old Sparky 05-12-07, 04:07 PM	I completely agree. As long as you are substituting different features, there is nothing illegal going on here. This sounds like more a cas eof a DM that is either being overly cautious of not allowing anything potentially game-breaking or he's just completely wrong.
Valgard 05-12-07, 04:13 PM	As you can see, it seems to fit well with my character concept.I think that alternative class features, substitution levels and anything similar were created precisely for cases like yours. If I were your DM, I would not only avoid you to take two alternate features but to take even more if that fits your character concept.