What does "Special Power" refer to on the Leadership Score modifier table? [Archive] - Wizards Community

What does "Special Power" refer to on the Leadership Score modifier table? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
celestialkin
11-18-07, 03:32 PM Hi guys.

I was hoping you guys could help me understand what the DMG means by "Special Power" on it's Leadership Score modifier table (DMG p.106).

Chart from DMG:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e189/Celestialdragon100/untitled-1.png

Do they refer to casting power? Some sort of power over a character's cohort and followers (mind controlling, fear, etc.)? Or something else?

Thanks in advance for any help!
StevenO
11-18-07, 04:19 PM You could consider it a catch-all to cover anything a DM feels should give a leadership benefit.
Dog_O_War
11-18-07, 05:13 PM Anything the common person can't achieve.

Magic qualifies.
Spell-like and supernatural abilities qualify.
Whatever the DM says is pretty special would qualify.
VulcanStormwrath
11-18-07, 05:15 PM According to my party Bard it's Pimpin'
InkBlot
11-19-07, 07:51 AM Anything the common person can't achieve.

Magic qualifies.
Whether or not magic qualifies depends entirely on the setting. By default, anybody with an average intelligence can learn to cast prestidigitation (although of the WotC-supported-settings I think only Eberron actually acknowledges this). More impressive spells might count, but your leadership score already takes your level into account.

In Eberron, having a Dragonmark could count. In a post-apocalyptic setting, having (or being) a piece of lost technology could count.

Overall, I agree with StevenO that it's just another way for the DMG to say "hey DM, don't forget to give circumstance bonuses appropriate to the situation."
Dog_O_War
11-19-07, 12:38 PM By common person, I meant most common, and second most common class(es); commoner and warrior/expert. To them (and hell, even to other PC classes) magic is special. It has nothing to do with ability; A character that has an 18 stat on any relevant casting ability can have it go unused; it's the one that is used that makes it special. That's why I said magic, and not a high stat.

Ofcourse, if magic isn't all that special in a given setting, then I'd disqualify it too.
ogg205
11-19-07, 02:06 PM Hi guys.

I was hoping you guys could help me understand what the DMG means by "Special Power" on it's Leadership Score modifier table (DMG p.106).

Chart from DMG:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e189/Celestialdragon100/untitled-1.png

Do they refer to casting power? Some sort of power over a character's cohort and followers (mind controlling, fear, etc.)? Or something else?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Ok, This is usually a DM call sort of item. Usually, it is when your character is somewhat "overdeemed" by a certain element in his character. If the townsfolk perceive the paladin as being the one who will protect them when next danger calls, this is qualifies as "special power." It usually comes with higher levels as the cohort/leadership gap seems to dramatically increase with higher levels. When your character "stands out" and "has a reputation for extrordinary success" usually qualifies him for this position.
risner
11-19-07, 02:30 PM Hi guys.

I was hoping you guys could help me understand what the DMG means by "Special Power" on it's Leadership Score modifier table (DMG p.106).

DM Fiat

But likely means "dominate person" as a SLA and other "powers."
jaelis
11-19-07, 03:51 PM I always thought it was specifically refering to Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery.
kuonji
11-20-07, 02:01 AM From UA Enchanter variant:
Cohort
Upon reaching 6th level, an enchanter using this variant gains the service of a loyal cohort of the player's choice (with the game master's approval). The cohort is a 4th-level character when first gained; after that point, follow the normal rules described in the Leadership feat to determine the cohort's level, but treat the enchanter's level as being two lower than normal.

The enchanter doesn't gain any followers from this ability. If the enchanter selects the Leadership feat, he attracts followers as normal, the penalty to the enchanter's effective level is eliminated, and the enchanter automatically qualifies for the "special power" modifier to his Leadership score.

There are some things that grant "special power".

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
celestialkin 11-18-07, 03:32 PM	Hi guys. I was hoping you guys could help me understand what the DMG means by "Special Power" on it's Leadership Score modifier table (DMG p.106). Chart from DMG: http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e189/Celestialdragon100/untitled-1.png Do they refer to casting power? Some sort of power over a character's cohort and followers (mind controlling, fear, etc.)? Or something else? Thanks in advance for any help!
StevenO 11-18-07, 04:19 PM	You could consider it a catch-all to cover anything a DM feels should give a leadership benefit.
Dog_O_War 11-18-07, 05:13 PM	Anything the common person can't achieve. Magic qualifies. Spell-like and supernatural abilities qualify. Whatever the DM says is pretty special would qualify.
VulcanStormwrath 11-18-07, 05:15 PM	According to my party Bard it's Pimpin'
InkBlot 11-19-07, 07:51 AM	Anything the common person can't achieve. Magic qualifies. Whether or not magic qualifies depends entirely on the setting. By default, anybody with an average intelligence can learn to cast prestidigitation (although of the WotC-supported-settings I think only Eberron actually acknowledges this). More impressive spells might count, but your leadership score already takes your level into account. In Eberron, having a Dragonmark could count. In a post-apocalyptic setting, having (or being) a piece of lost technology could count. Overall, I agree with StevenO that it's just another way for the DMG to say "hey DM, don't forget to give circumstance bonuses appropriate to the situation."
Dog_O_War 11-19-07, 12:38 PM	By common person, I meant most common, and second most common class(es); commoner and warrior/expert. To them (and hell, even to other PC classes) magic is special. It has nothing to do with ability; A character that has an 18 stat on any relevant casting ability can have it go unused; it's the one that is used that makes it special. That's why I said magic, and not a high stat. Ofcourse, if magic isn't all that special in a given setting, then I'd disqualify it too.
ogg205 11-19-07, 02:06 PM	Hi guys. I was hoping you guys could help me understand what the DMG means by "Special Power" on it's Leadership Score modifier table (DMG p.106). Chart from DMG: http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e189/Celestialdragon100/untitled-1.png Do they refer to casting power? Some sort of power over a character's cohort and followers (mind controlling, fear, etc.)? Or something else? Thanks in advance for any help! Ok, This is usually a DM call sort of item. Usually, it is when your character is somewhat "overdeemed" by a certain element in his character. If the townsfolk perceive the paladin as being the one who will protect them when next danger calls, this is qualifies as "special power." It usually comes with higher levels as the cohort/leadership gap seems to dramatically increase with higher levels. When your character "stands out" and "has a reputation for extrordinary success" usually qualifies him for this position.
risner 11-19-07, 02:30 PM	Hi guys. I was hoping you guys could help me understand what the DMG means by "Special Power" on it's Leadership Score modifier table (DMG p.106). DM Fiat But likely means "dominate person" as a SLA and other "powers."
jaelis 11-19-07, 03:51 PM	I always thought it was specifically refering to Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery.
kuonji 11-20-07, 02:01 AM	From UA Enchanter variant: Cohort Upon reaching 6th level, an enchanter using this variant gains the service of a loyal cohort of the player's choice (with the game master's approval). The cohort is a 4th-level character when first gained; after that point, follow the normal rules described in the Leadership feat to determine the cohort's level, but treat the enchanter's level as being two lower than normal. The enchanter doesn't gain any followers from this ability. If the enchanter selects the Leadership feat, he attracts followers as normal, the penalty to the enchanter's effective level is eliminated, and the enchanter automatically qualifies for the "special power" modifier to his Leadership score. There are some things that grant "special power".