A few somewhat random variants [Archive] - Wizards Community

A few somewhat random variants [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Card_Wizard
09-22-05, 08:13 PM Hello. Documented here is a few variants I've thought of for the d20 system (most specifically D&D) in my spare time. Beware however, that I've pulled most of these out of my figurative butt, and they are highly untested.

Variant: Jack-of-all-trades

Instead of gaining their listed amount of skill points per level, a character can choose at first level to instead gain twice the listed amount of skill points per level, but only have the ability to increase the ranks of their skills to a cross class minimum, even if its a class skill. In addition, this makes all skills effectivly class skills for a character who uses this variant, but they are still limited to the usual cross class rank total limits.

When using this variant, DMs may choose to lower the skill rank requirements of Prestige Classes, seeing as this variant makes some of them impossible to get into, and even then only have them for a few levels before going epic.

...actually, this is the only one I've come up with, at least that I can remember anyway :p so we'll just talk about this one, okay? :D
FlameLover
09-22-05, 08:36 PM I wouldn't do this at all, sorry. It causes more problems than it 'solves' and just isn't the optimum solution. I agree that the Feat isn't all that great though and would change it so that you gain 1 rank in all skills and not just a 1/2. It will be usefull for things like Rogues and Bards then but is very easy to adjudicate. Alternatley, instead of giving ranks just give a +1 bonus on them but not actual ranks and allow all skills to be used untrained. This would be like a Lesser Mass Skill Focus almost, :)

So i'd either give 1 rank to all skills or a +1 bonus to all skills and allow use untrained. The 1 rank in each might be going a *little* too far though (well it is actually since it'd allow you to enter PrCs a level earlier). So on second though just go with the +1 bonus and use untrained.
Arcade
09-23-05, 08:24 AM Even a +1 bonus on all skills seems too good. Any characters with 4 or more skill points would find this a great feat to take. And rogues would consider it a necessity considering how many skills they branch into.

There were a few feats in Complete Adventurer and Races of Destiny which went along these lines. I don't have them here but I'll look them up later.
weasel fierce
09-23-05, 02:50 PM If you want a jack-of-all-trades, a better option might be that the character counts as having 1 rank in any skill he does not actually have ranks in, though he must still buy the "fake" rank, if he decides to improve it.

Take away half or even all skill points at level 1, to compensate.
Card_Wizard
09-23-05, 08:27 PM I think I might have confused a few of you with my variant here. This isn't a feat, its just a variant option players can choose at first level.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Card_Wizard 09-22-05, 08:13 PM	Hello. Documented here is a few variants I've thought of for the d20 system (most specifically D&D) in my spare time. Beware however, that I've pulled most of these out of my figurative butt, and they are highly untested. Variant: Jack-of-all-trades Instead of gaining their listed amount of skill points per level, a character can choose at first level to instead gain twice the listed amount of skill points per level, but only have the ability to increase the ranks of their skills to a cross class minimum, even if its a class skill. In addition, this makes all skills effectivly class skills for a character who uses this variant, but they are still limited to the usual cross class rank total limits. When using this variant, DMs may choose to lower the skill rank requirements of Prestige Classes, seeing as this variant makes some of them impossible to get into, and even then only have them for a few levels before going epic. ...actually, this is the only one I've come up with, at least that I can remember anyway :p so we'll just talk about this one, okay? :D
FlameLover 09-22-05, 08:36 PM	I wouldn't do this at all, sorry. It causes more problems than it 'solves' and just isn't the optimum solution. I agree that the Feat isn't all that great though and would change it so that you gain 1 rank in all skills and not just a 1/2. It will be usefull for things like Rogues and Bards then but is very easy to adjudicate. Alternatley, instead of giving ranks just give a +1 bonus on them but not actual ranks and allow all skills to be used untrained. This would be like a Lesser Mass Skill Focus almost, :) So i'd either give 1 rank to all skills or a +1 bonus to all skills and allow use untrained. The 1 rank in each might be going a little too far though (well it is actually since it'd allow you to enter PrCs a level earlier). So on second though just go with the +1 bonus and use untrained.
Arcade 09-23-05, 08:24 AM	Even a +1 bonus on all skills seems too good. Any characters with 4 or more skill points would find this a great feat to take. And rogues would consider it a necessity considering how many skills they branch into. There were a few feats in Complete Adventurer and Races of Destiny which went along these lines. I don't have them here but I'll look them up later.
weasel fierce 09-23-05, 02:50 PM	If you want a jack-of-all-trades, a better option might be that the character counts as having 1 rank in any skill he does not actually have ranks in, though he must still buy the "fake" rank, if he decides to improve it. Take away half or even all skill points at level 1, to compensate.
Card_Wizard 09-23-05, 08:27 PM	I think I might have confused a few of you with my variant here. This isn't a feat, its just a variant option players can choose at first level.