Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Angurwald 08-19-05, 02:05 PM	I think that deep down I kinda like this game system. I might ***** a lot about the skills but the game mechanics itself is very solid. The Feats and PrC are also very nice and the overall design has a stability that previous editions didn't have. That being said however, as i'm slowly working on my own campaign setting, i'm starting to think that character building might be more customizable. Actually, completely customizable. In a way very much like the system used by another game companie for a game with super heroes. :rolleyes: Basically you build your character form the ground up. No character class. You have a basic character level and character points which you use to buy abilities, skills, feats, talents, etc. So you can have a ranger-type character with Track, Wild Empathy, Favored Enemy and Smite. Or a paladin-type character with druidic magic. The problem of course is finding how much everything is worth. One could use the guidelines in the DM Guide for standard ability scores, one skill level could cost one character point, a feat could cost three, etc. But how much for hit dices, BAB, arcane magic or rage? Opinions? --A.
Kintara 08-19-05, 02:36 PM	Well, the Generic Classes in UA give you a decent start. There's a threat on this forum called UBER Generics, or something to that effect, which has attempted to do what you seem to be describing.
Germytech 08-19-05, 04:34 PM	You're looking for a classless, special ability buy-off system. A few good ideas have been presented here on the boards, but, alas, the search function is still down. It's also been plenty argued about, since "without classes, it's not D&D" (claim some). Others don't let characters use it, but keep it for DMs to test out the balance of new base classes. They have a great many uses. I, myself, created such a system. Let me see if I can find it still on my computer . . .
Germytech 08-19-05, 05:10 PM	Warning: This is not meant to be all-inclusive or infinitely extrapolated. It's a rough idea with the basic abilities outlined. This is slightly modified (mainly, the cost of feats and special abilities) from the last time it was posted, so feel free to comment. I've found it useful, and I hope others do as well. +12 Big Points per level, with an additional 30 (for a total of 42) at 1st level character creation. Points can be "saved" or "carried over" between levels. The bonus feats still apply for all characters at Character Levels 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18, as well as the ability score increases at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20. +1 bab: 2 BP +1 Fort: 1 BP +1 Ref: 1 BP +1 Will: 1 BP (maximum of +1 per level) d4 HD: 0 BP Each die increase: 1 BP (maximum d12) Example: d8 costs 2 BP 2 + Int skill points: 0 BP +2 skill points: 1 BP (no maximum) Example: 10 + Int skill points costs 5 BP +1 Class Skill: 1 BP (no maximum) Example: Search, Spot, Listen as class skills costs 3 BP Feat: 5 BP + 2 BP (per prerequisite) (no maximum) Example: Agile costs 5 BP Example: Cleave costs 9 BP Special Ability: 10 BP + 1 BP (per level at minimum level it is normally gained) Example: Evasion costs 12 BP Example: Improved Uncanny Dodge costs 18 BP Special Ability (progressive): 10 BP + 1 BP (per level at minimum level it is normally gained) Increase Special Ability by 1 level: 1 BP (maximum one increase per level) Example: Favored Enemy costs 10 BP, and after spending 4 additional BP (maximum 1 per level) you gain a second Favored Enemy Example: Wild Shape 1/day costs 15 BP , and after spending 1 additional BP you gain Wild Shape 2/day, and after spending 11 BPs (maximum 1 per level) you gain Wild Shape (elemental) 1/day Spellcasting Ability (Pal/Rgr): 15 BP Spellcasting Ability (Sor/Wiz/Clr/Drd/Brd): 20 BP Spell Levels: 8 BP (Sor), 7 BP (Wiz), 5 BP (Clr), 3 BP (Brd/Drd), 1 BP (Pal/Rgr) (maximum one spellcasting level gained per level) Example: To cast spells as a 1st-level sorcerer costs 23 BP, and after spending 32 additional BPs (maximum 8 per level) you can cast spells as a 5th-level sorcerer All simple weapons proficiency: 5 BP All martial weapons proficiency: 10 BP Single exotic weapon proficiency: 5 BP Single martial weapon proficiency: 3 BP Single simple weapon proficiency: 2 BP. Light armor proficiency: 10 BP Medium armor proficiency: 10 BP Heavy armor proficiency: 10 BP Shield proficiency costs 5 BP A note on skills: Max ranks still apply, limited by Character Level + 3. The 4x factor still applies at first level, as well, the amount determined by the number of class skills bought and the number of skill points invested. (For example, at first level, if you buy five class skills and want 4x(6 + Int) Skill Points, it will cost 7 points total.) A note on Feats and Special Abilities: All prerequisites are still required, in addition to the BP cost. For example, one must gain evasion before buying improved evasion, Cleave before Great Cleave, etc. A note on Spellcasting: To cast any spells, you must buy the ability to spellcast, choosing the exact type at the time of choosing. To gain levels in spells (including that first level), you spend the required points, depending on the type chosen. Spell lists and progressions are, again, the same as in the PHB classes.