Variant Fighter Rule [Archive] - Wizards Community

Variant Fighter Rule [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
FnordBear
11-18-06, 02:09 PM I have been pondering the following as a house rule in my campaign and I was wondering what others would think.

New fighter class Ability

Unlocked Potential (Ex): Starting at 5th level and every odd numbered level there after, a fighter may choose to forgo the skill points he would gain at the time he levels up and instead take a single general, racial, or tactical feat that they meet the prerequisites for.

Is this too much or would this put them more on the level with other classes on a full 1-20 progression?

I realize this would give them feats out the wazoo should a fighter choose to sac thier already sparce skill points that level (or alternately take the feat that gives them 5 skill points) but I think it shouldnt be too unbalanceing (if at all) Thoughts?
Asciiman
11-18-06, 04:20 PM No. Not this. It is SOO easily abused. When I read it the first thing I thought of was a Half-Orc fighter would have 6 INT he's only getting one skill anyway's. Whats to stop him from doing this every level? Compared to a human fighter with even 8 INT, they are giving up at least two skill points, ie twice as much. It doesn't scale well at all.

Not only that but, it really prevents rounded characters. Fighters would just fight, they'd never do anything else, even riding a horse would not be a real option, never mind crafting or speaking.

If you want to "Balance" the fighter, there needs to be more feat trees to build up towards, and more fighter only feats.
Melayl
11-19-06, 03:28 PM I give my fighters the option to take 2 of the 3 choices:

1) One bonus feat/level instead of the current progression
2) +1 to damage every 2 levels
3) an extra +1 to any physical stat every 4th level

It has seemed to work, so far.

That said, I agree with Asciiman.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FnordBear 11-18-06, 02:09 PM	I have been pondering the following as a house rule in my campaign and I was wondering what others would think. New fighter class Ability Unlocked Potential (Ex): Starting at 5th level and every odd numbered level there after, a fighter may choose to forgo the skill points he would gain at the time he levels up and instead take a single general, racial, or tactical feat that they meet the prerequisites for. Is this too much or would this put them more on the level with other classes on a full 1-20 progression? I realize this would give them feats out the wazoo should a fighter choose to sac thier already sparce skill points that level (or alternately take the feat that gives them 5 skill points) but I think it shouldnt be too unbalanceing (if at all) Thoughts?
Asciiman 11-18-06, 04:20 PM	No. Not this. It is SOO easily abused. When I read it the first thing I thought of was a Half-Orc fighter would have 6 INT he's only getting one skill anyway's. Whats to stop him from doing this every level? Compared to a human fighter with even 8 INT, they are giving up at least two skill points, ie twice as much. It doesn't scale well at all. Not only that but, it really prevents rounded characters. Fighters would just fight, they'd never do anything else, even riding a horse would not be a real option, never mind crafting or speaking. If you want to "Balance" the fighter, there needs to be more feat trees to build up towards, and more fighter only feats.
Melayl 11-19-06, 03:28 PM	I give my fighters the option to take 2 of the 3 choices: 1) One bonus feat/level instead of the current progression 2) +1 to damage every 2 levels 3) an extra +1 to any physical stat every 4th level It has seemed to work, so far. That said, I agree with Asciiman.