Commoner Feats [Archive] - Wizards Community

Commoner Feats [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Black Kitten
03-14-06, 01:54 AM Hello everyone,

In our quest to explore D&D further, our next campaign will start with a party of 1st level commoners (and it'll be running besides our own campaign if we like it). Now I intend to play a human commoner going Paladin (upon reaching level 2, becoming a 1st level pally) with stats 14, 9, 14, 10, 13, 13 (25 pointbuy), but for level 1 I need 2 feats. I myself am thinking about taking Dodge and perhaps Improved Initiative or something. I'm looking for PHB feats you could explain to me for their usefullness? (I have been thinking about taking Point Blank Shot, for level 1 only holds a dagger as useful weapon for me)
Feor
03-14-06, 09:04 AM Well, if you're going into a melee class you might want to take Toughness. That'll get you to 7 HP, which would be a decent roll on a d10. After that it's really up to taste. Dodge & Improved initiatives are definetly good options. you might also conside taking Power Attack. useless right away, but lets you get the other feats on that tree much quicker.
Firhyanda
03-14-06, 01:18 PM I would say your choices depend on the campaign setting here are some ideas.

Ebberon Champagne Setting.
Knight Training
Powerful Charge

Generic Champagne Setting
Improved Imitative
Cleave

Forgotten Realms
Regional Knife Fighter
Quick Draw
The White Sorcerer
03-14-06, 01:40 PM Knight Training
Unless the player is planning to take more commoner levels after switching to paladin, there's no need for Knight Training.
Feor
03-14-06, 06:02 PM Not to mention that none of those make sense, from a roleplay perspective.

You average commoner might be quicker (dodge & improved Initiative), Stronger(Power Attack) or Tougher(Toughness) than other people, but if he's a commoner he's not likely to be trained as a knight, or likely to know how to draw his weapon without dropping his defenses, I don't know what the regional Knife Fighting feats are, but your average farm hand isn't likely to have special training in fighting.
Strife_Aileron
03-14-06, 06:35 PM Skill Focus, Stealhty, an other such feats that give bonuses to skills is also an idea. I realize that some think they are more flavour than crunch, but it would make sense.

He's starting off as a commoner. Adventurers are supposed to be 'a cut above the rest.'

So, the commoner's will have to be 'a cut above' the other commoners.

Just another thought....
Pryrates
03-14-06, 06:42 PM If you're going for realism then Dodge, Improved Initiative, and Power Attack make the most sense. Also any feat that gives bonuses to skills, such as Alertness or Diligent, would also make sense.
The White Sorcerer
03-14-06, 06:53 PM Powerful Charge
Cleave
Quick Draw
Also, a 1st-level commoner does not meet the prerequisites to any of the above feats.
SilverFoxKnows
03-14-06, 09:59 PM +2 on Ride and Handle Animal checks. Would make sense from the fluffy and crunchy sides. You could say your character was a groom or came from a family of horse breeders. And at low levels the extra +2 can make a difference. Just my two coppers.
Darkuwa
03-14-06, 10:04 PM power attack cleave. every tank needs cleave.
Always-Late
03-14-06, 11:18 PM Combat Reflexes.
Power Attack.
Improved Initiative.
Skill Focus: Basketweaving.
The Almighty Dru
03-14-06, 11:36 PM ...

Ebberon Champagne Setting.

...

Generic Champagne Setting

...
Off topic, and sorry if I sound rude...but champagne setting?

Is that where the main feature of the adventures is getting drunk?

For future reference: campaign.
wi1dfire_b1ue
03-14-06, 11:52 PM Off topic, and sorry if I sound rude...but champagne setting?

Is that where the main feature of the adventures is getting drunk?

For future reference: campaign.

Uh, it was a joke. They spelled it right in the first sentence.

Dodge wouldn't really make sense with those stats, since your character isn't any faster than normal (and at Dex 9, is actually a bit behind). Now that I've looked, you actually can't take Dodge without a Dex of at least 13. I might suggest just switching your str and dex scores, since you are thinking about going dagger. I'd do a sickle myself if I were to use your scores, or long spear, and use Mounted Combat and one of the other feats in its tree, or Animal affinity, as suggested before.
Good Agnostic
03-14-06, 11:55 PM I always appreciate it when someone PM's me, so I can go back and edit the post.

I'm sure many other people would feel the same way.
Leress
03-22-06, 02:18 AM I suggest Animal affinity and toughness.
Reversefigure4
03-22-06, 03:42 AM Improved Init. is an excellent choice. From the point of view of playing as a Paladin, it's always good to have a chance to get in and take the first swing at things. From an RP perspective, it's not hard to explain - all your commoner needs to be is more "on his toes" than other commoners around him.

Power Attack is another wise choice, if you have the Str to meet the prereqs (which it appears you do) - another good Pally-oriented skill that can be easily explained as a commoner having it.
DaveReaves
03-22-06, 10:08 AM I'm assuming that if you’re starting as commoners then this game is more geared towards RP and character development. As such, I would go with things that a paladin-to-be would actually be taught or that may make him a likely candidate for paladinhood. My suggestions are Skill Focus: Knowledge (religion) and Endurance.
High Octane
03-22-06, 11:03 AM Com1 Old Woman: I can't believe I married a man who took skill focus (Handle Animal)!
Com2 Old Man: I need handle animal since I am married to a damned SHREW! *OOF!*
Com1 Old Woman: See, I took Weapon Focus (Groin Shot) MUCH more useful. Now pick yourself up and get back to the dirt harvest!
PCs: .....

Just alternate between toughness and alertness.
FeceMan
03-22-06, 05:01 PM Hello everyone,

In our quest to explore D&D further, our next campaign will start with a party of 1st level commoners (and it'll be running besides our own campaign if we like it). Now I intend to play a human commoner going Paladin (upon reaching level 2, becoming a 1st level pally) with stats 14, 9, 14, 10, 13, 13 (25 pointbuy), but for level 1 I need 2 feats. I myself am thinking about taking Dodge and perhaps Improved Initiative or something. I'm looking for PHB feats you could explain to me for their usefullness? (I have been thinking about taking Point Blank Shot, for level 1 only holds a dagger as useful weapon for me)
Ewww.

That's cruel. Ask your DM if you can take back the level of commoner and just be a level one paladin once you level.

Sorry. I'm not being very helpful.
Black Kitten
03-22-06, 08:02 PM Ewww.

That's cruel. Ask your DM if you can take back the level of commoner and just be a level one paladin once you level.

Sorry. I'm not being very helpful.

Actually... that's the whole plan. We just started out as commoners since we considered it a challenge. Our party is relatively experienced (between 2 and 5 years) and we just enjoy different things. This we have never done before.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Black Kitten 03-14-06, 01:54 AM	Hello everyone, In our quest to explore D&D further, our next campaign will start with a party of 1st level commoners (and it'll be running besides our own campaign if we like it). Now I intend to play a human commoner going Paladin (upon reaching level 2, becoming a 1st level pally) with stats 14, 9, 14, 10, 13, 13 (25 pointbuy), but for level 1 I need 2 feats. I myself am thinking about taking Dodge and perhaps Improved Initiative or something. I'm looking for PHB feats you could explain to me for their usefullness? (I have been thinking about taking Point Blank Shot, for level 1 only holds a dagger as useful weapon for me)
Feor 03-14-06, 09:04 AM	Well, if you're going into a melee class you might want to take Toughness. That'll get you to 7 HP, which would be a decent roll on a d10. After that it's really up to taste. Dodge & Improved initiatives are definetly good options. you might also conside taking Power Attack. useless right away, but lets you get the other feats on that tree much quicker.
Firhyanda 03-14-06, 01:18 PM	I would say your choices depend on the campaign setting here are some ideas. Ebberon Champagne Setting. Knight Training Powerful Charge Generic Champagne Setting Improved Imitative Cleave Forgotten Realms Regional Knife Fighter Quick Draw
The White Sorcerer 03-14-06, 01:40 PM	Knight Training Unless the player is planning to take more commoner levels after switching to paladin, there's no need for Knight Training.
Feor 03-14-06, 06:02 PM	Not to mention that none of those make sense, from a roleplay perspective. You average commoner might be quicker (dodge & improved Initiative), Stronger(Power Attack) or Tougher(Toughness) than other people, but if he's a commoner he's not likely to be trained as a knight, or likely to know how to draw his weapon without dropping his defenses, I don't know what the regional Knife Fighting feats are, but your average farm hand isn't likely to have special training in fighting.
Strife_Aileron 03-14-06, 06:35 PM	Skill Focus, Stealhty, an other such feats that give bonuses to skills is also an idea. I realize that some think they are more flavour than crunch, but it would make sense. He's starting off as a commoner. Adventurers are supposed to be 'a cut above the rest.' So, the commoner's will have to be 'a cut above' the other commoners. Just another thought....
Pryrates 03-14-06, 06:42 PM	If you're going for realism then Dodge, Improved Initiative, and Power Attack make the most sense. Also any feat that gives bonuses to skills, such as Alertness or Diligent, would also make sense.
The White Sorcerer 03-14-06, 06:53 PM	Powerful Charge Cleave Quick Draw Also, a 1st-level commoner does not meet the prerequisites to any of the above feats.
SilverFoxKnows 03-14-06, 09:59 PM	+2 on Ride and Handle Animal checks. Would make sense from the fluffy and crunchy sides. You could say your character was a groom or came from a family of horse breeders. And at low levels the extra +2 can make a difference. Just my two coppers.
Darkuwa 03-14-06, 10:04 PM	power attack cleave. every tank needs cleave.
Always-Late 03-14-06, 11:18 PM	Combat Reflexes. Power Attack. Improved Initiative. Skill Focus: Basketweaving.
The Almighty Dru 03-14-06, 11:36 PM	... Ebberon Champagne Setting. ... Generic Champagne Setting ... Off topic, and sorry if I sound rude...but champagne setting? Is that where the main feature of the adventures is getting drunk? For future reference: campaign.
wi1dfire_b1ue 03-14-06, 11:52 PM	Off topic, and sorry if I sound rude...but champagne setting? Is that where the main feature of the adventures is getting drunk? For future reference: campaign. Uh, it was a joke. They spelled it right in the first sentence. Dodge wouldn't really make sense with those stats, since your character isn't any faster than normal (and at Dex 9, is actually a bit behind). Now that I've looked, you actually can't take Dodge without a Dex of at least 13. I might suggest just switching your str and dex scores, since you are thinking about going dagger. I'd do a sickle myself if I were to use your scores, or long spear, and use Mounted Combat and one of the other feats in its tree, or Animal affinity, as suggested before.
Good Agnostic 03-14-06, 11:55 PM	I always appreciate it when someone PM's me, so I can go back and edit the post. I'm sure many other people would feel the same way.
Leress 03-22-06, 02:18 AM	I suggest Animal affinity and toughness.
Reversefigure4 03-22-06, 03:42 AM	Improved Init. is an excellent choice. From the point of view of playing as a Paladin, it's always good to have a chance to get in and take the first swing at things. From an RP perspective, it's not hard to explain - all your commoner needs to be is more "on his toes" than other commoners around him. Power Attack is another wise choice, if you have the Str to meet the prereqs (which it appears you do) - another good Pally-oriented skill that can be easily explained as a commoner having it.
DaveReaves 03-22-06, 10:08 AM	I'm assuming that if you’re starting as commoners then this game is more geared towards RP and character development. As such, I would go with things that a paladin-to-be would actually be taught or that may make him a likely candidate for paladinhood. My suggestions are Skill Focus: Knowledge (religion) and Endurance.
High Octane 03-22-06, 11:03 AM	Com1 Old Woman: I can't believe I married a man who took skill focus (Handle Animal)! Com2 Old Man: I need handle animal since I am married to a damned SHREW! OOF! Com1 Old Woman: See, I took Weapon Focus (Groin Shot) MUCH more useful. Now pick yourself up and get back to the dirt harvest! PCs: ..... Just alternate between toughness and alertness.
FeceMan 03-22-06, 05:01 PM	Hello everyone, In our quest to explore D&D further, our next campaign will start with a party of 1st level commoners (and it'll be running besides our own campaign if we like it). Now I intend to play a human commoner going Paladin (upon reaching level 2, becoming a 1st level pally) with stats 14, 9, 14, 10, 13, 13 (25 pointbuy), but for level 1 I need 2 feats. I myself am thinking about taking Dodge and perhaps Improved Initiative or something. I'm looking for PHB feats you could explain to me for their usefullness? (I have been thinking about taking Point Blank Shot, for level 1 only holds a dagger as useful weapon for me) Ewww. That's cruel. Ask your DM if you can take back the level of commoner and just be a level one paladin once you level. Sorry. I'm not being very helpful.
Black Kitten 03-22-06, 08:02 PM	Ewww. That's cruel. Ask your DM if you can take back the level of commoner and just be a level one paladin once you level. Sorry. I'm not being very helpful. Actually... that's the whole plan. We just started out as commoners since we considered it a challenge. Our party is relatively experienced (between 2 and 5 years) and we just enjoy different things. This we have never done before.