bullet-point feats - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

bullet-point feats

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
TheRealOrion
Jun 12, 2009 0:11:12 So here's a question, tell me which of these groups of feats you like better. They're the same feats (original ones from Phoenix, so don't worry about the content, but do tell me if you can understand what the feat can and can't do, and which set is easier and/or more pleasant to read. Just tell me whatever your reaction is to the idea of doing feats primarily via bullet points instead of full sentences.

Full-sentence group:

Action Hero
[General]
You can turn guts into glory.
Benefit: You can convert 2 Power Points into 1 Action Point. The conversion is a free action, but you must use the Action Point(s) immediately (i.e., you can't "bank" them).

Aerobatics
[Skill Enhancers]
You are especially agile in the air.
Prerequisites: Tumble 4 ranks
Benefit: You get a +4 to Tumble checks that you make while you're in the air, including falling or flying.

Agile Wrestling
[Offensive Combat]
Your wrestling skills are precise and controlled.
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Combat Martial Arts, Improved Grapple.
Benefit: Apply your Dexterity modifier rather than your Strength modifier to all grapple checks.

Anti-Vehicle Speciality
[Offensive Combat]
You are adept at striking at the weak points of vehicles.
Benefit: You get a +2 competence bonus to all attack rolls made against vehicles (though not against targets within or upon a vehicle) and a +1d6 damage bonus to any successful attack upon a vehicle. This bonus damage is never multiplied.

Anti-Vehicle Speciality, Improved
[Offensive Combat]
When you shoot at vehicles, they blow up real good.
Prerequisites: Anti-Vehicle Speciality
Benefit: You get an additional +2 competence bonus to all attack rolls made against vehicles (though not against targets within or upon a vehicle). If you successfully hit a vehicle, you inflict +1d6 damage, in addition to bonus damage of Anti-Vehicle Speciality. This extra damage is never multiplied for any reason. Additionally, the critical range of any weapon you use against a vehicle is doubled.

Armour Focus
[Defensive Combat]
You are particularly good with particular kind of armour.
Prerequisites: Proficiency with the armour
Benefit: Choose one specific piece of armour or protective gear. When wearing it, you get a +1 to both your Maximum Dexterity bonus and your armour penalty (i.e., a Max Dex +4 becomes +5, and an armour penalty of -3 becomes -2).
Special: You can take this feat multiple times. Each time, it applies to a different type of armour. This feat is applicable to powered armour.

Bullet-point format (imagine the asterisks are bullets):

Aerobatics
[Skill Enhancers]
You are especially agile in the air.
Prerequisites:
*Tumble 4 ranks
*Benefit:
*+4 Tumble checks in the air (falling/flying)

Agile Wrestling
[Offensive Combat]
Your wrestling skills are precise and controlled.
Prerequisites:
*Dex 13
*Combat Martial Arts
*Improved Grapple
Benefit:
*apply Dex to Grapple checks (not Strength)

Anti-Vehicle Speciality
[Offensive Combat]
You are adept at striking at the weak points of vehicles.
Benefit:
*+2 competence bonus to attacks rolls vs. vehicles
*+1d6 competence bonus to damage vs. vehicles
*do not multiply damage bonus for critical hits
*no bonus against people in vehicles

Anti-Vehicle Speciality, Improved
[Offensive Combat]
When you shoot at vehicles, they blow up real good.
Prerequisites:
*Anti-Vehicle Speciality
Benefit:
*as Anti-Vehicle Speciality, but bonuses double:
*additional +2 to attack (total +4)
*additional 1d6 damage (totally +2d6)
*double critical threat range of attacks vs. vehicles

Armour Focus
[Defensive Combat]
You are particularly good with particular kind of armour.
Prerequisites:
*Proficiency with chosen armour
Benefit:
*1 type of protective gear (player's choice):
*+1 to Maximum Dexterity
*+1 to Equipment Check Penalty
(i.e., reduce the penalty)
Special:
*this feat is applicable to Powered Armour
Stacking:
*applies to a new type of protective gear each time

Armour Mastery, Arcane
[Mystical]
You are trained to cast spells while impeded by armour
Prerequisites:
*Light Armour Proficiency
Benefit:
*reduce Arcane Spell Failure by 10%
*cannot reduce it to lower than 5%
*must be proficient with the armour
#2
TheRealOrion
Jun 12, 2009 13:42:37 No one has a comment? Does it make a difference at all? I really want to know a few more people's opinions on this. Do you like the directness of bullet points or the pleasant quality of prose? Help me out, here!
#3
Master_Vega
Jun 12, 2009 14:28:20 I'm used to the normal format, so it doesn't give me a problem. One thing I can see the bullet point format doing is making RAI a little clearer. Of course, it does take up a lot more page space.

Edit: to be clear, I'm talking vertical page space. If you formatted each page so that feats were in multiple columns, it wouldn't be so bad.
#4
dbay
Jun 12, 2009 16:14:53 I like it. It makes things a lot easier to see, and it clearly designates fluff text from mechanics text. Speaking of fluff text, you might want to add some (maybe in italics, or otherwise obviously different from the rules, like in the Spell Compendium). This is nice, because sometimes they don't always add up. Like, if it says "you have unparalleled fighting prowess. Get +2 to all attacks" then you might say "hey cool, I get 2 higher than everything-lets go fight the Tarrasque!" However, If instead it says

Feat: Awesome Stuff
You have unparalleled fighting prowess.
Prerequisites:
*You must worship DBay
*Strength 17+
Benefit:
*You get +2 to all attack rolls
*this bonus does not apply to attacks against constructs, other worshipers of Dbay, or Dbay himself.

Or whatever. I would take that feat.
#5
TheRealOrion
Jun 12, 2009 16:36:05 It does take up more space, yeah, but I'm willing to trade a few pages for clarity.

I like your suggestion to put flavour text in italics. That clearly demarks it and gives me a spot to get creative, if I want to.

Thanks for the comments! Anyone else?
#6
MechaPilot
Jun 12, 2009 18:18:50 I like the sentance format, it's an easier read for me, but I noticed that the sentance format version of Anti-Vehicle Speciality, Improved does not mention that its bonuses stack with those of Anti-Vehicle Speciality.
#7
dbay
Jun 12, 2009 18:36:22 Another thing about orginizing feats: it bugs me that they are always listed alphabetically, when they are only pseudo-alphabetical on the chart. The list/chart thing divides them into trees and groups, and the descriptions arent.

Like this:
Point Blank Shot
* Far Shot
* Precise Shot
o Improved Precise Shot

So many things bug me about that. First of all, Improved Precise shot should really be "Precise Shot, Improved" so that they're next to each other. Also, if theyre like that on the table, why are they not in that order for the descriptions?

I think it would be a lot easier if the trees were grouped when you described them. Or, at least rename all of the "improved__________" to be "___________, improved"
#8
TheRealOrion
Jun 12, 2009 19:10:03 MechaPilot: it says and "additional" +2, but I agree that could be clearer. I'll change that, in any case.

dbay: I've actually done that in Phoenix, as much as possible. The entries are not fully embedded in their trees (as in the table) because some of them are cross-listed so I'd have to duplicate their entries, but they are all listed as "Precise Shot, Improved" and such. I entirely agree that doing them strictly alphabetically is a bad idea.
#9
MechaPilot
Jun 12, 2009 19:43:45
MechaPilot: it says and "additional" +2, but I agree that could be clearer. I'll change that, in any case.

You're correct. it does say that. I apologize. I really should wear my glasses before I critique something.
#10
TheRealOrion
Jun 12, 2009 20:26:28 No problem! There's a big difference between the information technically being there, and having that information be easy to access and spot. As written right now, it doesn't specify that they stack, and that's a problem. I usually say "an additional +2 (bringing the total to +4)," but I goofed this time and left that out of the description. Good thing to fix!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 TheRealOrion Jun 12, 2009 0:11:12	So here's a question, tell me which of these groups of feats you like better. They're the same feats (original ones from Phoenix, so don't worry about the content, but do tell me if you can understand what the feat can and can't do, and which set is easier and/or more pleasant to read. Just tell me whatever your reaction is to the idea of doing feats primarily via bullet points instead of full sentences. Full-sentence group: Action Hero [General] You can turn guts into glory. Benefit: You can convert 2 Power Points into 1 Action Point. The conversion is a free action, but you must use the Action Point(s) immediately (i.e., you can't "bank" them). Aerobatics [Skill Enhancers] You are especially agile in the air. Prerequisites: Tumble 4 ranks Benefit: You get a +4 to Tumble checks that you make while you're in the air, including falling or flying. Agile Wrestling [Offensive Combat] Your wrestling skills are precise and controlled. Prerequisites: Dex 13, Combat Martial Arts, Improved Grapple. Benefit: Apply your Dexterity modifier rather than your Strength modifier to all grapple checks. Anti-Vehicle Speciality [Offensive Combat] You are adept at striking at the weak points of vehicles. Benefit: You get a +2 competence bonus to all attack rolls made against vehicles (though not against targets within or upon a vehicle) and a +1d6 damage bonus to any successful attack upon a vehicle. This bonus damage is never multiplied. Anti-Vehicle Speciality, Improved [Offensive Combat] When you shoot at vehicles, they blow up real good. Prerequisites: Anti-Vehicle Speciality Benefit: You get an additional +2 competence bonus to all attack rolls made against vehicles (though not against targets within or upon a vehicle). If you successfully hit a vehicle, you inflict +1d6 damage, in addition to bonus damage of Anti-Vehicle Speciality. This extra damage is never multiplied for any reason. Additionally, the critical range of any weapon you use against a vehicle is doubled. Armour Focus [Defensive Combat] You are particularly good with particular kind of armour. Prerequisites: Proficiency with the armour Benefit: Choose one specific piece of armour or protective gear. When wearing it, you get a +1 to both your Maximum Dexterity bonus and your armour penalty (i.e., a Max Dex +4 becomes +5, and an armour penalty of -3 becomes -2). Special: You can take this feat multiple times. Each time, it applies to a different type of armour. This feat is applicable to powered armour. Bullet-point format (imagine the asterisks are bullets): Aerobatics [Skill Enhancers] You are especially agile in the air. Prerequisites: Tumble 4 ranks Benefit: +4 Tumble checks in the air (falling/flying) Agile Wrestling* [Offensive Combat] Your wrestling skills are precise and controlled. Prerequisites: Dex 13 Combat Martial Arts Improved Grapple Benefit: apply Dex to Grapple checks (not Strength) Anti-Vehicle Speciality [Offensive Combat] You are adept at striking at the weak points of vehicles. Benefit: +2 competence bonus to attacks rolls vs. vehicles +1d6 competence bonus to damage vs. vehicles do not multiply damage bonus for critical hits no bonus against people in vehicles Anti-Vehicle Speciality, Improved [Offensive Combat] When you shoot at vehicles, they blow up real good. Prerequisites: Anti-Vehicle Speciality Benefit: as Anti-Vehicle Speciality, but bonuses double: additional +2 to attack (total +4) additional 1d6 damage (totally +2d6) double critical threat range of attacks vs. vehicles Armour Focus* [Defensive Combat] You are particularly good with particular kind of armour. Prerequisites: Proficiency with chosen armour Benefit: 1 type of protective gear (player's choice): +1 to Maximum Dexterity +1 to Equipment Check Penalty (i.e., reduce the penalty) Special: this feat is applicable to Powered Armour Stacking: applies to a new type of protective gear each time Armour Mastery, Arcane [Mystical] You are trained to cast spells while impeded by armour Prerequisites: Light Armour Proficiency Benefit: reduce Arcane Spell Failure by 10% cannot reduce it to lower than 5% must be proficient with the armour
#2 TheRealOrion Jun 12, 2009 13:42:37	No one has a comment? Does it make a difference at all? I really want to know a few more people's opinions on this. Do you like the directness of bullet points or the pleasant quality of prose? Help me out, here!
#3 Master_Vega Jun 12, 2009 14:28:20	I'm used to the normal format, so it doesn't give me a problem. One thing I can see the bullet point format doing is making RAI a little clearer. Of course, it does take up a lot more page space. Edit: to be clear, I'm talking vertical page space. If you formatted each page so that feats were in multiple columns, it wouldn't be so bad.
#4 dbay Jun 12, 2009 16:14:53	I like it. It makes things a lot easier to see, and it clearly designates fluff text from mechanics text. Speaking of fluff text, you might want to add some (maybe in italics, or otherwise obviously different from the rules, like in the Spell Compendium). This is nice, because sometimes they don't always add up. Like, if it says "you have unparalleled fighting prowess. Get +2 to all attacks" then you might say "hey cool, I get 2 higher than everything-lets go fight the Tarrasque!" However, If instead it says Feat: Awesome Stuff You have unparalleled fighting prowess. Prerequisites: You must worship DBay Strength 17+ Benefit: You get +2 to all attack rolls this bonus does not apply to attacks against constructs, other worshipers of Dbay, or Dbay himself. Or whatever. I would take that feat.
#5 TheRealOrion Jun 12, 2009 16:36:05	It does take up more space, yeah, but I'm willing to trade a few pages for clarity. I like your suggestion to put flavour text in italics. That clearly demarks it and gives me a spot to get creative, if I want to. Thanks for the comments! Anyone else?
#6 MechaPilot Jun 12, 2009 18:18:50	I like the sentance format, it's an easier read for me, but I noticed that the sentance format version of Anti-Vehicle Speciality, Improved does not mention that its bonuses stack with those of Anti-Vehicle Speciality.
#7 dbay Jun 12, 2009 18:36:22	Another thing about orginizing feats: it bugs me that they are always listed alphabetically, when they are only pseudo-alphabetical on the chart. The list/chart thing divides them into trees and groups, and the descriptions arent. Like this: Point Blank Shot * Far Shot * Precise Shot o Improved Precise Shot So many things bug me about that. First of all, Improved Precise shot should really be "Precise Shot, Improved" so that they're next to each other. Also, if theyre like that on the table, why are they not in that order for the descriptions? I think it would be a lot easier if the trees were grouped when you described them. Or, at least rename all of the "improved__________" to be "___________, improved"
#8 TheRealOrion Jun 12, 2009 19:10:03	MechaPilot: it says and "additional" +2, but I agree that could be clearer. I'll change that, in any case. dbay: I've actually done that in Phoenix, as much as possible. The entries are not fully embedded in their trees (as in the table) because some of them are cross-listed so I'd have to duplicate their entries, but they are all listed as "Precise Shot, Improved" and such. I entirely agree that doing them strictly alphabetically is a bad idea.
#9 MechaPilot Jun 12, 2009 19:43:45	MechaPilot: it says and "additional" +2, but I agree that could be clearer. I'll change that, in any case. You're correct. it does say that. I apologize. I really should wear my glasses before I critique something.
#10 TheRealOrion Jun 12, 2009 20:26:28	No problem! There's a big difference between the information technically being there, and having that information be easy to access and spot. As written right now, it doesn't specify that they stack, and that's a problem. I usually say "an additional +2 (bringing the total to +4)," but I goofed this time and left that out of the description. Good thing to fix!