Ability Proficiency and Proficient feat

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

MaximumHavoc

Dec 21, 2014 10:30:38

I am quite fond of the ability check proficiency found in the DMG (page 263).  Here is my own adaption and expansion of that variant rule:

 

Characters do not have skill proficiencies.  Instead, characters have two ability proficiencies (notice that I did not limit this to ability CHECK proficiencies) that are determined by your class:

 

Ability Proficiencies by Class

Barbarian: STR + CON

Bard: CHA + ANY OTHER

Cleric: WIS + INT

Druid: WIS + CON

Fighter: CON + (STR or DEX or INT)

Monk: WIS + (STR or DEX)

Paladin: CHA + (STR or DEX)

Ranger: WIS + (STR of DEX)

Rogue: DEX + (STR or INT or CHA)

Sorcerer: CHA + CON

Warlock: CHA + (STR or DEX)

Wizard: INT + WIS

 

An ability proficiency grants a proficiency bonus to saving throws and ability checks that rely upon that ability.  These proficiency bonuses to saving throws replace the particular saving throw proficiencies appearing for each class under the standard rules.

 

In connection with this ability proficiency variant rule, I have devised a new feat:

 

Proficient

Choose one ability with which you do not already have proficiency.  You gain the following benefits:

i) increase the chosen ability's score by 1, to a maximum of 20; and

ii) gain ability proficiency in the chosen ability.

 

Character Backgrounds

What I have yet to work out is what to do with character backgrounds.  Certainly, they would not grant skill proficiencies.  However, should the backgrounds instead grant a third ability proficiency or some other replacement benefit?  If the latter, then what should that replacement benefit be?

#2

cowleymen

Dec 21, 2014 15:32:03

I think under such a system, background really dont need a proficiency of any kind. What you might do if you still want more then some starting equipment and background feature, is have each class gives one ability proficiency, then backgrounds give another.

 

My biggest qualms with this kind of setup, is that one of the defining things about rouges and bards is that they get more skills then anyone else. They are the skill monkey classes. But know you deal with, you have to get a feat to get proficiency with one skill that your character concept needs if you dont take th right class. All in all, not one of my favorite homebrew rules I have seen, but also not the worse idea I have seen.

#3

MaximumHavoc

Dec 21, 2014 17:03:56

cowleymen wrote: