Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Jun 02, 2006 21:12:46	One of the principle grievances that comes out with every new DnD book is that they inevitably include Kewl New Abilities (TM) that your established characters cannot use. This is particularly true in regards to mystical abilities. The natural attempt to "fix" this situation is to include "dual classes" (such as the cerebremancer) that augment the abilities of both a new ability (like meldshaping) and an old one (like arcane spellcasting), and/or "currency feats" that allow characters to exchange some of one ability to augment another (sacrifice essentia to gain psionic focus, for example). However, given the limited amount of space in each book, there is no way to create a comprehensive list of "dual classes" and "currency feats." To this problem, I offer a possible solution: the Ability Broker substitution metalevel. Whenever you gain a level in a class, you may take an Ability Broker substitution level instead. When you take an Ability Broker substitution level, you may do one or all of the following: If your character would gain a "relative level" (i.e. the class grants +1 arcane spellcasting level, +1 divine spellcasting level, +1 manifester level, +1 meldshaper level, etc.) you may instead gain a different "relative level." If your character would gain a "numberal potential" (i.e. spell-per-day slot, essentia, power points, infusion slot, etc.) you may instead gain a different "numeral potential", as governed by an appropriate exchange table (1 Essentia == 3 power points, etc.) If your character would gain an "effect knowledge" (i.e. spells known, mystery, utterance, invocation, psionic power) you may instead gain a different "effect knowledge", as governed by an appropriate exchange table (level 3 psionic power == least invocation, etc.) Numeral potentials may also be exchanged for effect knowledges and vice versa, but carries it's own exchange rate (dark invocation for 8th level spell slot, etc.) Your effective level for using any abilities not covered under your original class(es) is equal to one-quarter of your character level, rounded up. For example: Spelljack the Sorceror decides to diversify a little. When Spelljack gains enough XP to make 3rd level, and he decides to make it an Ability Broker Sorceror level. Normally, he'd gain one relative arcane caster level, one 1st-level spell slot, and spell knowledge of a 1st-level spell. Spelljack decides to trade the 1st-level spell slot for a 1st-level infusion slot and the knowledge of the 1st-level spell for knowledge of an infusion (which, because he is 3rd level, he would use as a 1st-level artificer). In all other respects, Spelljack is still a 3rd-level sorceror, and does not recieve penalties for multiclassing. Notes: This can also be used to further customize a base class. For example, a psion may want to sacrifice power points in order to know more powers than they otherwise could; and a wizard might be willing to sacrifice spell slots to gain the versatility of an invocation or sorceror spell. Naturally, some abilities appeal more than others. Sacrificing a spell slot to gain power points makes the character psionic, essentially giving them the Wild Talent feat and giving them access to various classes, feats, and items. Exchanging a power known to gain a spell known is useless unless you also trade for a spell slot.
#2 amatulic Jun 22, 2006 18:17:56	For example: Spelljack the Sorcerer decides to diversify a little. When Spelljack gains enough XP to make 3rd level, and he decides to make it an Ability Broker Sorcerer level. Normally, he'd gain one relative arcane caster level, one 1st-level spell slot, and spell knowledge of a 1st-level spell. Spelljack decides to trade the 1st-level spell slot for a 1st-level infusion slot and the knowledge of the 1st-level spell for knowledge of an infusion (which, because he is 3rd level, he would use as a 1st-level artificer). In all other respects, Spelljack is still a 3rd-level sorcerer, and does not receive penalties for multiclassing. Notes: This can also be used to further customize a base class. For example, a psion may want to sacrifice power points in order to know more powers than they otherwise could; and a wizard might be willing to sacrifice spell slots to gain the versatility of an invocation or sorcerer spell. As I read this article (especially the part I quoted above) I first thought this was a great idea, but as I thought further I became less enchanted with it. It's an interesting concept, but consider the slippery slope to which it leads: [INDENT]A "menu book" of ability equivalences that effectively allow you to invent your own class.[/INDENT] That's what it boils down to. Just think, with a menu book that allows mix-and-match abilities from any class at all, the potential for min/maxing becomes unimaginably vast -- especially without penalties for multiclassing! In the situation you describe where a new book comes out that you would have liked to use when designing your character, wouldn't it be better to negotiate with the DM to rebuild your character with those newly-published abilities? The argument for doing so lies in the fact that you would have done so anyway had you seen the book before you designed your character. The DM might require you to enter the party at a lower level, as if being resurrected. So be it. If I were the DM I'd make a decision based on what the player proposed to change, and why. Taking the abilities of another class would likely warrant introducing a new character at a lower level. The lower level shouldn't bother the player because the game is designed to make lower-level characters gain XP more quickly than the rest of the party. And I'd certainly want to discourage players from cherry-picking abilities from other classes like you describe in your example. I was actually in a similar situation unwittingly. I created a bard using 3.5 sources back when few 3.5 books existed. Most bard options came from 3.0 sources such as Song and Silence and Magic of Faerûn. Not only was it a long campaign but we played only once per month or so, so it took us over 1.5 years to complete. During that time more 3.5 books were released. To my frustration, some new books changed or invalidated some key features of my character. The DM allowed me to make any necessary modifications to keep up with the 3.5 material as long as I didn't cherry-pick new features. -Alex
#3 Book5 Jun 24, 2006 15:56:21	A while back someone was developing a character creation method that basically boiled down to a list. There were prereqs for each ability and slots available at each level. Very point buy. The thing you seem to be recommending is sorta "reconstructing" prestige classes? I mean - you want the rage ability for your 17th level bard. Right?