Why grouse about the limited list of clas skills on some classes when it's so easy to add in the classes you would have liked to see, simply be spending some of your customization slots (traits and/or feats)?Because you shouldn't have to.
The whole concept of class skills is off to me. It makes no sense. I can't even think of a halfway decent reason class skill lists exist.
In theory, it's so that the Rogue is better at sneaking than the Wizard.
It just, y'know, doesn't work that way.
I feel like giving every character one or two free class skills would solve many of these problems. I often use traits for this, but if you're not using traits or only use one it might be worth providing for separate class skill customization.
I do like class skill lists. It has good flavour, provides a starting point for skill selection, and rewards at least dabbling in iconic abilities. It also helps skilled classes get even better use out of their skill points, which makes being a skilled class more meaningful.
I'm considering just implementing the way I made class skills work for my Freeform Class Selection thing across the board, which is basically "You get Craft, Profession, and 12-14 other class skills of your choice".
Why grouse about the limited list of clas skills on some classes when it's so easy to add in the classes you would have liked to see, simply be spending some of your customization slots (traits and/or feats)?Because you shouldn't have to.
The whole concept of class skills is off to me. It makes no sense. I can't even think of a halfway decent reason class skill lists exist.
In theory, it's so that the Rogue is better at sneaking than the Wizard.
It just, y'know, doesn't work that way.
And I've no problems with a sneaky wizard, or for that matter, a non-sneaky rogue. I don't connect class to personality or background or interests or job so much as some other people.
A class, to me, is just a mechanical framework used in conjunction with other game mechanics to realize a concept. Rogues don't have to be criminals, wizards don't have to be nerds, barbarians don't have to be unwashed primitives, monks don't have to be zen-spouting navel-gazers, and so on.
The Inquisitor having Climb and Swim. They just strike me as a class that loses their target in the terrain, shouting "I'll get you next time!" before eventually finding their target again with impressive tracking and social skills. "You thought you could escape me? Did you? Let's see how you fare in the middle of the desert!"