| ZendenKarus |
This may seem like an odd suggestion for a product, but as a regular DM, I find that when I make NPC's that are supposed to be common folk, a lot of the feats seem a bit more than I want them to be. Also, when you think of a Commoner as typically having very average stats (8-10), a large number of feats become barred for them anyway.
Something I'd like to see, as a sort of niche product for DM's is a handbook that gives special rules, feats, class adjustments and the like for use when making NPC's that are not supposed to be heroic or even especially trained. It would be great to have a list of feats that are built for use by people who are supposed to be farmers, blacksmiths, tavern-workers, etc.
Overall, I'm sure this may seem like a silly request, but I think it would greatly improve the flow of things. Having a farmer as a only a 5th Level Commoner does is intended to show that this is someone who has no skill at combat, magic or any of the other things that make the Player Classes what they are. But when that 5th level NPC is taking feats like Dodge, Improved Initiative, Combat Expertise, and Weapon Focus, suddenly that dents the idea.
I know that Feats that are supposed to give bonuses to Skills would be the first idea that comes to mind, but if your NPC isn't supposed to be a super skilled person either, that also begins to make a problem.
In my mind's eye, these would be feats and rules that would be fit for characters of a non-heroic and would likely not be powerful enough to interest a Heroic PC, however, with a little rules application (Maybe an NPC feat is the equivalent of a trait, which means a PC could take one in place of a trait or take two in place of feat) they could become an interesting aspect for Players who want to say that their Fighter was originally a blacksmith or baker, who got launched onto the road of hero due to some dramatic circumstance.
I know this was likely way to long-winded, but I wanted to state my thoughts. Hopefully the makers of this awesome game will read through this idea and consider it.
Thanks for your time.