I have seen a lot on the boards about skill proficiencies and how every increasing DCs make the world a moving platform and also how magic weapons are a MUST. The ideas I would like to put forward have already been floated by others.
Forget adding your level to a skill and make the proficiency bonus level dependent. That makes your level of training so much more important.
Someone suggested: Stat bonus +
Untrained 0 bonus
Trained 1/4 level
Expert 1/2 level
Master 3/4 level
Legendary level
Training then becomes much more important whereas level is most important now. Currently Legendary +3 on a level 15 character is almost not worth adding.
For weapons, do the same for damage.
Untrained standard damage die
Trained 2x Weapon Damage
Expert 3x Weapon Damage
Master 4x Weapon Damage
Legendary 5x Weapon Damage
Magical weapons add actual magical effects so a +1 flaming weapon would have +1 to hit and +1d6 flaming damage. +1 ghost touch would be +1 to hit and can hit insubstantial, etc.
Again, level of training is (should be) most important. No more 5th level untrained wizard is as good as a 1st level trained fighter with any weapon.
