BetaSprite wrote:
Mechanics:
On every even character level, players may choose one non-combat feat that they qualify for (referred to later as a 'roleplay feat'). They gain this feat, but they lose the feat's benefits during combat (bolded for emphasis, if you're skimming the post). Further, roleplay feats do not count as prerequisites for any non-roleplay feats.
Why?
My players' characters are very combat-oriented, although by backstory, they really shouldn't be. I have a bowyer who can craft, and would use crafting feats if they didn't reduce his combat ability. I have a researcher who puts his feats into grappling and tripping.
...and the next story arc of my campaign would benefit greatly if they had used more non-combat feats to flesh out their characters. It's more of a mystery/sneaking/political arc, and shooting everything in the face could get them killed. They will be notified of this as the arc begins.
Anyway, rather than punishing them for their focus on combat ability, I would like to offer them a way to flesh out their characters in a roleplay capacity without giving them further combat advantage. I expect the bowyer to take Master Craftsman and a few magic item creation feats. The researcher would get some knowledge boosts for gathering info (but not for identifying monsters, as the boost doesn't work in combat), as well as possibly going into something that interests him as a player, but would lower his combat ability if he took it in place of a regular feat.
Why post it?
I think it's a good idea for getting your players to flesh out their characters more than "he shoots his bow really good" without punishing them. It somewhat serves the same purpose as traits, except that a lot of traits benefit you in combat, which skews what my players picked. (Almost all of them picked the +2 initiative trait)
Let me know if you see any problems with this mechanic as I've stated
it, and I'll see about revising it.
u don't have to go with free feats. maybe give em two non coms for one combat and maybe instead of saying combat oriented say u can only use them when they could normally take 10 and if u let em take craft feats or use old expansion books watch out for anyone grabbing the draconomicon cause there are some craft feats that would just insanely over comp any weapon crafter that could find and kill even a medium sized dragon
