I have house rules. You have house rules. We've all made little tweaks here and there to parts of 3.5 we wanted to try and improve.
Let's take all our pieces and parts and spread them out on the table so everyone can see them. Maybe someone has something that would be a good fit?
No judging or namecalling anyone's house rules...this is just show and tell.
My house rules:
- Increase skill points to a minimum of 4. Classes with 2 +Int skill points are increased to 4 +Int.
- Flanked as a state. If an enemy is flanked by two attackers, any other attackers will also receive a flanked bonus to attack, as well as allowing a rogue to sneak attack.
- No more immunity to critical hits or sneak attack damage. Run one campaign that's really heavy on undead and you'll see why this can be a real drag for the players.
- A new feat every even level instead of every three. (Bear in mind I haven't tested this myself yet. I'd swear that someone like Lilith or Eileen the Prophet was going to try something like this also, but I never heard how it turned out.)
Who's next?
I'll bite. Check out my house rules: PHBIII: Lost in Translation.
Damn, there's a lot there (4.39MB file, nice presentation)
HERE ARE MY HOUSE RULES (I didn't realize I had so many):
Ability Scores:
Intelligence –
If a character permanently gains or loses Intelligence point(s), the character’s skill point total and number of known languages will change to accurately reflect the correct totals with the new Intelligence Modifier applied. Only permanent ability score changes apply; for example from level gains or from a Wish spell. (Not from a Headband of Intellect or Fox’s Cunning spell)
Racial Adjustments:
Half-elves – In addition to the abilities found in PHB 3.5, half-elves also have the following traits:
+1 Dexterity, -1 Constitution; As might be suspected, this half-breed is typically more graceful than a human (though not so much as an elf) and sturdier than the average elf (though still not as hearty as a human).
Like their elven parent, half-elves have razor-sharp senses. A half-elf who merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled to a Search check to notice it as if he were actively looking for it. A half-elf inherits an elf’s keen senses so that he practically has a sixth sense about hidden portals.
Classes:
Clerics, Druids, Wizards, Specialist Wizards –
These spellcasters automatically develop Spell Mastery as they gain levels. Divide the character’s spellcaster level by 3, rounded down. Spell levels of this number and lower can be cast spontaneously and do not need to be prepared or memorized in any way. For example, a 10th level wizard does not need to memorize spells of 3rd level and lower. (10/3 = 3.3, rounded down to 3) An 18th level cleric only prepares 7th, 8th and 9th level spells. (18/3 = 6).
Feats:
Cleave/Great Cleave –
You cannot Cleave while making an attack of opportunity.
Dodge –
Gain the benefit of +1 dodge bonus against all opponents. A condition that causes a character to lose his Dexterity bonus to Armor class will still result in a loss of this dodge bonus.
Metamagic Feats -
All metamagic feats work as stated in the PHB, with the following additional benefits as noted below:
Empower Spell - II
Enlarge Spell - I
Extend Spell - I
Maximize Spell - III
Quicken Spell - IV
Silent Spell - I
Still Spell - I
Widen Spell - III
I - Caster may enhance a spell with the metamagic feat at no additional cost 2 times per day.
II - Caster may enhance a spell with the metamagic feat at no additional cost 1 time per day.
III - Caster may enhance a spell with a metamagic feat using a spell slot one level higher 1 time per day.
IV - Caster may cast a quickened spell using a spell slot two levels higher than normal 1 time per day.
Combat:
Damage Reduction-
Potent Magical Weapons (weapons with high enhancement bonuses) can overcome the need for special weapon properties. See Monte Cook's Damage Reduction Redux
Gaining Levels:
Hit Points –
Each time your player character gains a level, he receives the maximum hit points per the hit die type, plus any Constitution modifiers.
Hero Points –
Player Characters earn one Hero Point at every level gained. A player may use a Hero point to add a +5 circumstance bonus to any d20 roll (Declared before the roll is made). A Hero point may also be expended to re-roll a single missed attack, failed skill check or saving throw. Only one re-roll is allowed per failure.
Injury & Death:
Hit Points –
A player character’s total maximum hit points are divided equally in two halves – Wound points and Vitality points. (Round wound points up and vitality points down when a character has an odd number of hit points). When a character is “damaged”, the damage first comes off of vitality points. When all vitality points are depleted, further damage results in a loss of wound points. Vitality points are regained at a rate of 1 per minute of non-strenuous activity (Resting, reading). Wound points must be healed as normal (1 wound point per level for 8 hours rest or 2 hit points per level for a full day of rest). Magical healing first restores wound points and then vitality points. The player characters’ may encounter creatures that possess more vitality points than wound points or visa-versa. In fact, some creatures (constructs for example) do not have any vitality points and instead have only wound points!
Special: The extra damage dealt from a critical hit and the extra damage dice from a sneak attack are deducted directly to wound points even if vitality points still remain. Additionally, if a character is affected by a spell that a allows a save for ½ damage (Fireball, Lightning Bolt, etc.) and fails his saving throw, one-half of the spell damage is deducted directly from wound points. A character with zero wound points remaining may still continue to battle as long as he still has some vitality left!
Dying & Death –
When any character falls to -10 or below, he must make a Fortitude saving throw every round to avoid dying. The DC is equal to the number of hit points the character is negative. At -10 hit points and below, a character loses one hit point per round and has no chance to stabilize without intervention.
Bringing Back the Dead –
A character brought back to life will be affected in any combination of the following ways: Permanent loss of experience points, ability scores, hit points and/or special abilities. The specific penalty is left up to the DM.