|
I really like the idea of two favoured classes - I think it works well. That said, I think there are a couple of areas where the extra classes chosen maybe don't seem quite right.
Gnome - bard or sorcerer. I don't have a big problem with this, but if the gnomes are so connected with the fey, why not bard and druid? Or even sorcerer and druid?
Halfling - rogue or wizard. Again, not a big issue, but wizard seems, I don't know, a bit random. I know they get a bonus to INT and all, but halfling wizards are not espcially iconic. Maybe sorcerer instead of wizard (though I accept that doesn't mesh so well with them not getting a CHA bonus), since it fits better with their more freewheeling ways? Or maybe bard (if we get radical and take it away from the gnomes, though I understand that this could affect compatibility)?
Half-orc - barbarian or cleric. Half-orcs used to be quite cleric-y in 1e and 2e, especially when it came to the multiclassing options, so I have no real beef with this, though I was surprised initially.
I've got no issue with the others. Any comments?
And since you brought up the topic of favored classes, do you think it would be a good idea to let characters who take a level in a favored class choose between +1 hit point and +1 skill point? I think knowing more makes more sense as a benefit than being tougher for many classes.
Interesting thought.
I'm not sure how I feel about the favored class's bonus hit point in general, though. It seems to mechanically discourage not playing the 'standard' race-class combo.
i.e. If I want to play a rogue, I have to really want to be an elf in order to make him one, rather than a half-elf or human. But an elf would *seem* (in all other ways) to make a good rogue... except he's now down two hit points per level to the others.
-VIC
I'm grumpy and hard to please. I dislike gnome bards (says the crotchety old-timer: "Back in my day, all the gnomes were illusionists, are there WERE no 'sorcerers'!").
I'd probably do the following:
Halfling - Bard, rogue
Half-Orc - Barbarian, druid
Dwarf - Fighter, cleric
Elf - Ranger, sorcerer
Gnome - Wizard
That way there's no overlap, although gnomes sort of get shafted. Paladin and monk seem a bit too specialized to be favored classes. Elves could maybe get +2 Cha instead of +2 Int.
And since you brought up the topic of favored classes, do you think it would be a good idea to let characters who take a level in a favored class choose between +1 hit point and +1 skill point?
I would second that sounds like a good idea and helps with all the classes that only get 2 skill points per level.
...
Halfling - Bard, rogue
Half-Orc - Barbarian, druid
...
I like that too.
I feel like the Gnome needs something more martial then the bard as its second choice but I don't really think fighter or any of the other core classes is the right choice maybe the new class they have planed will do it.
I feel like the Gnome needs something more martial then the bard as its second choice but I don't really think fighter or any of the other core classes is the right choice maybe the new class they have planed will do it.
That's it! We need a martial Gnome class. That'll make the 4e people green (or green-haired?) with envy.
|
Since Half-orcs tend to be martially inclined, how about favored classes of Barbarian and Fighter or Barbarian and Ranger? Definitely would support the tough Half-orc tradition.
Hmm, Gnome with favored class sorcerer? With the fey bloodline and the right spell selection this could feel like a 1st ed Gnome Illusionist...
|
Halfling - rogue or wizard. Again, not a big issue, but wizard seems, I don't know, a bit random. I know they get a bonus to INT and all, but halfling wizards are not espcially iconic.
When I read this, the first thing that popped into my mind was the movie Willow.
Not especially iconic; not especially helpful. Definitely Halflingish (or possible Gnomish).
-Skeld
|
I don't mind the two choices for favored classes. After all, it has always been that way for my setting (Scarred Lands).
What I'm not so hot about is the favored class benefit. 1hp? Really, is that even worth the space provided to explain it? Instead, why not resurrect an old idea: bonus xp? Say, if your last class taken was favored, you get +5%/+10%/+15% (for fast/med/slow xp progression) to your earned experience this level. It adheres to the game's new "no xp loss/penalty" policy, and it's certainly more gripping than +1 hp/lvl.
What say ye all?
|
OK,
I'm not a fan of two favored classes. I liked what Alpha 1 did, and I'd like to keep it that way. Just because you want a halfling wizard as a character isn't a bad thing, but you don't have to offer multiple iconic images.
And, after reading this thread, I really like the suggestion that favored classes gain +1 hit point *and* +1 skill point per level.
I posted all this here already, but since nobody reads long posts, I will sum it up here again:
Favored Classes (Suggestion):
Dwarves - Fighter, Cleric
Elves - Ranger, Sorcerer/Wizard
Gnomes - Druid, Sorcerer/Wizard
Half-Elves - *Choose one*
Half-Orcs - Barbarian, Druid/Ranger
Halflings - Rogue, Ranger
Human - *Choose one*
Benefit of Favored Classes
Whenever you take a level in your favored class (including 1st!), you instantly gain an amount of bonus XP equal to 5% (or maybe 10%) of the greatest amount needed to get to the next level. F.e. If you take your first level in your favored class you would get 5% of 1,300/2,000/3,000 XP (since this is the greatest amount needed to go from level 1 to level 2)
Whenever you take a level in your favored class (including 1st!), you instantly gain an amount of bonus XP equal to 5% (or maybe 10%) of the greatest amount needed to get to the next level.
I understand the intuitive sense, and can sympathize with a "perk" for taking levels in a favored class. But why force the whole party to eventually be strung out along different levels? And force yourself (as GM) to keep remembering who gets what favored class and hence which award? As a GM, I'd never use this rule; even if it were official, I'd houserule it away.
|
|
I would like to see the following distribution:
Dwarf - Cleric/Fighter
Elf - Ranger/Wizard
Gnome - Bard/Sorcerer
Half-Elf - Any
Half-Orc - Barbarian/Druid
Halfling - Paladin/Rogue
Human - Any
That way, there is no overlapping and all core classes except monks are available for a race other than half-elfs and humans. The only questionable one would be halfling paladins, but in my opinion halflings make nice paladins, defending their homes mounted on their riding dogs.
|
|
Benefit of Favored Classes
Whenever you take a level in your favored class (including 1st!), you instantly gain an amount of bonus XP equal to 5% (or maybe 10%) of the greatest amount needed to get to the next level. F.e. If you take your first level in your favored class you would get 5% of 1,300/2,000/3,000 XP (since this is the greatest amount needed to go from level 1 to level 2)
Or just keep it like it is in 3.5 already: so long as you have more levels (not including PrCs) in your favored class than in all others, you get +5%/+10%/+15% to earned xp. Is this xp bonus is deemed too much, perhaps tinker with the standard xp charts.
I guess I didn't catch the idea that xp penalties for non-favored multi-classing was going away. :)
Good. I've already had that as a house rule for years.
But an xp reward? Sorry, but no thanks.
I don't mind the choice of +1 skill rank or +1 hp, if the designers insist that something Must be there.
But, I'm kinda wondering why bother with favored classes at all. Their main function is gone, why re-purpose?
-VIC