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I have been involved in many conversations on here about the paladin class - in many of such discussions, the notion that "smite Evil" isn't bountiful enough yet. Many feelt that there should be plenty of smites for even the low-level characters to be able to do this in each encounter - since it is the one combat related offensive ability that a paladin has. The comment that "I do the smite in round 1 and I'm done with that for the rest of the adventuring day - adding to the 15 minute adventuring day theme"
It made me start thinking about special class-like abilities (especially defining one); on how to ensure that this is lessened.
How about a drastic rule philosophy change that allows PCs to do their class features every combat.
Here is what I came up with.
Features such as Smite Evil, Stunning Fist, Turn Undead, Rage, etc can be done 1 time in every combat. Furthermore as the character advances he gains access to more "Daily" uses of that ability. These daily uses are a "pool" He can drain the pool all in one combat (which can already be done with the per day abilities), or he can use them sparingly - adding 1 extra in this combat, 2 extra in that one, none in the other one...)
For instance:
Channel Positive Energy: Clerics gain the ability to channel positive energy a number of times a day equal to 1 + charisma modifier (instead of 4 + cha) In addition to these daily allowances, he can channel positive energy 1 time per encounter that does not count against this daily allotment. NOTE: Extra Turning feat would add additional attempts to the daily pool.
Smite Evil: Paladins can Smite Evil 1 time per day for every 3 Levels. In addition to this daily use, he can smite evil one time in each encounter that does not count against his daily uses NOTE: Extra Smite feat would add additional attempts to the daily pool.
And So on.....
Overall, you're guaranteed to be able to do your signature ability in every combat - the per day sometimes are not enough - dependant on how often the DM of a particular game throws in encounters in a day; while at the same time, still giving a daily cap.....
Robert
Please, please, please let's not have per-encounter abilities (or at least not as a major component of the game). Explicit per-encounter abilities are one of the deal-breakers for me in 4E and I would greatly hope to avoid the same issue in the Pathfinder RPG. Implicit per-encounter abilities, however, are not probelamatic from my point of view.
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Please, please, please let's not have per-encounter abilities (or at least not as a major component of the game). Explicit per-encounter abilities are one of the deal-breakers for me in 4E and I would greatly hope to avoid the same issue in the Pathfinder RPG. Implicit per-encounter abilities, however, are not probelamatic from my point of view.
I'm certainly not advocating making everything "per encounter" if you understand my intent, it's only to allow these abilities to be used at least once in each encounter and then draw from the daily limit as desired (no different than we do now) - but always at least able to it once - so that we dont have the 15 minute adventuring day issue....
Robert