I figured it might be helpful to consolidate thoughts and comments on the races in this thread.
I'll start with a possible change that might be nice for Humans.
As an option, instead of the weapon proficiency, how about choosing a single skill that remains a class skill regardless of your current class or class you're advancing into? You gain a bonus rank in that skill at 1st level to start with so off the bat you're trained in it.
Gotta say quest-master, I really like this idea.
It could make humans progress into some prestige classes easier, which fits the versatility aspect the race. I know that the new base classes offer so much more in Pathfinder, but the option is still there.
I think more importantly it also promotes differences between human characters of the same class. All fighters have the same class skills (and very often end up having the same or similar feats), but those damn unpredictable humans...
For players, it means that if, for example, your group consists of a human fighter, halfling cleric and elven wizard, your group has no way to disable traps short of perhaps magical means. The human fighter in this case could take Disable Device - he wouldn't in any way be as a good as a real Rogue (no Trap Sense, etc), but enough to get them through in a pinch. It also wouldn't derail a game because a given character type wasn't available. Perhaps in the human fighter's character history he was friends with a thief, or simply dabbled in criminal activities occasionally when funds were short.
It also gives GM's flexibility on how to implement this change, if at all. Any existing stat blocks used could either gain the free rank you mentioned or simply be ignored. Equally, GM's could decide to dispense with this rule altogether, like some GM's like to do with favoured classes, without any real effect on the game or mechanics.
Chobbly
Ok, two things:
1) The basic rules are: Once a class skill - Always a class skill (so you can eliminate this part of your post/idea)
2) I am not so sure about this ONE skill point. I think it's not worth the efford. The humans get one extra SP per level, so why giving them one SINGLE additional SP too?
3) I would just incorporate one additional (free-chosen) class skill for all humans into their adaptable trait, not instead of their Weapon prof. (which I don't like that much BTW...)
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As an option, instead of the weapon proficiency, how about choosing a single skill that remains a class skill regardless of your current class or class you're advancing into? You gain a bonus rank in that skill at 1st level to start with so off the bat you're trained in it.
I like this idea too, as it is both customisable, and fits the traditional D&D3.5 flavour text of 'human adaptability'.
It also helps all classes, PCs and NPCs, adventurers and non-adventurers, and adds to the verisimilitude of the campaign setting.
The downside of the free weapon proficiency, is that it isn't useful to those high-BAB classes who already have automatic proficiency with all simple and martial weapons, nor is it appropriate to a character who does not have the skill, or the intention, to enter combat.
Having an extra class skill, and an associated bonus rank, helps every character concept in some way. Those with poor skill points, and/or a small skill list (eg Fighter) gain proportionally more than those with high skill points and/or a long skill list (eg Rogue), though it could be argued that the latter group have a greater opportunity to plow points into any bonus skill.
Would this be in addition to the bonus skill point per level, or would this be an alternative?
I can see this idea being easy to address, by simply replacing the reference to a free weapon proficiency, with 'Humans gain one free class skill of their choice'. Then let them choose if/when to spend their human bonus skill point/level.
(EDIT: beaten to the post by DracoDruid).
I can see this idea being easy to address, by simply replacing the reference to a free weapon proficiency, with 'Humans gain one free class skill of their choice'. Then let them choose if/when to spend their human bonus skill point/level.
(EDIT: beaten to the post by DracoDruid).
It also gives GM's an opportunity to use this bonus in many different ways. Facing off against three seemingly identical human fighters could be different every time, if the GM chooses. The first human could be really slippery (Bluff skill, perhaps feinting now and again), the second really quick on their feet (Acrobatics), and the third intimidating (guess what, Intimidate). It makes humans in the game as being both unpredictable and versatile, which is how they should be.
I like the idea of an additional class skill, whether it's got the free skill rank or not. GM's could (and in my case, would) house rule any odd choices, as always unless there was a reason.
Chobbly
Gnomes lose the Defensive Training, and maybe the Hatred abilities in favor of something more unique.
Half-Orcs essentially get Diehard (or a lesserversion) instead of their durrent retarded rage thing. They also lose Clr and get Drd as a FC. They also lose +2 Wis and gain +2 Con.
Halflings get +2 Int or Wis and no cha bonus again, and they lose Bard as an FC in favor of Ranger.
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I could use some help (and would love to get more feedback and comments -- even negative ones!) with designing/brainstorming Racial Feats on the '[THINK TANK] Racial Feats'-thread! ;)
I think Racial Feats would exactly be what makes the Races stand apart -- for example, how dwarven fighter is different from his elven or half-orc "counterpart". And Racial Feats may complement the "real" Feats nicely, if they are well-designed.
re aasimar / tieflings
i'd make the resistances / spells more level dependant if you want to make them LA +0
eg resistance of (level) (max 5)
spell cast (level) per day (to max of 1 + cha bonus)
this also solves the issue that they are very powerful at early levels and then don't scale
for what its worth I prefer racial levels for the low LA races but with the power upgrade PF has given to the base races i think planetouched can be converted to LA 0 without an issue
