|
So, having received my PDF versions of the Second Darkness Companion and the other two issues coming out this month, I started to wonder if the Traits listed there would work out well for CotCT. It looks like the 'recommended' thing is to have 1 'Simple' trait (technically 'Any', but there's no other options until the Racial, Religious, and Regional come out) and 1 'Background' trait. As CotCT already has the background traits, I figured allowing the PCs each 1 simple trait would work fine, along with making sure all the bonuses from the CotCT backgrounds change to "Trait" bonuses.
Anyone else going to use these? They look pretty nifty. :)
I'm thinking about it. My players opted not to go with the background of having Gaedren Lamm as an enemy, so they missed out on the traits. I'm considering offering them each on basic trait to make up for it, and I'm certainly allowing the Additional Traits feat.
The downside is that I don't think many of them are going to rush out and buy the book, so I'll either have to lend out my copy or let them use game time to read. Alternately, I could choose traits (based on the few months of game play so far) for anyone who doesn't buy the book.
|
|
I just screen-shotted the 4 pages of relevant bits, edited them in Photoshop to look a bit nicer, and uploaded them to my server (emailing them the links). I'll be letting the players look through the book when it arrives to me, but until then it's a good way to let them see the traits without spoiling any of Second Darkness. I would post links here, but I don't think that would be kosher. It'd be my recommendation of what you could do for your players, though. Find some way to just let them see the relevant bits in the PDF, then they don't have to borrow your book.
|
They're already struggling to keep track of the trait bonuses and remember how/when they can use Harrow points, so I don't think I'll be introducing anything new. This is especially so since I might use the Companion Spirit rules from DMG 2 as an additional effect of the Harrow deck, and will be encouraging them to look at Teamwork benefits from PHB 2/DMG 2/Heroes of Battle. I like those group-oriented abilities.
From a "balance" POV, yep, CotCT characters are assumed to have one trait already, and they'll get two in SD. But they'll also be without Harrow points. Not sure how that shakes down, then.
From a "balance" POV, yep, CotCT characters are assumed to have one trait already, and they'll get two in SD. But they'll also be without Harrow points. Not sure how that shakes down, then.
I always give an extra feat to the PCs (also in CoCT) and I've never had problems.
There are people who are playing with pathfinder rpg PCs, which are stronger than normal.
Do not worry about a trait more. There are very tough encounters.