Swapping the cleric's channel energy for something else

[Draco Caeruleus]

While I like the cleric's channel energy class feature, I don't think it necessarily works for clerics of any deity. So I figure it would be interesting to swap out channel energy for some other class feature. This will help differentiate clerics devoted to different gods, more so than just picking different domains.

Share your suggestions. Here are a few that occurred to me, let me know if you think they have any problems.

Replace channel energy with one of the following:

• Sneak Attack (as rogue). This would be fitting for sneaky deities whose clerics fight dirty.
  
• Bonus Combat Feats (as fighter). This would be suitable for clerics of martial deities.
  
• Smite <Alignment> (as paladin). This would work well for crusader types.
  

Also, let me know if I've missed another thread with similar suggestions.

[ericthecleric]

Those three alternate abilities would be an overpowered exchange, IMO.

How about Divine Grace (as a paladin), or +2 skill points per level?

[Lathiira]

Other ideas:

Spontaneous domain access. Pick a domain. The cleric may spontaneously cast spells of that domain. Works well with nearly any deity.

Bonus feats. Not a lot, say, the same rate as a wizard. There'd have to be a limited selection as well.

Not really much coming to mind here that doesn't step on another class's toes.

[Name Violation]

everything you listed is over powered as all hell

maybe a feat every 4 or 5 levels, selection ahould probably based on deity's portfolio

a d6 sneak attack every 4 levels might be ok

the smite as a pally of 1/2 your level could be workable

full casting is very powerful and doesnt need a lot to back it up. channeling is a mior freebie, not an all powerful feature like you've suggested as options

[Morgen]

You could be better served by perhaps making some feats that your players might be interested in that affect channel energy like the existing channel feats rather then completely changing it out, like turn undead or something only specific for a deity or deities in your world.

Who knows what the Advanced Player's Guide shall bring for it too.

[carborundum]

Hmmm, the sneak one intrigues me. What would be a reasonable trade?
Sneak as a Rogue of half your level, or (Level - 3) perhaps. Or... +1 damage instead of each 1d6?

[Draco Caeruleus]

Thanks for all the feedback!

Yes, I suppose my initial ideas wouldn't be fair trades. Perhaps those same features but increasing at half the rate (or maybe even a little slower) would work alright.

Morgen - When I saw the APG Preview #3, and saw that the cleric was just getting subdomains as alternate class features, I didn't think there would be any variants for channel energy. But, now that you mention doing it with feats, I suppose there's still hope that this book with have some of what I'm looking for (that is, beyond all the awesome stuff they've already previewed).