I've been thinking about this for a while: it feels like my characters are always feat starved. Even fighters occasionally would like to just fit-in that extra possibility. The question really is, what is a fair trade? I'm wary, for example, of the "anti feats" that some books suggest where a character can take a flaw to gain an extra feat. It is too easy a bargain; one that I don't want any business with.
Instead, what if feats were available at a cost that really hurts? I propose this: a character can chose to not gain a +1 to a stat at levels 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 - and instead gain a bonus feat every even level up to level 20. The choice is encompassing, you give up all 5 stat points to gain all the feats - no part-for-part upgrade.
What do you think?
I would let them choose on a level by level basis.
Losing 5 +1 to stats for 5 feats is just too steep of a trade. But I might trad a stat for a feat here or there.
I agree with Charender, even though I don't think he quite understands. I would allow a choice, starting at level one, for each "block" of levels, and go from there. But that is a good idea, I think.
Ah, but the rule is to gain a feat every even level.
So, 10 feats, for +5 to stat.
Ah, but the rule is to gain a feat every even level.
So, 10 feats, for +5 to stat.
That is more balanced, but I would still like to have the flexibility to choose every 4 levels. 2 feats or a +1 to stats.
Our house rule is that instead of taking the +1 to a stat, you can choose 2 feats. But you cannot use this option twice in a row.
2 feats for 1 stat seems a bit much, as most feats give better bonuses than a +1 to a stat would.
I would agree to 1 feat for 1 stat (and that is if i was in a good mood...)
2 feats for 1 stat seems a bit much, as most feats give better bonuses than a +1 to a stat would.
I would agree to 1 feat for 1 stat (and that is if i was in a good mood...)
I have to disagree, since feats are much more specific in their scope. While even a "weak" feat like Great Fortitude has a much greater effect within its scope (improving your Fortitude Save) than increasing Constitution by 1, improving Constitution will have a much greater net effect, as it raises not only your Fortitude, but your hit points and how much damage you can take after reaching 0 hit points before dying, as well as a few other things.
So the 10 feats across 20 levels in exchange for 5 attribute points over those same 20 levels seems like a fair bargain to me.
One problem I have with the suggestion to let you pick for every 4 levels is that if you start out with even scores in all the attributes you care about, then why should you ever take the 5th attribute point?
The problem isn't so much the 2 feats for the 1 stat, it is that some PrC's are based on feat requirements that you need to take certain classes or combos of classes to gain entrance into at the earliest point. Trading 2 feats for 1 stat throws that out the window and is a balance issue in and of itself. 1 feat for 1 stat isn't nearly as bad but still might allow you to bypass things at times.
But you cannot use this option twice in a row.
Please note this, the SECOND part of the house rule.
The most you could use this option is THREE times.
At levels 4, 12, and 20.
So the most extra feats you could get would be six.
The only time someone generally took it is if they had forgotten a feat needed for a prestige class or needed more feats for their character idea.
I don't get why you want an exchange between feats and stat boosts.
If you and your players feel that the characters don't get enough feats, then just give them more feats.
Bonus feats at 2, 6, 10, 14 and 18th level, for example.
Or something else, based on the number of feats the class gets initially, so as to not decrease the difference between the classes.
I don't get why you want an exchange between feats and stat boosts.
If you and your players feel that the characters don't get enough feats, then just give them more feats.
Bonus feats at 2, 6, 10, 14 and 18th level, for example.
Or something else, based on the number of feats the class gets initially, so as to not decrease the difference between the classes.
It is probably not the whole party, just a few of them. Maybe even only one of them. This way, it can also help avoid over-powering.