I never quite understood the point of an NPC class. I understand that they are not as good at adventuring and shouldn't be played by players as adventurers but I still feel that a 10th level Aristocrat should be comparable in some way to a 10th level rogue other wise why is the aristocrat an aristocrat instead of a rogue?
I propose that each NPC class gain a feat every other level similar to the fighter but that they must be from a certain list of feats specifically designed for a non adventuring life.
A life of politics, entertainment, work, service, education, invention, literature, design and entrepreneurship.
Nothing so exciting that players would be interested in playing them.
The only difference between a determined farmer and a determined fighter should be what they are determined about.
I was thinking a farmer could have the "all-nighter" feat allowing him to work during the night earning twice the money in a week but leaving him fatigued and with a negative 2 to his wisdom
Okay, I know this is a little silly and probably not worth the time but it seems like a fun thought project if nothing else.
You know, the Aristocrat NPC is probibly the most "dippable" class in the Pathfinder RPG.
Look at what you get.
And because it is an NPC class, it has no meaningful abilities after 1st level. So there is no need to pursue it further.
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I've always preferred using "non-heroic" versions of the PC classes as opposed to separate NPC classes.
What I mean by that is that normal non-heroic NPCs level in a class such as rogue or fighter as normal except they received no class abilities. NPCs are allowed to spend one of their normal feats to obtain class abilities they would otherwise have access to if they were heroic characters. All non-heroic full casters have delayed spell progression equal to the adept. That's pretty much it.
This allows NPCs to have some of the same class abilities but by no means are as heroic as a character who has access to it all. It also means I don't ever have to build NPCs to be significantly different than PCs, just more limited, as it should be.
NPC classes are specifically designed to create quick NPCs. They are deliberately short on features to speed up prep work for GMs.
Anyway, whatever floats your boat. ^_^
I am quite aware of what they are designed for.
What I am proposing should not effect a DM's prep work at all(unless they wanted it to.) The additions that I am proposing would have little to no in game effect and could be completely ignorable.
If they have no in game effect and are ignorable why even bother?
Thats a good question and I thank myself for asking it. Well, KARLGAMER if thats your real name. Consider the player who digs the verisimilitude of the game. The thread here is a good example.
The first response to that thread said:
The game was made completely for the PC's so it does not make any sense at all once you break the math down.* If you are going to include everyday transactions and not just the PC economy you will have to redo the entire thing.
What I am suggesting would fix this problem by giving NPC classes the stills to do there jobs better then there PC counterparts.
Although now that I think about it they should probably not be called Feats(a noteworthy or extraordinary act or achievement, usually displaying boldness), you wouldn't want PC picking these up abilities they could be called Deeds(an exploit or achievement.)