I've seen suggestions around here that certain feats, such as Power Attack and Combat Expertise should simply be combat options, rather than feats. I really like his idea and would like to implement it in some form in the next game that I run.
The basic idea is that anyone should be able to Power Attack, for example, as soon as their BAB is equal to +1.
Do you have any suggestions for other feats that this sort of thing should apply to? I have plenty of time before the game starts, and I plan to dig through the feat list myself for feats I think should automatically apply, but I was just hoping for some community input.
Thanks.
Bear in mind, that this may be unfair to those that are not combat inclined.
Maybe you should scale down an "untrained" Power Attack to -1 Atk +1 Dmg and keep the feat in there as it is.
Bear in mind, that this may be unfair to those that are not combat inclined.
I'm not too worried about the pure balance of it. The players I'm running are not optimizers at all, but I'm running an AP and would like for them to use feats that are more for the flavor of their character, rather than having to spend feats on almost necessary options.
I'd much rather the 2handed fighter(if there is one) spend a feat on skill focus(whatever) than power attack.
You'd probably be better off giving them skill focus(whatever). Make power attack a "free" feat and they'll probably just grab another combat feat.
You'd probably be better off giving them skill focus(whatever). Make power attack a "free" feat and they'll probably just grab another combat feat.
Not probably, Certainly.
I don't believe caster are better than combat related classes anymore.
I do agree that some feats are sub-par and should be put in another category altogether, but giving away all the "Must" Feats includes giving some of those to casters also.
You'd probably be better off giving them skill focus(whatever). Make power attack a "free" feat and they'll probably just grab another combat feat.Not probably, Certainly.
I don't believe caster are better than combat related classes anymore.
I do agree that some feats are sub-par and should be put in another category altogether, but giving away all the "Must" Feats includes giving some of those to casters also.
Not really the case with us. We have a 10th level fighter in a different game w/o power attack because he wanted Skill Focus(Perform: Flute).
I normally wouldn't care about this, but I'm new to AP's and wouldn't want my PC's to die because they want a flavor character over an optimized character.
There are already quite a few ways of engaging in combat (fighting defensively, charge, bull rush, etc.) that allow characters to make changes to the generic way of attacking. If you want to tweak that whole system a bit more by adding another one or two, I don't see a problem with it. But, a long and careful analysis of the existing methods of change, and the feats which make those changes better (often by doing simple things such as removing the attack of opportunity that goes with it), would be a good idea.
Maybe if Power Attack were the feat-is-better version of something like Wild Swing, you'd have something. Maybe anyone could take a -2 on their attack in order to try to get a +1 on their damage.
I do agree that some feats are sub-par and should be put in another category altogether, but giving away all the "Must" Feats includes giving some of those to casters also.
I'm actually ok with this too if it makes sense.
One of my problems with PA (other than it's must nature) is that anyone can swing a sword as hard as they can. You shouldn't need special training to give up accuracy for power.
So, this is open to caster feats too. Anything that a class absolutely must have or fall behind the curve, I'd like to simply give it out when the requirements are reached. Leaving feats for customization of the concept.
One of the ways I've trying to work is making a list of sub-par feats (Expertise, skill focus, Extra Rage, etc) and make them as options given every even level, or one even level one not, something of the like.
Cause let's face it, there are several feats out there, that are just plain bad, and although some may WANT to take it, they probably wont, cause it will leave them in a bad spot not only against optimizers but against the apropriate encounters.
You could put in a Buy One Get One deal. Make a list of 'give away' feats like power attack and combat expertise and such and then offer to your players that they can take the feats as normal, or for every non combat feat that supports their characters personality, they can get a free 'give away' combat feat. That way they use those extra feats not filled up with 'give away' feats on character based non combat feats instead of just diving into more combat feats.
Combat expertise should do something useful for the people taking it because the desired feat requires it, partial int bonus to combat maneuvers or something perhaps.
The [sickening/blinding/etc] critical type feats should be rolled up together into a couple different versions (i.e. effective shalash/perce/bldg critical)that allow dirty trick type choices for the effect so they can be used to more realistically have a chance of granting a situationaly useful debuff should you happen to crit without needing to take a zillion feats just for the on-crit effect.
Agile Maneuvers should be part of weapon finesse
Two-Weapon Pounce, It just doesn't make sense I would need to train to hit someone with two pointy daggers as appose to 1 while charging. A balance thing sure, but I have a hard time thinking that someone CANT, do it without "training", maybe you get a -2 on this attack, and a -4 or higher if you don't have the two weapon fighting feat. While the feat takes that away.
Cleave, you swing the sword so it hits two people instead of one? Again, I don't see why you can't do this normally, maybe not effectively, but you shouldn't be able not too. Maybe the its a 50% miss chance and a -4 on the attack roll since they had "cover" so to speak". Greater Cleave on the other hand I can understand. but again, that could make things cumbersome.