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One of our groups players wants to take a turn behind the screen, so we recently started a new campaign.
His character creation scheme is as follows:
Stats 18, 16, 14, 12, 12, 10
CRB APG UC and UM allowed.
Characters start at level 2. Max hp at 1 and half +2 at second.
Seems an okay start. This next part was the interesting aspect that I wanted to ask the community what they thought of it or how insane it can ultimately become.
All characters get a free 1 level "drop" in one other class of their choice. No restrictions.
You get all class abilities for level one in that class... including feats proficiencies etc.
If you take a 'drop' that has a higher BAB than your main class you use that BAB. (example- a level 1 sorceror with a barb drop would have a BAB of 1 at level one)
The only thing you do not get from this 1 level drop is the HD/HP and you are still considered a "character level" 2 character.
We have a Cleric with a drop in ranger for fav enemy undead.
I made a Human Skirmisher Ranger with a drop in Rogue.
We have a Gunslinger with a drop in Sorceror.
A monk with a drop in Monk... DM allowed this. It is for all pretense and purposes a level 3 monk with a level 2 Monks' hp. (Didn't care for that one)
(my least favorite one was)A Summoner (don't know the drop) that WAS his eidilon, or rather his armor and some lame 10' reach feather light sword was. He 'summons' his armor. This player is known for notorious outright breaking all char creation rules and I forget the other one. He/she was a caster I think. Don't know the drop.
Anyways, how would you play in this type of campaign and what interesting concepts would you come up with?
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This isn't a bad idea per say, it just requires the DM to treat your party as a group one level higher than it actually is, at least for now. Eventually, these extra powers will balance themselves out.
Personally, I would never allow it, but that's just because it's not my style.
And I would drop in either Bard or Rogue as I always take at least one level in both of those classes anyway. Trapfinding and Sneak Attack, and the Bard gets a ton of great stuff at first level as well (basic spells, casting while in armor, bardic knowledge, bardic music, a ton of skills). This would just save me some time.
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Personally, I would never allow it, but that's just because it's not my style.
DITTO! But I was not DMing, and I tend to relax my binocular vision while playing. Dming? I am a HUGE grognard and do not really wish to change.
I do however, while playing try to be at least nominally legal. I use HeroLabs for 100% of my character creation. In this case I just gave my third level as Rogue with 1 hp and reduced level 2's ranger hp by 1 to match it and not have the red "you aren't done" tab highlighted.
But back to the quote. In my case it was either pout or play. I wanted to play.
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It'd be easier / less confusing if he just said "start @ level 3, one level must be from another class". He's already having to adjust up CR from overly-high stats (36 point buy), the methodlogy above just confuses things more (1 level gestalt?)
Edit- Also the entire point is to be able to stay in one class for 20 levels, but with a 'flavoring' of another.
I have to admit the session was fun.
Sounds like an interesting form of Gestalt. Nothing wrong with a little extra flavor :) All gaming is relative; add more power to characters, you have to adjust your encounters to remain challenging. This sort of readjusting is a game in and of itself!
--PC
Classes that are front-loaded are generally favored for things like this. Paizo changed things around a bit, so the classes can vary. I could see taking these classes:
1) Fighter. A bonus feat never hurt any concept. Easy enough to say the character is a former soldier/town guard or whatnot, maybe coming from a family with strong military traditions but not following through on the family tradition.
2) Cleric. A few channel energy uses at low levels can't hurt for out of combat healing. Domain powers will dictate how useful this class can be, but the extra little bit of healing probably won't hurt. Character could be a failed acolyte or just a religious man who found the way to serve his faith was not as a man of the cloth, but something else (your other class).
3) Rogue. Skill points and sneak attack. 'Nuff said.
4) Bard. Similar to the rogue, skill points. But a little bardic magic never hurt.
5) Sorcerer. Great for a 'wizard's apprentice' kind of feel. Sure, your spells are at level one power, but the versatility of using magical items keyed off your sorcerer class could be phenomenal. With a limited spell list, you can tailor your known spells to help your other class. Who needs to take rogue talents to learn a few SLAs when you can already cast unlimited cantrips and a few other spells?
6) Ranger. Skill points once more. Favored enemy never hurt any concept involving an archenemy either.
7) Paladin. Front-loaded. 'Nuff said.
8) Monk. More front-loading. You keep your abilities if/when you go nonlawful in alignment.
Claases I'd avoid:
1) Barbarian. There's some great concepts coming from here, but your main shtick as a barbarian is rage, which you won't see improve.
2) Druid. Getting your armor restrictions but without reaching the core of the druid's power (wildshape)? No thanks. Can still work for certain ideas though.
3) Oracle. I prefer not to be saddled with a curse that never improves. Thanks anyway.
4) Summoner. Some archetypes might work, but since your eidolon is your power and it can't improve....
With some work, any class can work for that one level dip. I'd probably favor fighter for the simplicity, rogue for the flexibility in concepts, or sorcerer for that little extra magical oomph.