I saw amazing potential in the NPC version of this class for a wide range of mundane versatility. Below is a very basic, very customizable empowered version that I feel is close to being equal with the core classes.
Expert
Alignment: Any.
Hit Die: d8.
Class Skills
The expert can choose any 10 skills to be class skills.
Skill Ranks per Level: 6 + Int modifier.
BAB: Medium
Saves: The Expert's personal lifestyle choices reflects on how they choose to avoid harm. They may select two saves as good and one save as poor. Once chosen the save progressions cannot be changed.
Class Features
The following are the class features of the expert base class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The expert is proficient in the use of all simple and martial weapons and with light and medium armor, but not with any type of shield.
Bonus Feats: At every even level the expert gains a bonus feat of their choice.
You should restrict the bonus feats they gain to a list of skill-related feats, like Skill Focus and the varying +2/+2 feats (Alertness, Athletic, etc).
You should restrict the bonus feats they gain to a list of skill-related feats, like Skill Focus and the varying +2/+2 feats (Alertness, Athletic, etc).
I see your reasoning. But why enforce such a restriction? The class has no array of class features as they level up. Why not allow maximum versatility?
Because every class, to my knowledge, that allows bonus feats has some sort of stipulation. Fighters have to choose combat feats. Wizards have to choose item creation or metamagic feats. Rangers, monks, and sorcerers must choose from a specific list. Etc.
Experts seem to be the "skill monkey" of the NPC classes. Why grant them a class feature more powerful than that of one of the core class (fighter/bonus feats)? Something more like this is more in the flavor of the class, in my opinion:
Expertise: At 1st level, and at every even level thereafter, an expert gains a bonus feat in addition to those gained from normal advancement (meaning that the expert gains a feat at every level). These bonus feats must be selected from the following list: Acrobatic, Alertness, Animal Affinity, Athletic, Cooperative Crafting, Deceitful, Deft Hands, Dilettante, Magical Aptitude, Master Craftsman, Persuasive, Prodigy, Self-Sufficient, Skill Focus, or Stealthy.
If you want to create a "jack-of-all-trades" class, I'd advice you give them more than bonus feats. Something like the Noble Scion's "Dilettante Studies" class feature (provided below):
Dilettante Performer (Su): A noble scion treats his effective bard level as two higher for the purpose of the bardic performance class ability. He must have the bardic performance class ability to choose this study.
Dilettante Scholar (Su): A noble scion gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class he belonged to before he added the prestige class.
Dilettante Scoundrel (Ex): A noble scion gains a +1d6 sneak attack bonus as per the rogue class ability. If a noble scion gets a sneak attack bonus from another source, the bonuses on damage stack.
Dilettante Warrior (Ex): A noble scion gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls.
Also, I'm curious: Are you planning on creating "elite" versions of all the NPC classes?