Has anyone ever tried, or have any suggestions on altering the point buy of a character based on class?
I'm about to start a campaign, and I wanted to give differing point buys based on class.
MAD classes such as a monk would get a 20 point buy
SAD classes such as a wizard would get a 10 point buy
classes in-between would get a 15 point buy
The reason I'm thinking is that many classes need a higher point buy to be viable at all, but SAD classes get to take advantage of this by shoring up their weak points.
I was thinking a smaller point buy for SAD classes would keep them in line with the other classes?
thoughts? comments? suggestions (especially on which class might fit where)
How would multiclassing work? I'd be more than happy to take a MAD class for one level then MC into a SAD class.
Monk 1/Soulknife 19. :)
To facilitate multiclassing why not make ability score increases a class thing and make the MAD classes gain stat increases faster than SAD ones?
I'd probably let people know that your point buy determines your multi-class ability. If you pick a high point buy class, you can only multi-class into high point buy classes. In other words, if you plan to multi-class your point buy determines what you get to multi-class into.
So sure you could go Monk1/Wizard19 but you get the point buy of a SAD class in that case.
Considering Thou Shalt Not Lose Casterlevels, you feel free to do your multi-classing Zhayne.
That being said, I'd probably put a sliding scale of 30 to 15 point buy. To use the Core classes as an example
30: Fighters, Monks, and Rogues
25: Rangers, Barbarians, Paladins, Bards
20: Clerics, Druids
15: Wizards, Sorcerers(Sorcerers are debatable, really. They're a little more MAD than Wizards but likely not enough to push up to 20)
I like this. A 30 point buy would allow a rogue and a monk to get the advantages of most of their abilities that they need to function properly (high wis, strength, dex, con for monk for example).
I'd think the better solution would be to MAD-ize the SAD classes.
There's one system (Fantasy Craft?) in which all spellcasters use Int for Spells Known, Wis for Spells Per Day, and Cha for DCs and other aspects of spells' "power".
There's one system (Fantasy Craft?) in which all spellcasters use Int for Spells Known, Wis for Spells Per Day, and Cha for DCs and other aspects of spells' "power".
I like this a lot.
Zen archers will be in insane using this system.
Also, have you considered the effect this will have on archetypes or different builds for the different classes? For instance, how would you assign the point buy for a melee oracle of battle?
I'd probably let people know that your point buy determines your multi-class ability. If you pick a high point buy class, you can only multi-class into high point buy classes. In other words, if you plan to multi-class your point buy determines what you get to multi-class into.
So sure you could go Monk1/Wizard19 but you get the point buy of a SAD class in that case.
Did you consider what this is going to do to any player who wants to take a prestige class which usually are already worse than staying as a single class character? It's going to make going into something like Eldritch Knight a terrible experience.
How about MAD classes get 3 stat bumps every 4 levels, moderates get 2, and SAD gets 1? This is based on the class you have the most levels in. if you have an even number of class levels you take the average round up.
Or just impose exp penalties for multiclassing more than one or two levels.
But to be honest, the better solution to 'SAD classes dominate MAD classes' is simply to facilitate the MAD classes and remain indifferent to the SAD classes.
A wizard with two 18's is going to exactly the same in power level as a wizard with an 18 INT and a 14 DEX. A game where all classes can be played to their potential is better than a game where we feat the classes that already meet their own.
For this very reason, that being the disparity between attribute dependency, I disdain the point buy system as a whole and would rather see higher stats for everyone if it means more players get more freedom with their concepts.
yeah, to be fair my group does rolling and re-rolls anything less than a 10. I was just spitballing off the top of my head.
Considering Thou Shalt Not Lose Casterlevels, you feel free to do your multi-classing Zhayne.
That being said, I'd probably put a sliding scale of 30 to 15 point buy. To use the Core classes as an example
30: Fighters, Monks, and Rogues
25: Rangers, Barbarians, Paladins, Bards
20: Clerics, Druids
15: Wizards, Sorcerers(Sorcerers are debatable, really. They're a little more MAD than Wizards but likely not enough to push up to 20)
IMHO
102: Rogue
30: Fighters, Monks
25: Rangers, Bards
20: Paladins, Barbarians
15: Clerics, Druids, Sorcerers
10: Wizards
Considering Thou Shalt Not Lose Casterlevels, you feel free to do your multi-classing Zhayne.
That being said, I'd probably put a sliding scale of 30 to 15 point buy. To use the Core classes as an example
30: Fighters, Monks, and Rogues
25: Rangers, Barbarians, Paladins, Bards
20: Clerics, Druids
15: Wizards, Sorcerers(Sorcerers are debatable, really. They're a little more MAD than Wizards but likely not enough to push up to 20)
IMHO
102: Rogue
30: Fighters, Monks
25: Rangers, Bards
20: Paladins, Barbarians
15: Clerics, Druids, Sorcerers
10: Wizards
rogues would still be underpowered :p
