Early Capstone Granted

[Lass]

I've read a few people knock about the idea that they award the capstone abilities in the last level the PCs are expected to actively reach. This is intriguing to me, does anyone have any experience with this and if so can you share? From a theoretical standpoint will it completely unbalance the final encounters? I'm very much considering implementing this in the two APs Im currently running (Giantslayer and Mummy's Mask) and want hear about potential pitfalls I should be aware of and prepare for.

[QuidEst]

Hmm.
Well, you can give the Cleric capstone out as soon as you want.

But seriously, there are a few considerations. Let people know at the start of the game, and/or balance the capstones against one another. You'll want to beef up the big bad in response, definitely. It's a great idea, but they vary so much in power that it'll be easiest to handle on a case-by-case basis. You may want to trade some things out. A save-or-die isn't fun against the final boss for instance, whether or not it works. Other things, like immortality or DR/magic, just aren't going to be useful.

[Briit]

You should try it. It might prove to be interesting to see how well those capstones work and also make the campaign a bit more memorable. I would suggest bumping up the power level of the end fights but that is something I find always should happen as they are often in my experience weak compared to the power levels of the PCs.

[captain yesterday]

I'm going to try it for my campaign, I agree it's a great idea.

Fun fact: James Jacobs is the first to throw it out there.

[Lass]

Coolio, when my players reach this point I'll have to revisit this post to comment on how well it worked.