In the last thead, I was trying to homebrew a system that allows full progression in several classes, yet keeps the power level on par with a normal character. My last edition of the system was probably less polished than earlier, and left the player underpowered. People kept telling me to gestalt, or use the savant or vindicator/vigilante(I only glanced at the name). In my next post, I will show my newest edition of the system.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Show me the system then! I'm curious.
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Sorry about the wait. Things got a little busy yesterday. Here it is:
(Needs Naming)
In this system, characters can have anywhere between 2-10 classes progressing independently of each other.
Progression:
The character has two separate progression rates, Class and Universal. Classes progress as normal, while The Universal level is determined by averaging the class levels. The core features (HD, BAB, saves, skill ranks, ability score increases, and spell point progression ) uses the Universal progression. Any other features (feats, spellcasting ability, and special class features) progress with their respective class (see below for feat rules).
Core Features:
The character chooses the highest HD, BAB, saves, skill ranks, ability score increases, and spells per day from the classes they have access to.
Feature Slots:
At 1st Universal level, and at regular intervals (I still need a formula), the character gains a feature slot, to a maximum of 2 slots for each class they have access to at level 20. These slots are used to store a single class feature or chosen feat from any class they have access to, allowing them to be used when their originating classes are inactive. Feats and features stored in these slots functions using the Universal level or the originating class's level, whichever is worse.
Spellcasting:
The character has three spell point pools (Arcane, Divine, and Psychic; I can't decide if extracts should have it's own pool or draw from the Arcane pool). In determining the best spell point progression for each pool, first find the maximum spell level (4th<6th<9th), then find the maximum base spells per level (4<5<6), and then find the starting spells per level (1<2<3). They use the ability score tied to that spell point progression to determine your bonus spell points. They transfer spell slots for spell points at the rate of one point per spell level. Spells cost a number of charges equal to it's highest spell level among classes the character has with the same magic type. They cannot use spells from a class unless that class is active or the spellcasting ability is stored in one of the feature slots.
Switching Classes:
Switching the active class can be done at will, but takes 1 minute of quiet meditation each time. During this time, they may choose new features to store in their feature slots.
My Recommendations:
Players should keep and maintain a cheat sheet summarizing the features each of their classes can use at their level. The DM should not allow any of their players to become Swiss army knives (being able to fill any role in the party). The characters should have a theme and choose classes, archetypes, feats, spells, and other options that adhere to that theme (examples include Tactical Genius, Pyromancer, Guardian Angel, Eldrich Engineer, and Lore Master).
/bump
Show me the system then! I'm curious.
It is up now.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I hope you guys had a happy Easter!
It is definitely interesting. It does require a bit of paperwork, you could get some interesting synergies though. And happy Easter to you as well.
Sorry about the wait. Things got a little busy yesterday. Here it is:
(Needs Naming)
In this system, characters can have anywhere between 2-10 classes progressing independently of each other.Progression:
The character has two separate progression rates, Class and Universal. Classes progress as normal, while The Universal level is determined by averaging the class levels. The core features (HD, BAB, saves, skill ranks, ability score increases, and spell point progression ) uses the Universal progression. Any other features (feats, spellcasting ability, and special class features) progress with their respective class (see below for feat rules).Core Features:
The character chooses the highest HD, BAB, saves, skill ranks, ability score increases, and spells per day from the classes they have access to.Feature Slots:
At 1st Universal level, and at regular intervals (I still need a formula), the character gains a feature slot, to a maximum of 2 slots for each class they have access to at level 20. These slots are used to store a single class feature or chosen feat from any class they have access to, allowing them to be used when their originating classes are inactive. Feats and features stored in these slots functions using the Universal level or the originating class's level, whichever is worse.Spellcasting:
The character has three spell point pools (Arcane, Divine, and Psychic; I can't decide if extracts should have it's own pool or draw from the Arcane pool). In determining the best spell point progression for each pool, first find the maximum spell level (4th<6th<9th), then find the maximum base spells per level (4<5<6), and then find the starting spells per level (1<2<3). They use the ability score tied to that spell point progression to determine your bonus spell points. They transfer spell slots for spell points at the rate of one point per spell level. Spells cost a number of charges equal to it's highest spell level among classes the...
Wow. That. Is long. If only I knew how to do spoilers.
I wish I knew how to do spoilers.
Seems solid. What is the exact definition of a class feature?
Seems solid. What is the exact definition of a class feature?
Anything found under the "Special" column of the class table, spellcasting ability included, counts as a valid class feature to store using a feature slot. If you store a spellcasting ability from one of your classes, you gain just the spells gained from that class, not all the spells you know.
Seems solid. What is the exact definition of a class feature?Anything found under the "Special" column of the class table, spellcasting ability included, counts as a valid class feature to store using a feature slot. If you store a spellcasting ability from one of your classes, you gain just the spells gained from that class, not all the spells you know.
I should add that if you choose a feature to store that gives options to choose from, you can only choose those options that you have chosen for the class itself, but if it scales like the weapon training, you have to make the same option order, too.
Alchemist extracts should be considered arcane for simplicity.
I think you need to be a bit clearer about your spell point system. I am not quite understanding how they work.
I think the idea is neat, though some classes are already swiss army knives; it is very unlikely this won't lead to that more. But it's fun.
Ok. Extracts will be considered Arcane.
Level one spell slots give one point each, level two slots give two points each, and so on.
Level one spell slots give one point each, level two slots give two points each, and so on.
Spells cost a number of charges equal to the highest spell level among classes you have access to that uses the same casting discipline (a level 4 paladin spell being cast by a player that has access to the cleric class, which has that spell at level 9, uses 9 charges instead of 4, but would still cost 4 charges if he had access to the wizard class instead of cleric).
As for the whole Swiss army knife thing, I just don't want to listen everyone blaming each other for not switching to healers when they could have done so themselves.
I still should come up with a name for this system.
5 classes: every even/odd level?
10 classes:every level.
I should add that if you choose a feature to store that gives options to choose from, you can only choose those options that you have chosen for the class itself, but if it scales like the weapon training, you have to make the same option order, too.Seems solid. What is the exact definition of a class feature?Anything found under the "Special" column of the class table, spellcasting ability included, counts as a valid class feature to store using a feature slot. If you store a spellcasting ability from one of your classes, you gain just the spells gained from that class, not all the spells you know.
I should add that you can also choose a feat you chose in another class.
Can anyone help me with the feature slot progression rates for 2-9 classes. The rules are:
First slot at 1st,
Last slot at 20th,
Have twice as many slots at 20th as classes,
And gain slots at equal intervals.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Okay so I figured out the feature slot progression for 2-10 classes. Here they are:
If there is an error in here, please don't hesitate to tell me.
Yes! Many times, yes. Why didn't I think about fitting out the occultist and using the result as the universal class, saving me lots of tweaking and mathing things up? Thank you, My Self, thank you!
So now for fluff and/or flavor text...
I was thinking, if someone using the system took a class that grants a familiar or animal companion, then switches to a class that doesn't provide that option, what happens to the familiar/animal companion?
How about it just loses it's enhancements for the time being, using the base stat block.
By base stat blocks, I meant level 1 stats without other enhancements from the bond.
Okay, so companions and familiars should require a feature slot to always be used for them.