So looking at how stats increase drastically every 5 levels seems really odd to me. I would think it would be more rewarding to spread that out more so you don't see a big power spike at lvl 5. I can kind of get that you probably don't want players dumping all their bonuses on one ability score, but you can add in a line preventing that.
So basically this is how I'm thinking of running the ability score increase in my game:
* Every 5 levels is a tier.
* You gain an ability score increase each level except when going up a tier
* You can only increase an individual ability once each tier
* Ability score increases are the same as normal (16 or below +2, 17 or above +1)
I am curious though- is there any real issue to doing things this way? The end result at every 5 levels is the same, but it makes most levels a little more rewarding for the players. I suppose rewriting any effects of those bonuses may be a little tedious to do each level, but maybe less so than doing it for 4 different abilities at the same time.
Every 5 levels, it's true that you get a nice up to your attributes but, in general, it's not that high as you may think.
Your main attribute gets a +1, so you get an increase in bonus only every 10 levels.
You increase secondary abilities, like Constitution, and it doesn't add that much to your character. Gaining saving throw bonuses or stamina points isn't incredible.
In my opinion, the best levels for ability increase are when you get access to higher level of ability boosts. In SFS (as an example), it's at level 2, 6 and 13. And these levels are the best: +2 to your best abilities, even if they are above 18.
So, in my opinion, you are complicating things, but it won't change much your characters progression.
Appart from that, your system will grant earlier access to ability boosts, so your player characters gonna be stronger. It's a nice increase for spellcasters, if they maximize their main attribute, as they will have access to more spells earlier.
|
So looking at how stats increase drastically every 5 levels seems really odd to me. I would think it would be more rewarding to spread that out more so you don't see a big power spike at lvl 5. I can kind of get that you probably don't want players dumping all their bonuses on one ability score, but you can add in a line preventing that.
So basically this is how I'm thinking of running the ability score increase in my game:
* Every 5 levels is a tier.
* You gain an ability score increase each level except when going up a tier
* You can only increase an individual ability once each tier
* Ability score increases are the same as normal (16 or below +2, 17 or above +1)I am curious though- is there any real issue to doing things this way? The end result at every 5 levels is the same, but it makes most levels a little more rewarding for the players. I suppose rewriting any effects of those bonuses may be a little tedious to do each level, but maybe less so than doing it for 4 different abilities at the same time.
At least at low levels, you get different power spikes at several moments, and only one of them is the ability increase.
* Level 2 just about doubles most characters' stamina and hit points. Also doubles their skill points, allowing a lot more class skill bonuses to come into play. It's also the point where you might be able to afford a Personal Upgrade to one stat.
* Level 3 is when you get Weapon Specialization and several classes also get a notable power. Operative trick attack goes up. Soldiers take a Gear Boost. Like, my typical melee soldier goes from 1d4+4 damage to 1d4+9 damage. Quite a power spike.
* Level 4 is when casters get level 2 spells (spike), soldiers can start taking BAB 4 feats, and just about every other class gets some sort of talent.
So as you see, there are already quite a few power spikes in the early levels, level 5 is a little on the quiet side with only modest abilities, but with the expectation that the ability score increase does some heavy lifting.
---
That said, what would happen if you did this? It would give the players more power in the levels leading up to the next tier milestone. So most of the time the PCs are a bit stronger than expected by the "monster of this CR is this powerful" table. The game gets a bit easier for the PCs. It's not the end of the world.