Novice Level Characters

Posted 27th June 2008 at 07:32 AM by FireLance

This post was originally one post about Novice and Apprentice level characters, but has been split in two because of the blog post limit of 10,000 characters.

The following are some rules for (Pre-1st) Novice level characters. Please note that while this system generates characters that are less powerful than core 1st-level 4e characters, the main objective is simplification rather than power reduction. This system is intended to slowly introduce new players to their characters' abilities and the rules of the game, starting with the most basic. Hence, while the characters may be using a smaller subset of the abilities they will have at 1st level, the abilities themselves work pretty much in the same way (so a 1st-level character's encounter abilities do not become an Apprentice level character's daily abilities, for example).

Novice Level

Spoiler:

Novice level introduces the players to the simplest abilities of their characters and the basics of gameplay. At Novice level, characters have access to most of their constant and at-will racial and class traits. However, they will only have access to one defining class feature of their class, and one at-will power (two for humans). In deciding what is the defining class feature for each class, I was mostly guided by the multiclass feats. So, even though I originally intended to focus on constant and at-will abilities at Novice level, I have decided that Novice level clerics and warlords should have access to healing word and inspiring word, even though they are encounter abilities. Novice level characters do not have action points and cannot catch a second wind. Novice level characters become Apprentice level characters after they have earned 250 xp.

Racial Abilities

Spoiler:

Class Abilities

Spoiler:

Novice level characters have the following class traits and features. Unless otherwise indicated, they are the same as stated in the individual class descriptions in the PH:

Cleric

Spoiler:

Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: Religion and one more trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: healing word
Level 1 At-Will Prayer: Choose one

Fighter

Spoiler:

Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 3 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: One trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: Combat Challenge
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Choose one

Paladin

Spoiler:

Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 3 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: Religion and one more trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: Divine Challenge
Level 1 At-Will Prayer: Choose one

Ranger

Spoiler:

Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: Dungeoneering or Nature and one more trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: Hunter's Quarry
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Choose one

Rogue

Spoiler:

Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: Stealth, Thievery and one more trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: Sneak Attack
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Choose one

Warlock

Spoiler:

Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: One trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: Warlock's Curse
Level 1 At-Will Spell: Eldritch Blast

Warlord

Spoiler:

Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: One trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: inspiring word
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Choose one

Wizard

Spoiler:

Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: Arcana and one more trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: cantrips
Level 1 At-Will Spell: Choose one

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Posted in 4e

Views 656 Comments 3

Total Comments 3

Comments

Like the idea here. Need to read it when I'm not totally sleep-deprived.

Posted 28th June 2008 at 10:03 AM by Wik

	This is a needed feature for 4E, and one that I think WotC will pick up on eventually. I don't know enough about 4E balance issues to comment on the details of what you have posted here, but it seems like this system would work well, especially for creating farmboys to heroes type of campaign.
	Posted 28th June 2008 at 11:51 PM by Ruslanchik

Nice. I think it will do what I want. Now to find some one to experiment on...

Posted 7th January 2009 at 03:16 AM by darjr

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