I like the idea of domains (or something very similar to it). If we want to be simple and generic to Paladins and Rangers, we could just create a "Paladin" domain and a "Ranger" domain. When Rangers and Paladins hit 4th level and start to get spell casting, they get their reduced rate of progression in a full spellcaster and are forced to take their "Paladin" domain or "Ranger" domain. So, starting at 4th level and every 2 levels thereafter (4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, ...) the class gets +1 level of spell advancement in that full spellcaster class. So, a 9th level Ranger casts like a 3rd level Druid, a 12th level Ranger casts like a 5th lvl Druid.
If we wanted to get savvy, we could break up the Ranger and Paladin spells into more specific and thematic domains. Rangers could choose two from the list like: Archery, Two Weapons, Stealth, Awareness, Animal, Foe Sworn. Paladins could pick from domains like: Divine Retribution, Divine Protection, Justice, Equestrian, Healing, Commander.
I know some people may not like the "cookie cutter" feel of calling a Ranger a Rogue/Druid or calling a Paladin a Fighter/Cleric, but it is a useful comparison. I have some ideas
here about spellcasting "power sources" and having either spontaneous or prepared versions
http://www.enworld.org/forum/societ...us-prepared-casters-all-casting-flavours.html It displays and better lets us moderate progression in those similar ways. It helps us communicate in the same way for different classes so that there are meaningful, measurable growth rates. We don't want to fall under the illusion that every class is super different and totally unique and think we need to reinvent the wheel with each new class, core/base or Prestige (or Epic). That's actually one of the better qualities of 4th Ed I feel.
By extension, if we like the "Multiple Domains" idea for Rangers and Paladins, we could do the same thing for other core or prestige classes. What other classes would we need to create a list of domains for? I've also noted a "C" for Core class and a "P" for prestige class.
- Paladin, C
- Ranger, C
- Assassin, P
- Blackguard, P
- Warmage, C
- Beguiler, C
- Peaceful Devotee (is that the name?), P
Some non-unique indy spell columns, like:
- Harper Scout, P
- older Bladesinger, P
- Devoted Champion (?), P
- Templar/ Pious Templar (?), P
... and Bard. He'll need some work.
This is actually another topic, but I think that spell advancement should be scaled back along with the number of attacks (iterative attacks, TWF & Flurry). If we change the rate of spell advancement, it does change things like this. If, say, full spellcasters got a new level of spells every 3 class levels (rather than 2), then converting other classes to 1/2 or some fractional rate of spell advancement is much more playable. I can't find the thread with the table, so I'll just make the table again.
SPELLCASTER LVL____SPELL LEVEL
1.........................................0
1.........................................1
4.........................................2
7.........................................3
10.......................................4
13.......................................5
16.......................................6
19.......................................7
22.......................................8
25.......................................9
x.........................................(X+2)/3
Using this spell advancement, Rangers and Paladins would still hit 1st level spells at 4th class level. However, the rest would be quite slowed down. So having any "reduced level" spells are much less of a concern power-wise.
RANGER/PALADIN LEVEL______SPELL LEVEL____LEVELS SPELL ADV
4..........................................1.........................1
10........................................2.........................4
16........................................3.........................7
22........................................4.........................10
28........................................5.........................13