hong said:
Furthermore, _every_ class gets benefits at every level to some extent, via BAB, save and HD increases, and other level-based abilities (eg turning undead). Just because there's nothing listed on the "Specials" column of the level progression table doesn't mean they actually get nothing.
Eh.
Sure, they get something. But they don't get anything exciting. New spells are somewhat exciting, the Sorceror more than the Wizard, because they have Spells Known at level. BAB does not increase at every level, nor do Saving Throws, and neither BAB nor Saving Throws are particularly exciting. A 5% greater chance of surviving one specific attack or hitting a specific Armor Class doesn't get my heart racing.
Also, since every spellcasting class gets new spells at every level, and other benefits at points that are few and far between, they are less distinct as classes. Even with dissimilar spell lists, all the spellcasting classes simply resemble each other too much in play. Druid stands out somewhat because of their special abilities, and I consider Druid one of the better classes in D&D-- even though I don't normally play them.
Give the Sorceror, Wizard, Bard, and Cleric new special abilities at every level, and give each class a separate set. I think all four classes need more skill points (four/level for the primary casters, six for the Bard), and their skill lists should be distinct from each other-- and from other classes. I think Clerics should only gain one Domain at first level, though they should gain more Domains as they progress.
Paladins, though they get spells, are the worst offender for boring progression. While the Ranger can improve Favored Enemy (which is, on its own, a pretty boring ability), the Paladin is stuck with more chances to Remove Disease in any given week, and a numeric increase in their smiting damage. Their spells help, but I think spell progression alone is as boring and as drab as BAB progression.
If Paladins gained more smite attempts per day, automatically gained divine feats, and started picking up Domains at higher levels, they suddenly become much more interesting-- whether they gain relative power or not-- and much more plausible as a representative of the forces of Good and Light on the Prime Material Plane.