hong said:
Tell that to the poor fighters who still only get 1 feat every 2 levels when they're 9th, 12th or 15th level.
At those levels the fighters have an accumulation of feats. Completing two or three feat chains can be more effective than the individual feats. The Hospitaler won't have that option because the three feats required to qualify are not part of the same feat chain.
But even with that, at higher levels the spellcasters still dominate, even in 3e. Most of the melee classes are just one saving throw away from being taken out of a fight, unless they get some very good (and expensive) defensive magic items.
Yes, however I don't recall that being used as a rationale for bumping up the class abilities. IOW, the paladin is balanced without reference to the truth-justice-and-yummy-goodness roleplaying requirements.
I think that's debatable. But even so, for the Hospitaler of Torm, the roleplaying limitations (i.e. giving away most of their cash and hunting Cyric and Bane worshipers) are specifically to balance one advantage: The enhanced weapon/armor (which they otherwise would not have the option of getting on their own). It seems like a good match to me.
The other stuff is balanced by losing their Turn Undead progression, which is another ability that becomes very powerful at higher levels.
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