Frostmarrow
First Post
Traditionally when creating a character we roll ability scores and pick race and class. Then we pick skills, feats and powers. Lastly we buy rudimentary equipment.
What if a level, any level, is a self-contained unit, good enough to be a 1st level character? If so all we need to do is roll ability scores, pick race and lasty pick a self-contained level. When you level up you pick another self-contained level and the benefits stack.
A level (think of it as a box with contents) can be balanced in various way. A level that contains +1 BAT and d10 hp might not have any feats or skills at all. Another level might provide some skills but no BAT increase.
Some levels might require that you already have an ability from another level. But other than that you are free to pick a fighter level as your first and then a mage level as your second.
Examples:
Fighter Level
Proficiency with Martial Weapons
Weapon Focus Longsword (unlocks longsword special quality)
+d8 HP (few hp to balance the good ability above)
+1 BAT
+1 Reflex save
Mage Level
Proficiency with quarterstaff
+d4 HP
Spellcraft
Magic Missile
Mage Hand
Now there will be a hundred or more "Levels" to chose from and most of the time they stack. (My examples above are bit bit too vanilla. They really should be more interesting).
Each level should also have a suggested background text such as for the fighter level above:
"Trained by an uncle, swordschool, duelist, melee participant in joust."
Pros: Easy to get started but you still get to make an interesting decision. Easy to create the character you want. It might add some unexpected side-effects but such is life. Why do I, in real life, have Operate Heavy Machinery? It's not part of my build.
Cons: Easy to take advantage of and create an overpowered character if the levels aren't supremely well balanced. But hey, if you want absolute fairness even Chess is broken.
Key selling point: You can keep publishing Levels and customers will constantly have something to buy. (They have to turn a profit).
To me the character sheet is very important. You should copy information from rulebok or card on to a character sheet in pencil to make the character your own.
It's also important that the levels don't have names that suggests an occupation. Occupation is for the player to decide what the entire package of levels means to him.
What if a level, any level, is a self-contained unit, good enough to be a 1st level character? If so all we need to do is roll ability scores, pick race and lasty pick a self-contained level. When you level up you pick another self-contained level and the benefits stack.
A level (think of it as a box with contents) can be balanced in various way. A level that contains +1 BAT and d10 hp might not have any feats or skills at all. Another level might provide some skills but no BAT increase.
Some levels might require that you already have an ability from another level. But other than that you are free to pick a fighter level as your first and then a mage level as your second.
Examples:
Fighter Level
Proficiency with Martial Weapons
Weapon Focus Longsword (unlocks longsword special quality)
+d8 HP (few hp to balance the good ability above)
+1 BAT
+1 Reflex save
Mage Level
Proficiency with quarterstaff
+d4 HP
Spellcraft
Magic Missile
Mage Hand
Now there will be a hundred or more "Levels" to chose from and most of the time they stack. (My examples above are bit bit too vanilla. They really should be more interesting).
Each level should also have a suggested background text such as for the fighter level above:
"Trained by an uncle, swordschool, duelist, melee participant in joust."
Pros: Easy to get started but you still get to make an interesting decision. Easy to create the character you want. It might add some unexpected side-effects but such is life. Why do I, in real life, have Operate Heavy Machinery? It's not part of my build.
Cons: Easy to take advantage of and create an overpowered character if the levels aren't supremely well balanced. But hey, if you want absolute fairness even Chess is broken.
Key selling point: You can keep publishing Levels and customers will constantly have something to buy. (They have to turn a profit).
To me the character sheet is very important. You should copy information from rulebok or card on to a character sheet in pencil to make the character your own.
It's also important that the levels don't have names that suggests an occupation. Occupation is for the player to decide what the entire package of levels means to him.
