Mixing and matching subclass Features as your character increases in level.

[Tallifer]

I like sub-classes, but when I (or one of my players) want to create a character that captures a certain feel, a certain concept, it is often hard to find the right one. I am thinking of a houserule whereby a character can pick among a Class's subclass Feature options each time he levels up in that particular Class.

 

[MechaPilot]

I allow that at my table. I haven't had any players who wanted to do it yet, but I do allow it.

 

[Lucas Blackstone]

That sounds very powerful. But as long as you are having fun that is what matters.

 

[Li Shenron]

Subclass features at the same level (and same class) are balanced with each other, I don't think you'll have noticeable problems.

Just make sure you don't grant something that requires something else you didnt get previously.

 

[Horwath]

Rogue 3rd level assassin, 9th level thief, 13th level scout, 17th level assassin,

Barbarian: 3rd level Zealot, 6th level Beserker, 10th level Battlerager, 14th level Zealot,

 

[DEFCON 1]

If my player wants a particular feature because the story of it makes sense for their character's evolution, I'm fine with it. If, however, they state that they want the feature purely for the game mechanic it gives... I'll spend a little bit of time analyzing the mechanic and see how it interacts with the other mechanics from the original sub-class.

There's a good chance I'll probably still allow it, because my players are all more story-focused that mechanic-focused anyway (and thus they most likely haven't worked out any grand scheme of overpowerization). But even if they did, I'd still have little trouble kicking their character's ass if it really needed to happen.

 

[CTurbo]

Fighter: 3rd level BM, 7th level Champion, 10th level BM, 15th level Champion, 18th level Champion

Paladin: 3rd level Devotion, 7th level Ancients, 15th level Ancients, 20th level Conquest, and Vengeance spell list

Wizard: 2nd level Diviner, 6th level Conjurer, 10th Abjurer, 14th level Abjurer

 

[BookBarbarian]

Barbarian: 3rd level Zealot, 6th level Beserker, 10th level Battlerager, 14th level Zealot,

I'd go Bear Totem at 3, but yeah pretty much this.

I'd get to trade out a Totem Warriors Ribbon for the Berserker's best feature and grab the Zealot's most powerful feature, and skip lackluster Battlerager features.

I feel like I'm at a restaurant. "I'd like the steak. Instead of the salad lets substitute a steak, oh and steak for both of the sides, and a steak for dessert. What will I be drinking? Hmm. How about a steak."

 

[Dausuul]

Subclass features at the same level (and same class) are balanced with each other...

Um... what? Have you actually done some comparisons? This isn't remotely true.

Just to take an example, the diviner's 2nd-level Portent ability is a powerhouse, whereas the transmuter's Minor Alchemy is mostly good for short-term counterfeiting scams. On the other hand, the diviner's 6th-level Expert Divination is good but not great (it looks better on paper than it is in play, I speak from experience), whereas Transmuter's Stone is incredible (free proficiency in Con saves!). It's a significant power-up if you can pair up Portent with Transmuter's Stone.

It probably won't break the game, but it is certainly not balance-neutral.

 

[abirdcall]

I like sub-classes, but when I (or one of my players) want to create a character that captures a certain feel, a certain concept, it is often hard to find the right one. I am thinking of a houserule whereby a character can pick among a Class's subclass Feature options each time he levels up in that particular Class.

I think it hurts the game.

A class based game provides strong archetypes that characters must fit into.

Trying to make D&D like a classless game is a fool's errand. Both for balance and thematic reasons.