Asmor
First Post
I've always preferred to run an open game where any source could be used, but for a variety of reasons I've also been interested in the idea of limiting how many sources a particular player may use, for a couple different reasons. The primary goal of this is to simplify characters.
Anyways, I've stolen the idea of expansion slots from the RPGA. The basic gist of it is this: As you level up, you open up "slots" that you can use to unlock specific rules components, like a feat or a spell or a prestige class.
So I'm going to modify that a bit for my purposes. First and foremost, I'm going to call them points instead of slots. A character has a number of expansion points equal to their level + 4. For example, a first level character has 5 expansion points, while a 20th level character has 24.
There will be a list of core rulebooks, the PHB, DMG and MM which can be used without limitation. Probably add in other books to suit, such as a campaign setting and/or the XPH. All other items are limited and may not be used without unlocking them. You don't have to use an item as soon as you unlock it; for example, you can unlock a prestige class but not actually take it for several levels.
Expansion points can be spent to unlock the following:
Book: 5/10 points (5 points at 1st level, 10 points otherwise). Unlock an entire book for unlimited use. Good, for example, if you're playing a desert-themed character and want to unlock Sandstorm.
Race: 2 points. Unlockable only at 1st level. Allows you to play a particular race.
Class: 3 points. Unlock a base or prestige class.
Feat: 2 points. Unlock a feat.
Spell: 1 point. Unlock a spell.
Magic item: 1 point. Unlock a magic item for purchase and/or creation.
Other: Varies. General rule of thumb is to compare it to a feat. A clerical domain or alternate class feature, for example, is relatively equal to a feat, so costs 2 points. Something "more important" would cost 3 or more points, and something "less important" would cost 1 point.
Anyways, I've stolen the idea of expansion slots from the RPGA. The basic gist of it is this: As you level up, you open up "slots" that you can use to unlock specific rules components, like a feat or a spell or a prestige class.
So I'm going to modify that a bit for my purposes. First and foremost, I'm going to call them points instead of slots. A character has a number of expansion points equal to their level + 4. For example, a first level character has 5 expansion points, while a 20th level character has 24.
There will be a list of core rulebooks, the PHB, DMG and MM which can be used without limitation. Probably add in other books to suit, such as a campaign setting and/or the XPH. All other items are limited and may not be used without unlocking them. You don't have to use an item as soon as you unlock it; for example, you can unlock a prestige class but not actually take it for several levels.
Expansion points can be spent to unlock the following:
Book: 5/10 points (5 points at 1st level, 10 points otherwise). Unlock an entire book for unlimited use. Good, for example, if you're playing a desert-themed character and want to unlock Sandstorm.
Race: 2 points. Unlockable only at 1st level. Allows you to play a particular race.
Class: 3 points. Unlock a base or prestige class.
Feat: 2 points. Unlock a feat.
Spell: 1 point. Unlock a spell.
Magic item: 1 point. Unlock a magic item for purchase and/or creation.
Other: Varies. General rule of thumb is to compare it to a feat. A clerical domain or alternate class feature, for example, is relatively equal to a feat, so costs 2 points. Something "more important" would cost 3 or more points, and something "less important" would cost 1 point.
