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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tessarael" data-source="post: 1483653" data-attributes="member: 12909">Hi folks,I've been thinking about an alternate ability system. My aim is to makeall of the abilities roughly equal, rather than say Strength being the best for a warrior character. I want to discourage Charisma (Charm inthis proposal) from being a dump stat. A +2 increase in an attributeshould be worth between about one to two feats for a character. Myintention is for this system to be fully compatible with existing D20materials: it should not be necessary to change existing NPCs or monsters. It does help in PC character creation by reducing how dominantsome abilities are.I also want to simplify the abilities used by the magic system - there does not seem to be a good reason why different Arcane and Divine casters have different primary casting abilities. This means that multiclassingbetween spellcasting classes will have good ability synergy, but as youare losing spell levels, it will seldom be worth it.Let me know what you think, thanks!I judge the importance of the proposed abilities to classes as follows:Barbarian, Fighter:- primary abilities: Muscle, Precision, Constitution- secondary abilities: Perception, Agility, Knowledge, Charm- dump abilities: WillBard:- primary abilities: Will, Knowledge, Charm- secondary abilities: Muscle, Precision, Perception, Agility, ConstitutionCleric, Druid:- primary abilities: Will, Knowledge- secondary abilities: Muscle, Precision, Agility, Constitution, Charm- dump abilities: PerceptionMonk:- primary abilities: Muscle, Precision, Agility, Constitution- secondary abilities: Perception, Knowledge, Charm- dump abilities: WillPaladin:- primary abilities: Muscle, Precision, Constitution- secondary abilities: Perception, Agility, Knowledge, Will, CharmRanger:- primary abilities: Muscle, Perception, Agility, Constitution- secondary abilities: Precision, Knowledge, Will, CharmRogue:- primary abilities: Perception, Agility - secondary abilities: Muscle, Precision, Constitution, Knowledge, Charm- dump abilities: WillSorcerer, Wizard:- primary abilities: Will, Knowledge- secondary abilities: Muscle, Precision, Agility, Constitution, Charm- dump abilities: PerceptionAs there are now 8 abilities, and classes generally require one moreability than previously, it may be helpful to increase how many pointscharacters get to buy abilities. For example, another 6 points wouldsuffice for a character to buy an extra ability of 14.Modifications to attributes===========================MUSCLE (was Strength): Muscle measures your character's sheer physical power. Muscle is importantfor Barbarians, Fighters, Monks, Paladins and Rangers as it increases the damage they do in combat. It can also be quite useful for Clerics, Druids,and Rogues when they wade into combat. You apply your muscle modifier to:- damage rolls with melee and thrown weapons- Muscle checks (for breaking down doors and the like)- carrying capacity- Skills: Climb, Intimidate, Jump, SwimPRECISION (was Strength):Precision measures how accurate you are in combat and how deft you arewith your hands. For example, a gemcutter should be deft. Precision isimportant for Barbarians, Fighters, Monks and Paladins as it increases howoften they will hit in combat. It can also be quite useful for Clerics, Druids, and Rogues when they wade into combat. You apply your precision modifier to:- attack rolls with melee attacks- Skills: Balance, Craft, Disable Device, Forgery, Open Lock, Use RopePERCEPTION (was Dexterity):Perception measures how observant you are of your surroundings, and hand-eye coordination. Perception is important for Rangers and Rogues, as it increases their accuracy with ranged attacks and helps their skills. You apply your perception modifier to:- attacks rolls with ranged attacks- Skills: Listen, Search, Sense Motive, Spot, SurvivalAGILITY (was Dexterity):Agility measures how nimble you are on your feet, and your reflexes. It is most important for Monks, Rangers and Rogues, and anyone else who does not wear heavy armor and engages in non-magical combat. You apply your agility modifier to:- Armor Class- Reflex saving throws- Skills: Escape Artist, Hide, Move Silently, Perform (Dance, instruments),   Ride, Sleight of HandCONSTITUTION (unchanged except for removing Concentration):Constitution represents your character's health and stamina. It increasesyour hit points, and is most important for melee-oriented classes such asBarbarians, Fighters, Monks and Paladins.- each roll of a Hit Die- Fortitude saving throwsWILL (was Wisdom/spellcasting attribute):Will represents your determination and abundance of magical power. It isimportant for all spellcasters, particularly: Bards, Clerics, Druids, Paladins, Sorcerers, and Wizards. You apply your Will modifier to:- bonus spells- Will savings throws- Skills: Concentration, Profession, Use Magic Device- Turning checks for Clerics and PaladinsKNOWLEDGE (was Intelligence/spellcasting attribute):Knowledge represents how much you know and how well you understand magic.It is important for all spellcasters, particularly: Bards, Clerics, Druids, Sorcerers, and Wizards. Knowledge is also of some use to everyone, as itgives you more skill points and more languages. You apply your Knowledge modifier to:- adds to saving throw difficulty class for spells and spell-like abilities- 4 skill points per bonus/penalty point from Knowledge- number of languages known- Skills: Appraise, Decipher Script, Heal, Knowledge skills, SpellcraftThe maximum spell level you can cast is Knowledge - 10.CHARM (was Charisma):Charm represents how persuasive you are, and in turn how lucky you are(the gods seldom favor those who are uncharismatic). Leading a charmedlife is of benefit to everyone, but Charm is most important for Bards.You apply your Charm modifier to:- Fortitude, Reflex and Will saving throws- Skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Gather Information, Handle Animal,  Perform (Act, Comedy, Oratory)Modifications to classes========================Monks get a flat AC bonus with level - it is no longer dependent on Wisdom.For example, an extra +2 AC at first level, and an extra +1 AC every 5 levels thereafter. In general, no prestige class or base class should givean attack, damage, AC or saving throw bonus based on an attribute - any bonuses should be level-dependent bonuses. For example, the Duelist prestige class might get +1 AC per 2 levels. Paladins might get +1 to saves at first level, and an additional +1 save every 5 levels thereafter.All spellcasters use Knowledge to modify saving throw DCs and the maximum level of spell they can cast. All spellcasters use Will for bonus spells.Modifications to feats======================Weapon Finesse is removed. Precision is used to modify the attack roll ofall melee attacks.Modifications to races======================Dwarf: +2 Constitution, -2 CharmElf: +2 Agility, -2 ConstitutionGnome: +2 Constitution, -2 MuscleHalf-Orc: +2 Muscle, +2 Precision, -2 Knowledge, -2 CharmHalfling: +2 Agility, -2 Muscle</blockquote>

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