Alternate Class Features

[MoogleEmpMog]

I always allow them, and they've seen a fair amount of use in my games. I haven't actually used one for a PC, although a couple of NPCs have had them.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Though I feel they are a poor substitute for multi-classing, I do like them as a way to further customize a character -- and much prefer them to prestige classes.

 

[Aus_Snow]

I am wary of the generic "swap out an ability" type things in PHBII and complete mage, but would consider them on a case-by-case basis. I prefer making the existing classes more flexible to making new classes, but I am cautious about the non-systematic nature of it.

I'm feeling a bit daft (well I must be), so could you please inform me as to what you mean by "generic" and "non-systematic" in their respective contexts here?

 

[Kalshane]

I voted sometimes, though IMC, if I allow a variant, 90% of the time the variant actually replaces the original class feature for all characters. I'll look at a variant, think "I like that/that makes more sense for this campaign, all class x characters now have this ability instead of y." I'm more hesistant to allow variants where the player gets to chose which power their character has.

 

[Thurbane]

I'd really like to see an alternate version of the Barbarian, that gives up berserking in place of mounted combat styles, ala the Mongols...

 

[MerricB]

Love them. PHB2 Druid changes especially (both are being used, by different PCs, in my campaigns)

Cheers!

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Dragon, PHBII, Complete Mage and more?

I don't allow stuff from magazines, but so long as it is in a WotC book that isn't setting specific of begin with "Races of...." I allow it.

 

[Voadam]

Oh, almost forgot that I also used one from Ronin Arts' Core Class Variants pdf.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Oh, almost forgot that I also used one from Ronin Arts' Core Class Variants pdf.

Which one?

 

[Wik]

We use the alternate class features fairly regularly. Racial substitution levels, as well.

In my current campaign:

* Racial Substitution Levels are allowed (and we have a dwarf that has the fighter level 1 substitution)
* The druid wild shape rules from PHB 2 replace the old PHB rules.
* The Paladin's Charging Smite attack (PHB 2) replaces their mount ability.
* The Fighter abilities from PHB 2 are available (and will be used when the goliath hits that level)
* Any bardic variant you can find is allowed.
* The spell-less ranger is also an option, and one I've tried to pawn off on my players, who refuse (for some reason, they like to play rangers, but then don't cast spells when they can...)