Alternatives to stat-boosting items?

[The_Gneech]

If you can find an old copy of 3.0 Oriental Handbook, there is a PrC called Tattooed Monk which pretty well accomplishes a similar vein as giving free stat bonuses etc. every level. It has a list of certain permanent bonuses you can gain as tattoos every so many levels... might be worth a shot.

The Tattooed Monk is in Complete Warrior as well.

-TG

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

I prefer just scaling characters' ability scores based on their level-- starting at 25 pointbuy at ECL 1, and going all the way up to 85 at ECL 20.

I'm also liking the Conan d20 approach.

 

[Mark CMG]

Change the Ability score increase to every second (instead of every fourth) level and disallow stat boosting items. While it might favor the PCs a bit, it is also more flexible.

 

[Nadaka]

Or you could allow a character to train (at the expense of time, gp and maybe even xp) to gain an enhancement bonus to an ability score. It would likely cost 2 to 3 times what a normal ability boost item would due to being slotless and being immune to dispelling/AMF/disjoin.

 

[Quartz]

How about simply changing the power curve? Your 20th level party wthout their +6 items might be the equivalent of an 18th level party with +6 items, so place your encounters as if they were an 18th (or whatever) level party.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Change the Ability score increase to every second (instead of every fourth) level and disallow stat boosting items.

Sounds familiar.

 

[Mark CMG]

It wouldn't entirely compensate, but you could give feats at every odd level, and an ability score increase at every even level. That would raise the power level a bit, and you'd end up with the equivalent of a +5 stat boost item by level 20, plus a few more feats for your trouble. And, it's neat.

But it would in no way fully compensate for the loss of the usual christmas tree's worth. Of course.

Particle Man's suggestion (above) should work just about perfectly though, in addition to the standard increases, naturally.

Change the Ability score increase to every second (instead of every fourth) level and disallow stat boosting items. While it might favor the PCs a bit, it is also more flexible.

Sounds familiar.

Naw. You go too far, sir! That "give feats at every odd level" business of yours is just crazy talk. Plus, you fail to then expressly disallow stat boosting items. Can't leave any loopholes.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Can't leave any loopholes.

Sure, why not? That way I get to do tha witty comeback thing when someone points it out.

Wait for it.

Uh yeah, I'll uh, get back to you on that one.

 

[Mighty Halfling]

Here is one of my house rules ...

'BUFF' SPELLS: Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Owl's Wisdom, Bear's Endurance, Eagle's Splendor and Fox's Cunning are charged spells, in that they do not immediately take effect on the spell's recipient and are activated as a free action by the recipient. Once activated, the duration stays the same. The charge remains in effect for 24 hours or until used.
A recipient can only "carry" one charged spell at a time.

 

[Quartz]

You might also take a look at The Order of THe Stick. Not many magic items there.