Best rules that game designers have made?

[Shade]

I agree with many that have been previously stated.

Also...

• Action Points
• Reserve feats
• Metabreath feats
• Skill synergy bonuses
• UA's level adjustment buyback system
• Eschew Material Components (I wish this was the norm for 95% of spells)
• PHBII Retraining options
• Weapon Group Feats
• Tactical Feats
• Incantations (UA)

I'm another big fan of soul magic.

 

[Shade]

Oh, and I forgot my absolute favorite: The revivify spell!

 

[RangerWickett]

Having used action points for a year now, I don't like them. They're not "I do cool stuff" points. They're "oh crap I failed my will save" points.

 

[JVisgaitis]

But yeah, I didn't mean it to apply to stock D&D, though it could if you changed the assumptions significantly.

Sorry didn't mean to imply that you did. Was just posting my design thoughts as they would apply to D&D.

I only really mentioned improvements on stock d20. For a more complete list, I'd have to go with:

-The addition of Feats
-The simplification of Saving Throws
-The levelling of the playing field (unified XP chart, races balance against one another)
-The simplification of combat (initiative and the way you need to roll your opponents AC to hit them)

 

[Hussar]

While it seems to get much reviling:

• The CR/Encounter Level system

Yes, I know that it can be wonky, but, by and large, IME, it works very well and let's me very quickly pick a range of creatures with which to fill an adventure.

 

[lukelightning]

Animal companions "level up" instead of having to either trade up for a higher HD animal, or even worse, go adventuring with a pack of 12 wolves.

 

[Voadam]

I really like the psionic focus mechanic from the psionic section of the 3.5 srd.

 

[catsclaw227]

Having used action points for a year now, I don't like them. They're not "I do cool stuff" points. They're "oh crap I failed my will save" points.

I like action points, even though you have accurately described them. I don't like dice rolls to "kill" players, I want bad decisions to do this. Now, it can be argued that bad decisions lead to dice rolls that can come up bad for the PC. I agree, but I prefer the campaign to keep flowing. My players already feel the heat in STAP, action points generally get used up. I do cap them at 8 points though (6th level and higher)

 

[Edheldur]

For me it would have to be:
- Reserve feats (Complete Mage)
- Incantations (UA)
- Stunts and Zones (Iron Heroes)
- Affiliations (PHB II)
- Spell Templates (AU)

 

[Particle_Man]

Skill Groups (Iron Heroes)
Augmentation (Expanded Psionics Handbook)
Warlocks (Complete Arcane - a simple magic user is the DM's best friend)