Graf
Explorer
I appreciate your points. I think you're missing the theme.Hmm.... possibly. Had a look again at all the current regional benefit suggestions, thinking about balance. I'm not terribly great at analyzing balance issues, but here are some thoughts. First a point: monster knowledge checks are a combat power: a flat DC 25 to identify a monster's resistances and vulnerabilities is check that could significantly alter the outcome of a fight. So, they need to be balanced as such.
Daunton's in-the-city ability is overpowered. The +2 to all monster knowledge checks is already arguably one of the best bonuses on the table; allowing characters to effectively "take 22" on knowledge checks in the city is IMO broken.
Bacarte is a bit underpowered. +1 to perception is fine, but +4 streetwise that's only active within Bacarte is a bit weak, I think. Maybe a flat +1 perception and +1 streetwise?
Valley of bone. +1 to endurance or intimidate or... well, anything, really, is fine as one benefit. +4 to undead monster knowledge checks, well... maybe. It's a big bonus, but it's situational. On the other hand, there are lots of undead, and they're popular opponents. On the other hand, it fits really well with the flavor of the region. I could be talked into it.
If we want to make this easy to balance, we should make it flat: +1 to a skill, and +4 to another skill situationally. But that's kind of boring.
+1 to a skill (this has -some- impact in combat) or +2 to a sub-skill.
+4 to some unusual circumstance.
Obviously not all skills are created equal. Perception is really good for everyone. For most PCs things like insight and monster lore are pretty lame.
So you have to take that into consideration when building for
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Is +1 to perception better or worse than +2 to monster lore? I think it's hard to argue. Personally I think perception is better... it's very useful outside of combat + it increases your chance of finding hidden enemies and of acting in a surprised round.
EVERY pc wants a bonus to perception.
Monster lore? Lets you use something you probably already know from reading the monster manual (lets be clear the majority of vulnerabilities and resistances are pretty common sense -- you don't need to make a roll to use radiant attacks on undead). You've only got a chance of hitting the 25 -IF- you actually have those skills trained. And, unlike perception, if one PC in the group its the roll then it works for everyone.
I just don't see the argument that monster knowledge is more powerful than perception.
And a reroll on a knowledge check does not equal an automatic 22. You get to reroll. The "median result" of "best of two d20" rolls is going to be a 12 (I think).
If anything the Daunton powers are weaker because
1. I see a lot of people wanting to play daunton
2. The game is based on Daunton
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I'll incorporate everything else (dumping the divination etc)