Class defense bonus for D&D

[SWAT]

Might as well chip in since I started this...

Actually, my main purpose in giving a BDB is to compensate for a reduction in character wealth. It's only about 75% what it should be. Also, I've made my own progression charts, which provide much less of a bonus than usual. A 20th level character would only get +7 for good, +5 for average, and +4 for poor. Characters get this bonus at any time they are not helpless, and it stacks with armor.

My main philosophy is too give everyone average, unless there is a very good reason not to. In my campaign, characters are shot at with blaster weapons, lasers, and rocket launchers on a regular basis. Rogues have to get in close for sneak attacks, and Monks have to get in close for unarmed combat, so they get a good progression. The other fighting classes can resort to similar high-tech weapons without missing out on much, and they'll be in armor, so they get an average BDB. Wizards and Sorcerers would stay far away anyway, even without the high-tech weaponry, so they get poor. In retrospect, I should probably give the Cleric a average BDB...

 

[HarryFlashman]

My Favourite D20 Add-on is Ken Hood's Grim-n-Gritty system that uses BDB as well as Armour DR Bonuses.

Good BDB: Fighter, Barbarian, Monk, Rogue
Average BDB: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, and Ranger
Poor BDB: Sorceror and Wizard

The "rule of thumb" is as such:

Good BAB = Good BDB
Avg BAB = Avg BDB
Poor BAB = Avg BDB
Good Ref Save = Good BDB
Avg Ref Save = Avg BDB
Poor Ref Save = Poor BDB

You choose the best result and reduce the result by one step if the Class casts spells (explaining why Rangers and Paladins have an Avg BDB).

This System is also applied to each of the d20 monster types.

You roll a 1d20 (+ Dex mods + Dodge mods + Armor Check penalties + Siz mod + BDB) vs the Attack Roll of the opponent.