Class 'tweaks' - cost a feat, or even swap?

[Driddle]

In your gaming experience (or your belief, if it hasn't happened yet), when a player requests some simple swap for a particular class ability, should that divergence from the norm require the expenditure of a feat or should it pass merely with the DM's agreement?

Examples: PC gets a familiar instead of animal companion; or fighter feat instead of rogue sneak attack; or a gnome gets three different cantrips at creation. It is assumed the player has a good characterization/background reason for the swap.

Cost a feat to change, or simple DM's approval?

 

[der_kluge]

I typically allow players a lot of flexibibility in building their character. I figure they wouldn't ask for it if they thought the class as written worked for their concept. But balance has to be maintained, so some swaps I won't allow, but if I don't allow, I'll try to meet the player in the middle somewhere.

 

[Sejs]

DM's approval. They're already giving something up for the exchange - why should it also cost a feat on top of that?

 

[S'mon]

Per the RAW in the PHB if it doesn't increase PC power it should not require a Feat or any other 'price'. Options, not limits!

 

[BiggusGeekus]

As long as you keep a tight reign on prestige classes I think its fine.

For example, lets say there is a prestige class that requires three metamagic feats. A wizard asks the DM if he can swap out having a familiar with gaining Highten Spell or whatever. The DM isn't thinking about PrCs so he okays it. Suddenly the wizard is qualifying for the prestige class one or two levels before he "should".

It isn't a problem for most PrCs but some of them assume that the PC is of a certian level and the PrC class abillities are scaled to that power level.

 

[Ferret]

DM's approval. They're already giving something up for the exchange - why should it also cost a feat on top of that?

Exactly..... I mean, What Sejs said.

 

[derelictjay]

If it seems reasonable sure, I'll allow it. Blowing a feat, for an ability switch is kinda wrong, and very expensive, and I wouldn't do it.

 

[yennico]

I agree with S´mon, but like BiggusGeekus pointed out the DM should be aware of the effects of this change (like qualifying for a prc at lower level).

 

[Plane Sailing]

Among all the examples in the PHB and DMG I don't see any suggesting that there should be a cost involved.

 

[jmucchiello]

It isn't a problem for most PrCs but some of them assume that the PC is of a certian level and the PrC class abillities are scaled to that power level.

The only sure way by the rules to ensure the minimum level of entry to a PrC if via skill ranks. Any skilled PrC creator knows this and uses it (and not numbers of feats) to control entry. (I know, but what about all those unskilled PrC writers, or feat makers who grant skill ranks instead of skill bonuses? Don't use their stuff. )

And obviously since I wrote a book on substituting abilities, you might get I voted that it should be free.