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

[Dalamar]

The only sure way by the rules to ensure the minimum level of entry to a PrC if via skill ranks.

Well, BAB works too. And base saves to some extent (just make it +2 times the level you want the most dedicated character to enter )

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Makes you wonder why they can't just have a minimum level requirment to enter the PRC in addition to the standard stuff.

 

[TerraDave]

I think the pole needs more options...I would try to keep the cost "within" the swap and not get (other) feats involved.

I would require the PC to give up something in return for customisation, free isn't the right word...e.g. sacrificing prof. with medium and heavy armor and sheilds in return for a bonus feat and one skill point a level. Three feats are lost (four if tower sheild is included), but given the charecter concept, they may have not been used (or used much) in any case, and this example actually seems a little generous...but that is the idea

 

[TerraDave]

And, there is the option of "no swapping is allowed": which is very much the DMs prerogitive.

 

[palleomortis]

Well, at least your doing somthing to your characters. I still say that if they are already giving somthing up, then why put a feat on top of it. Just make sure that the things that they swap are of equal.("Ok, so I am giving up my armor proficiency for imortal life...")

 

[TerraDave]

Oh, and one more thing: the example in the PHB, from what I remember, is for a starting charecter...

...allowing player customisation of latter classes is probably not a good idea, even when allowed for the first class.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Makes you wonder why they can't just have a minimum level requirment to enter the PRC in addition to the standard stuff.

The idea is that anyone should be able to qualify for a PrC. Though frankly, I've seen enough wacky requirements that depend on class abilities that I often wonder why the guy just didn't break down and say "must be a level 5 druid" or whatever. I certainly wouldn't think it was the end of the world if people started doing that now and then.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

No swaps. I've yet to see a reasonable class concept come up that couldn't be handled through feat selection, multi-classing or a PrC.

 

[palleomortis]

Ok, but you need to remember that withoute swaping things, we wouldn't be playing the game we are today. We swap the stats around for everything but the humans and half-elves.

 

[Gez]

In my opinion, a feat's purpose is to give you another option.

Not to take an option from you.

If you buy it with a feat, that's on top of the normal class feature, not instead of.

So, I'd go through swaps.

Of course, those swaps have to be allowed. I wouldn't let a rogue get fighter feats every odd levels instead of sneak attack dice, as this would be, IMHO, too powerful, and stepping too much on the fighter's toes. I'd tell that player to think about a rogue/fighter multiclass instead.