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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Xagunder MacFaileas" data-source="post: 1270155" data-attributes="member: 15298">In the epic game I participate in, my character is currently traveling with one of his two cohorts (one from the Leadership feat, one from his Noble House feat [from Green Ronin Publishing's Noble's Handbook]). He also has plans to gain two more before eventually gaining epic leadership (with the feats Undead Leadership [once he becomes a lich] and Dragon Cohort [from the Draconomicon]).So, to answer your questions from our group's point of view:* What does the player have access to, full stats of the cohort, or something less?Our players have total access to the cohort's character sheet.* What about character creation for the cohort? Do you use the same rules as PC creation, or something else? Who creates the cohort, DM, player, or a joint effort?The cohorts are created just like PCs, but are equipped as NPCs (as per the DMG). So far, since our epic game is a shared DMing thing, players get to make their cohorts. I the low-level game I run in my homebrew world, the player would get to make his cohort with the DM having veto power on any major points.* How much control does the player have over the cohort, and when? From what I hear, many games just allow the player full control over the cohort, like a second player character. We will almost certainly go with something less than this, but the question is how much less.We allow the player to run the cohort as a second PC. This removes the chance of arbitrariness from a feat the player has spent for his character, and takes character pressure of the DM, who is already running so many NPCs and monsters.* How are XP and treasure rewards handled/divided (especially if other than per the DMG)? Are the new XP rules for cohorts working out, or are you using something else?The 3.5 cohort XP rules rule. No longer are other players' characters punished for my character taking a feat. As for treasure...* Especially concerning treasure, it seems like other players may get the feeling the the presence of a cohort takes away some of the party's treasure, almost like the player with the cohort is double-dipping. Any problems in this area?This we've handled in character. Of course, because of the "double-dipping" question, my character desiring a full share for his cohort because she is a person and is helping on our adventures was shouted down, but I did manage to get one-half share for her.I do think that if you have a decent group, this is actually something that should be roleplayed out. My character still fumes about how his negotiations with his group turned out, and this may have repercussions further on...*     What works and what doesn't -- DMing technique stuff, rather than rules judgments. What do you like about the system you use, and how would you change it?Personally, I'm quite happy with 3.5's cohort and follower rules. Like I mentioned above, giving the player control of the cohort takes pressure off the DM. And the DMG cohort XP rules are the best I've seen thusfar.Good luck.</blockquote>

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