Core only, how big of a power drop?

[Dracandross]

If one has to make core char and others get to make (and do such) one with books theres surely difference. At least if you make multiclass char. For example any EK without spellsword is alot worse. And spellscasters can have alot of more spells to choose from. Personally i dislike PB but voted for 4 poits, 8 would be too much. I think that a bit better stats will compensate somewhat the loss of versaility.

-Dracandross

 

[Deset Gled]

Depends on the character. I would be tempted to give a core only fighter some extra feats just for some extra versatility. I would probably give a core only Pally and Monk slight ability adjustments or extra ability points to help with the MAD. A core only sorcerer could get Eschew Materials for free. The rest of the classes shouldn't get anything extra.

 

[Darklone]

Tell the core only dudes to go singleclass cleric, druid or wizard and they won't have any problem.

 

[brehobit]

Tell the core only dudes to go singleclass cleric, druid or wizard and they won't have any problem.

Really? Divine metamagic doesn't provide a boost for a cleric? All the feat options don't provide a boost for druids and wizards? Skill tricks don't provide a boost to these classes?

Mark

 

[Darklone]

Really? Divine metamagic doesn't provide a boost for a cleric? All the feat options don't provide a boost for druids and wizards? Skill tricks don't provide a boost to these classes?

Some do. The biggest power drop would be the spells... and I assumed in the above argument that the core class dudes have the same access to the spells as the others... so all spells from the Comp Series and other books if the other freaks have them.

If not: Bigbig nono and I'd vote for 32 point buy for the core dudes and 28 for the others.

 

[irdeggman]

Would you give a bonus to someone who didn't own any books?

How about someone who didn't have their own dice?


Sorry, if you (as the DM) are allowing things into a game it is your responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to the same material in some way or another. As has been pointed out loaning of books is always a great option.

There are consolidated "lists" on the WotC site with feats, prestige classes ,etc.

These provide enough information to allow a player to "ask the DM" about somethig for which he should be providing information.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Yeah,
The logic is that some people own a truck-load of books, others have core only (mostly). I don't want to turn things into a "go out and buy lots of WoTC books to be the best you can be" but neither do I want to remove what I think are good and reasonable options.

Seems strange to me - in every campaign I've ever ran or played in, it is the DMs perogative to say what will be included and what will be excluded from the game. Nothing would ever be 'in' just because a player bought a book that they liked the look of!

 

[Greg K]

Seems strange to me - in every campaign I've ever ran or played in, it is the DMs perogative to say what will be included and what will be excluded from the game. Nothing would ever be 'in' just because a player bought a book that they liked the look of!

Same here

 

[Felix]

But the access to more options in the given example does necessarily correlate to greater power availability.

And because it is there does not mean it will be used.

Can you build more powerful characters with the Complete books than with the Core? Sure, if only because Core is also available to the folks using the Complete books. But it does not mean that the characters will be more powerful. It is not necessarily the case that a character built from Complete stuff will be more powerful in a way that merits rewarding someone sticking to the Core.

Which is why I would not award extra to folks using core-only simply on the basis that they are using core and the others are using extra. Which is what the poll was asking.

For an example, you have two characters: a single-classed Druid and a Bard/Dread Pirate. Is it the case that you should award the druid extra because he doesn't use other than Core? No.

Another example: a single-classed Monk and Barbarian/Warblade/Frenzied Berserker. Is it the case that you should award the Monk extra because he doesn't use other than Core? Still no, though you might award him more because the other character is signifigantly more powerful.

Take it case-by-case; don't blanket every instance with a Core < Complete.

 

[Piratecat]

Brehobit started another poll, so I'll close this one.