Dead Levels for non-Core

[exempt]

I just saw the Dead Levels page over at Wizards and thought it a neat idea. I always felt 7th level was one of the most boring for most classes, but this page covers all DLs.

So... I was wondering if anyone had ideas for non-core base classes like psion, hexblade (arguably only 18th), truenamers (god, I'm hoping mine will die so I can pick dragon shaman or something like that... what a sucky class!), etc.

Here's a first stab:

Psion
The psion's dead levels are 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 19th. Other levels grant bonus feats and/or access to a new level of powers. When you attain one of these levels, choose a benefit from the list below.

Psionic Grace (Su) At every dead level choose one skill. You gain a +1 competance bonus when using that skill while taking 10 or 20 (if circumstances allow you to do so) while psionically focused. You can pick the same skill more than once.

Psionic Affinity (Ex) At every dead level you gain a +1 bonus to Knowledge (Psionics) checks to identify creatures with the psionic sub-type. You can also make Knowledge (Psionics) checks untrained when psionically focused.

I think these could work for other psionic characters, too.

Truenamer
The truenamer's dead levels are every level starting first since their utterances suck relative to any other magic-wielding class.

Impotent Lope (Ex) At every level you advance your base speed increases by 5 ft because your utterances suck so you have run away from everything.

OK, so maybe I'm making this into a What do you DO with Truenamers.... but actually I want Dead Level discussion. So what do you DO with DLs?

 

[Aus_Snow]

The psion's dead levels are 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 19th. Other levels grant bonus feats and/or access to a new level of powers.

So the fact that they gain new powers and extra power points every single level doesn't count for anything?

Besides which, the Psion is (IMO) one of the most powerful base classes, already.

Eh, never mind. I'll keep these views to myself, I think. I'm probably not being very constructive, I know. :\

 

[Nifft]

Truenamer
The truenamer's dead levels are every level starting first since their utterances suck relative to any other magic-wielding class.

Impotent Lope (Ex) At every level you advance your base speed increases by 5 ft because your utterances suck so you have run away from everything.

Sir, you have made me laugh, in a manner most out loud. I thank you.

However, I think that other than Fighters, most races have enough goodies at "dead" levels.

Except for Rogue 20 (which no sane Rogue would ever take), or any non-Druid primary spellcaster (Sorc, Wiz, Cleric) who is offered a PrC. And frankly, I can't see anything to give the spellcasters which could compete with most PrCs.

-- N

 

[Crothian]

Are you looking to just fill in dead levels or are you looking to actually worry about balance?

So what do you DO with DLs?

Nothing

 

[Stalker0]

I think spellcasters should be left off the list because in reality spellcasters get something every level. They get more spells per day, more spells known, etc. Psions are the same way. Spells are the most special ability you can get, so they don't really need more.

 

[GreatLemur]

See, this is why I dig True20: You just turn all the class abilities into feats, and everybody gets a new feat every level.

 

[exempt]

So the fact that they gain new powers and extra power points every single level doesn't count for anything?

Did you read the page I linked to? Wiz's also get new spells every level but they get DL benefits.

Are you looking to just fill in dead levels or are you looking to actually worry about balance?

yes, balance counts. If not, everyone would just get a feat at a DL. The benefits are supposed to be neat "extras", not amazing new abilities.

I think spellcasters should be left off the list because in reality spellcasters get something every level. They get more spells per day, more spells known, etc. Psions are the same way. Spells are the most special ability you can get, so they don't really need more.

I'm fine either way with that. I just threw psion out there because it was on my mind.

I take teh general discussion to indicate that there is little, if any intrerest in the DL article and the concept behind it. Again, I'm cool with anyone who doesn't find it interesting or necessary. I think I'll include them in IMC, though, and if anyone else was thinking the same, I'd like to hear any ideas out there.

 

[Crothian]

Did you read the page I linked to? Wiz's also get new spells every level but they get DL benefits.

Just becasue that's how they did it doesn't make it right

yes, balance counts. If not, everyone would just get a feat at a DL. The benefits are supposed to be neat "extras", not amazing new abilities.

Then just do like they did and give new abilities that don't mean much. I think players can see through it, but maybe not.

Ideally though what needs to happen if you want no dead levels is to completely rewrite the classes.