Do players need something cool every level?

[Seeker95]

I voted "yes" but have a lot of different ideas of what "cool" means. It need not be earth shattering.
The bonus feat and stat increase are already there at specific levels.
I could see making one cross-class skills become a class skill at a certain level.
Swap one point from one stat to another at a certain level (as you emphasize development of one at the expense of the other).

 

[Glyfair]

Now ignoring the fact that new spells every level is ignored here (spells aren't cool enough anymore? I don't understand why they don't consider getting spells a non dead level):

Remember the context. He's talking about players specifically taking other classes, especially prestige classes, to avoid the "dead levels." There are plenty of prestige classes that give you that spell, along with something "cool."

As for your question: "Need" is too strong a word. They don't "need" something cool every level.

However, I do think that in an ideal world, every class would give you something cool each level they take.

 

[Nellisir]

I don't think they "need" something, but it is nice to have. And new spell levels (not just another spell) counts.

 

[blargney the second]

I like cookies every level. I'm a simple man.

 

[Storyteller01]

No need for a mechanical gain. My players go nuts over skill points.

Then again, if the campaign has a social interaction the characters may gain something every level anyway. Our sorcerer has a list of contacts that just keeps growing...

 

[GeorgeFields]

IMHO, the "need" for cool powers and items only serves to fill the void left by a lack of engaging storyline. The ideal game for me is one where I'm so wrapped up in the story and the characters that I don't even notice getting (or not getting) new Stuff every level.

The first sensible post of the thread.

If the plot isn't any good, nothing gained upon leveling up is cool. Even if the plot is lacking a bit, good role-playing can fill that gap.

This is part of the reason I'm tired of level-based games. I'm tired of players looking ahead stating I can't wait until level "X" because I get "insert ability".

If anybody knows of a good skill-based fantasy system (not dice-pool), please, let me know.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Nope. Skill points, increases in abilities, or Saves or new spells is plenty, and considerin how fast you can level in 3e I don't see how it is a big deal anyway.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Nope. In fact, I'd prefer if everything was gained at first level, and just got better each level, like spells, the 1e ranger bonus against giant class creatures, etc. I just haven't figured out how to do it yet. I hate seeing some ability in the phb that I never get because the game ends prior to that level.

 

[coyote6]

"Need" -- probably not. "Want" -- probably.

"Nice to have them" -- definitely. "Good reason not to have" -- none that I can see.

If your going to have a class-and-level system, there's not much reason to not give out neat goodies as frequently as possible, IMO.

So, I voted "Yes".

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

They need more than that.

They need something cool/special every game session (at least at the Party Level).

I only run my game 1/week for about a 3 hour session, so they don't go up in Levels all that fast.

I do see that they get something 'Cool' every session and make sure every player gets his turn.

It might be something as simple as an Item with an History or a Map denoting a Treasure, or a Promotion with the Church's Hierarchy.

Part of the Role of a DM is to negate "Dead" Spaces. After all, you could just sit at home and get a similar effect.

That said, I haven't had that much of a 'Dead' Issue as described since 3.5 Came out (My Players haven't strayed much beyond the base PHB Classes however).

When I was running, Ranger was one of the most Popular Character Classes in my games.

Ranger 1, that is.

The 3.0 version was so heavily Front-Loaded with very little at higher levels it became the default "Jump In, then Jump Out" Class.