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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nyeshet" data-source="post: 3121936" data-attributes="member: 18363">The issue is that some levels are truly 'dead levels'. You gain nothing except skill points on those levels, and by the time you reach the second or third dead level magic items have as much if not more importance to skill checks than skill ranks. For a medium bab class, levels 5, 13, and 17 are dead. You gain neither BAB, nor an increase to either poor or good save. Only in skill points do you experience increase. For a poor bab class (such as the sorcerer) levels 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, and 19 are 'dead levels'. Note that sorcerers only gain new levels of spells on even levels, so they truly gain nothing other than skill points and an additional usage of a spell or two on those levels - nothing new at all. Actually, if you count the levels were only one thing other than skill pionts are gained, then all odd levels (excluding first) are dead levels (or nearly dead levels) for a poor bab class. The Wizard is not hurt too badly by this, for they gain new spell levels on odd levels, and of their bonus feats two of them occur on odd levels. Levels 5, 13, and 17 are dead or nearly dead levels for all classes. Even those with good bab only gain +1 bab (and skill points) on those levels. Most classes grant something at those levels, but Fighters gain their feats on even levels, so those levels (5, 13, 17) hurt especially. I've known some that refuse to go beyond level 4 in fighter, and I've never seen anyone go beyond level 12 in fighter - as nothing is gained the next level and by then most interesting feats can be taken for whatever archtype they are building towards. There are a few new feats in PHB2 that encourage going beyond that level, but I've yet to see anyone actually do so. The penalty for taking level 13 outweighs the benefit of instead taking level 1 in a combative PrC or even level 1 in another class such as Barbarian, Knight, or Ranger.</blockquote>

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