Dropping 'Favored Class'; what to give the Humans / Half-Elves in return?

[Nyeshet]

On the General RPG Discussion board this post was recently made:

The Favored Class rules are probably the worst thing about 3.x, they are to 3.x what Racial Level Limits were to AD&D, an arbitrary "balancing factor" that rarely comes up, but when it does it's a real kick in the teeth, and if it's dropped nobody would really notice it.

I realized this last year with a game I was running. One PC was an Elf Half Dragon (Crystal), so half Crystal Dragon half Elf, and was a Druid. After a while, the player thought it would be appropriate, given the psionic nature of gem dragons, to take some Psychic Warrior levels, but apparently it's so game breaking to be a Elf (Half Dragon) Druid 6/Psychic Warrior 1 that a permanent 10% XP penalty is a balancing factor. Never mind that both classes fit perfectly into the character concept, that Elven Druids are quite normal and being half-blood of an innately psionic creature would make sense to have psionic levels, the Favored Class rules got in the way. Since we were wary at the time to move outside the RAW, she ended up taking a powerful Psionic prestige class, which was way more powerful than Psychic Warrior, for no XP penalty, yeah, those Favored Class rules really do balance the game out alright.

That's when I realized they had to go. Admittedly, it was a perk of Humans and Half-Elves to have improved multiclassing, so they do need something to compensate (or getting some perk for using your Favored Class instead of a penalty for not following predefinied racial stereotypes).

I've long simply done just this - ignored Favored Class. It has never made sense to me, especially as d20 modern and various other d20 systems do not make use of them yet are not considered 'broken'. But it occurred to me that this does decrease the power of the human and half-elf races, as this was one of their notable benefits. It also occurred to me that I am unlikely the only one to have dropped Favored Classes, and at least a few that have done so must have considered ways to restore the lost strength to the two races directly affected by this, granting them something in exchange for their loss.

So my question is, what have others granted Humans and Half-Elves to make up for the loss of 'Favored Class (any)', as no penalty results regardless of race / multiclass combination? I doubt it would need to be a major alteration / benefit, but similarly I doubt a minor one would be enough to balance the Human race, for instance, against the Halfling race or the Elven race. (I wouldn't bother comparing them to the weaker Half-Orc or stronger Dwarven races, and I'm not certain about comparing them to the Gnome race due to its arguably useful spell like abilities. I know that Half-Elves are as weak or weaker than the Half-Orc, so perhaps it should gain a bit more?)

What are your thoughts on this matter? Basically I am curious as to what to grant humans such that they are equal in power to Halflings and Elves (which I consider balanced races) and similarly what to grant Half-Elves (although I admit to this curiosity more on a matter of principle of inclusion, as Half-Elves and Half-Orcs are exceedingly rare in my games, so the answer to the second would have little effect upon my campaigns).

 

[Nifft]

Half-Elf could get a Feat at 1st level, or +1 skill point/level (and +4 at 1st level).

Humans could get "skill affinity" -- any one skill is always considered "in-class" for any class they take.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Crothian]

I don't think it is really something that needs rewarded to the half elf and human.

 

[Jack Simth]

Oh, there's any number of options.

You could give all Humans Able Learner, for free.

You could give half-elves the option of taking Able Learner, and a bonus feat. Bonus skill points, maybe. Add the elven Dex bonus back. Or whatever suits your flavor.

 

[Land Outcast]

An extra feat (or +1 skillpoints... even better, make it optional!) for half elves and another extra skillpoint for huhmans (or Nifft's "skill affinity")

 

[Bront]

They don't realy need too much in return, though the Half-Elf did get the short end of the stick.

I like Able learner for free for Humans, and Bonus Skill points for the Half-Elf. Able Learner looks more powerful than it is, as the classes that get a ton of skill points also tend to have lots of class skills.

 

[Drowbane]

As compensation for getting rid of the (IMO) ridiculous multiclass penalties I give...

Half-elves: the Axe, seriously... half-elf isn't a standard playable race in my games.

Humans: absolutely nothing! They're already the most over-played race in the game simply for the free Feat (and to a lesser extent) and the free skill points.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Give half elves extra skill points like humans. I don't think humans really need any thing.

BTW this is what I do in my game.

 

[Thanee]

Half-Elf could get a Feat at 1st level, or +1 skill point/level (and +4 at 1st level).

Humans could get "skill affinity" -- any one skill is always considered "in-class" for any class they take.

That sounds good, I only would not give Half-Elves a bonus feat, that would be too much.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Wilphe]

I give both a free feat at first level in Bother Around Beregost.


If I was running a longer term campaign I'd go the Conan route and axes multiclass penalties entirely, instead giving you a feat for every 5 levels in your favoured class. Humans and Half-Elfs would then be able to count whatever they liked as a favoured class for that purpose.