Epic ... or Not?

[Thanael]

2) Some of the classes the current PCs playing are not supported by official materials (including SRD). Namely, Duskblade, Scout & Warmage in our current party.

Often you can find such progressions on the web. As i see it the Duskblade and the cleric are the only ones to need an epic class progression if you only go to level 22 at most. All other are already multi-classed/prestige-classed to much.

Here's the Epic Duskblade as done by WarDragon of dicefreaks. And here's a different version on gleemax

Other great epic resources:
WotC'Epic Insights Archive
Epic Compendium on Brilliantgameologists.com.
Dicefreaks d20 Community

Preferably, I don't want to use Epic rules, Creating my own home-brewed rules for non-core classes are a burden to me. Also, it seems unfair to suddenly introduce Epic level rules at this stage (we were not truly expending this when started this campaign).

Are there any good suggestions to continue this campaign without much effort (for a DM) and still satisfy all the players?

Let them gain some small templates, and then they have to buy off the LA. This is the most easy solution if you plan only up to level 21 or 22 imho. Saint (BoED), shadow-creature, lycanthrope, ...

FYI, the PC members of my current campaign are,

Human Cleric 17
Human Duskblade 18
Deep Halfling Warmage 15/Luckstealer 3
Warforged Duskblade 2/Paladin 3/Dragon Disciple 10/Pious Templar of Bahamut 3 (or maybe Templar 2/Fighter 1)
Half-Elf Sorcerer 10/Abjurant Champion 5/Ruathar 3
Human Cleric 11/Combat Medic 5 (Duskblade's Cohort)

On the other hand, i think when you go only to level 22, the problems with the 3.5 epic rules will not get big enough for you to bother about them. Let them gain an epic feat or two, and revel in the power. Let the caster gain access to 10th level spell slots, or perhaps even an epic spell or two. Think of them as capstone abillities turned to 11. I think it's great for a campaign capstone.

 

[green slime]

++

Except, for bonus points, go E25 instead, stretching all the classes out for another 5 levels, etc. Just my preference, yes, but it's awesome! Trust me.

The book FtheDM mentioned has some really interesting stuff in it. Its version of 'epic' (not one of my favourite bits) basically means that every class (that they covered) goes to 30, progressing pretty much as you'd expect, plus Paladins get 5th and 6th level spells, and a few other 'abnormalities' here and there. BAB goes to 30 as well, saves keep going up normally, extra attacks for full-BAB types, etc., etc.

Aus_Snow, I'm intrigued about your E25... did you allow some of the Epic feats from EPH? Did you stop at 9th level spells, or expand to include higher level spell slots for metamagicked spells? Details, please!

 

[green slime]

On the other hand, i think when you go only to level 22, the problems with the 3.5 epic rules will not get big enough for you to bother about them. Let them gain an epic feat or two, and revel in the power. Let the caster gain access to 10th level spell slots, or perhaps even an epic spell or two. Think of them as capstone abillities turned to 11. I think it's great for a campaign capstone.

I agree whole heartedily. There isn't a great deal of foolishness that can start to happen in the early Epic levels. It isn't until 25+ that it all starts falling apart.

 

[Shin Okada]

On the other hand, i think when you go only to level 22, the problems with the 3.5 epic rules will not get big enough for you to bother about them. Let them gain an epic feat or two, and revel in the power. Let the caster gain access to 10th level spell slots, or perhaps even an epic spell or two. Think of them as capstone abillities turned to 11. I think it's great for a campaign capstone.

Hmm. Guess you are right about this. Maybe our play group can do well only with DMG contents (and some feats shown in Draconomicon and such) and epic feats regarding epic level. Then, all the "house rule" I have to use is Epic level Duskblade progression.