Feat-like Abilities

[Stormonu]

Just something that popped in my head while I was thinking about skill DCs and the (horrible) skill tricks from Complete Scoundrel.

I was considering a system where having a specific number of skill ranks would qualify you for a "feat-like" ability - that your mastery of a given skill gave you a special use of an ability that is probably too weak to take up a feat slot, but really shouldn't be something that requires a skill check every time it is used. The best example I can think of is the old "Kip-up", also known as Instant Stand.

I don't have anything concrete yet, but I'm generally thinking it would be something that kicks in when you have 6 skill points (6th level), and to have something for each skill, of course. Any ideas towers this end, or it's implementation, I'd appreciate.

Some ideas, off the top of my head (assuming 6 ranks)

Acrobatics - Instant stand; you can stand from prone while unencumbered as a swift action

Appraise - Bargainhunter; you gain a 10% discount on the purchase price of mundane items

Bluff - Silvertongued; once a day you can affect another individual as if you cast a charm person spell, with a DC of 13 + Chr modifier. This effect lasts for 1 minute per rank of Bluff you possess.

Climb - Scramble; you can climb at 1/2 speed instead of 1/4 speed at no penalty

Craft - Master Craftsman; you can make items in 1/2 the normal timescale

Diplomacy - Compromise; the first time you fail a diplomacy check in a scene, you can reroll the result.

Disable Device - Sabotage; once day when you successfully rig a device to fail, you can make it so that the next person who interacts with the device takes 1/2d6 damage per rank of disable device you possess as the item spectacullary fails.

(I'll do more if this topic proves to be interesting to others)

 

[kitsune9]

Sounds interesting, but also sounds like a lot of work unless you're developing all brand-new abilities instead of examining each feat and seeing if it's weak enough that it's an ability instead of a feat.

 

[El Mahdi]

I like em'. I don't see anything there that would break or unbalance anything except for a minor consideration with Instant Stand. It's fine as long as it still triggers an AoO (as per the Stand Up Move Action). Otherwise, in order to negate the AoO, you should probably make Instant Stand something one has to spend a Feat to aquire.

 

[GlassEye]

I've always liked the idea of an advanced skill use such as this beyond just having high DC actions. I also wouldn't mind seeing if combination skill uses would be feasible; i.e. six ranks in two skills provide a different feat-like ability.

 

[Tovec]

I hate to go against the group but it doesn't really feel like these feats are necessary. They're kind of an example of what I disliked about the Complete Scoundrel when it came out too.

The abilities are basically what can be accomplished with the skill itself but for free or without a roll. Granted its a little more specified such as Bluff being able to charm someone but that's beyond the typical scope of a feat anyway (being able to perform a spell-effect). They aren't bad as feats go and if you find use then all the better. They just seem a little redundant to me.