Followers

[Hardhead]

In 3.5, you get "regular" classes as your followers, not NPC classes. But, would it be unbalanced to allow a player to trade out normal classed followers for followers with NPC classes on a 2-for-1 ratio? For instance, instead of thirty 1st level fighters, get sixty 1st level warriors/experts/whatever?

 

[Tonguez]

Set up an encounter where 60 lv1 Warriors are up against 30 lv1 fighters and see what the result is - that will tell you if its balanced. Gut reaction - its Unbalanced maybe a ratio of 1 to 1.5 (ie 30 fighters = 45 Warriors but even then...)

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

In 3.5, you get "regular" classes as your followers, not NPC classes.

Slightly OT, but where does it say this? I can't seem to find it, and I have a player who would be really chuffed to find this out and upgrade his level 1 warriors to level 1 fighters.

 

[Hardhead]

In 3.0 it specifically says the followers are Experts, Warriors, or Commoners. In 3.5, there is no such clause, though it doesn't specifically say you can have standard class followers. Honestly, either way, they're going to be useless on an adventure.

 

[Hardhead]

In 3.0 it specifically says the followers are Experts, Warriors, or Commoners. In 3.5, there is no such clause, though it doesn't specifically say you can have standard class followers. Honestly, either way, they're going to be useless on an adventure.

bump. Hoping for a few more opinions.

 

[Xagunder MacFaileas]

I don't think giving double the number of followers is the answer. Instead, go with regular equivalent levels (so, 10 1st level fighters or 10 2nd level warriors).

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

I might also reccomend using a multiplier of 1.5 instead of 2- many smaller opponents are harder to fight than one big one.

 

[Felix]

This has come up before and I replied to it quoting that followers with PC classes have a kind of level adjustment... like a 1st level Fighter would be treated as a 3rd level follower... but I forget the reference... I'll be on the lookout for it.

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

That's true in 3rd edition, and the Epic Level Handbook. After I saw this thread I wrote wizards of the coast.

The e-mail:

In 3rd edition, the Leadership feat specified followers as Warriors, experts, or Commoners. In the 3.5 DMG, it does not specify what class they belong to. Can followers now be PC classes? I have a player who would be very happy to upgrade his level 1 Warriors to level 1 Fighters or Rangers.

The response:

The 3.5 Player's Handbook doesn't specify what classes the cohorts and followers must be. Furthermore, the 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide goes on to say that they can be of any class, race, or gender. Ultimately this is up to the DM, so since the rules don't say that you can't upgrade your warriors to fighters, your DM may put some restrictions on this.

 

[Felix]

That's right... it was the ELH. While those penalties were harsh, I kinda agree with them... followers shouldn't be warriors, but rather the people to clean up after you, your guards, and your accountants. NPCs who are important enough to rate a PC class wouldn't be doing that IMC, not without the level hit, anyway...

By the way, I like how the folks at Wizards noted that you are allowed followers of any gender... har har. Could you imagine WotC putting something in writing that goes: You can have followers of any race or class, but you can't recruit MALES!!!!!!!!! Heh heh.