Fractional BAB question

[XCorvis]

Does anyone know who first came up with the Fractional BAB/Save system for multiclassing characters? And is it OGL or public domain? Any info would be great.

To refresh your memory, the Fractional BAB system divides your BAB/save advancement by the number of levels you have in the class, which is then added to the results for your other classes (in fractional form), then rounded down. The result means you don't have horribly skewed BABs and saves after taking certain combos of classes. I can give a writeup if people want it...

 

[Happiest_Sadist]

I worked it out and suggested it about 6-8 months ago, however I have no clue if I was the first (although I hadn;t seen it before.) If it turns out I was first, I'll let anyone use it for any purpose.

 

[XCorvis]

Thanks for the info. I'd like to write it up and put it in a free OGL publication. I think it's a great idea.

 

[Archibald Theocliste]

* Removing the dust from some long forgotten grey cells *

Ok, I am not 100% sure about that, but it seems to me that the first time I heard about a fractionnal BAB system was from Monte Cook. Apparently it was suposed to be the system to use for 3rd Ed. BAB but was removed in order to keep it more simple.

Basically the BAB was +1/level for combattants +0.75/level for intermediates and +0.5/level for non-combattants. I suppose if you have a lot of courage you may find an old tread about it on the montecook.com messageboard.

No idea about the fractionnal saves thought.

 

[SeRiAlExPeRiMeNtS]

I´ve always done this way, for example a fighter 4/wizard 5/ rogue 5 will have bab 4 + 2.5 + 3.75 = 8.25 rounded to 8.

For the saves I make the same thing ( the good will save is 2 + 0.5 x Level) but I only sum the +2 once like: Fighter 5/Cle 5
Fortitude 2 + 5 x 0.5 + 5 x 0.5 = 7, Reflexes 5/3 + 5/3 = 3.33 = 3) and will 2 + 5 x 0.5 + 5/3 = 6.166 = 6).

This keeps the multiclass chraracters from having very good saves and bad BABs.

 

[comrade raoul]

fractional saves

[edit: What SeRiAlExPeRiMeNtS said. I'm not quick enough with the post, I guess.]

I like the system we use for fractional saves because it makes multiclassing more sensible with regard to saving throws -- a level in a class with a bad save progression will always improve your saves a little bit (though usually not enough to increase your bonus) and you cannot repeatedly multiclass to take advantage of the +2 at 1st level more than once.

It's a little complex, though. One starts by noting whether each class has a "good" or "bad" save progression. These should be pretty obvious -- bards, say, have a bad fortitude progression but a good reflex and will progression.

Then, you determine your saves by following the four steps below, going through the sequence separately for each saving throw.

1) If you have any levels in a class with good saves, add +2. If you have levels in multiple such classes, only add +2 once.

2) Add 1/2 for each level in a class with a good save progression.

3) Add 1/3 for each level in a class with a bad save progression.

4) Round down any remaining fractions to the lower whole number.

So, for example, a fighter 1/rogue 1/barbarian 1 has the following saves: Fort +3, Reflex +3, Will +1. Under the PH rules, of course, she would have Fort +4, Reflex +2, Will +0.

 

[Grommilus]

no idea where they came from, but fraction bab and saves came outa my head the day I read multiclassing, which was the day the PH shipped, never posted it to the net tho.
don't mean to brag or anything, just 3 years of college math does that to ya =)


Grom

 

[Bob5th]

I´ve always done this way, for example a fighter 4/wizard 5/ rogue 5 will have bab 4 + 2.5 + 3.75 = 8.25 rounded to 8.

Last time I checked 4 + 2.5 + 3.75 = 10.25

 

[XCorvis]

I'll try to follow up on the Monte Cook info, but I wouldn't be suprised if it was thought of by several different people independantly.

Thanks all!