Fractional Saves/BAB

[Kannik]

I seem to remember an optional rule in a book somewhere that talked about fractional Saves and BAB -- or at least a chart basically exposing/extrapolating the values at each level from the appropriate formula. There may have been a rule with it that talked about using those charts when adding Saves/BAB together when multiclassing, so one isn't penalized quite so heavily.

Am I on something, or was there ever something like this? If so, has anyone used it, and thoughts/experiences?

Kannik

 

[FireLance]

That would be one if the variant rules in the 3.5e Unearthed Arcana. I haven't used the system but it seems fine to me. The main effect is to smooth the BAB and save progression for multi-class characters. The worst that could happen is that PCs qualify for prestige classes or get an extra +1 to hit or to saves a level or two early.

 

[Darklone]

Some people here mentioned it as the most common houserule.... Never used it by myself. The existing system works rather fine for me.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

We didn`t use it so far, but it is definitely a fix for a small problem with multiclassing: Incredible high Saving Throws and/or weak attack bonus due to multiclassing.
If you play a Rogue1/Monk1/Cleric1, you would have a BAB of 0, but base saving throws of 4.
If you play a Ranger1/Fighter1/Barbarian1, you would have a base Fortitude save of 6, but a a Will save of 0.
When using fractionals, the first character would have a BAB of 2, but saving throws of 3, while thhe second character would have a Fortitude save of 3 and a Will save of 1.

 

[Gez]

I used this house-rule nearly immediately after starting playing D&D 3. Not a surprise they put it in Arcana Unearthed, but I haven't waited for them.

 

[Kannik]

Ahhh... there it is, hiding in a sidebar at the, uh, bottom of the page.

Though, this doesn't really fix the problem of very high saves when adding up 2 good saves, hmm. An idea springs to mind.

Good = 3
Mid = 2 (from SW:d20)
Poor = 1

Saves are based on character level. To determine which progression to use, add the points per type of progression per class, then divide by the number of classes, rounding off. This way, you aren't artificially and weirdly adding up to insane saves in one area while being totally pathetic in another.

Ie, Good plus Poor = (3+1) / 2 = 2 or usng a Mid progression. If you took another Good you'd be in (3+3+1)/3 = 2.66 or Good progression.

Hmm, house rule thread time? }

Kannik

 

[DemonAtheist]

my house rule is fractional saves and BAB, with the additional rule that you only get the +2 save bonus at first level. Works out fine

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Although the part of me that likes elegant, consistent numbers is a fan of the fractional saves/BAB rule -- and it's a big part -- the part of me that says "no harm, no foul" has won so far. (Aided substantially by the part of me that doesn't relish trying to explain the rule -- every single freakin' time they advance a level -- to my math-challenged players.)

Yes, multi-classed characters get better saves and worse BAB, but that translates into better defense as a trade for worse offense. And I'm okay with that, especially as a DM. It fits my feeling of multi-class characters being more versatile and adaptable.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

Though, this doesn't really fix the problem of very high saves when adding up 2 good saves, hmm.

It's simpler to just not allow the initial +2 bonuses from good saves in two or more classes to stack, and it doesn't require the addition of the "kinda good" save schedule to institute.