Free-Form Level Bonus: too free-form?

[AdamBank]

This is a house rule I plan on using in Call of Cthulhu d20, in place of the offensive/defensive packages, and I would greatly appreciate any input on its potential application in d20 or D&D in general:

For each character level (including 1st*), pick one of the following level bonus choices:

• 
  [1]Increase your Base Attack Bonus by +1;
  [2]Increase your defense bonus (ups your AC) by +1; or
  [3]Incease any two of your saving throws by +1**

*Before picking your level bonus for first level, your BAB, defense bonus, and all saving throws are effectively +0

**At first level (and only on first level), if you choose increasing saving throws as your level bonus, you may opt to increase one saving throw by +2.

Would a free-form progression scheme like this work for (some or any) D&D classes?

Thanks!

Adam

 

[Anubis]

That would never work.

In order to get such an idea to work, you'd have to create a points system.

Perhaps so many points per level, and BAB, saves, AC, and class features all cost certain number of points.

 

[AdamBank]

That would never work.

In order to get such an idea to work, you'd have to create a points system.

Would you explain why?

 

[Yair]

I assume you intend to implement it (in D&D games) in addition to the standard class special abilities. Assuming you see those three options as balanced, I believe it can be workable if you consider the "hidden" class benefits within the statistics, and add them on. For example, the monk should receive another +1 to saving throws each level (i.e. at first level, he gains an "add class level to all saving throws as a Monk bonus" special ability) to represent his THREE good saving throws progression. I am sure that there would be plenty of others hidden in there.
I am not certain what the special mechanic at first level accomplishes; it just punishes characters that do not choose it at 1st level. Perhpas change it to "+2 the first time this option is taken"?
The system you suggest will make warriors significantly weaker. In order to progress at +1 BAB/level, you would need to never increase your saving throws! I suggest allowing two options (perhaps adding more), or allowing warriors a +1 BAB/other level as a class ability.
In short, it could be worked, but only by changing the classes to compensate. I don't quite see the benefit.
Even if perfected, I believe it will create more one-shtick characters, who are less well-rounded and stray from the typical archtypes. While I suppose you may consider it an advantage, I believe such characters will be unbalanced in that they would too easily fall to certain kinds of situations, making actual play with them more hazardous, harder to balance for the DM, and in this way ultimately less fun.
Personally, I also prefer the strong archtypes for a D&D game. When I play Ars Magica, I use a skill-based free-form character. When I play D&D, I want to play a D&D character. I realize that YMMV.

 

[AdamBank]

Originally posted by Yair I assume you intend to implement it (in D&D games) in addition to the standard class special abilities.

That's a possibility I was thinking of, yes. Another possibility was just using this free-form progression for the Expert class for a low-key "everyman hero with options."

Assuming you see those three options as balanced...

And that's the big assumption. I think switching out BAB for a defense bonus has some fun possibilities. BESM d20 has it as an option for fighters, I believe. I am less certain about the saving throw swap-out, however. In a "survival-horror" game like CoC, saving throws can be even more important that BAB.

...I believe it can be workable if you consider the "hidden" class benefits within the statistics, and add them on ... <<snip some good info about monks>> ... The system you suggest will make warriors significantly weaker. In order to progress at +1 BAB/level, you would need to never increase your saving throws!

If I were to experiment with free-form progression across the board in D&D, it would probably be an add-on to a fixed progression (which would need to be reworked for each class, ug). For example, a the fighter BAB progression could drop to +1 every 3 levels, and the fighter could start with a +2 Fort save (that goes nowhere fast), plus the free-form level bonus.

This would result, however, in an illusion of choice rather than a true free-form development. Hm.

I am not certain what the special mechanic at first level accomplishes; it just punishes characters that do not choose it at 1st level. Perhpas change it to "+2 the first time this option is taken"?

It was intended to reflect the fact that some save throw progressions start at +2 instead of +1. I like your idea better.

In short, it could be worked, but only by changing the classes to compensate. I don't quite see the benefit. <<snip more good stuff>>

Very good points. I must ponder. *ponder* *ponder*

Personally, I also prefer the strong archtypes for a D&D game.

True; strong archetypes are a key aspect of D&D stories.

When I play Ars Magica, I use a skill-based free-form character.

I wonder why you mentioned Ars Magica?

Thanks for the great input!

Adam

 

[Yair]

I wonder why you mentioned Ars Magica?

Thanks for the great input!

Adam

I was wondering if it was really you...
No problem, and thanks for The Mysteries, hands down the best purchase I ever made.