Generalized Favored Class

[HoboGod]

I ditched favored classes a while ago, but there was another idea that was equally as useful on the table at the time.
Consider making four generalized categories for favored classes. "Skill Monkey", "Arcane", "Divine", and "Fighter".
Half Orcs become "Fighter", which includes any class that is a warrior theme that is not a full Arcane or Divine caster.
Halflings become "Skill Monkey", which includes any class with 6 or more base skill points/level that is not a full Arcane or Divine caster.

Sounds like what I'm saying, but with no restriction to the number of favored classes within each category. It sounds good, too, but it's really just one step away from just throwing out favored class and experience penalties altogether, which I wouldn't be apposed to (in fact, I'd LOVE to do that,) but there are those people that genuinely like it.

 

[Sekhmet]

Exactly my point, [MENTION=90920]HoboGod[/MENTION]. It doesn't necessarily punish a person for wanting to play an interesting race, but it does give them more freedom when doing so. Offering more options to players is always* a better way of doing things.
It also doesn't get rid of them altogether, because some people like those sorts of things. Half Orcs ARE typically fighters, they're bred for combat, they're big and brutish. They probably shouldn't be Wizards and Rogues, as it is completely alien to their society. It makes sense.


*not always

 

[Samloyal23]

I've been playing D&D since 1E, I've seen a lot of changes. I think demihumans need to have an emphasis, a slightly higher level of specialisation that a Human, to give them a distinct flavour and role. Pushing certain classes helps do that. But it should not be straight-jacket. Adding cultural feats to modify race both adds a mechanic for increasing your options and helps add depth and definition to the culture the character comes from. I suggest you try it out in your campaign before throwing the baby out with the bath water...