House rules for non-class-based D&D
- Thread starter -PaZuZu-
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Terath Ninir
Yog Sothoth loves you
Not yet. My basic idea would make characters that are stronger than core characters but weaker than gestalt characters (from Unearthed Arcana).
Each character would get 3 starting feats and a feat a level. (Why? Feats are fun!) Each character would get 3 "talents" (class abilities -- each level of spellcasting would be a talent, so a full spellcaster would use 10 talents for their spellcasting abilities) and a talent a level.
Obviously, I have a lot of work to go before that's viable. If you look at druids, for one, they get a heck of a lot more class abilities than that -- but I have never heard anyone say they're overpowered. The opposite, really. So I have to deal with balance issues before it will be even vaguely playable. But you might get something out of the idea.
Each character would get 3 starting feats and a feat a level. (Why? Feats are fun!) Each character would get 3 "talents" (class abilities -- each level of spellcasting would be a talent, so a full spellcaster would use 10 talents for their spellcasting abilities) and a talent a level.
Obviously, I have a lot of work to go before that's viable. If you look at druids, for one, they get a heck of a lot more class abilities than that -- but I have never heard anyone say they're overpowered. The opposite, really. So I have to deal with balance issues before it will be even vaguely playable. But you might get something out of the idea.
Ask DrSpunj
Yes. You're looking for this thread: Dr. Spunj's Class Balance Spreadsheet. The good doctor has come up with a decomposition of all of the 'components' of a class based on the assumption that 'the core classes are balanced'. Along the way, he disproved that assumption, developed a great tool for any DM to evaluate non-core classes and prestige classes power-level relative to the rest of the game, and has taken it the extra step: two games are being run using his work as the basis for a 'classless' D&D system, and there's some great feedback from players and DM's in that thread.
Enjoy.
Yes. You're looking for this thread: Dr. Spunj's Class Balance Spreadsheet. The good doctor has come up with a decomposition of all of the 'components' of a class based on the assumption that 'the core classes are balanced'. Along the way, he disproved that assumption, developed a great tool for any DM to evaluate non-core classes and prestige classes power-level relative to the rest of the game, and has taken it the extra step: two games are being run using his work as the basis for a 'classless' D&D system, and there's some great feedback from players and DM's in that thread.
Enjoy.
Last edited:
doghead
thotd
I haven't seen Dr Spunj's spreadsheet (I can't open the file), but built a very simplified version based off a summary of it. I'm currently running a pbp game using it here, and the players seemed to be pleased enough with the results.
The characters fall between PC and NPC in terms of 'power'. You can't get everything a PC has class has in terms of the number feats and abilities, but you can get what you want.
After using it, I now find the class system a bit of a pain.
The characters fall between PC and NPC in terms of 'power'. You can't get everything a PC has class has in terms of the number feats and abilities, but you can get what you want.
After using it, I now find the class system a bit of a pain.
