How do you handle the Leadership feat?

[Storm Raven]

It depends on whether or not you are using the 3.0 or 3.5 rules. The original poster seems to be using the 3.0 rules (from subsequent posts). We've really got to start specifiying which ruleset is being used, changes the answers drastically.

In 3.0 followers had to be NPC classes (warriors, experts or commoners) this restriction is not included in the 3.5 rules.

I use the 3.5 rule set, but carried forward the 3.0 limitation that followers must be NPC classes, even though that is not made explicit in the 3.5 rules.

 

[Storyteller01]

... but carried forward the 3.0 limitation that followers must be NPC classes, even though that is not made explicit in the 3.5 rules.

I agree with this one, since every class is covered by a less powerful NPC class (FFG has the Thug, complete with a modified Sneak Attack progression).

We had to vary the feat for a player. He took the feat for the cohort (he was a sorcerer in need of a fighter body guard). He wqsn't interested in the folloowers, but I didn't want to waste them. Given his rep and breth of travel, we ruled that if he needed supplies of some kind, he could roll a chance to see if he has a follower there (I forget how we made the roll).

If he succeeded, there would be a follower (starting at the highest level) in town with a place to stay and supplies. He recorded where he found the follower and we made up stats on the fly. He couldn't roll when he reached his maximum of followers. After a while, he had a vast intelligence web/supply line that grew as he gained in level. His highest level follower (an expert) handled the logistics.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Frankly - your followers are going to be so weak that they'll be no good in combat anyway.

Limiting them to only NPC classes causes a lot of problems (ie - you can't use it to simulate authority in a church, thieves guild, mages guild etc).

Just let them have the PC classes. I mean really - what problems is it going to cause?

 

[Storyteller01]

Frankly - your followers are going to be so weak that they'll be no good in combat anyway.

Limiting them to only NPC classes causes a lot of problems (ie - you can't use it to simulate authority in a church, thieves guild, mages guild etc).

Just let them have the PC classes. I mean really - what problems is it going to cause?

Depends on how you run your campaign.

IMC, not every priest is a cleric, and not every thief is a rogue. Magic users aren't exactly the follower type to begin with. Especially socerers or bards, whose CHA may one day exceed your own.

PC classes, like high ability scores, are the perview of exceptional people.

YMMV