How would you balance the Aristocrat with PC classes at 1st level?

[Green Knight]

I'll be playing one (Just for a level before I multiclass) but I can't help but feel as if I'm getting the short end of the stick, here. So any way I can balance the class? Just for 1st-level, mind you. I don't plan sticking with it.

At this point, I've considered starting at 500 XP. Being half the CR of a PC class at 1st-level (1/2 rather than 1) I figured it'd be fair if the Aristocrat also required half the XP to reach the next level. So does that sound alright? Got better ideas? Whatever the case, I'd like to hear your opinions. (Note: This character is in Forgotten Realms)

 

[Happiest_Sadist]

Free Cosmopolitan feat and/or Skill Focus.

 

[Spatzimaus]

Actually, I use it as is. I play a multiclass Aristocrat/Psion(Shaper); the Aristocrat has a nice skill list at 4+INT, all weapons and all armor; no other class has all three of those.

 

[Corwin]

I wouldn't. It's fine. Plain and simple.

It's not a bad class. Especially as a 1st level starting class.

(Also... don't forget the money!)

 

[Tony Vargas]

Keep in mind that starting as an Aristocrat gives you hereditary social position - something that no other class gives you - that's pretty unique, and worth putting up with a slight hit in power.

It also has a unique combination of good skills, skill points, and weapon & armor proficiences. If you're planning to go Aristocrat/Fighter, the high WILL save is nice little plus, too.

One reasonable way to give an Aristocrat a power-boost that would be in keeping with the nature of his class might be to give a lot more starting money to spend on specific sorts of mundane items (so he can start with stuff like full armor and a warhorse, if a 'knight,' for insatnce) or with a single hereditary hierloom magic-item (which he may or may not be able to keep for very long). That would be a definite help at 1st level, but would have little impact later on.

Now, if someone were to want to stick with Aristocrat through multiple levels, some beefing up would definitely be in order. An income might help. Or bonus feats to put towards things like Leadership.

 

[Ratama]

Free Cosmopolitan feat at first level would do fine, for just one level of the class.

You folks should bear in mind that not every noble has even one level of Aristocrat; the nobility benefits of that NPC class are often given to other classes.

The Aristocrat needs a lot to be a balanced PC class.

 

[Tonguez]

+2 bonus to all Cha based skills (they know how to be commanding and eloquent etc)

Increase income (+d10x10 gp per level)

 

[mmadsen]

Take a look at the Star Wars Noble class -- 1d6 Hit Dice, 6 Skill Points/Level, choose one otherwise cross-class skill as a class skill (i.e. Cosmopolitan Feat), Favors, Inspire Confidence, Resource Access, Coordinate, Inspire Greatness, etc.

 

[Saeviomagy]

For just one level, you're already getting a fair bit - compare with a fighter for example. You're getting more skill points, a far,far better skill list and more cash in exchange for 1BAB, 2hps and a feat. Suck it up - you're doing this for the sake of RP, right?

 

[Spatzimaus]

If you wanted to make Aristocrat a 20-level class for someone, you could try giving them a few extra abilities, but nothing magical. So you could give them Leadership, for example, or a steady source of income (treat as a free Profession check with a bonus equal to your class level?).

The big thing I've done, though, is that an Aristocrat has connections. If the players ask "is there anywhere here that we can buy/sell X?" the answer for an Aristocrat is always YES. Only apply these in areas where the person would logically have connections, though.

A bad guy I've used for a campaign is best described in 3E as a level 15 Aristocrat. Sure, that gives him a BAB of +11 and a nice pool of HP, but he doesn't fight. He's not even evil, really, just Chaotic Neutral with an agenda. He gets other people to do that for him; he's basically untouchable by the law due to his influence, and if the players try to do some vigilante justice they find that the local law enforcement is against them, too (which any lawful and/or good players would have a problem with).