Inherent Bonuses: +level to-hit and defenses?

[elbkhm]

I've been working on a house rule, and I wanted to get some input from other player's. I really like the inherent bonus system, and the way that it takes the pressure off the DM to manage the player's magic item bonuses, continual upgrades, de-mystifying magic items, etc.

But I sort of feel that there must be a good way to combine it with all the other awful math stuff to get a better, more straightforward system. Ideally, I'd like to see all characters get +1 to-hit and +1 to all defenses every level (instead of every second level).

The way I see it, if we take out enhancement bonuses from magic items, expertise feats, masterwork armor, and (the big one) ability score increases, we can almost get there.

For instance, at level 30, scaling bonuses to-hit include:
+15 level
+6 enhancement
+4 stat increases from level (+8 to primary stat, +4 bonus to hit)
+3 expertise feat
----
+28

Versus
+30 for level

It works out similarly for AC and non-AC defences. Has anyone tried running a similar system? What else can I do to make up the last couple points I'm missing? Any suggestions on what to do with power riders that use secondary stats?

 

[keterys]

You only get +29 from increasing in level if you exclude 1st.

You also get an extra +2 to a relevant stat at 21st from most epic destinies, a potential +1 from many paragon paths, a potential +1 from some classes, superior implements... and there are _tons_ of sources of item and untype bonuses to defenses.

Just take out all the extra bonuses, give out +1 per level to attack and defense, and you're good to go.

 

[OnlineDM]

Well, note that if you do +1 per level, you'll actually get +29 over the course of your career (you start at 1, so the first +1 is at level 2). Which means that basically PCs already get +1 per level. If you're +6 to hit at level 1, you're probably +34 to hit at level 30; under your proposal, you'd be +35 to hit. Not a big difference.

Note that monsters already get +1 to hit and +1 to all defenses per level.

Personally, I'm all for it in the abstract, though I know that players like the thrill of going from a +2 weapon to a +3, or the excitement when their primary ability score hits a new even number and their attack bonus goes up. But I'm guessing players could learn to live without that.

 

[keterys]

Now we just need a way to get level to damage instead of the ridiculously hodgepodge way we get it now.

 

[Rechan]

I've tried to completely rejigger the attack/damage/defenses bonuses to fit with my houserules completely. Sadly my excel file is across the country right now.

It's not the +1 per level you want. But then, my method is pretty extreme too - I found a way to remove ability scores from the equation.

I've not had the opportunity to implement it yet though.

 

[keterys]

Anecdotally, my level 24 fighter is +34 attack, and almost always has combat advantage. If I were a Kensei I'd be +35.

 

[elbkhm]

+1/level is really the holy grail as far as I'm concerned. Sure, there are other, ways to make it work, but nothing as elegant.

Let's take a more detailed look at it.

Scaling AC come from:
+15 from level
+6 from enhancement
+6 from Masterwork and/or Stat Growth
-------
+27

Scaling Non-AC:
+15 Level
+6 enhancement
+3 feat
+4 stat growth (ideal)
---------
+28

All pretty close. If we did +1 per level gained, we'd be comparing to +29, which might be good enough to run with. Especially if we include the demigod bonuses, puts us right on target.

For damage, I was thinking:
Level 30
+4 from stat increase
+6 from magic items
----
+10

If we allow Weapon Focus, then that gives us +10 taken out. Compensate by giving +1 dmg/3 levels? Not quite as elegant, but not awful.

Thoughts?

 

[Rechan]

Compensate by giving +1 dmg/3 levels? Not quite as elegant, but not awful.

I like that.

 

[keterys]

PCs can currently get to damage...
+3 Feat
+4-5 Stat
+6 Enhancement
+6 Item
+5 Dragonshard
+Other (Fiddly, like Vanguard, Horned Helm, Kensei, Pitfighter, etc)

 

[Spatula]

It works out similarly for AC and non-AC defences. Has anyone tried running a similar system? What else can I do to make up the last couple points I'm missing? Any suggestions on what to do with power riders that use secondary stats?

I haven't tried it, but it's been my wish to play 4e like that. I would also add in +level or +1/2 level to damage, which should make combats go much faster.

The lack of progress on power riders is the one glaring weakness, I think. You could give +1 at the levels where you would normally get them, given a point-buy system (8th, 14th, 21st, 21st again for ED, 30th), or spread them out more... 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 30th, for example.