D&D 4E Languages and 4E

[Mr. Wilson]

One of the main gripes my players have is the way languages are handled in 4E (it actually might be the single largest gripe they have right now).

Truth be told, I agree with them. A feat for 3 languages was borderline iffy when only the PH1 was around, but with all the additional supplements, feats are treasured more and more. It no longer is an acceptable tradeoff to take the feat at least until late Paragon, IMHO.

Also note that 3 out of 5 players are Warforged, which compounds the problem even more (being that they speak only Common to start with).

Obviously, magic rituals can be used to get around this problem, but that doesn't really satisfy either my players or myself, given cast times, etc.

So, I'm thinking about using the 3.X version of languages known. You know Common, your racial language, then bonus languages equal to starting INT modifier when you create a character. I'll leave the Feat available for those who really want to be a polyglut.

Anyone else have a different idea for this problem?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Good rule.

I would also consider this the right approach...

Maybe not starting with those extra languages, but allowing the characters to pick up an amount of extra languages equal to the int modifier...

 

[ninefold_one]

I use this rule in my campaign and it's incredibly important to do so. I've split the humans into three different racial archetypes each with their own language. This was done so that there is less homogenization in my campaign. So if a mandurian enters daremian lands he shouldn't immediately be able to speak the languages unless his intelligence allows for him to pick it up as a bonus language.

 

[marli]

in my sytem each language you would normally gains gains you 2 points
languages can be learned as basic(1 point) or fluent(2 points)
but you must pay basic for the lanaguages you would normally have.
so a warforged could gain fluent common or basic common and 1 other basic language
"I done haves thinking and it is...how you say...doggies meatballs"
oh and you roll -2 on check using a basic language.

also you cant go fluent on another lanaguage until you are fluent on one of your defaults.

 

[Camelot]

I let players who pick the Linguist feat gain a +2 bonus to skill checks made when dealing with other creatures in their native language. It makes it a worthwhile feat.

 

[SkullThrone]

lots of good ideas here...I allow characters to spend extra xp for bonus feats. There's combat feat on Role playing Feats (non-combat feats)...this allows characters to delay other benefits in order be gain Feats, which alleviates the fact that Feats are so treasured, especially the RP ones...their are so many good combat feats that its way too tempting for players to go that route, so without allowing non-combat feats to be learned on another scale there is no way any player would pick them.