Making class skills more flexible

[Gnome]

Does anyone have any houserules for making class skill lists less rigid? I'm thinking a way to do this would be to shrink the skill lists of each class to only "core" skills, e.g. heal for a cleric, and then letting the player select a certain number of skills to round-out the list themselves. the total number of skills would still equal the original number of class skills for that particular class. Maybe allow humans to pick one more than other races to go along with their one extra skill point/level as well.

I just think that the class skill lists are too rigid, and it makes sense that characters with different backgrounds would have skills that wouldn't necissarily fit their chosen class skill list.

Also, can anyone think of how allowing this level of flexibility could lead to abuse?

 

[JimAde]

Another option is to either just give everyone an additional skill or two of their choosing on their list, or use something like the d20 Modern occupations, which give you class skills based on your upbringing. In either case, you don't actually give more skill points so it's not really unbalancing.

The only problem with it (if you consider it a problem) is that it steps on the toes of some classes. If you allow Tumble as a class skill for a Fighter, for example, it makes the melee rogue or monk less unique. However, IMO, it's not a big deal.

I think the most "sensitive" skills for this are probably Tumble, Use Magic Device and maybe the Search/Open Lock/Disable Device set.

 

[Gnome]

Btw, I meant to post this to House Rules. Sorry about that!

 

[Shin Okada]

Basically, class skill list is a part of game balance. "Importance" of skills are not even. In addition to the skills JimAde wrote, Listen and Spot are very important skills, and some classes are considered to be better with those skills in the class-skill list.

Also, by allowing to choose class skills, you may break the structure of prestige class prerequisites.

 

[isoChron]

Not sure if this belongs into House Rules-Forum ....

We made every skill class skill for any class/PrC with one exception: languages still cost 2 points if it wasn't on your class skill list as given in the books. We play it this way in two groups a long time and it hasn't been abused. The limiting factor is still the lack of skillpoints for the non-rogueish classes. And you can't tumble in any armor heavier than light.

It made it easier to calculate ranks and max. ranks and it didn't pale the rogue or bard.
For prerequisites for PrC we don't care much. If the prereq. are skill-heavy they hurt nonetheless for fighter types.

Edit: I'm a slow poster. Forget the first sentence

 

[Baronovan]

Allowing a little flexibility in the class skill lists might be good, as it would open up more PrC options for Fighters and Sorcerers (who typically suffer the most for not optimizing their Int) into good PrCs. It's very difficult to have a strict Fighter/Kensai unless you crossclass a lot and have a high Int...

 

[Crothian]

Let characters swap skills for skills, but make them have it make sense to the DM.

 

[The_Warlock]

Instead of changing the skill lists overmuch (though I did mix some skills up - like giving wizards Decipher Script and Sorcerers Use Magic Device), I instead combined several skills - Listen and Spot to Awareness, Hide and Move Silently to Sneak, Climb, Jump and Swim to Athletics, Balance and Tumble to Acrobatics, Use Magic Device and Use Psionic Device to Use Supernatural Device, so that the skills were broader in scope, as it is fantasy anyway, and I didn't need excessive division between skills. It's still limited by max ranks, but the combo skills often mean there are a few skill points left over for cross class skills regardless of class.

 

[Terath Ninir]

If you allow this, you break the class structure of D&D. For me, though, that can only be a good thing. I've been playing more than 20 years; I don't care to play another "standard" character ever again. I will bend the rules to my will and create the characters *I* want, not the ones that the rules are designed for. So a Fighter with Tumble steps on the rogue's toes? Tough nookies for the rogue!

And always remember: if the change you make on base classes makes it too easy to get into a prestige class, either change the prestige class or dump it! Never let optional rules affect what you do with the core rules. The core rules are more important. If changes cause fallout with the optional rules, so be it.

 

[Jondor_Battlehammer]

In my current world, I wanted very skill oriented PCs. I gave everyone +2 skill points per level, all skills are a point per rank, and CC skills go up to your level. My way of thinking is that if you choose to specialize in a class skill, you will still end up the equivalent of a feat (Skill Focus) ahead of anyone else.