Minor Fighter/Paladin House Rule

[Xeviat]

Hi everyone. What do you think about this minor house rule for Fighters and Paladins: at first level, you can give up your heavy armor proficiency for proficiency in 1 skill.

I'm a big fan of Dex build characters, and my next character planned is a swashbuckling Paladin. I'm sorely tempted to start Rogue 3 and then go into Paladin, which would get me more skills and no heavy armor proficiency. But, if it were balanced to swap Heavy Armor for a skill, I could consider staying full Paladin; the mobile feat could stand in for Cunning Action.

If Heavy Armor were more of a choice, I think more build options could present themselves. This would be a straight up buff to Dex builds, though, who probably don't need the buffing. But I think it might be nice to have more variety.

What are your thoughts?


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[Satyrn]

I'd say it's not needed.

I'm playing a gnome battlemaster who doesn't use Heavy armor and I really don't need to be compensated for it.

No, not just that. I'm using medium armor, the worst armor in the game apparently, and still I really don't need to be compensated for it.

 

[ccs]

I don't see any problem with that, but I also don't see any real need to make it a specific rule. Just talk to your DM....

I also don't see much reason to worry about skills in this edition. Afterall you can use any skill perfectly fine. The only thing proficiency gives you is a bigger bonus on the dice role.
So if I were making this character I'd pick skills/feats that kept my theme & not worry about trading away my option for heavy armor. Not just for a few more +s on a skill roll.

 

[Xeviat]

I am my DM; lol

At least Medium Armor seems to be packaged with shields for the most part. Medium Armor is fine if you have a 14 Dex, but if you have the strength and don't want the stealth, Heavy will be better.

My paladin will be using light armor most likely. I'll probably beg to refluff my studded leather to be a fine chainshirt just for the imagery.


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[Blue]

Nothing particularly wrong with what you are suggesting. I tend to try to swap like-for-like - I've thought of offering any class that starts with Heavy Armor under proficiencies (so no the cleric domains) can swap it out for Unarmored Defense: AC = 10 + Dex + Int. For a tactical fighter. Or Batman.

 

[Xeviat]

Nothing particularly wrong with what you are suggesting. I tend to try to swap like-for-like - I've thought of offering any class that starts with Heavy Armor under proficiencies (so no the cleric domains) can swap it out for Unarmored Defense: AC = 10 + Dex + Int. For a tactical fighter. Or Batman.

Stuff like that gives me ideas for a classless piecemeal system.


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