kaomera
Explorer
Just purely out of boredom, I thought I'd recount for you a few (fairly minor) house-rules I've been using lately:
* When taking a level in a character's favored class, increase the base number skill points granted for that level by +2.
* When the character takes their first level in their favored class, add any two additional skills to the list of class skills.
* Cross-class skills are purchased at one skill point per rank (the normal maximum ranks still applies).
* Craft, Knowledge, Perform, and Profession skills are purchased at one skill point per two ranks.
I first adopted these rules because I noticed that skill checks seemed to end up being more of a roadblock, rather than a chance for the PCs to actually achieve something cool. My players do seem determined not to create a "balanced" party, but it can be rather frustrating when no PC actually has any ranks in Search or Gather Information. Knowledge skills especially tend to be under-appreciated, and I really like having them available to bring into play as a DM; they seem to be a great way to develop plot while at the same time giving the player the satisfaction of making a successful check.
* When taking a level in a character's favored class, increase the base number skill points granted for that level by +2.
* When the character takes their first level in their favored class, add any two additional skills to the list of class skills.
* Cross-class skills are purchased at one skill point per rank (the normal maximum ranks still applies).
* Craft, Knowledge, Perform, and Profession skills are purchased at one skill point per two ranks.
I first adopted these rules because I noticed that skill checks seemed to end up being more of a roadblock, rather than a chance for the PCs to actually achieve something cool. My players do seem determined not to create a "balanced" party, but it can be rather frustrating when no PC actually has any ranks in Search or Gather Information. Knowledge skills especially tend to be under-appreciated, and I really like having them available to bring into play as a DM; they seem to be a great way to develop plot while at the same time giving the player the satisfaction of making a successful check.
