More Friendly Skill System

[Centaur]

I've seen a few discussion threads about the amount of skill points that different classes get. Some people think that the fighter and sorcerer get to few skill points (wizard too in my opinion). Some have proposed adding 1 or 2 points to these classes, although I think this would in some ways be unfair to the other classes.

I am thinking of doing one or both of the following things to improve the skill system in D20.

1) Add +2 skill points/level to all classes (+8 at 1st level)

2) change the Class skill system from a cost differential to a simple "Class Skills get a +2 bonus at first level" and have all skills cost the same to buy. (Maybe also have class skills have there max ranks = level +5 instead of level +3 in addition to a simple +2)

Obviously number 2 is a big one and I was wondering what other people thought of it?

 

[Crothian]

Build the class skills list around the character and not the class. I've found this has a great effect on making the classes more personible. Instead of increasing the skill points of each class I give bonus skill points based off of background, and I'll reward bonus skill points through the game.

Edit: The first option isn't bad, but the second option can easily be taken advantage off. One level of rogue would give +2 bonus on a very large amounts of skills. And what happens when character multi class and they have class skills that are the same? Does that give an additional +2 bonus?

 

[Melkor Lord Of ALL!]

It is quite interesting, I have only increased number of skill points per level to a minimum of 4, and any character can choose 2 or 1 additional class skills upon creation. Dungeons and Dragons was balanced for Dungeon adventures, not heavy roleplaying, politics etc.

 

[Centaur]

Build the class skills list around the character and not the class. I've found this has a great effect on making the classes more personible. Instead of increasing the skill points of each class I give bonus skill points based off of background, and I'll reward bonus skill points through the game.

I like this option, but most of my players are not all that creative when it comes to creating interesting backgrounds.

Edit: The first option isn't bad, but the second option can easily be taken advantage off. One level of rogue would give +2 bonus on a very large amounts of skills. And what happens when character multi class and they have class skills that are the same? Does that give an additional +2 bonus?

Actualy, I thought I would alow this bonus for the first base class and first prestige class you take, but no others. (should have been in the original post)

 

[Crothian]

That works a lot better then. It would be interesting to see in action.

 

[LightPhoenix]

I think the profession system from D20 Modern would work well in D&D, you'd just need to change some of the professions and add some new ones. Do away with the Profession skills all together and boom, you're set.