New Campaign: Expansion Slots and Point Buy?

[takasi]

Greetings all. Our Age of Worms campaign is about to end in a few more sessions and I'm preparing for a new Savage Tide campaign. In the last campaign I allowed pretty much anything from any book to let the players run wild. This time I'm thinking of scaling things back to challenge them a little more.

I'm considering using an expansion slot system that's similar to what the RPGA uses. An expansion allows you to unlock a class, magic item, feat, spell or any other game mechanic that's not in the PHB or DMG. At first level the player can unlock two expansion, and every other level the character can unlock one after that. I'm also considering tying this in with point buy:

32 point buy: Player opts out of all expansions for the entire campaign. This is a core only character.

28 point buy: Player opts out of using expansions at first level.

25 point buy: Player uses expansions.

Elite Stat Array (22 point, 15/14/13/10/9/8): Player uses expansions and gets a free feat.

Standard Stat Array (15 point, 13/12/11/10/9/8): Player uses expansion, gets a free feat and can choose a +1 EL race without penalty.

Thoughts? Has anyone used something like the expansion system in their campaign? Is one every other level too strict? The RPGA uses one every level. Which do you think is better? Do you think a free feat is too much for taking the elite stat array? What about the EL trade for the standard stat array?

 

[wildstarsreach]

Greetings all. Our Age of Worms campaign is about to end in a few more sessions and I'm preparing for a new Savage Tide campaign. In the last campaign I allowed pretty much anything from any book to let the players run wild. This time I'm thinking of scaling things back to challenge them a little more.

I'm considering using an expansion slot system that's similar to what the RPGA uses. An expansion allows you to unlock a class, magic item, feat, spell or any other game mechanic that's not in the PHB or DMG. At first level the player can unlock two expansion, and every other level the character can unlock one after that. I'm also considering tying this in with point buy:

32 point buy: Player opts out of all expansions for the entire campaign. This is a core only character.

28 point buy: Player opts out of using expansions at first level.

25 point buy: Player uses expansions.

Elite Stat Array (22 point, 15/14/13/10/9/8): Player uses expansions and gets a free feat.

Standard Stat Array (15 point, 13/12/11/10/9/8): Player uses expansion, gets a free feat and can choose a +1 EL race without penalty.

Thoughts? Has anyone used something like the expansion system in their campaign? Is one every other level too strict? The RPGA uses one every level. Which do you think is better? Do you think a free feat is too much for taking the elite stat array? What about the EL trade for the standard stat array?

How about this counter?

32 point buy plus a +1 added to stat of player’s choice which could be worth 4 points, +1 to an 18 becomes a 19: Player opts out of all expansions for the entire campaign. This is a core only character.



32 point buy: Player opts out of expansions at first level and receives 1/3 levels.

28 point buy: Player uses one expansion slot at 1st level and receives 1/2 levels.



28 point buy: Player uses both expansion slot at 1st level and receives 1/3 levels.


25 point buy: Player uses expansions, can choose +1 EL race and receives 1/3 levels.

Elite Stat Array (22 point, 15/14/13/10/9/8): Player uses expansions, can choose +1 EL race, and receives 1/3 levels, and gets a free feat.

Standard Stat Array (15 point, 13/12/11/10/9/8): Player uses expansions, can choose +2 EL race and receives 1/3 levels.

 

[ElectricDragon]

Actually, what you are calling Standard is the non-elite array. Standard is all 10's and 11's.

Ciao
Dave

 

[airwalkrr]

That's actually not a bad idea. Very similar to the system I was planning to use for my next campaign. I don't use point buy because I frickin' hate it, but the expansion slots was something I was considering.

My plan was to allow the PCs to play anything in the three core rulebooks they wished and at each level be allowed to choose one of the following from a non-core sourcebook (WotC only): spell, feat, or item. When a character gains access to a spell, that spell is added to the character's class spell list. When a character gains access to a feat, the character may learn that feat normally. When a character gains access to an item, the character may purchase or craft that item normally. At 1st level they have the option of trading their expansion slot for a non-core race. If it is a race with a LA higher than +0 or racial HD, they have to use a Savage Species style progression. Or they may choose to trade their expansion slot for access to a non-core class instead. Or they may even choose to trade their 1st level slot for the chance to roll 5d6 and take the highest 3 (as opposed to the usual 4d6). At 5th level, and every 5 levels thereafter, the character may trade his expansion slot for access to a non-core class or prestige class (though the character must still fulfill all other requirements to take the class).

However, I think the idea you have will work very well and be fairly balanced.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Brilliance. Absolute Genius! Yoinked for my next campaign.