Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jedi_Solo" data-source="post: 3370673" data-attributes="member: 40245">Quite possibly.  Now, I agree that levels where you get an ability score boost or a standard feat choice (talking about every 3rd level - not fighter bonus feats or similar) aren't really "dead levels".The problem is that it doesn't matter what class level you take; you'll be getting those.  Why take that fighter level that doesn't give you the bonus feat when a level of this class over here gives a shiney new ability while you still get that feat choice.Same with spellcasters.  Why take that sorcerer level which will give you next to nothing besides the spell level where if you take this PrC level you still gain that spell level AND gain some new spiff ability.The problem with the argument in these areas (spell levels, 3rd level feats, ability boosts) isn't so much that these are dead levels - I'll be the first to agree that they aren't - but that most of these bonuses come from character levels and not class levels.  The issue here is the question:[Morden] What do you want? [/Morden]Do you want the ability point boost or do you want the ability point AND a spiffy new trick?Do you want the new spell level or do you want the new spell level AND something else fun?Do you want A or do you want A AND B?Similar situation with HD, skill points and and saving throw bonuses, while the exact numbers may differ I think the point still stands fairly well.  Every level you gain hit points and skill points and you get saving throw boosts most levels.  If you switch from a rogue level you might lose some skill points - but no matter what you take your level in you still get some.  You might drop some hp if you move away from a barbarian level, but you still get some hp no matter where you go.  Saving Throws?  Well, you might not be getting any bonuses from your regular class.  Even if you are if you take a first level in a PrC you'll likely get more of a boost - since similar type characters have similar saving throw progressions you could easily get you saving throw boost (say... FORT +1) and get a better boost (FORT +2).I don't see the "dead level fixes" as filling an empty gap so much as making it worthwhile to not take a new class for that level.  Here's an example: most wizards and sorcerers that I have seen don't bother with a familier (too risky).  If a sorcerer doesn't bother with a fmailier why would they stay as a sorcerer past 5th or 6th level?  These "dead level" cookies may not be much, but maybe they fit a character concept and will keep them from having 18 different classes by the end of the campaign.  And heck, if they stay in the class they may actually use the familier.  Why not get use out a free ability, no matter how weak it is?  At least with these dead level fixes you get a weak ability to use.</blockquote>

Verification