One or Two Themes for Each Character?

[GX.Sigma]

Definitely, but not exclusively...

I think themes (but probably not backgrounds) can also be used by the DM to describe special groups and make their schticks restricted.

Meaning that while many themes can be freely available (because they are made of freely available feats), the DM can also take some feats for example from supplements, and declare them "restricted" to a special group like the Arcane Order of XYZ or the Thief Guild of ZXY. Only members of such groups can take such theme or its feats (e.g. a character joining such group at a high level already probably doesn't pick the whole theme which starts at 1st level, but just gains access to its pool of restricted feats).

This could be the way to use themes/feats pools to replace prestige classes. Because after all what usually made prestige classes unique was their special abilities, not the BAB progression or spells per day which could just come from the base class. Also, prestige classes failed in allowing characters of different classes to join in exactly because of their BAB, HD, spell progression etc., while a theme would not have such problem and could be applied to any class more easily.

That was one of the first things I thought of when I first read about themes. It gives you a cool world-building tool, where you can say "there's this secretive order of necromancers who live in the arctic tundra, and that's a theme you can take." I fully expect to see stuff like that in setting books.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like it'd work so great with the current design of themes, which is that they give you a single combat-related feat every few levels.

I'm hoping -- and it looks like this may be the case -- that themes are a shorthand way of creating a character concept by prepackaging some feats and abilities; players should also have the option of selecting feats individually to create their own "theme" rather than having to rely on pre-packaged themes.

Same with backgrounds and skills, I hope. Pick a pre-selected set for speed, or take the time for detailed customization.

Yes, this is actually literally what it is. A theme is just a group of pre-selected feats, a background is just a group of selected skills, but you can switch out skills or feats, or even make your own theme and background by just picking whatever you want.

To quote Rodney:

Does this mean any class can have whatever combination of skills a player chooses? Yes, with the DM’s approval. I can see backgrounds used in several different ways:

DM 1: We’re not using backgrounds at all. Just ignore this stuff.
DM 2: Use the background suggested by your class.
DM 3: Choose a background for your character. It can be the one suggested for your class or a different one.
DM 4: Choose a background for your character. You can trade out one skill for a different one.
DM 5: Come up with your own background by choosing up to four skills.

The same approach to backgrounds also applies to themes. At heart, a theme is a feat-delivery system. Choosing a theme identifies the way you play your character. Your class will suggest a theme, but we expect you to choose whatever theme you like.

...Again, the theme works to help refine your choices, not constrict them. You can swap out feats from your theme for different ones or build new themes, assembling feats found in other themes.

I don't know how background traits are going to work with custom backgrounds, but I expect it'll be a "talk to your DM and make something up" kind of thing.

Regarding the OP:

The theme you gain at 1st level isn’t the only theme you get. We’re not mapping out all 20+ levels of character development with one decision point since we also realize that characters, even those played by folks who don’t want to make a lot of decision, change over time. The first theme you choose is broadly descriptive and flexible. Think Leader, Sharpshooter, or Skirmisher. When you adopt your second theme at 6th level, you might choose another basic theme or you might choose something that grounds you a bit more in the game by selecting an advanced theme. Currently, advanced themes, in concept, resemble the prestige classes from 3rd Edition. They focus your character a bit further, building on the foundation established by another theme, to reflect deep specialization or some character-defining quality. Here are a few ideas off the top of my head. A Sharpshooter becomes an Arcane Archer. A Tempest becomes an Eldritch Knight. A Lurker becomes a Shadowdancer. A Mystic becomes a Necromancer or Enchanter or Abjurer. A Slayer becomes an Axe Specialist. A Guardian becomes a Dwarven Defender. And so on.

I'm not super jazzed about having themes be prerequisites for other themes (for obvious reasons), but there you go.

 

[Li Shenron]

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like it'd work so great with the current design of themes, which is that they give you a single combat-related feat every few levels.

I agree... feats seems a bit too sparse to allow themes to substitute for prestige classes. If feats were granted one per level it would work, but then it would probably require a lot more feats in the system.