Open feat slot?

[frankthedm]

The system you've implemented would appear to cause a potentially huge bookeeping nightmare - since the skill points, feats, etc. must be documented with some sort of annotation of applicable class, level of class (and classes since some feats are character level based), ability scores (also since some feats have ability score prerequisites), BAB and saving throws (likewise some feats have BAB and saving throw prerequisities).

The average character sheet has a nice margin area to use for this. Also all PCs stats start from a "set" of 17 ,16, 15, 14, 13, 12 for my game, so bookkeeping is not that hard at all.

 

[anon]

"Balance" is always brought up as a boogeyman in the saving feats discussion. In previous threads the worst that has been shown is that a character might qualify for a prestige class a level early--at the significant cost of not having the use of a feat for a number of levels.

My own opinion is that if the character/player is willing to risk being underpowered for a number of levels allowing them a slight "advantage" later is fine. Planning ahead and delayed gratification should be rewarded, IMHO.

There is also another partial delay/choice option. A DM might allow that a character/player choose a feat for which they are not yet qualified with the understanding that they would not receive any benefit from the chosen feat until they did qualify. For example my Cleric devotes himself to learning how to enchant his sword and armor, even though the knowledge comes more slowly to him compared to how easily his friend the Wizard learns to create any miscelaneous magic item under the sun, he does eventually learn the craft. In game terms I select "Craft Magic Arms And Armor" at 3rd level, but cannot use it until I am a 5th level caster.

 

[Li Shenron]

Quick question for the ENWorld sages: is it written anywhere that it is illegal (or legal?) to leave a feat slot open, i.e., to not take a feat at 3rd level and instead take two at 9th level, or one at 7th, etc. I know this could easily be abused and lead to unbalanced characters, but I'm wondering about an official ruling.

Officially you cannot do it.

Usually I don't allow it because it's not elegant and is rarely helpful.

However I don't see how you can easily make an unbalanced character in this way.

 

[Tatsukun]

In previous threads the worst that has been shown is that a character might qualify for a prestige class a level early--at the significant cost of not having the use of a feat for a number of levels.

But what about for PCs made at higher levels? Then the penalty is in the past, and all that's ever played is the bonus.

That's not cool

;-(

-Tatsu

 

[anon]

I agree. There would be no offsetting penalty if characters are made whole at higher levels. We don't do this (generally) so I don't have to deal with it. But to my mind the inability to pick feats not yet qualified for and/or delay feat choice would be the cost of creating a high level character directly.