Options 3.5 ????

[Elvinis75]

What does a person have to do to convince WotC that it would be a good idea to release a options book that lets you make new classes from different options?

I really want to see it. I see that Dragon offers up some variants for the skills packages but I'm looking for something with more. Cast a school of spells with sneak attack. This group of weapons and armor ...etc.

 

[TiQuinn]

It would be a very difficult product to design, for starters. How do you determine balance to these classes? Do you leave it up to the DM to figure out if a class that was created using the ruleset will be overpowered or underpowered? Even if you assign a point value to various abilities, the problem exists. Take a look at one of my favorite "experiments" of all time: 2nd edition Players Option series. It's very similar to what you're describing..throw in a school of magic here, take backstab there, increase hit dice, etc., all with an ascribed point value. The results ranged from some cool new characters with distinctive abilities to an amalgam of traits that turned resulted in an unplayable character.

 

[Greatwyrm]

You sound convinced. Grab a copy of the SRD and write one yourself. (intended to sound encouraging, not mean). If WotC isn't giving people what they want, the OGL lets you do it.

 

[Particle_Man]

Massive Flashbacks....2.5 Player's Option books...OH GOD THE CHEESE!!!....THE SHEER MUNCHKIN CHEEEEEEEEEEEZE!!!!......AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[the Jester]

Massive Flashbacks....2.5 Player's Option books...OH GOD THE CHEESE!!!....THE SHEER MUNCHKIN CHEEEEEEEEEEEZE!!!!......AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But there were a few gold nuggets in the nasty cheese- stuff like alienists, a lot of cool spells (cat's grace, hm?), a great critical hit system, etc. It was mostly Skillz & Powerz that suxxored.

 

[Elvinis75]

Like any power it can used for good and evil. Powergamers and the like are always going to be a danger that the DM has to deal with.

 

[TiQuinn]

Massive Flashbacks....2.5 Player's Option books...OH GOD THE CHEESE!!!....THE SHEER MUNCHKIN CHEEEEEEEEEEEZE!!!!......AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah, yes, but I do have fond memories. That campaign where we used PO was like D&D meets Marvel Super Heroes. MUNCHKINY GOODNESS!

 

[TiQuinn]

Like any power it can used for good and evil. Powergamers and the like are always going to be a danger that the DM has to deal with.

It doesn't mean we have to give them the key to the gun closet.

 

[Elvinis75]

Who said anything about leaving the control totally to the players?
The DM is still supposed to approve of all the finished products.

 

[Aitch Eye]

If you don't mind using third party stuff, you might want to check out Character Customization from Throwing Dice Games . The author did keep balance well in mind, and I quite like it and plan to use some stuff; though I haven't read it cover to cover. It'll be updated to 3.5, with a free upgrade for purchasers.

Here are the reviews by GameWyrd and JoeGKushner.