D&D General Quick Background House Rule

[Xeviat]

I'm seeing lots of people have issues with the new background system, so I came up with a quick house rule. Instead of gaining +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1 to the ability scores in the background, change it to +1/+1 and add +1 to your class's primary ability.

Then, all classes will be guaranteed to get a bump where they need it.

 

[Horwath]

I

I'm seeing lots of people have issues with the new background system, so I came up with a quick house rule. Instead of gaining +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1 to the ability scores in the background, change it to +1/+1 and add +1 to your class's primary ability.

Then, all classes will be guaranteed to get a bump where they need it.

I have even better:

1. floating +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1
2. any 2 skills
3. any 1 tool, language or weapon
4. any background feat or any 4th level feat without +1 ASI

 

[Xeviat]

I think a lot of newer players will be served well by background packages.

 

[cbwjm]

Newer players may be served well by the backgrounds, but you'll also likely see a lot of classes with the exact same backgrounds to get the boosts where you want them. For older players, freeform and making your own background is the way to go.

 

[Charlaquin]

I think a lot of newer players will be served well by background packages.

And for those players, the existing backgrounds make great examples they can take as packages if they want, and they can modify if they want to without fear that they might be breaking something by doing so.

 

[Horwath]

And for those players, the existing backgrounds make great examples they can take as packages if they want, and they can modify if they want to without fear that they might be breaking something by doing so.

this.

every option can be available at 1st level and still make room for new players not to be overwhelmed.

Hell, even 3.5e managed to to that better.

I.E:
you had an option of lots of feat/skills to take at 1st level in 3.5e and every class got an example or two how to make a quick 1st level character.
and it took less than quarter of a page for it.

 

[Epic Meepo]

I'm seeing lots of people have issues with the new background system, so I came up with a quick house rule. Instead of gaining +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1 to the ability scores in the background, change it to +1/+1 and add +1 to your class's primary ability.

Then, all classes will be guaranteed to get a bump where they need it.

I like this better than what they went with in the new PHB.

 

[Xeviat]

I like this better than what they went with in the new PHB.

I've always long been frustrated that D&D can let someone build a bad character. The first game I ran back in 3E had a ranger who went high Dex, low strength, finesse TWFing, and was absolutely terrible beside the barbarian who just pumped Str.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I've always long been frustrated that D&D can let someone build a bad character. The first game I ran back in 3E had a ranger who went high Dex, low strength, finesse TWFing, and was absolutely terrible beside the barbarian who just pumped Str.

In combat, sure. But what about all the times outside of combat when characters were needing to use their skills? I daresay that usually a Ranger should be all over the Barbarian when it comes to meaningful skill use... especially when out doing wilderness adventuring.

But if a particular table plays combat-heavy, then absolutely the classes that are geared towards and able to be min-maxed towards combat will overpower the ones that are balanced towards combat and skill-use.

 

[Xeviat]

In combat, sure. But what about all the times outside of combat when characters were needing to use their skills? I daresay that usually a Ranger should be all over the Barbarian when it comes to meaningful skill use... especially when out doing wilderness adventuring.

But if a particular table plays combat-heavy, then absolutely the classes that are geared towards and able to be min-maxed towards combat will overpower the ones that are balanced towards combat and skill-use.

The rogue was better at most skills and better at combat usually. The ranger only excelled at tracking and goblin fights. Eventually the ranger picked up Improved Disarm and kind of became the martial controller, harrying the enemy till the barbarian and rogue could get in and confirm the kill.