Quick rules lighter idea

[whydirt]

Here's a quick idea I had while working on some house rules for a new camaign where I'll likely have players who are completely new to RPGs.

In order to keep the amount of rules exceptions from specialized feats down, switch the levels where you get feats for character level with ability score increases, except for at first level. This only reduces the total number of feats at 20th level by one, but it does slow down their acquisition. The number of ability increases likewise goes up by one, which keeps PC power in the same ballpark.

Obviously this is just a really minor tweak and may not even have enough effect to be worthwhile, but again this is just something off the top of my head.

 

[Li Shenron]

I kind of feel that I'd like more feats to make more versatile PCs instead.... But this HR of your seems fine. No change here is really notable on the long run (it's like having a feat which grants a +1 inherent bonus to one ability score, probably it would be considered pretty powerful but not gamebreaking).

However I have to ask, why do you think this would make life easier for beginners? If they're new to the game they should start at level 1st, and before they reach level 3rd (when your HR kicks in) they hopefully aren't beginner anymore

 

[Nifft]

"Rules Lite":

1) No feats Power Attack, Weapon Finesse, Combat Reflexes or Combat Expertise. All PCs (and foes) are considered to have the effects of these feats.

2) No feat choice at 1st level (except for Humans, who still get 1 bonus feat).

-- N

 

[Li Shenron]

1) No feats Power Attack, Weapon Finesse, Combat Reflexes or Combat Expertise. All PCs (and foes) are considered to have the effects of these feats.

I posted a thread about this idea long ago. IMO it would be nice: at least PA and CE are often requisites of other feats, and often they are taken for that but not used at all themselves; having them for free helps PC differentiate earlier. As a possible variant you may require that the PC has the requisites however, at least in order to USE the feats (Str 13+ or Dex 13+ or BAB +1).

I'm not sure if this idea would make the game rule-light. In a way, you're adding a few more options to core combat rules, which make it more complex. For beginner players I'd rather think they would want less choices...

 

[Nifft]

The point would be, not fewer choices, but rather fewer exceptions.

How do Light weapons work? You use your Dex bonus.
How do AoOs work? You use your Dex bonus.

Power Attack is still useless to many PCs at 1st level -- you need BAB to spend BAB.

-- N

 

[whydirt]

I've decided against my original change on the ground that the net simplification isn't worth deviated from the written rules.

Nifft, I do like your ideas.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

 

[GreatLemur]

1) No feats Power Attack, Weapon Finesse, Combat Reflexes or Combat Expertise. All PCs (and foes) are considered to have the effects of these feats.

I've been considering this kind of thing for a while, too. Weapon Finesse always should have been a standard mechanic for everyone, and I like the idea of the BAB serving as a generic Combat Bonus that can be applied to attack, damage, and defense. And none of these Feats have much flavor at all (and some of them have very little utility), so getting saddled with them as prerequisites is always irritating.

 

[Nifft]

3) No "Casting Defensively" -- you cast, you take an AoO.

4) Fewer "circumstance modifiers" to skill checks. In general, if a situation could require more than one skill, use the lower one, but grant a +1/4 synergy bonus for the higher skill. Both numbers are total skill checks, not ranks.

e.g. 1: cartwheel on a tightrope: min(Balance,Tumble) + (1/4)*max(Balance,Tumble)
e.g. 2: picking a lock in combat: min(Open Locks, Concentration) + (1/4)*max(Open Locks, Concentration)
e.g. 3: sneaking around: min(Hide, Move Silently) + (1/4)*max(Hide, Move Silently) opposed by foe's min(Spot, Listen) + (1/4)*max(Spot, Listen)

Due to situational modifiers (size, lighting, battle nearby), one check may be significantly higher than the other. These situations can mostly be pre-calculated. If you come across a situation where the total bonus idea isn't pre-calculated, just roll both checks (per normal D&D).

5) Fewer types of AC. No special [Force] armor rules.

-- N