Retcon Character question

[Greenfield]

As time goes by I'm adding to my collection of 3.5 rule books. I just acquired Sandstorm, for example.

As this process continues, I and the players in my game are gaining access to more and more spells, feats, races and PRCs.

Now I don't expect anyone to want to change their character's race once in play, but as new options open up we see a lot of, "Oh, if only I'd known about that..."

So how do you handle the "Oh, I wish I had" syndrome?

If someone's character has just gained a level recently, and they realize that there was a better option, do you let them change it?

 

[Crothian]

I take it on a case by case basis. Players are free to come to me and ask and then we find a way to either work it into their character or not. They always have the option to take a feat the next time they gain a feat or a learn a new spell when they gain a level.

 

[Greenfield]

I agree about the "case by case" part, but sometimes there are time constraints.

For example, we have a Bard who has been adventuring in the Arabian desert. He's 10th level.

At 11th level he's planned to take Sublime Chord, and that really is the only time you can take that PRC. (You can't take it earlier because of prerequisites, and you can't take it later if you want to complete the progression, and you can't take a dip into another class along the way because the PRC has a class lock: Once in, never out until you finish).

Now he discovers the SandShaper class from Sandstorm. He needs to retcon a Feat from 9th (Craft Staff), and his 10th level.

That's a pretty big rewrite. But he's never had the time/money to craft any staves, and has only used one spell he gained at 10th, one time, and it didn't work.

So, do you allow it? I'm too close to this one to be an impartial judge fairly.

 

[Tovec]

As time goes by I'm adding to my collection of 3.5 rule books. I just acquired Sandstorm, for example.

As this process continues, I and the players in my game are gaining access to more and more spells, feats, races and PRCs.

Now I don't expect anyone to want to change their character's race once in play, but as new options open up we see a lot of, "Oh, if only I'd known about that..."

So how do you handle the "Oh, I wish I had" syndrome?

If someone's character has just gained a level recently, and they realize that there was a better option, do you let them change it?

In general new feats, spells, races, etc. Only come up when someone wants access to them but with the flood and availability of 3e material in our games it has mostly been the issue of it working the opposite way.

I can't stand orb spells from the (iirc) Spell Compendium but invariably if a PC comes in without knowing this I have to disallow the variation.

As far as cool things that are nice to add from a new (or old/obscure) book then yes it is very "case by case" but more than that it has to be something that fits with the character and in the game. When new technology or armor is introduced it is fun to have the PCs acquire it from abroad and bring it back to their home, like Bilbo finding his stuff equipment and returning to the shire. For many material goods, having it be recent imports works just as well.

As for your friend the bard, why not have him retrain. That was an option reintroduced in the PHB2 but something that had been used without rules far before the book. Basically have him either; find someone who can train him in the feat and spend TIME learning it and then give him the extra feat, or have it as you say "retcon'd" onto his sheet by simply reversing the events of his character's life since his last level. If it is something as small as a feat or a few skill ranks then 9/10 you can just use a free swap instead of retraining outright. If I remember the rule from PHB2 they are essentially retrained in EVERYTHING, it is more useful when that cleric really just wanted to be a rogue.

 

[Crothian]

If it is what the player wants, then I'd allow it. For the most part the only reason I'd really say no is if I thought the player was trying to abuse the game in some way.

 

[Jacob Marley]

I'd allow it insofar as it follows the rebuilding your character rules from Player's Handbook II. IMHO, once you have made a choice -- especially if that choice has been used during the game -- it becomes a part of the campaign narrative. Any changes to those choices should be handled within the narrative via the rebuilding/retraining rules.

 

[Ranger19k]

If it is what the player wants, then I'd allow it. For the most part the only reason I'd really say no is if I thought the player was trying to abuse the game in some way.

This is exactly how I feel about it.

 

[Greenfield]

Well, I know some that would look at how front-loaded SandCaster is, and say that yeah, taking one level in it is an abuse.

YMMV, of course.

 

[Ranger19k]

Well, I know some that would look at how front-loaded SandCaster is, and say that yeah, taking one level in it is an abuse.

YMMV, of course.

If "some" = Greenfield, then by all means, disallow it.
If "some" does not = Greenfield, then consider allowing it.

You know your player's intentions better than any of us.....

 

[Michael Silverbane]

I'm generally inclined to allow character changes. After all, if something appears not to be working at the table, I will ask the player to change it, so why wouldn't I allow the player the same leeway?