Revising Proficiency Bonus, Max Ability Score, and Magic Items: Issues?

[dave2008]

I am thing about revising Proficiency Bonus, Max Ability Score, and Magic Items bonuses in my next campaign as follows:

Proficiency Bonus: +1 per 2 levels. So +1 at level 1 and +10 at level 20
Max ability Score: 18 (+4 max modifier)
Magic Items: Do not add items bonus on weapon/item to hit/DC (provide additional damage or other effects instead)
Expertise: provides advantage on the roll instead

This nets the same attack bonus range +14, without needing a magic item bonus. This seems pretty straight forward way to remove magic item bonuses to me. However, we have only played a limited number of classes so far. Are there any issues I am not thinking of?

EDIT #1: Adding Expertise to the revisions.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Expertise might become problematic. I mean, it's already problematic, but this might make it worse.

There's also an issue with spell save DCs. There's not really a generic item which improves all of those, so this formula would effectively give every caster a +3 to this value over where they are now, while only improving the saving throw bonuses of those who happened to be proficient in that save. The issue where a low-Charisma fighter can't possibly succeed on a Charisma save would be exacerbated by this.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

I am thing about revising Proficiency Bonus, Max Ability Score, and Magic Items bonuses in my next campaign as follows:

Proficiency Bonus: +1 per 2 levels. So +1 at level 1 and +10 at level 20
Max ability Score: 18 (+4 max modifier)
Magic Items: Do not add items bonus on weapon/item to hit/DC (provide additional damage or other effects instead)

This nets the same attack bonus range +14, without needing a magic item bonus. This seems pretty straight forward way to remove magic item bonuses to me. However, we have only played a limited number of classes so far. Are there any issues I am not thinking of?

Would Ioun Stones, the various Tomes of [ability score improvement], Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Potions of Giant Strength, etc exist in your setting? If so, would the max 18 still hold?

Those who, how shall we say, strongly dislike Expertise will surely get freaked out by the possibility of an ability check approaching +24.

What else... I always liked me a +x weapon for nostalgic reasons, but there's no reason you can't have a nice magic weapon that just adds 1d6 fire damage or doubles the damage die against plant creatures or shocks enemies in metal armor for an additional 1d8 damage or etc.

Anyhoo, just a few thoughts for you.

 

[dave2008]

Would Ioun Stones, the various Tomes of [ability score improvement], Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Potions of Giant Strength, etc exist in your setting? If so, would the max 18 still hold?

Possibly. I don't generally use random loot, so I would look at these individually as the came up. I am thinking no Tomes of, but possibly be Gauntlets of, Belts of, etc., in which case the max. could be increased. This would be extremely rare and quest worthy items.

Those who, how shall we say, strongly dislike Expertise will surely get freaked out by the possibility of an ability check approaching +24.

That is a good point, completely forgot about Expertise,and skills in general as they are rarely affected by magic item bonuses. I think I will modify Expertise to provide advantage instead?

What else... I always liked me a +x weapon for nostalgic reasons, but there's no reason you can't have a nice magic weapon that just adds 1d6 fire damage or doubles the damage die against plant creatures or shocks enemies in metal armor for an additional 1d8 damage or etc.

Anyhoo, just a few thoughts for you.

 

[dave2008]

Expertise might become problematic. I mean, it's already problematic, but this might make it worse.

Yes. I think I will change Expertise to provide advantage. Unless I am missing something with that option. I could make it provide half proficiency boost.

There's also an issue with spell save DCs. There's not really a generic item which improves all of those, so this formula would effectively give every caster a +3 to this value over where they are now, while only improving the saving throw bonuses of those who happened to be proficient in that save. The issue where a low-Charisma fighter can't possibly succeed on a Charisma save would be exacerbated by this.

Yes, good point. I think I may consider giving a save boost of +1 per tier to non proficient saves. ( I could do the same for Expertise too I guess).