Single-Level Flavor (heh!) Classes

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Perhaps an adaptation of d20 Modern's occupation rules would suit?

 

[Iron_Chef]

I forgot about those! D'OH!

 

[TeeSeeJay]

Perhaps an adaptation of d20 Modern's occupation rules would suit?

How do those work, in a nutshell? I'll go read up on the SRD when I have some free time.

 

[Jeph]

How do those work, in a nutshell? I'll go read up on the SRD when I have some free time.

They give a list of skills, then say like pick two or three of the above as permanent class skills, if it's already a class skill you gain a +1 bonus to it. Then they might give you a choice of extra weapon proficiency feats, of which you can pick one.

 

[TeeSeeJay]

They give a list of skills, then say like pick two or three of the above as permanent class skills, if it's already a class skill you gain a +1 bonus to it. Then they might give you a choice of extra weapon proficiency feats, of which you can pick one.

That looks good, and after reading the Modern SRD, it's a good starting point for these Flavor Classes.

These flavor classes take it one step further, I think. Instead of being a "profession template," these are actually class levels and should bring with them not only class skills and a bonus feat here and there, but an additional couple actual abilities.

It's a subtle difference, but it is the difference between the Modern's "Strong 3/Dedicated 2 Celebrity Hero" and our "Fighter 3/Wizard 2/Noble 1" -- the modern hero is still only a 5th level character, but the other is a 6th level character.

And where the modern occupations can only be taken at creation, these flavor classes can be taken any time like any other multi-class situation.

So yeah, good starting point, and also a good piece of precedence to the concept here.

 

[Iron_Chef]

So which way is better? You think they'll introduce d20 Modern style professions into 3.5e?

 

[TeeSeeJay]

So which way is better? You think they'll introduce d20 Modern style professions into 3.5e?

I doubt it. From a core D&D standpoint, it's not necessary. d20 Modern does it, I think, because their core classes are so vanilla.

 

[Frostmarrow]

This idea hooked me. I've been pondering all day how to do this. After a pretty nasty party I finally got the thought I was waiting for.

Initially I was bothered about the +1 BAB suggested by the Legionaire class. I was thinking that it wouldn't be fair against the fighter classes to grant a +1 BAB to some non-core flavor class. Since it can be taken for a first level. Yet perhaps +1 BAB is all right? Provided the flavor class doesn't outshine the "basic" classes (Such as fighter, rogue wizard or cleric). I came up with this:

A flavor class should have as many class skills as it has skill points. Meaning that an Int 10 individual should be able to know all skills provided by the class. Example:

A Rat Catcher has a good Fort and Reflex save (but a bad will save) , 1d8 hit points, and 4 skill points. The class skills are: Animal Handling, Climb, Knowledge (Local) and Wilderness Lore.

Furthermore a favored class gains an ability equal in power to one feat. In this case Favored Enemy (Vermin). If the Rat Catcher hadn't gained two good saves maybe another ability (or feat) had been in order.

The reasoning is that if a flavor class only has a progression of one level, then it is not necessary to provide more class skills that the class has skill points. Also this helps to balance it all. It gives us the opportunity to go to town over the special abilities or to create more flavor classes and not having to restrain our creativity too much. For we wouldn't want to put the fighter or cleric out of business?

Now why should I pick a flavor class? Well, you would get flavor for your character and you would get access to a rare ability (don't let Favored Enemy (vermin) fool you. Some authors will come up with more exotic ones I assure you).

Now the big question is: Should all flavor classes grant the character the ability to count all skills of the flavor class as class skills for the rest of their career?

I say yes, if the class skills are limited to begin with.

In all modesty: I'm just trying to help.

 

[Drawmack]

ahhhhhh - kits for 3e, I knew it was only a matter of time.

/me runs screaming in horror.

 

[comrade raoul]

ahhhhhh - kits for 3e, I knew it was only a matter of time.

/me runs screaming in horror.

I thought we had them for a long time, now -- doesn't 3e call its kits "prestige classes?"