Skillful House Rules

[Rolzup]

While gearing up for running a 3.5 game (and thanks to all of those who recommended adventures when I asked a week or so back), I've been considering a few house rules.

Nothing major -- stuff like largely ignoring the weapon size rules -- but there's one bit that I'd like feedback on.

Skills. Changes are simple, and come in two parts:

I: Everyone gets an extra 2 skill point per level (and yes, this means an extra 8 at 1st level).

II: Every character can select two non-class skills and make them class skills. These don't change, even if the character changes class.

Any thoughts? The latter should give PCs a bit more chance to personalize their abilities. Let that fighter tumble, or that wizard hide, or give the barbarian a bit of diplomatic skill.

What are the pitfalls that I'm not seeing? There's always something....

Rolzup

 

[Chroma]

I: Everyone gets an extra 2 skill point per level (and yes, this means an extra 8 at 1st level).

I've been doing this since almost as soon as 3.0 came out and it's made a fantastic addition to my game. People are more willing to take an "odd" skill for their character, just to add some background or character... like the half-orc fighter who's also a skilled woodwind musician... I'm glad I made the change.

Having only a base 2 skill points just seems silly to me. I've had no problems with the addition at all, there are still choices that need to be made and you can't get *everything* you want.

 

[The Souljourner]

I am definitely in favor of +2 skillpoints for everyone... less thrilled about giving people free class skills. If it's DM approved, then ok, but I'd be wary of letting fighters take move silently or disable device. You don't want to take away too much from the classes that are already skillful.

-The Souljourner

 

[Darklone]

Hmm. I had this some time ago but it didn't work out. Players who want many skillpoints now simply take higher Int.

As well as the Skill Prodigy feat.

I do give more feats though.

 

[marshaldwm]

I: Everyone gets an extra 2 skill point per level (and yes, this means an extra 8 at 1st level).

II: Every character can select two non-class skills and make them class skills. These don't change, even if the character changes class.
Rolzup

I do the following

+1 feat usable at any level(For games starting above 1)
2 cross-class skills as class skills
All know skills as class skills for all classes.

But I am a real bastard with Know skills. If you do not have know-local, you know little about the town you have lived in all your life. You want to know it, buy it. Same for other know-skills.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Shouldn't this be in House Rules?

I: Everyone gets an extra 2 skill point per level (and yes, this means an extra 8 at 1st level).

Not a big deal, since it favors anyone. If you want to do this because the charactes need more background skills, you may say that these have to be knowledge, craft, or profession skills (maybe also allow it on cross-class skills).

II: Every character can select two non-class skills and make them class skills. These don't change, even if the character changes class.

I don't like this at all. If you want those skills as class skills, take a class that has them. Otherwise you have to buy them as cross-class skills. (You can have a tumbling wizard or a barbarian with diplomacy, after all. They're just not as good in it as others). Giving away free class skills goes against the class concept of D&D IMO. It is about choices, about strengths and weaknesses.

All know skills as class skills for all classes.

Too general IMO, but an extension would certainly be in order. While I don't see a fighter as the great historian, he can get knowledge about dungeoneering or his home region.

But I am a real bastard with Know skills. If you do not have know-local, you know little about the town you have lived in all your life. You want to know it, buy it. Same for other know-skills.

As it should be, but don't forget about general knowledge. If you don't have these knowledge(local) skill ranks, you still know where the tavern is, and where you can get food and the like, but you don't know that this comely lass is the cousin of the mayor, or that the tavern owner and the store owner are distant relatives. You might not even know the name of the tavern owner. The name of the town 3 miles to the south might not be known to you, either (and you might not even know that there is a gnome settlement only one mile to the east, in a little valley)

Note that as starting character, you can have 4 ranks tops in KL. So rules-wise, you just can't know all there is to know about your home region. And characters get other information without gaining skill ranks: You might ask the tavern owner in Waterdeep his name, or Gather Information about the Lords. You stumble upon stores and market places. But still you won't get free ranks in K(Waterdeep). (or do you forget the stuff again at once unless you have ranks in it?)