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Message: <blockquote data-quote="CapnZapp" data-source="post: 4718557" data-attributes="member: 12731">So. What I want to know as a DM is: are the following assumptions reasonable or not?(Obviously, now I'm assuming the feats aren't automatically available)Attack: there is "space" for a bonus up to +3 (at Epic)Fort/Ref/Will: there is "space" for a bonus up to +6 (at Epic)AC: ? (that is, do you need anything else than masterwork?)If this is about right, it's great to know.I certainly think feats aren't the most exciting solution. By handing out these bonuses in other ways, these feat slots can be kept open for more flexibility overall.I guess the lesson learned is that there really can't be a feat giving out an unconditional bonus to the crucial stats (attack & defense). Such a feat can't ever be "optional" regardless of whether the math shows there is "space" or not. I mean sure, if you hit only on a 19 then these bonuses are very welcome. But even if you already hit on a 6, you still gain the exact same benefit. The fact that hitting on a 3 isn't "necessary" to enjoy the game doesn't prevent the increase in to hit to be equally good statistically speaking. Power-gamers understand this. They take the feat even though it actually decreases excitement and tension.Thus I conclude bonuses to attacks and defenses really shouldn't be made available as feats - because the underlying assumption that they are "optional" is simply wrong! A +1 to your vital statistics is simply nearly always better than any other benefit, simply because it will always be in play!Corollary: Bonuses to attacks/defenses can be given out as feats, but to be interesting, to be truly optional, they must be situational. That is, their bonuses can't apply all the time.Okay?ZappPS. I too dislike how Expertise widens the gap between your main method of attacking and any secondary ones. If you give out the bonus for free to all attacks, and then allow the feat for any kind of attack except your best, then you'd have an interesting feat! (It would then help to shore up any second weapon of yours, or perhaps help you use a magical attack even though you're primarily a martial combatant)</blockquote>

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