DND_Reborn
The High Aldwin
Although there are things I like about 5E, a "unified" and "universal" proficiency bonus system isn't one of them. It is super simple, and it works, but it makes things to uniform for my tastes anyway. I realize a lot of people prefer the simpler approach, which is perfectly fine of course, and if that is your view I am happy for you to voice it, but please refrain from shooting down this idea simply because you don't like it. Thanks!
So, I thought of an idea about splitting proficiency into three aspects: casting, combat, and skill. Here is the first draft:
You being with two proficiency points. You spend them in the three aspects, and can put both in the same one if you wish. A Fighter would likely begin with two points in combat, a wizard two in casting, a cleric one in casting and one in combat, a rogue one in combat and one in skill, a bard two in skill, etc. You don't have to split them to follow your class, but many people will to make the character better in their chosen role.
When you level, you gain another proficiency point and allocate it to one of the aspects.
The only restrictions are you cannot put points into the same aspect three times in a row (and MAYBE you cannot have a aspect with more than 12 points; without this the max is 14 due to the other restriction...). This means if you start at level one with 2 points in the same aspect (such as a barbarian with 2 in combat) you must put your point at 2nd level someplace else (such as skill), but at 3rd level can go back to the first aspect (the barbarian returning to combat for 3 points total).
Since you begin with two, by level 20 you will have 21 points total and could do an even 7/7/7 split, or focus and have only two aspects with 12/9, or any combination. A 20th-level paladin might be 12 combat, 5 casting, 4 skill (total 21) or maybe 10 combat, 4 casting, 7 skill, or whatever combination fits as you advance in level.
Now, if I tried to implement this system I would most likely use point-buy for ability scores and limit ASI allocation to 1 per ability (instead of allowing +2 at one time) or simply make it a feat-only game with no pure ASI option.
You still select your proficient skills at level 1. When you have points in the skill aspect, you would get to add those to your checks for your proficient skills. I was thinking for every 3 points you allocate to the skill aspect, you gain proficiency in another skill. Another option would be to break down the skill aspect into skill ranks for placing in each skill individually (such as in earlier d20 games), where you gain 4 ranks per point in skill (2 points at level 1 would mean 8 ranks for your proficient skills). I don't know if I want to break it down that finely.
Likewise, additional weapon and armor proficiencies can be obtained after so many proficiency points are spent in the combat aspect.
Gaining new spell levels would come from the points spent in the casting aspect.
This would allow a character such as a Ranger, who perhaps only wants 1st- and 2nd-level spells, to allocate proficiency points to combat or skill instead so they are better in those areas.
That's it for now, more details will follow if I decide to continue the exercise. Again, this is only the first draft (I made it up as I typed the post LOL). Thanks for reading and please share your thoughts!
So, I thought of an idea about splitting proficiency into three aspects: casting, combat, and skill. Here is the first draft:
You being with two proficiency points. You spend them in the three aspects, and can put both in the same one if you wish. A Fighter would likely begin with two points in combat, a wizard two in casting, a cleric one in casting and one in combat, a rogue one in combat and one in skill, a bard two in skill, etc. You don't have to split them to follow your class, but many people will to make the character better in their chosen role.
When you level, you gain another proficiency point and allocate it to one of the aspects.
The only restrictions are you cannot put points into the same aspect three times in a row (and MAYBE you cannot have a aspect with more than 12 points; without this the max is 14 due to the other restriction...). This means if you start at level one with 2 points in the same aspect (such as a barbarian with 2 in combat) you must put your point at 2nd level someplace else (such as skill), but at 3rd level can go back to the first aspect (the barbarian returning to combat for 3 points total).
Since you begin with two, by level 20 you will have 21 points total and could do an even 7/7/7 split, or focus and have only two aspects with 12/9, or any combination. A 20th-level paladin might be 12 combat, 5 casting, 4 skill (total 21) or maybe 10 combat, 4 casting, 7 skill, or whatever combination fits as you advance in level.
Now, if I tried to implement this system I would most likely use point-buy for ability scores and limit ASI allocation to 1 per ability (instead of allowing +2 at one time) or simply make it a feat-only game with no pure ASI option.
You still select your proficient skills at level 1. When you have points in the skill aspect, you would get to add those to your checks for your proficient skills. I was thinking for every 3 points you allocate to the skill aspect, you gain proficiency in another skill. Another option would be to break down the skill aspect into skill ranks for placing in each skill individually (such as in earlier d20 games), where you gain 4 ranks per point in skill (2 points at level 1 would mean 8 ranks for your proficient skills). I don't know if I want to break it down that finely.
Likewise, additional weapon and armor proficiencies can be obtained after so many proficiency points are spent in the combat aspect.
Gaining new spell levels would come from the points spent in the casting aspect.
This would allow a character such as a Ranger, who perhaps only wants 1st- and 2nd-level spells, to allocate proficiency points to combat or skill instead so they are better in those areas.
That's it for now, more details will follow if I decide to continue the exercise. Again, this is only the first draft (I made it up as I typed the post LOL). Thanks for reading and please share your thoughts!
