Starting at 0 level

[Brisk-sg]

What if they got the commoner's first level skill points, AND their first PC classes first level skill points?

Alternately, what if instead of 2+Int*4, they got a fixed amount, like 4 or 6.

Sounds like something I could benefit from putting some thought into and writing up my own rule for. Maybe what's needed is a special 0 Level Class. Like a commoner, but with fixed skill points.

That would work great. Just give them something like 8+int bonus for the FREE commoner class, then give them the normal starting (x4) skill points for their real class. Also, if you give them the commoner class as a FREE class, and do not count it for level/hd purposes, make sure not to count it for feat/ability increase/skill progressions. If you do then they will be able to get many prestige classes one level sooner then normal, which could potentially throw off the balance of your game.

 

[DarkMaster]

I would go like this they all start at first level commoner. Commoner have the worst everything. When they level up, they basically gain the differences between the commoner and their class. Ex the commoner becoming a wizard would get +2 to its will save, spells and the right to have a familiar, the rogue would get +2 at reflex, +2 hp, 6x4 more skill points, +1d6 SA, the ranger would gain tracking and its other special abilities, 4hp, +2 fort and reflex,4x4 skill points and +1BAB and so on for the other class. After that they are 1st level character and the game is not affected at all. Did that once without any problem. My player didn't like the experience too much they felt like they wasted two sessions. I didn't enjoy the experience either, extremely difficult to have encouters that won't kill half the party. I already have a hard time with first level character.

The only things I liked with that approaches is that it allow to have a bit of variety in the starting skills of each class.

 

[youspoonybard]

I'd just let them start as a commoner, then, when they finish the adventure/gain the alloted xp/whatever, replace the level of commoner totally with their PC class. I mean, commoners have what, prof with one simple weapon, not many skills...just have it so that they have to keep the same ranks in skills/weapon proficiencies when they roll up their level 1 PC class. You might want to allow some flexibilities in feats, like if the (eventual) fighter wants to take a BAB+1 feat at first level, I'd make him take something like weapon focus while he was a commoner, and then let him replace the weapon focus with the other feat (so his attack bonus doesn't actually go down).

In the end, they'll just be level 1 PC class.

 

[Aaron2]

The PCs begin as commoners, basically. Peasants. And the first adventure is where they decide what their career path with be. In a skill-based game this would be easy, but with D&D it's more difficult.

I have my own 0th level rules. Each character starts with (4+Int) * 3 skill points chosen from a skill lists based on their background (Farmer, Townsman, Noble, Outcast, or Wildman) and roll 1d8 for starting hit points. When they gain 500 xp, they get their first class level sans the x4 skill point bonus. The use the higher of their 1d8 racial hit die roll or the one from their first level class hit die roll. The background also affects their starting equipment.

Since I have a bunch of babies for players, at 2nd and 4th level, rogues get bonus skill points to make up for the bunch they "lost".


Aaron