Starting PCs with NPC classes--would it work?

[Buttercup]

So the starting classes could be Expert, Adept, Warrior and Aristocrat. I agree that commoner should be excluded, though I can't imagine why anyone would actually want to play one when the Expert is so much more versatile.

Would it be necessary to tinker with the adept's spell list?

Your idea is interesting, Numion. I'll think about it some more. Would you cancel out the BAB and saves from the NPC class, then?

 

[Buttercup]

Aristocrat ought to be a PC class- its almost that good

I've thought that myself. I had a level 5 aristocrat NPC accompanying the party a few sessions back. She had a keen rapier that had been in her family for generations. She was a regular cuisinart.

 

[Emiricol]

Here's the actual link. Page 8 of the PDF.

http://www.againsttheshadow.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index&req=getit&lid=10

 

[Numion]

Your idea is interesting, Numion. I'll think about it some more. Would you cancel out the BAB and saves from the NPC class, then?

Yes. I'd basically nix the whole class from the PCs resume, so to speak. They play with the first level NPC class character until they've gathered 1000 exp, at which point their first level of an NPC class is exchanged with the first level of a PC class. This way you can even mix commoners and experts - the difference in balance is negated once everyone gets that first PC class level.

This way has some trouble: you must make sure that the NPC level vs. PC level exchange doesn't diminish any aspect of the character. You would probably have to discuss with the players what PC class they're going to take in advance, so you'll assign a corret NPC first level to them. For example going from a warrior to wizard would actually hose the characters HP, BAB and Fort save, which is nonsensical.

The advantage here is that you can have some characters start as commoners, and their PC wont be handicapped by that beyond the first level, if other characters are experts and warriors.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

A buddy of mine dreams of a campaign like this.

Something to look out for: an adept who multi-classed to fighter could use wands of lightning bolt in full armor. Sure, they'd be divine spells and not arcane so the wand would be quite rare. But that idea might work for an NPC in your game.

There is no arcane / divine distinction for wands, only scrolls.

I'm planning on starting a campaign soon, and the first "adventure" will happen before any of the characters have attained a level in a class. They will basically be commoners, and help defend (hopefully) a person being attacked by corrupt city guards. The characters will be helped by an adventurer, who will, with the aid of his friends, instruct the characters in the ways of "adventuring" and give them a 1st level in a (non-npc) class.

AR

 

[Endur]

My recommendation would be to have All the players start as Commoners. Then when they gain a level they can change to Expert, Adept, Warrior, or Aristocrat.

So the starting classes could be Expert, Adept, Warrior and Aristocrat. I agree that commoner should be excluded, though I can't imagine why anyone would actually want to play one when the Expert is so much more versatile.

 

[Buttercup]

Any other ideas?

 

[Darklone]

I used this houserule since 3.0 came out... It's nice, just don't let anyone start as Commoners, the other classes are pretty ok.

I gave all players one feat extra as well to compensate. Skill points for the first two levels were doubled instead of the usual quadrupling of the first level.

Wizards usually choose Adept (witchdoctor/shaman: some cure spells or Burning hands) or Expert (traditional alchemical wizards apprentice).

Most fighter classes were happy with the Warrior class and saw their beginning in the villages militia or a mercenary group.

Rogues picked either warriors, aristocrats or experts... Kalamar Players Guide has nice feats for aristocratic PCs as well as Divinely Granted abilities for REAL nobles. Add this and the aristocrat class is nicely balanced with any PC class.

Clerics... I loved it. Most clerics started as Adepts or Experts like wizards... but the loss of spellcasting levels nearly balanced the class.

Just be careful with EK or similar prestige classes, one level of warrior might make your wizard tougher than a normal EK in a normal game...

 

[Shazman]

Any other ideas?

Another option might be to let them start out as apprentice class characters from the 3.0 DMG. After you've played a couple of sessions let them upgrade to full-blown first level PC classes.

 

[Chacal]

Your idea is interesting, Numion. I'll think about it some more. Would you cancel out the BAB and saves from the NPC class, then?

You should check Emiricol's link. It adresses these issues for the commoner. (you "upgrade" to a PC class after 500xp in this system). It could be a starting point for doing the same with other NPC classes.

I would consider saves and BAB from the NPC starting class to be non stackable with the one they get after they upgrade.

Thus a Warrior 1 upgrading to Rogue1 would have BAB 1
Thus a Warrior 1 upgrading to Rogue1->Rogue2 would have BAB 1 (best of 1 and 1 )

Same for saves, and HP.
spells and feats (armor) might be trickier to balance.

Chacal