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Message: <blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 6171215" data-attributes="member: 92511">I just want to pipe in here and mention that I don't believe these to be "minor" benefits. What you list here are major benefits to the structure of starting subclasses/specializations at 3rd level. The fleshing out and making real mechanical in-game and meta-game of their purported "apprentice" levels/tier.These are GREAT benefits and make "common sense", mechanical sense, give/offer roleplaying potential, plot points/twists, all kinds of character development stuff as well as, for the meta-gamer and balance-happy crowd, an overarching "rule" that specializations aren't available until 3rd and, while I disagree with opinions this is homogenizing/symmetry of all classes to be the same, there is a symmetry and "balance"...an innate fairness, that the game does well to incorporate...and often overlooks or ignores in lieu of the hopeless quest for ultimate "balance."The cleric (and/or paladin for that matter) situations work well as, noted above, a Cleric PC is immediately (1st level) a "Cleric of Whocares". Making the specialization a domain of that deity makes, again, complete sense as it balances/puts en par with the specializing of other classes. A deepening of their understanding and access to the mysteries of their religion/spirituality. Totally works.For the Paladin, this works perfectly well with, either, permitting them domain specialization in line with their belief system or selecting an Oath at 3rd level. I have absolutely NO immersion, suspension of disbelief, balance or mechanical problems with having a 1st and 2nd level paladin being the squire-in-training or acolyte or initiate but has yet to take on his/her formal vows/oath. (Not to mention the story/background/lore of a "Blackguard" is more about being someone who breaks/abandons/doesn't live up to the vows you took, not taking a specifically "vow to be evil." Though in a game like D&D the latter is certainly possible.)There's no reason [that I can see] a mage or ranger should need...or be allowed in RAW...to specialize at 2nd level. "Cuz it's a 'dead' level" is a nonsense reason for anything, at all times. You can play the game without "getting somethign" every level...you're working towards what you "get" next and mastering what you already "got." the concept of  "dead levels=bad" needs to be burned from the gaming consciousness in a divine )or natural or arcane, I don't really care which) fire. The mage and ranger can wait til 3rd to get a subclass, the same as everyone else. It's not about "balance", but about a sense of "fairness."</blockquote>

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