The VCH list (Very Common Houserules)

[Firebeetle]

I'm looking to compile a list of very common houserules, so common they could be considered part of the D&D culture. Please post any houserule you know is used with more than one group (at least.) Please list the rule and the "normal" rule it replaces (if any.) Thank you.

Current List:
1. A character's CON score becomes the number of negative points they can reach before they die. EG, a character with a 13 CON can get to -13 before they die.
Normal: Characters die when they are at -10.
2. Bards are allowed to choose any spell off the wizard/sorcerer list. Normal: Bards are allowed to choose off of their list only.
3. When rolling hit points, if the player rolls less than half then the character gets half HP minimum. EG, a barbarian rolls a 2 on a 1d12, so he get 6 HP minimum.
4. Dodge feat give a flat +1 bonus to AC. Normal: You must choose one opponent to gain bonus against.
5. Wizards get Spell Focus for free. Normal: Wizards must spend a feat to get Spell Focus.
6. PC may multiclass without XP penalties. Normal: Multiclassing can incur a 20% penalty.
7. Keen weapon quality and Improved Critical stack, giving an increase threat range. Normal: Keen weapon quality and Improved Critical do not stack
8. Tumble is an opposed check to the target's attack of opprtunity. Normal: Tumble checks are a flat DC.
9. Diplomacy is an opposed check to diplomacy. Normal: It is a flat DC
10. You may substitute STR for CHA in any Intimidate check so long as the subject can see you. Normal: Intimidate is only modified by CHA.

Haven't update all yet.

 

[Sir Brennen]

The Dodge Feat gives a flat +1 to AC, instead of having to declare its use against a specific opponent each round.

 

[Thaniel]

Specialist Wizards get Spell Focus for free.

 

[Presto2112]

Allowance of free multiclassing without XP Penalties.

 

[comrade raoul]

Keen and Improved Critical stack, yielding a tripled base threat range.

 

[XCorvis]

There's a heck of a lot of house rules to round up...

Tumble is an opposed check (this comes in a variety of forms), not a flat DC.
Diplomacy is an opposed check, not a flat DC.
Rich Burlew's Diplomacy rule: http://www.giantitp.com/Func0010.html
Substitute Strength for Charisma when making Intimidate checks.
No XP penalty for multiclassing.
Fractional BAB and Save advancement (Unearthed Arcana).
Fractional BAB and Save advancement variant where you can only get +2 for a Good save once.

 

[evilbob]

Giving (or at least playing it this way) sorcs and bards - or sometimes any caster - Eschew Materials for free.

I've never heard of Spell Focus for free myself, but I'd say the number 1 and number 2 house rules are no multiclassing penalty and dodge is +1 AC.

 

[chakken98]

In my time gaming it has been:

At first level HP = Con + 1dx (I.e 15 Con + 1d6 = 18 hp)
Eschew Materials for Sorcerers
Max ring allowence is 4 (no rings with similar powers stack, Ie can't have Ring of Protection +2 and +4 working together, you get the better of the two)
Max base character class of 3
Max PrC is 2
Toughness feat = +3, then +6, and so on and so forth (if taken more then once)

And a newer one incorperated, when you cast animate dead you can choose to add and of the templates in Libris Mortis to what you are creating (Ie, frost skeleton template)

Forgot one....Vorpal blades remove a random body part on a successful Crit. Not the head only

 

[Gerion of Mercadia]

Toughness modified from +3 hp to +1 hp/HD - minimum 3 HP; making it scale to level.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Allow magical shield bonuses to be applied to shield bash attacks.