HugeOgre
First Post
It is ironic I suppose to hear that many of the things I imagined I'd change if I ever had the time to produce my own d20 variant are being whispered about in the newest version. I figure that's much less because I have been off my meds and refusing to wear my tin hat, and more because the problems of 3E were glaring to all of us. So, since its clear to me that Ill NEVER get around to actually making a game, here's a thread for us all to post on things WE'D change about the game. If the thread actually manages to stay busy, I'd just ask that we try to accept everyone's ideas, and not let discussion on any given idea consume the thread. That said, and without further ado, here are 8 ideas I already had.
1) Collapse the classes to their more basic elements. Not Strong Hero, Wise Hero like d20 Modern, but simpler classes like Warrior and Caster. One of the things that people always talked about was which class, because of this or the other, was weaker, or stronger, or broken. Smashing them together makes sense, because its easier to compare them, and easier to learn.
2. Merge class abilities and feats. Merge them all into trees, and let the PC pick every level from whatever trees are available to him.
3. Allow characters to run around corners. Perhaps at x3 times speed. Come on, even I can run around corners...
4. Put more emphasis on traps at lower levels that can be found by non-rogues. The mechanic was already there in 3rd edition, but no one ever used it, and WotC never put any sample < DC 20 traps in their DMG that I recall. Most players I know dont even think they can do it.
5. Add skills like Melee-Strength. I never liked the notion that just because my fighter didnt take cleave he couldnt swing his sword around and hit something. I wondered if the mechanic shouldnt be make a DC XX check to cleave, or autocleave if you took the feat. The only downside is its yet another die to roll.
6. Allow for first level flexibility. No I dont secretly yearn for the buy system of 2nd edition (whose name I cant remember right now). I just think there needs to be a little more flexibility in the system, with rules that are clear and easy enough not to require a DMs approval (which, I think youll already find in the DMG). If you've merged the class abilities and feats above you're a long way toward being able to do this easily.
7. No MC XP penalty. Instead, multi-classing would not automatically gain 1st level feats for your PC literacy if you are a barbarian, or 4 extra feats just by taking a fighter level.
8. 1st level independent of "growing up". People who are going to take a rogue level do so at 1st simply because of the multiplier. Other classes enter their adventuring lives with virtually no skills. This was done because of balancing concerns Im sure, but its irritating to me. Instead, create a "base" that all characters get, and build the classes up from that. Combine that with 2 and 6 above to let players pick their PC history appropriately, and do away with the x4 at first level skill multiplier.
1) Collapse the classes to their more basic elements. Not Strong Hero, Wise Hero like d20 Modern, but simpler classes like Warrior and Caster. One of the things that people always talked about was which class, because of this or the other, was weaker, or stronger, or broken. Smashing them together makes sense, because its easier to compare them, and easier to learn.
2. Merge class abilities and feats. Merge them all into trees, and let the PC pick every level from whatever trees are available to him.
3. Allow characters to run around corners. Perhaps at x3 times speed. Come on, even I can run around corners...
4. Put more emphasis on traps at lower levels that can be found by non-rogues. The mechanic was already there in 3rd edition, but no one ever used it, and WotC never put any sample < DC 20 traps in their DMG that I recall. Most players I know dont even think they can do it.
5. Add skills like Melee-Strength. I never liked the notion that just because my fighter didnt take cleave he couldnt swing his sword around and hit something. I wondered if the mechanic shouldnt be make a DC XX check to cleave, or autocleave if you took the feat. The only downside is its yet another die to roll.
6. Allow for first level flexibility. No I dont secretly yearn for the buy system of 2nd edition (whose name I cant remember right now). I just think there needs to be a little more flexibility in the system, with rules that are clear and easy enough not to require a DMs approval (which, I think youll already find in the DMG). If you've merged the class abilities and feats above you're a long way toward being able to do this easily.
7. No MC XP penalty. Instead, multi-classing would not automatically gain 1st level feats for your PC literacy if you are a barbarian, or 4 extra feats just by taking a fighter level.
8. 1st level independent of "growing up". People who are going to take a rogue level do so at 1st simply because of the multiplier. Other classes enter their adventuring lives with virtually no skills. This was done because of balancing concerns Im sure, but its irritating to me. Instead, create a "base" that all characters get, and build the classes up from that. Combine that with 2 and 6 above to let players pick their PC history appropriately, and do away with the x4 at first level skill multiplier.
