Turanil
First Post
(Note: this is a duplicate of the same thread begun on the True20 forums, but I can maybe expect more posts here, and from different gamers.)
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So this pertains to how True20 handles classes, and how I wanted to tweak that. Note by the way that such "tweaking" idea could be adopted with d20 (using the 3 UA generic classes as a basis).
But first, to remember quickly things, as pertains to classes/roles, True20 can be summarized as follows :
1) Three basic roles that are highly customizable, since you choose your feats every levels (unlike d20 where most class features are already determined). Now, these roles, in themselves, are bland generic, and players have better to have a good idea of what they want to portray to make interesting and flavorful characters. Nonetheless, even if they lack ideas, archetypes (in various supplements) are often provided to help them in this regard.
2) Characters can multirole (multiclass), but players must remember that when gaining one level in a new role, they don't get a new allotment of skills, only (X + int) x1, don't get a new core ability, and must substract 2 from the best save of that new role.
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Now I have my own preferences to throw in: I do like True20 customization, but I also like classes, and especially those found in Warhammer Fantasy RP (like rat-catcher, etc.). Then, I wouldn't mind that one wouldn't have to remember restrictions (see #2 above) when changing roles. In addition, I have read plenty of good ideas (that I have yet to compile) on this messageboard, of variant core abilities, custom roles, and what not. So I got an idea :
1) There would be first, a set of "background classes" (probably equivalent to 2nd or 3rd level characters, representing experienced daily life people, and the level at which my players usually like to begin a campaign). These have various (although balanced, using The Shadow's custom roles system) skills, BAB, saves, reputation, starting feats, and core ability, that reflects what the class is. Such "background classes" represent initial years of training in some archetypal profession of the campaign world. With this sytem, it would be simpler to well differentiate a wizard from a cleric, from a warlock, etc., even if later they all take the same levels of adepts and powers.
2) Then, in addition to these background classes, characters who get experience acquire levels in the 3 roles as they see fit: Warrior, Expert, Adept. These are as per the core rules, except that they are "additional levels", so there is no mention of what is normally gained at 1st level in such roles, and save progression takes into account that "minus 2" for multi-role.
3) The "background classes" have a suggested selection of feats and prefered role levels (i.e.: Soldiers, for example, obviously favor Warrior levels, although this is not mandatory). A character from a background class may eventually try to emulate another, but only in taking appropriate levels and feats in some of the 3 roles; they cannot take a second background class. (I.e.: a PC with Merchant as "background class", for example, cannot then change to the Noble "background class". However, he could attempt to become a noble through roleplay and taking role levels and feats that he deems appropriate to emulate a Noble. Then, the character could be indeed considered a noble in the campaign world, but yet with always a chance of being not totally considered so, and be sometimes recalled who he really is and comes from.)
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So, in this alternate system, common people are of the various background classes, but exceptional individuals (PCs and important NPCs)acquire levels, and as they wish, in either appropriate roles and related feats, or in a totally new direction (i.e.: such as the Peasant who became a great warrior-mage).
What do you thing about it? Is it an interesting idea? Is it feasible? Is there some inherent flaw I didn't notice with such an idea?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So this pertains to how True20 handles classes, and how I wanted to tweak that. Note by the way that such "tweaking" idea could be adopted with d20 (using the 3 UA generic classes as a basis).
But first, to remember quickly things, as pertains to classes/roles, True20 can be summarized as follows :
1) Three basic roles that are highly customizable, since you choose your feats every levels (unlike d20 where most class features are already determined). Now, these roles, in themselves, are bland generic, and players have better to have a good idea of what they want to portray to make interesting and flavorful characters. Nonetheless, even if they lack ideas, archetypes (in various supplements) are often provided to help them in this regard.
2) Characters can multirole (multiclass), but players must remember that when gaining one level in a new role, they don't get a new allotment of skills, only (X + int) x1, don't get a new core ability, and must substract 2 from the best save of that new role.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now I have my own preferences to throw in: I do like True20 customization, but I also like classes, and especially those found in Warhammer Fantasy RP (like rat-catcher, etc.). Then, I wouldn't mind that one wouldn't have to remember restrictions (see #2 above) when changing roles. In addition, I have read plenty of good ideas (that I have yet to compile) on this messageboard, of variant core abilities, custom roles, and what not. So I got an idea :
1) There would be first, a set of "background classes" (probably equivalent to 2nd or 3rd level characters, representing experienced daily life people, and the level at which my players usually like to begin a campaign). These have various (although balanced, using The Shadow's custom roles system) skills, BAB, saves, reputation, starting feats, and core ability, that reflects what the class is. Such "background classes" represent initial years of training in some archetypal profession of the campaign world. With this sytem, it would be simpler to well differentiate a wizard from a cleric, from a warlock, etc., even if later they all take the same levels of adepts and powers.
2) Then, in addition to these background classes, characters who get experience acquire levels in the 3 roles as they see fit: Warrior, Expert, Adept. These are as per the core rules, except that they are "additional levels", so there is no mention of what is normally gained at 1st level in such roles, and save progression takes into account that "minus 2" for multi-role.
3) The "background classes" have a suggested selection of feats and prefered role levels (i.e.: Soldiers, for example, obviously favor Warrior levels, although this is not mandatory). A character from a background class may eventually try to emulate another, but only in taking appropriate levels and feats in some of the 3 roles; they cannot take a second background class. (I.e.: a PC with Merchant as "background class", for example, cannot then change to the Noble "background class". However, he could attempt to become a noble through roleplay and taking role levels and feats that he deems appropriate to emulate a Noble. Then, the character could be indeed considered a noble in the campaign world, but yet with always a chance of being not totally considered so, and be sometimes recalled who he really is and comes from.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, in this alternate system, common people are of the various background classes, but exceptional individuals (PCs and important NPCs)acquire levels, and as they wish, in either appropriate roles and related feats, or in a totally new direction (i.e.: such as the Peasant who became a great warrior-mage).
What do you thing about it? Is it an interesting idea? Is it feasible? Is there some inherent flaw I didn't notice with such an idea?
