Trying again: What would it take to get _you_ to use core only?

[brehobit]

OK,
In a previous thread I asked about how to deal with core only vs "most of the books". I think I probably asked the question poorly, so I'm trying again.

Say you have two options for character creation (and development)

#1 Core only. For race, class, spells, feats, skills etc. But you get some bonus.
#2 You could draw from Core, Complete series, Spell compendium, PHBII, Tome of Magic, Tome of Battle. Though there would be a few nerfs (no wraithstrike).

What "bonus" would be enough to get you to seriously consider option #1. Assume the game defaults to 28 point point-buy and starts at 1st level and everyone gets to pick between option #1 and #2.

(The last thread broke down into "why would you ever do this?" I'd like to avoid that if possible, let's just say for the expected group of players I feel it will be a good idea.)

 

[Presto2112]

Considering I own so many of the other books, I do like to use them in the games I play, so Core Only isn't an option for me.

 

[Greg K]

Option 1? The DM making use of customizing classes from the PHB and then incorporating Ari's Cityscape Enchancemnt part 1 (at least the urban and wilderness skill switches ), the PHB2 Druid Shapechange, and many of the UA class variants (e.g., barbarian hunter, cloistered cleric, battle sorcerer, urban ranger, wilderness rogue) as predone samples or aids.

Also, I would not hold it against the DM for banning alchemical equipment, riding dogs, spiked chains (and other silly weapons) and would consider doing so a bonus.

Option 2? It has no appeal to me. There maybe bits from those non-core books that I like, but there is a whole lot more that I do not.


edit: Action points would be another plus for Option 1 provided the DM still makes use of customization.

 

[Dracandross]

If id get to choose beetween bonus with core or noncore, Id definitely pick noncore. Not that those options don't offer more power but noncore has so much more variability that Id want to play with them. It's not just about power.

Currently Ive played (WLD)
1) Elemental savant (icy) that was really fun because of the specialization
2) Rogue-Paladin seems like its very nice versaile and quite efficient too, specially as we dont have other rogue right now and pure rogue sounds so boring.

But if you ask when Id feel enough powered compared to others id say +4 points could do it.

Dracandross

 

[The Souljourner]

The reason most people don't play straight core is not due to power level, it's due to interest level. We've all played fighters, rogues, monks, clerics, etc etc. But a lot of people haven't played warblades or psions or whatever else is in these alternate books. It's not that I want to play something more powerful than the core classes, just something different.

-Nate

 

[Nifft]

I answered what would get me to seriously consider, and frankly that's any of the above. Especially action points. Those look cool.

However, if you were to do this right now, I'd probably play something out of ToB:Bo9S. Not because it's as powerful as a Core-only Druid or Cleric, but because it looks cool and fun and I'd like to try one out.

Same thing for ToM and the Binder. It looks weak, but I'd like to try playing one.

Cheers, -- N

 

[gardengoth]

I don't need to be offered any bonuses to be restricted to Core only, I really don't mind.

 

[schporto]

Well I usually DM, so my answer is actually - convince my players. But, the last 3 times I've played all of the characters were Core. They may have had a feat or two non-core, but really, the parts I used were core. So, for me, nothing, you really don't have to.
Then again, I don't get the chance to play often. Those 3 times are over 3 years and include 2 WWD&DDays.
-cpd

 

[lukelightning]

I'd do core-only if everyone else was.

Same thing for ToM and the Binder. It looks weak, but I'd like to try playing one.

I'm playing an anima mage; binding is great fun! Yeah, they can be kind of weak but once you can bind two vestiges at 8th leve you really take off. Also, I like the knight of the sacred seal PrC; you get full BAB, martial wp and better armor proficiency and since you're probably going to have a favorite vestige anyways, you might as well go for this. I'd choose Balam; it's abilities are always useful (rerolling a die roll once per 5 rounds is incredibly useful and just gets more useful as you get higher in level and encounter more difficult DCs and effects).

 

[Slaved]

I am not sure how to answer the poll.

If I select more than one option then it looks like any of those would work when in fact it would have to be all of them.

I like playing noncore because of all of the interesting options out there which are simply either not possible using just the core or incredibly underpowered because of the limited selection of options.

Given enough incentive however, and if I could find a combination that I have not played before and would like to, then it would be ok.

But in order to answer I have to ask, which +1 ECL races are on the table for this poll? Any that are in the core at all? Do racial hit dice come for free as well?