Turning favored class into a bonus, not a penalty

[szilard]

That's really not that balanced at all. For example, 1 point per level is huge to a fighter, who's probably lucky to be getting 2 points per level as it is. My last fighter had an 8 intelligence, so this would have doubled his skill points. A rogue, on the other hand, is probably getting at least 10 points per level, so 1 more is a tiny upgrade. Not balanced.

Arguably, skill points are more useful to those classes that get more of them. Also, note that the Rogue will have more choices as to what to do with that skill point than the Fighter will (since they have more class skills).

And one of the things I really don't like about all of these suggestions of just adding a flat bonus regardless of the class is that it's just not the least bit flavorful.

Eh. YMMV.

Why are Half-orcs better barbarians? Because they get more skill points. Oh, ok. So why are Halflings better rogues? Because they get more skill points. Oh... so then why are Elves better wizards? Because they get more skill points... Boring!

It is more along the lines of: "Why are Half-orcs better barbarians? Because they are better at those skills that make a good barbarian."

Compare: Why are half-orcs better barbarians? Because they're more savage! Why are halflings better rogues? Because they're sneakier! Why are Elves better wizards? Because they learn spells more easily!

That, to me, should be the realm of race-limited Prestige classes or racial substitution levels.

-Stuart

 

[BRP2]

Compare: Why are half-orcs better barbarians? Because they're more savage! Why are halflings better rogues? Because they're sneakier! Why are Elves better wizards? Because they learn spells more easily!

This sounds like a job for regional or race-specific feats, if anything. Stat modifiers already explain why Halflings are sneaky and show that Half-Orcs are savage with lower mental stats. In some settings Elves have INT or CHA modifiers instead of DEX, or their sub-races do, to explain why they learn spells better.

 

[Phlebas]

I use regional feats AND regional skills IMC, they definitely add flavour but they don't promote favoured classes.

More skill points/level, +10% XP both give you KISS and 'something per level'

If you want specific abilities then substitution levels seems the only way to do it without encouraging dipping (and it means you can work in some / all the bonuses talked about above)

I think it just depends on how much work you want to do in YOUR campaign - I'm not sure you can get standard substitution level(s) that will give you the specific flavour you require, but at least its a framework to start you off

 

[Kmart Kommando]

I like the idea as well, but the balance is off.
Of course, can't a first level barbarian just take extra rage and get +3 uses per day? One extra use for a race that favors barbarian doesn't look that bad in theory.

Maybe have a list of generic things that any class can choose, that way they are getting something as a reward, but also get to customize their characters, and still be balanced.

suggestions:
extra skill points
extra hit points
extra feat from a list of flavor feats
extra use(s) of a class ability, the number based on the power of the ability
etc.

and any class can choose any bonus on the list.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Of all the options listed, I like the Conan option presented by Bayonet Chris..
[sblock]For a favored class (or classes) you get a bonus feat a 1st, 5th, and 10th. So if Barbarian is your only favored class, then you get it those three times. If you have two favored classes (for whatever reason), you would combine the levels of those classes for this purpose. [/sblock]

This has all the flexibility needed, provided a bonus to sticking to a favored class, and avoids level dipping...

 

[farscapesg1]

In my game, I use the favored class rule out of Conan:

For a favored class (or classes) you get a bonus feat a 1st, 5th, and 10th. So if Barbarian is your only favored class, then you get it those three times. If you have two favored classes (for whatever reason), you would combine the levels of those classes for this purpose.

It's simple and straightforward, not penalizing someone from not going that path.

I really like this idea, if I ever ran my own campaign. Of course, I'm also a big fan of the "1 feat per level" or at least 1 every 2 levels. Personally, I think that characters need all the extra feats they can get to help customize their characters.

 

[erf_beto]

In that Conan favored class rule... what happens to humans? Can they choose a class to get the benefit from or do they get no bonus at all? (a human fighter with 4 feats at 1st level? where do I sign? )

 

[Bayonet_Chris]

Conan

In Conan, there are no demi-humans. I would just rule that humans get a bonus feat at 1st, 5th, and 10th levels regardless of class and then maybe remove the bonus feat at first level for being human.

 

[Chupacabra]

I have implemented a modified version of the Conan 1/5/10 level extra feats rule for favored classes in my D&D campaign. Works great. Does not penalize multiclassing and is not a game-breaker for those who decide to play an archetypal character.

In Conan, every PC is Human. Favored classes are determined by your country of origin. Grew up in the untamed wilds of the Pictish lands? Your favored class is Barbarian. Grew up in the mazy back alleys of Nemedia? Your favored class is Thief (Rogue).

When I ported this rule into my D&D campaign, I still allowed humans to take an extra feat at 1st level and did not kick in the racial favored class benefits until 2nd level. Thus 1st, 5th and 10th level feat bonuses became 2nd, 6th and 11th level. This also discouraged "dipping" into a favored class for a single level simply to pick up an extra feat. You had to invest at least two levels before you got any special benefit from that racially-favored class.

PS - I give gnomes Bard AND Illusionist (Specialist Wizard - Illusions) as favored classes. I thought the change from 3.0 to 3.5 in that respect was kinda out from left field. Why all of a sudden were gnomes the raconteurs and minstrels of the game world?

 

[Ahrimon]

You could lower the XP needed to level for favored classes. Say by 5%. So if you needed 1000 xp to get the next level with the non favored class, you only need 950 xp to get it with your favored class. This rewards those who stick with their favored class since if you multiclass later on, you have a bit of a differance to make up before you can level in your non favored class.