What options are you really happy you allowed into your game?

[Mort]

Kind of the opposite of the thread I started yesterday.

what options (races, classes, substitution levels, class variants, rules variants, anything of that sort) have you allowed into your game that you are really happy with (especially options you were initially leary of but now think work really well)?

 

[Halivar]

Gestalt. We almost play it exclusively. You're never unable to make exactly the character concept you want.

 

[Crothian]

Dragon Shaman. Those auras make the game a lot easier for the PCs and DM. No more resting after a few fights as everyone is always at least at half hit points.

All of them really. There hjas not been an option that was bad we have seen yet.

 

[SolitonMan]

Second for gestalt. While the players were initially a bit overwhelmed with options, they've adjusted and now lament the conclusion of our campaign (tonight! ) because of having to go back to the "old way" of doing things. As DM, I've found it much more fun to be able to throw tougher creatures at the group. Their abilities to heal prevent most encounters from being more than temporarily deadly (revivify has become quite popular...). Plus, it's fun to create BBEGs who are also gestalt! Can't wait until they run into the rogue/alienist vampire who controls the dungeon they're about to enter...

 

[IanB]

B9S. I was really reluctant at first because it seemed so strong.

Well, the classes *are* strong. Maybe a little too strong, and I've had to make a few changes to individual powers - but they're so much *fun* that the overpoweredness of a couple things is really just an annoyance.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

1. Weapon Groups. This has changed combat in that I see a lot more variety in weapons used now.

2. Modified "Buy the Numbers" system. Someone above said that Gestalt always allows you to build the character you want. This system does that to an even higher level. We didn't like some of the numberical progressions in the pdf, but the few we didn't like were changed and we are incredibly happy now. Nobody ever plays a character they don't like, because nobody ever "has" to take a class ability or a feat (or even a hit die or save progression!)they don't want or at a level they don't want it.

3. Class Defense. It is capable of being abused, but every abuse the players can use the DM can use to a better advantage. So, this system self-polices in my group. In other groups, it has been proven to not work.

 

[Voadam]

Spontaneous divine casting. I like the fewer known but always available spellcaster paradigm much better than spell preparation.

Recharge magic. I like per encounter resource management better than per day tracking.

 

[Nifft]

ToB:Bo9S -- Melee is kinda fun!

Psionics -- Magical, yet balanced!

Prestige Classes -- Does anyone else remember that these are an optional supplement?

Warforged -- Interesting PCs, fun NPCs.

Haven't seen much else in play yet.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Mort]

Spontaneous divine casting. I like the fewer known but always available spellcaster paradigm much better than spell preparation..

Is this with the favored soul?

Recharge magic. I like per encounter resource management better than per day tracking.

Is there something that does this with mages, or are you talking about Bo9S and the like?

 

[Ry]

Players roll all the dice is the best variant ever.

I'm glad I have Conviction and the Death Flag and Raising the Stakes, they've transformed my game (that's why I flog them whenever I can).

E6 has also made the game more fun for me.