What qualifies as a "Special Power" when determining Leadership score?

[Kai Lord]

Something I've wondered since 3.0. Is this completely arbitrary or what? I have the power to cast a cantrip, +1 Leadership. Do you think they intended it to be an inborn power or supernatural ability, or will most class abilities qualify?

 

[Dirigible]

A Bloodline from BR, or a Path from MN

In many campaigns, you'll find that PC's tend to acquire...traits... that do not fit into typical level, race, class schemas. Witness Velendo's "I Don't Believe It!" from P-Kitty's storyhour. To me, something like that would certainly count.

On the other hand, depending on the nature of the campaign, merely being a spellcaster might qualify. In Caveman D20, having the biggest stick (ooo-err missus) might do it.

 

[Thanee]

I think it's left like this on purpose, since it depends on the campaign, what would be regarded as special.

In one campaign, being a cleric or wizard alone would qualify, while in another you needed to be a paragon mind-flayer half-fiend demigod whatever nastiness to do so.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Corwin]

See, now here is where I always differ from the generically assumed interpretation.

In the context of the chart (and the feat - IC) I've always thought of "special powers" as not "personal abilities", but rather along the lines of "influence". Catch my drift?

To me anyway, when I read it, I see someone who has command or clout as qualifying for that bonus. So a king or magister are easy example. But also: town marshals, leaders of the thieves guild, heads of the mage's guild, knights (law enforcement types), church heirarchy, etc.

The reason I've always thought of it this way is because the whole chart is based around reputation. And having influence or command over something/others is good for that. Not necessarily just because someone can cast a spell in a world where lots of people can do the same thing. Having a title of some kind can carry a lot of weight, IMO. That is the purpose of the bonus.

But I guess that's just me. Odd. I never even saw it the other way until I ran into a few people who did and we got into a debate about it.

 

[Thanee]

Being in command of something might also qualify for special power, but I think it's really meant to be in a personal way.

Those who wield special powers are prone to attract followers.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Crothian]

IMC, it's whatever I determine it to be. It's good to be the DM!!

 

[Corwin]

Being in command of something might also qualify for special power, but I think it's really meant to be in a personal way.

But this leads to the very question posed by Kai Lord in the beginning. What kind of personal powers constitute "special"?

Is a paladin's smite ability good enough?

Do all spellcasters qualify because they can cast spells? Or only certain ones at certain times?

How about monks and rogues? What would it take for them to qualify? Evasion good enough? That's pretty special.

In a world full of PC classed individuals running around, I just don't see mere class abilities as being all that "special". At least not in this regard.

That's why I always saw it as describing commanding or influencial powers.

Those who wield special powers are prone to attract followers.

Funny, I'd think those in positions of power who wield authority would tend to be the ones more prone to attracting followers. If you were going to compare the two against each other, I'd say "influence" beats "gifts" for attracting numbers. But, again, that's just my take.

[shrug] To each his/her own, I guess.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

I've always assumed it meant a supernatural power which could benefit followers. So Evasion = no, inspire courage = yes. Fireball = no, mass cure light wounds = yes. But the level of power needed would obviously depend on the power level of the campaign world.

But thats just me....

Kahuna burger

 

[Thanee]

In a world full of PC classed individuals running around, I just don't see mere class abilities as being all that "special". At least not in this regard.

As mentioned above, that is heavily campaign-specific.

In a highpower FR campaign, it might be someone with spellfire or a chosen or something like that.

In a lowpowered GH campaign, it could be a wizard or cleric with spellcasting ability.

Funny, I'd think those in positions of power who wield authority would tend to be the ones more prone to attracting followers.

Well they should already have followers!

But yeah, a position of power would probably qualify as well.

It's just not described well enough... it needs to be something that is "special", so not a class ability of a commonly seen class. Only something, that not every odd adventurer has available.

Bye
Thanee