Would you allow carte blanche power selection?

[Kzach]

Ever since I heard Master Mearls on the podcast say that it would be entirely possible to modify 4e to be classless, I've been keen to see how the system works. Now that I've seen a number of classes and looked over the PHB lite, I thought I'd try a little experiment.

I allowed a friend to make up a character using the base abilities of a class, ie. the fighter gets the defence bonus, hit points, challenge abilities, etc. however I allowed him to choose his two at-will abilities and each of his encounter and daily powers from any of the classes choices.

It actually worked out well. A rogue with Magic Missile (sneak attack anyone?)

So, would you allow this kind of play? I know there's the half-elf ability but that can easily be compensated.

 

[neceros]

Ever since I heard Master Mearls on the podcast say that it would be entirely possible to modify 4e to be classless, I've been keen to see how the system works. Now that I've seen a number of classes and looked over the PHB lite, I thought I'd try a little experiment.

I allowed a friend to make up a character using the base abilities of a class, ie. the fighter gets the defence bonus, hit points, challenge abilities, etc. however I allowed him to choose his two at-will abilities and each of his encounter and daily powers from any of the classes choices.

It actually worked out well. A rogue with Magic Missile (sneak attack anyone?)

So, would you allow this kind of play? I know there's the half-elf ability but that can easily be compensated.

We'll have to wait to see how the balance handles.

 

[Bold or Stupid]

I'm not sure if I'd allow it as standard, but I'm thinking of homebrewing a class inspired by the old Rolemaster Archmage class. Basically he would get no class features other than the ability to choose powers from several different class lists, preferably three each from a different power source.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I could allow it to a degree but I could see it being easily abused.

I would also, set limits based on the character, ie: a frail wizard can't pick Barbarian Powers.

 

[Hypersmurf]

A rogue with Magic Missile (sneak attack anyone?)

Isn't Sneak Attack limited to certain weapons - light blades, etc?

-Hyp.

 

[Kzach]

Isn't Sneak Attack limited to certain weapons - light blades, etc?

-Hyp.

Magic Missile counts as a ranged basic attack.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Magic Missile counts as a ranged basic attack.

That isn't the issue it is that:

Sneak Attack
Once per round, when you have combat advantage against an enemy and are using a light blade, a crossbow, or a sling, your attacks against that enemy deal extra damage. As you advance in level, your extra damage increases.

Though there are supposed to be Feats that allow you to use different weapons with sneak attack, ie: rapier. So why not spells too.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Magic Missile counts as a ranged basic attack.

So does a short bow, but you can't Sneak Attack with it.

-Hyp.

 

[Campbell]

Though there are supposed to be Feats that allow you to use different weapons with sneak attack, ie: rapier. So why not spells too.

We don't really know anything of the sort. We know that rogues do not start out as proficient with rapiers and Michelle Carter said that her rogue took a feat to use a rapier which she could sneak attack with. My guess is that a rapier is a light blade that a rogue is simply not initially proficient with. The character visualizer screen shots listed rapier as belonging to the Superior Weapon grouping.

 

[Kzach]

Sigh.

People, this thread is about thinking outside the box. Niggling little things like "you can't sneak attack with a magic missile" really isn't relevant. We're bending the rules as it is, use a little imagination and creativity.