Madara
2012-05-21, 05:16 PM
So I have this idea to streamline leveling. So it isn't "I am level 4", its "I am stage 2 level 4"
Now to explain the stages. Let's make a class, shall we;
Here's the barbarian, up to level 5.
Barbarian
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1st|+1|+2|+0|+0|Rage 1/day, Fast Movement, Illiteracy
2nd|+2|+3|+0|+0|Uncanny Dodge
3rd|+3|+3|+1|+1|Trap Sense +1
4th|+4|+4|+1|+1|Rage 2/day
5th|+5|+4|+1|+1|Improved Uncanny Dodge
[/table]
Alignment: Nonlawful
Hit Die: 1d12
Class Skills:
Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Survival (Wis),and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) × 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: fight...blah...light...armor...blah...blah
Fast Movement (Ex): run...blah...fast...no armor..blah
Illiteracy: Negative class benefit...blah.
Rage (Ex): blah blah blah, angry...blah blah...strength
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Reflex...blah...blah
Trap Sense (Ex): limited use...blah...blah..reflex...blah..traps
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Better Uncanny dodge
4th level is at 6,000xp, and 5th is at 10,000
In the old system, a 4th level barbarian(With 8,000xp) would have +4 BAB, Rage, Fast movement..ect
In the new one, because they are at a certain point in xp, they gain an ability from the next level. Let's say they gain the +5 BAB of 5th level.
-They don't gain any more benefits from the next level until 5th level, and when 5th level comes, they won't have any extra abilities than a normal 5th level barbarian(at 10,000xp). But when they reach a certain point between their levels, they gain one of the abilities from 6th level...and so on.
In another scenario, the rogue chooses to gain their skill points for the next level at 8,000xp. The same progress follows with no extra benefits at 5th level, but it makes XP matter more.
My goal would be to allow the classes system to progress smoother, without those "Yay, I leveled, and I suddenly swing my sword better than a minute ago." moments.
Ideally, I would only make slight adjustments to the current classes(SRD ones only), which would act as part of this new system. The changes would be very easy to make for any class, meaning I wouldn't have to do all of them.
Flaws: I will be the first to admit, I don't adamantly follow the XP system, I'm one of those people who eyeballs it and calls it when people level. But for a group in which you already keep track of XP for crafting this would make the melee non-crafters stand toe-to-toe with the "XP is a river" people, by giving them some early benefits.
Again, this is a concept at this point. And I may not even make any class fixes. But, its an idea that wouldn't be too hard for others to implement.
Now to explain the stages. Let's make a class, shall we;
Here's the barbarian, up to level 5.
Barbarian
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1st|+1|+2|+0|+0|Rage 1/day, Fast Movement, Illiteracy
2nd|+2|+3|+0|+0|Uncanny Dodge
3rd|+3|+3|+1|+1|Trap Sense +1
4th|+4|+4|+1|+1|Rage 2/day
5th|+5|+4|+1|+1|Improved Uncanny Dodge
[/table]
Alignment: Nonlawful
Hit Die: 1d12
Class Skills:
Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Survival (Wis),and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) × 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: fight...blah...light...armor...blah...blah
Fast Movement (Ex): run...blah...fast...no armor..blah
Illiteracy: Negative class benefit...blah.
Rage (Ex): blah blah blah, angry...blah blah...strength
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Reflex...blah...blah
Trap Sense (Ex): limited use...blah...blah..reflex...blah..traps
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Better Uncanny dodge
4th level is at 6,000xp, and 5th is at 10,000
In the old system, a 4th level barbarian(With 8,000xp) would have +4 BAB, Rage, Fast movement..ect
In the new one, because they are at a certain point in xp, they gain an ability from the next level. Let's say they gain the +5 BAB of 5th level.
-They don't gain any more benefits from the next level until 5th level, and when 5th level comes, they won't have any extra abilities than a normal 5th level barbarian(at 10,000xp). But when they reach a certain point between their levels, they gain one of the abilities from 6th level...and so on.
In another scenario, the rogue chooses to gain their skill points for the next level at 8,000xp. The same progress follows with no extra benefits at 5th level, but it makes XP matter more.
My goal would be to allow the classes system to progress smoother, without those "Yay, I leveled, and I suddenly swing my sword better than a minute ago." moments.
Ideally, I would only make slight adjustments to the current classes(SRD ones only), which would act as part of this new system. The changes would be very easy to make for any class, meaning I wouldn't have to do all of them.
Flaws: I will be the first to admit, I don't adamantly follow the XP system, I'm one of those people who eyeballs it and calls it when people level. But for a group in which you already keep track of XP for crafting this would make the melee non-crafters stand toe-to-toe with the "XP is a river" people, by giving them some early benefits.
Again, this is a concept at this point. And I may not even make any class fixes. But, its an idea that wouldn't be too hard for others to implement.