Easy_Lee
2015-05-31, 12:34 AM
The idea for this system came from two other threads: the level 0 post (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?418168-Level-0-characters-blog-post-iteresting-read) and the E6 thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?417061-5e-e6). The gist of the first is to create a 0th level where people just have backgrounds and racial traits to work with, easing them into full characters where they gain their class. The second discusses whether an E6 system would make sense for 5e, since casters gain world-shattering powers at later levels while martials do not.
I read the first and thought to myself that it would be really good for new players, who are often overwhelmed with their huge number of features. Then I read the second and thought that most casting is fine, but it's spell level 6+ that really gets out of hand. Then a well-known poster, whose opinions I very much respect, presented the idea to condense everything to 10 levels. Person_man, you gave me this idea.
E10: The Epic Ten System
The idea of this system is to condense the game down to just ten levels, adding a level 0 for the game's start. This reduces the gap between a maximum level and minimum level character, doing a better job at keeping low-level threats threatening than bounded accuracy accomplishes. Every level is interesting, and new players are eased into the game at a more consistent rate.
The other goal is to fix numerous issues with spell casting. Spell casters do not multiclass as well as martials, often losing far more than they should. Spell casters also gain world-shattering effects at higher spell levels, which can seriously mess with both class balance and the game world itself. Since these spells are generally of incredible power, these things should not be thrown around willy nilly on a daily basis. They should be the result of incredible feats of casting or divine intervention.
In short, tenth level is an epic character, and every level is very interesting for everyone. However, since level 1 represents a huge number of features gained (which can already overwhelm new players), players do not start at level 1.
The System
Level 0
You do not start at level 1; you start at level 0. Choose a background, personality traits, race, etc. You also choose your class, but do not gain class features until you achieve level 1. Level 1 happens at 100XP.
Players learn the system, learn their stats and skills, and learn to RP their characters before they are introduced to a full set of abilities. Players with particularly learned classes, such as monks or wizards, could be said to have never quite got it until that one moment. When they hit 100XP, they have an epiphany, everything finally falling into place. This represents a turning point in that character's life, the moment where the character realizes that he or she wields power beyond the norm. This often happens in the midst of a life-or-death situation.
Caster classes start the game able to cast cantrips as a level 1 caster, but may not cast first level spells until they hit level 1. All classes start with their weapon and armor proficiencies.
Proficiency
At level 0, your proficiency is +1. This increases to +2 as soon as you achieve level 1. From then on, your proficiency increases by 1 at every odd level. Thus, proficiency is +3 at level 3, +4 at level 5, +5 at level 7, and +6 at level 9.
In addition, players and creatures add their proficiency bonus to their AC. Since martials will be swinging harder and more often much earlier, and rogues will gain SA much faster, this is necessary. Combat will be fast and scary at all levels, especially if PvP occurs.
Finally, players and creatures add half their proficiency bonus (rounded down) to non-proficient saves, to reflect accumulated experience.
Feats/ASIs
The current system discourages multiclassing. Multiclassing is already a larger investment than usual with this system, since everything is condensed. To compensate for that, feats/ASIs are no longer tied to class levels. They represent your own character training in a thing, gaining experience. You gain one ASI or feat at every even level. Variant humans still start the game with a bonus feat.
Edit: Classes which receive extra ASIs, such as rogues at level 10, still receive them. They are treated as class features.
Class Features
When you achieve level 1, you gain all class features for levels 1 and 2 of your class. At level 2, you gain the features for levels 3 and 4. And so on, all the way up to level 10 when you gain your 19th and 20th level features.
Archetypes
Archetypes are treated as class features. If you would normally gain an archetype at class level 3, you gain it at class level 2 instead. If your archetype would grant a feature at level 7, you gain this feature at level 4.
Spellcasting
This is the largest change for this system. This system was modeled after wizard casting, the most consistent of the lot, and allows for a wider array of spells and better multiclassing between caster classes (to compensate for the loss of 6th through 9th spells).
Spell levels and spell slots remain unchanged, so you may still cast the same number of spells each day and cast spells up to the same level as normal for your level.
Cantrips scale up at levels 3, 6, and 8 instead of levels 5, 11, and 17.
When you gain a level in a casting class, choose four spells from that class' spell list. You learn these spells, and may treat them as spells known.
To learn a spell from a class, your relevant spellcasting ability mod must be equal to or higher than the spell's level.
To learn a spell, you must have a spell slot of a high enough level to cast that spell.
You may prepare a number of spells up to double your caster level plus your proficiency. This is close to twice as many spells as a wizard can normally prepare, and may be more spells than you currently know in some cases.
For all spell casters, spells are known internally. For some, this takes the form of a mental vault, from which knowledge may be retrieved in a trance. For others, it is a prayer to their god or a request to their patron. Many find that carrying a spellbook helps with with both fully understanding the spells one uses and research. For this reason, most wizards carry a spellbook at all times, though it may not hold every spell they know.
If you encounter spell scrolls or similar (praying to your God, etc.) during your adventures, and these spells are on your spell list(s) and are of a level for which you have spell slots, then you may learn them.
When you gain an additional level in a caster class you currently have levels in, you may forget two spells that you know from that class' spell list and learn two others in their place.
The language used does mean that a wizard / druid / cleric multiclass could potentially learn nearly every spell up to 5th level. However, as it would be up to his DM to give him these spells, as spells of a given level are (or should be) equally useful, as he would need maximum intellect and wisdom to do so, and as this player would miss out on higher level class features, this should not be a problem.
Half and One-third Casters
You only learn two spells, instead of four, when gaining a level in one of these classes.
Your spell slot progression is treated as having full caster levels equal to one-half or one-third of your levels in the relevant classes, rounded down, to a minimum of 1. Examples:
A 4 Wizard / 2 Fighter (EK) has spell slots as a level 5 caster.
A 2 Cleric / 4 Ranger has spell slots as a level 3 caster.
A 3 Fighter (EK) / 3 Rogue (AT) has spell slots as a level 2 caster.
Research
You may be able to research new spells which not even in the PHB. Speak to your DM about the spell you are trying to create, and he may tell you the steps you need to perform in order to research this spell. This may include finding and studying ancient texts, acquiring the correct materials, or even seeking out a supernatural creature. Your DM will adjudicate what the new spell does and its level. Usually, creating a new spell through research will require the use of a spellbook and special inks, the same inks which one might use to inscribe a spell scroll.
Some DMs may feel that the current spell list is adequate, so this feature is optional.
Warlocks
Warlocks are now considered a full-casting class, following all of the above rules. However, when you gain levels in the warlock class, you create a pact with your patron. Your current spell slots (if you have any) instead become warlock short-rest spell slots at your total caster level. So long as you have warlock levels, all spell slots will be of this nature. You cast your spells out of these slots using the usual spell-casting statistic for the caster from whose list the spell came.
Mystic Arcanum: these now function as long-rest spell slots. In addition to his short-rest spell slots, the warlock may utilize each Mystic Arcanum once per long-rest. Mystic Arcanum spell slots are the same level as the character's highest level spell slot. This way, warlocks are able to hoard some spell slots at later levels in the same way that normal casters do. In addition, features such as Arcane Recovery which normally replenish spell slots can be used to replenish Mystic Arcanums instead (for example, arcane recovery would let you regain 1 mystic arcanum after a short rest).
Warlock casters gain short-rest spell slots and Mystic Arcanums according to the following table:
Caster LevelSpell SlotsArcanums
110
210
320
420
521
621
731
831
932
1032
A caster who loses his warlock levels, such as by being banished by his patron, reverts to a standard caster spell slot progression.
System Summary
Every level is interesting, and features come at a consistent and easy to understand rate. Martials don't have to worry about casters becoming gods at later levels and leaving them behind. Rather than attacks and DCs scaling while defenses do not, defenses now scale at a consistent rate with attacks. This means that HP, AC, and hindering effects are equally useful at all levels, rather than HP and hindering effects becoming much more useful than AC at later levels. It also means that targeting a non-proficient save is not a guaranteed win button at later levels.
Casters, while they cannot gain the high level spells, can cast a much wider variety of spells per level than they currently are able. This is more reflective of a studious and varied person. More importantly, casters are able to multiclass effectively now without giving up their higher level spells, a huge improvement over the current system. Since many D&D books feature multiclassed casters, I consider this to be a great improvement. A wizard / cleric is now feasible, so long as his Intellect and Wisdom are both exceptional. And a pure wizard, while he cannot learn 6th through 9th level spells, gains his features much faster.
Where did the higher level spells go?
The higher level spells still exist in the world, but the players won't usually be casting them. A beyond epic big-bad caster might have achieved 6th level spells. The most magical of creatures, such as an ancient dragon, Lich, or similar might research and cast 7th level spells. A Demi-God might cast 8th level spells. A True God may wield the power of 9th level spells.
At the DM's discretion, players may even reach these levels of power, past tenth level. Though who can say what lies beyond that pinnacle? Most mortals cannot even imagine such power.
In addition, the players may encounter powerful magical artifacts on their adventures. Some of these might produce a high-level spell effect, but they are generally very limited in how often they can do so.
Scaling Things Down
Most player spells and abilities can be scaled down quite simply: just halve the damage. For abilities such as the Warlock's Hurl Through Hell, simply reduce its damage to 5d10 to represent acquiring it at a reduced level. For spells that need their level reduced, such as smites and Lightning Arrow, reduce their damage die as you feel appropriate (one simple method would be to divide by the spell's level then multiply by the new spell level). Most effects are equally useful at all levels, so it should not be necessary to change the effects of spells such as Tree Stride.
For creatures, do as you feel appropriate, though I suggest the following:
Halve the CR, rounded down, minimum 1/8. A CR halfway between two levels, such as a CR of 3.5, is possible. Some say that a CR of 3.5 is actually the most overpowered CR of all, but those may be rumors.
Recalculate its attack bonus. AC, and saves according to its new level and the new system (round partial CRs down).
Reduce its damage to half of the previous amount, since it will be attacking players who have fewer hit points.
If the creature is able to cast spells, let it keep these spells even if they are stronger than what a player of this level can cast. Reduce their damage where appropriate.
Keep the normal hit point total. Players will be hitting hard much earlier, so this is necessary.
As players gain levels, they will fight more durable opponents. Their tactics and teamwork will need to improve as their characters grow and develop.
Final Thoughts
Whew, that ended up being a lot longer than I thought it would be. The overall system eases players in, keeps every level interesting, and reduces the overall power level of casters while increasing their versatility and ability to multiclass. This system benefits multiclassing overall, compared to the standard 5e system where it is heavily discouraged. There will never be a dead level, for even a classless player would gain a feat at every even level and increase his proficiency at every odd level.
I may update this as needed. Please let me know if you notice any major problems with this system which should be addressed. This is, of course, an experimental thing.
I read the first and thought to myself that it would be really good for new players, who are often overwhelmed with their huge number of features. Then I read the second and thought that most casting is fine, but it's spell level 6+ that really gets out of hand. Then a well-known poster, whose opinions I very much respect, presented the idea to condense everything to 10 levels. Person_man, you gave me this idea.
E10: The Epic Ten System
The idea of this system is to condense the game down to just ten levels, adding a level 0 for the game's start. This reduces the gap between a maximum level and minimum level character, doing a better job at keeping low-level threats threatening than bounded accuracy accomplishes. Every level is interesting, and new players are eased into the game at a more consistent rate.
The other goal is to fix numerous issues with spell casting. Spell casters do not multiclass as well as martials, often losing far more than they should. Spell casters also gain world-shattering effects at higher spell levels, which can seriously mess with both class balance and the game world itself. Since these spells are generally of incredible power, these things should not be thrown around willy nilly on a daily basis. They should be the result of incredible feats of casting or divine intervention.
In short, tenth level is an epic character, and every level is very interesting for everyone. However, since level 1 represents a huge number of features gained (which can already overwhelm new players), players do not start at level 1.
The System
Level 0
You do not start at level 1; you start at level 0. Choose a background, personality traits, race, etc. You also choose your class, but do not gain class features until you achieve level 1. Level 1 happens at 100XP.
Players learn the system, learn their stats and skills, and learn to RP their characters before they are introduced to a full set of abilities. Players with particularly learned classes, such as monks or wizards, could be said to have never quite got it until that one moment. When they hit 100XP, they have an epiphany, everything finally falling into place. This represents a turning point in that character's life, the moment where the character realizes that he or she wields power beyond the norm. This often happens in the midst of a life-or-death situation.
Caster classes start the game able to cast cantrips as a level 1 caster, but may not cast first level spells until they hit level 1. All classes start with their weapon and armor proficiencies.
Proficiency
At level 0, your proficiency is +1. This increases to +2 as soon as you achieve level 1. From then on, your proficiency increases by 1 at every odd level. Thus, proficiency is +3 at level 3, +4 at level 5, +5 at level 7, and +6 at level 9.
In addition, players and creatures add their proficiency bonus to their AC. Since martials will be swinging harder and more often much earlier, and rogues will gain SA much faster, this is necessary. Combat will be fast and scary at all levels, especially if PvP occurs.
Finally, players and creatures add half their proficiency bonus (rounded down) to non-proficient saves, to reflect accumulated experience.
Feats/ASIs
The current system discourages multiclassing. Multiclassing is already a larger investment than usual with this system, since everything is condensed. To compensate for that, feats/ASIs are no longer tied to class levels. They represent your own character training in a thing, gaining experience. You gain one ASI or feat at every even level. Variant humans still start the game with a bonus feat.
Edit: Classes which receive extra ASIs, such as rogues at level 10, still receive them. They are treated as class features.
Class Features
When you achieve level 1, you gain all class features for levels 1 and 2 of your class. At level 2, you gain the features for levels 3 and 4. And so on, all the way up to level 10 when you gain your 19th and 20th level features.
Archetypes
Archetypes are treated as class features. If you would normally gain an archetype at class level 3, you gain it at class level 2 instead. If your archetype would grant a feature at level 7, you gain this feature at level 4.
Spellcasting
This is the largest change for this system. This system was modeled after wizard casting, the most consistent of the lot, and allows for a wider array of spells and better multiclassing between caster classes (to compensate for the loss of 6th through 9th spells).
Spell levels and spell slots remain unchanged, so you may still cast the same number of spells each day and cast spells up to the same level as normal for your level.
Cantrips scale up at levels 3, 6, and 8 instead of levels 5, 11, and 17.
When you gain a level in a casting class, choose four spells from that class' spell list. You learn these spells, and may treat them as spells known.
To learn a spell from a class, your relevant spellcasting ability mod must be equal to or higher than the spell's level.
To learn a spell, you must have a spell slot of a high enough level to cast that spell.
You may prepare a number of spells up to double your caster level plus your proficiency. This is close to twice as many spells as a wizard can normally prepare, and may be more spells than you currently know in some cases.
For all spell casters, spells are known internally. For some, this takes the form of a mental vault, from which knowledge may be retrieved in a trance. For others, it is a prayer to their god or a request to their patron. Many find that carrying a spellbook helps with with both fully understanding the spells one uses and research. For this reason, most wizards carry a spellbook at all times, though it may not hold every spell they know.
If you encounter spell scrolls or similar (praying to your God, etc.) during your adventures, and these spells are on your spell list(s) and are of a level for which you have spell slots, then you may learn them.
When you gain an additional level in a caster class you currently have levels in, you may forget two spells that you know from that class' spell list and learn two others in their place.
The language used does mean that a wizard / druid / cleric multiclass could potentially learn nearly every spell up to 5th level. However, as it would be up to his DM to give him these spells, as spells of a given level are (or should be) equally useful, as he would need maximum intellect and wisdom to do so, and as this player would miss out on higher level class features, this should not be a problem.
Half and One-third Casters
You only learn two spells, instead of four, when gaining a level in one of these classes.
Your spell slot progression is treated as having full caster levels equal to one-half or one-third of your levels in the relevant classes, rounded down, to a minimum of 1. Examples:
A 4 Wizard / 2 Fighter (EK) has spell slots as a level 5 caster.
A 2 Cleric / 4 Ranger has spell slots as a level 3 caster.
A 3 Fighter (EK) / 3 Rogue (AT) has spell slots as a level 2 caster.
Research
You may be able to research new spells which not even in the PHB. Speak to your DM about the spell you are trying to create, and he may tell you the steps you need to perform in order to research this spell. This may include finding and studying ancient texts, acquiring the correct materials, or even seeking out a supernatural creature. Your DM will adjudicate what the new spell does and its level. Usually, creating a new spell through research will require the use of a spellbook and special inks, the same inks which one might use to inscribe a spell scroll.
Some DMs may feel that the current spell list is adequate, so this feature is optional.
Warlocks
Warlocks are now considered a full-casting class, following all of the above rules. However, when you gain levels in the warlock class, you create a pact with your patron. Your current spell slots (if you have any) instead become warlock short-rest spell slots at your total caster level. So long as you have warlock levels, all spell slots will be of this nature. You cast your spells out of these slots using the usual spell-casting statistic for the caster from whose list the spell came.
Mystic Arcanum: these now function as long-rest spell slots. In addition to his short-rest spell slots, the warlock may utilize each Mystic Arcanum once per long-rest. Mystic Arcanum spell slots are the same level as the character's highest level spell slot. This way, warlocks are able to hoard some spell slots at later levels in the same way that normal casters do. In addition, features such as Arcane Recovery which normally replenish spell slots can be used to replenish Mystic Arcanums instead (for example, arcane recovery would let you regain 1 mystic arcanum after a short rest).
Warlock casters gain short-rest spell slots and Mystic Arcanums according to the following table:
Caster LevelSpell SlotsArcanums
110
210
320
420
521
621
731
831
932
1032
A caster who loses his warlock levels, such as by being banished by his patron, reverts to a standard caster spell slot progression.
System Summary
Every level is interesting, and features come at a consistent and easy to understand rate. Martials don't have to worry about casters becoming gods at later levels and leaving them behind. Rather than attacks and DCs scaling while defenses do not, defenses now scale at a consistent rate with attacks. This means that HP, AC, and hindering effects are equally useful at all levels, rather than HP and hindering effects becoming much more useful than AC at later levels. It also means that targeting a non-proficient save is not a guaranteed win button at later levels.
Casters, while they cannot gain the high level spells, can cast a much wider variety of spells per level than they currently are able. This is more reflective of a studious and varied person. More importantly, casters are able to multiclass effectively now without giving up their higher level spells, a huge improvement over the current system. Since many D&D books feature multiclassed casters, I consider this to be a great improvement. A wizard / cleric is now feasible, so long as his Intellect and Wisdom are both exceptional. And a pure wizard, while he cannot learn 6th through 9th level spells, gains his features much faster.
Where did the higher level spells go?
The higher level spells still exist in the world, but the players won't usually be casting them. A beyond epic big-bad caster might have achieved 6th level spells. The most magical of creatures, such as an ancient dragon, Lich, or similar might research and cast 7th level spells. A Demi-God might cast 8th level spells. A True God may wield the power of 9th level spells.
At the DM's discretion, players may even reach these levels of power, past tenth level. Though who can say what lies beyond that pinnacle? Most mortals cannot even imagine such power.
In addition, the players may encounter powerful magical artifacts on their adventures. Some of these might produce a high-level spell effect, but they are generally very limited in how often they can do so.
Scaling Things Down
Most player spells and abilities can be scaled down quite simply: just halve the damage. For abilities such as the Warlock's Hurl Through Hell, simply reduce its damage to 5d10 to represent acquiring it at a reduced level. For spells that need their level reduced, such as smites and Lightning Arrow, reduce their damage die as you feel appropriate (one simple method would be to divide by the spell's level then multiply by the new spell level). Most effects are equally useful at all levels, so it should not be necessary to change the effects of spells such as Tree Stride.
For creatures, do as you feel appropriate, though I suggest the following:
Halve the CR, rounded down, minimum 1/8. A CR halfway between two levels, such as a CR of 3.5, is possible. Some say that a CR of 3.5 is actually the most overpowered CR of all, but those may be rumors.
Recalculate its attack bonus. AC, and saves according to its new level and the new system (round partial CRs down).
Reduce its damage to half of the previous amount, since it will be attacking players who have fewer hit points.
If the creature is able to cast spells, let it keep these spells even if they are stronger than what a player of this level can cast. Reduce their damage where appropriate.
Keep the normal hit point total. Players will be hitting hard much earlier, so this is necessary.
As players gain levels, they will fight more durable opponents. Their tactics and teamwork will need to improve as their characters grow and develop.
Final Thoughts
Whew, that ended up being a lot longer than I thought it would be. The overall system eases players in, keeps every level interesting, and reduces the overall power level of casters while increasing their versatility and ability to multiclass. This system benefits multiclassing overall, compared to the standard 5e system where it is heavily discouraged. There will never be a dead level, for even a classless player would gain a feat at every even level and increase his proficiency at every odd level.
I may update this as needed. Please let me know if you notice any major problems with this system which should be addressed. This is, of course, an experimental thing.