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View Full Version : Are these homebrew feats OP?



SangoProduction
2015-09-19, 01:41 PM
I don't think so, but potentially, so I may as well ask.
An actual first party changeling feat: http://marksworld.zeemer.com/files/feats/featlibrary/disturbingvisage.html
(And Quick Change which improves the disguise thing to a move action.)

Homebrew:
http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Changeling_Beasthide_(3.5e_Feat)
-basically allows you to disguise as animals

http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Camouflage_Skin_(3.5e_Feat)
-hide in plain sight, so long as you are naked, and not observed

http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Improved_Minor_Shapechange_(3.5e_Feat)
-Perhaps the more powerful/possibly op feat, but it does require 3 other changeling feats. It gives you Alter Self, as opposed to Disguise Self for your racial disguise thing.

Ruethgar
2015-09-19, 02:01 PM
The animal one I don't see as too OP, but hide in plain sight is a little on the powerful side for a feat at level 3. Alter self is just no. You can get it at will when a normal spellcaster is just getting a couple times per day. It is very powerful when just used a few minutes per day. At will would mean there is little reason not to go changeling, even as a four feat tax and especially if SS is allowed.

SangoProduction
2015-09-19, 02:03 PM
That's kinda what I was expecting. What is SS?
And what if you were to limit it to say 2 or 3 times per day at HD caster level?

Silva Stormrage
2015-09-19, 02:48 PM
Limit per day should be fine, either that or restrict it to higher levels. Alter self at level 3? Pretty damn strong. Alter self at level 10? Really not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

The animal one I would actually think might be a problem since it gives you, flight, swim, burrow and climb speeds.

Flickerdart
2015-09-19, 02:58 PM
Changeling Beasthide: Meh. I wouldn't even take this - it's got all the drawbacks of Wild Shape with none of the benefits except a mediocre bite attack.

Camouflage Skin: It's...okay. It's not Hide in Plain Sight since you still can't hide when someone is observing you, and you can't use any equipment. This is kind of strong at low levels, but becomes useless very quickly unless you are (or have) a spellcaster and can get buffs to make you useful in combat. As soon as you can afford a Cloak of Displacement this feat is useless.

Improved Minor Shapechange: If a player wants this, point them to this existing feat (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/spelltouchedFeats.htm#momentaryAlteration).

ericgrau
2015-09-19, 03:02 PM
1. I think it should read "Changeling or Doppleganger,". It should clarify whether or not it gives you the animal's ability scores. I don't think it does and for that it's perfectly fine as a feat, or a little weak in fact. I think this one could be buffed or expanded in scope a little. Perhaps scale with level similar to a druid's shapechange, but without getting the form's ability scores, abilities nor size category.

2. This one is problematic for roleplay, because it means optimally the player walks around naked. The lack of visible armor means that it is balanced and fine for a feat. Note that permanency + invisibility on the armor overcomes this, but since that can be dispelled it's still fair and balanced. An easily discarded cloak would overcome the role play obstacles. Perhaps one that must be held on to not fall off on its own. That way it's reasonable for the player to discard it as a part of movement while he camos himself, and everything stays PG. If he really needs both hands in a social setting then there might be a cord that he leaves untied most of the time but tied when needed.

3. Nope, definately OP in all but the highest optimization group. You don't get 24 hours of +6 AC and way more for 1 feat. I think 2/day would be fine if the caster level scales, 3/day if it doesn't. Even then there should be a level minimum but the 3 feat requirement indirectly covers that.

I think Momentary Alteration is underpowered, especially since the pre-req makes the feat itself nearly obsolete (unless you used a scroll). But it does show you just how far feat #3 is from reasonable, if Momentary Alteration is even in the ballpark of reasonable (though weak).

SangoProduction
2015-09-19, 03:10 PM
Thanks for the help you guys

The Viscount
2015-09-20, 11:49 AM
I agree that all of these are too strong when available, but not completely. Improved Minor Shapechange is mostly a problem of investment. Cabinet Trickster (which just rocks my socks) gives you change shape, which is actually better than alter self, but comes at ECL 10, after investing 5 levels in a class that is only OK until the last level. Taking 3 changeling feats to qualify for improved minor shapechange is not that much of a cost.