d20 Build Your Own Class rules

[aspekt]

In another place I ran across a claim that the Exodus ruleset allowed for character customization via BYOC.

I've wondered about skill based d20 adaptations, but have been troubled as to their fit with the d20 SRD overall. So running across claims concerning a BYOC d20 set of rules peaked my interest as possibly being a better overall fit for cross compatibility.

Any discussion, debate, or commentary on this concept is welcome. However, I am also hoping for either references to such a pre-existing ruleset or home brewed versions that I can obtain copies of to actually read.

[ekarney]

I found a couple of pre-existing, OGL resources, that all seem to be rather similar.

This one (http://www.together.net/~tjoneslo/Class_Construction_Guide092.pdf) seems to be the most straight forward and efficient. However it appears to be based on one by Shadowcraft studios, which I've not read yet and can be found here. (http://rumkin.com/reference/dnd/media/classconstruction.pdf)


Edit Part 1: Thomas Jones-Low's guide is much more direct, however I just finished reading the Shadowcraft one, and both use a similar point system. With Shadowcraft's "cap" being 240 points, with on average everything being cheaper, whereas Thomas Jones-Low's caps at around 223 with everything costing slightly more. So my assumption would be for high-tier casters use Thomas Jones-Low's, but for everything else use Shadowcraft, and add in any of Thomas' options with a slight point decrease if you want to versatility.

However I wouldn't use it as a basis for balance, as the monk ranks in on Shadowcraft's with a whopping 287 points and the Sorcerer at 215.


Part 2: If anyone's just browsing I high encourage you to read those links, they're quite interesting.

[aspekt]

Thanks for the links! I'll check them out.

I am assuming that the point buy is purchase aspects of a class, not a GURPS model where you are simply buying skills?

[ekarney]

Thanks for the links! I'll check them out.

I am assuming that the point buy is purchase aspects of a class, not a GURPS model where you are simply buying skills?

Yeah, so you buy your HD, BAB, saves, proficiencies and class features.
Though the class features bit is slightly annoying to figure out, they do have comparisons to existing features to help one get a grip on it.

[Grod_The_Giant]

True20 had did guidelines, but I was kind of suspicious on my cursory reading.

Mutants and Masterminds is hands down the best d20 point buy out there, but it's not class based. (It's not really skill based either- basically all about effects)

[aspekt]

I had looked at M&M before but was having difficulty understanding how the conversions might work with 'buying' a class.

So your point on effects as emphasis helped me out there.

I'm starting to wonder if anyone has crunched the d20 numbers on the Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, which did have a build your own class feature. One which was ported over in a mod to Skyrim that I use.

I know the specific correlations would be off, but seeing how the modders worked out a semi-equitable class buy system would be interesting.

I spose I'll google up some ES Oblivion d20 search terms and see what happens.

If anyone else happens buy do check out the first two links from MeyaMyconid, plus Grod's D&D/M&M sig link.

And feel free to necrosis 20th in the bounds of the forum rules. I'd love to see and hear more.

[SangoProduction]

For "buying a class", just do what BESM D20 did. Have the class abilities just be abilities already presented for point buy, and each time you get that ability, you increase the rank of said ability.

For a very basic example:

Fighter:
Level Ability
1 Feat
2 Feat, +5 Discretionary points

So, by level 2, a fighter would have 2 ranks in the Feat ability (whatever that is), and has 5 bonus points for buying other abilities.

[aspekt]

It sounds a bit like an E6 game but with progression. I've got BESM 1e, but not their d20 version. I'll look for a copy and give it a read.

Thanks.

[Florian]

BYOB is tricky and I think ultimatelly useless on a step by step basis as it empowers the specialist over the allrounder, already incorporating all the OP one wants to have later.

That said, PF seems to have a rather hands-on approach to that, the the bases chassis for a class and many of the class features can be compared and swapped out.
I think it would be possible to put point values to those basic design blocks, but as they said themselves, basic balance on points is a wasted efford.

See here: http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advancedClassGuide/designingClasses.html