johnbragg
2018-02-09, 11:24 PM
I've been working on E6 classes for a homebrewed setting. And I've been re-thinking the orthodoxy on dead levels. (Dead levels are always bad, and good class design avoids dead levels.) I'm not sure this is 100% true in E6. Or more exactly, we're not looking at dead levels in the right way.
A level where the PC sees major changes is not a dead level, even if the PC doesn't gain any new class features. 2nd level is never a dead level--even if you're playing an Expert, you're looking at a 50% increase in HP on average, your BAB and good saves increase. Plus it's the first time you're leveling up this character. So
LEvels where you first get second- and third-level spells also cannot be dead levels. Those are milestones that change the way your PC lives. That means a lot more than another d6 to your Channel Energy or a bonus feat or Inspire Competence or +CHA to saves.
The way I see the demographics of 3X works like a radioactive half-life. Only 50% of a starting population will gain the next 1000 xp. (Noncombat encounters require a lot more grinding). So 50% are between 0-999, 25% between 1000-1999, 12.5% between 2000-2999, etc. That makes 50% of the people in the campaign world 1st level, 37.5% are 2nd level, which leaves 12.5% level 3 and up, and only 1.5% level 4 or more.
So level 3 is where heroes begin to really separate themselves. So this is where big flashy abilities should come online. 2nd level spells, maybe a 2nd Rage, lay on hands/ paladin's mount, ranger's animal companion.
As for capstone abilities, two of the three generic classes have them built in. Full-BAB classes get their iterative attack at 6th level. Spellcasters get 3rd level spells. But I'm not so set on how to handle Expert/Rogue types. Another +1 to Trap Sense is weak compared to a level in almost any other class.
So a rough outline for spellcasters is easy.
1. 1st level spells
2. Minor ability (+50% hp boost, +1 BAB)
3. Major ability
4. 2nd level spells
5. Major ability
6. 3rd level spells.
For full-BAB classes:
1. 1st level abilities
2. Minor ability (+50% hp boost, +1 BAB)
3. Major ability (Feat)
4. Major ability (Stat boost)
5. Major ability
6. Iterative Attack
For sneaky, clever skillmonkey types
1. 1st level abilities
2. Minor ability (+50% hp boost, +1 BAB)
3. Major ability (Feat)
4. Major ability (Stat boost)
5. Major ability
6. ???????
A level where the PC sees major changes is not a dead level, even if the PC doesn't gain any new class features. 2nd level is never a dead level--even if you're playing an Expert, you're looking at a 50% increase in HP on average, your BAB and good saves increase. Plus it's the first time you're leveling up this character. So
LEvels where you first get second- and third-level spells also cannot be dead levels. Those are milestones that change the way your PC lives. That means a lot more than another d6 to your Channel Energy or a bonus feat or Inspire Competence or +CHA to saves.
The way I see the demographics of 3X works like a radioactive half-life. Only 50% of a starting population will gain the next 1000 xp. (Noncombat encounters require a lot more grinding). So 50% are between 0-999, 25% between 1000-1999, 12.5% between 2000-2999, etc. That makes 50% of the people in the campaign world 1st level, 37.5% are 2nd level, which leaves 12.5% level 3 and up, and only 1.5% level 4 or more.
So level 3 is where heroes begin to really separate themselves. So this is where big flashy abilities should come online. 2nd level spells, maybe a 2nd Rage, lay on hands/ paladin's mount, ranger's animal companion.
As for capstone abilities, two of the three generic classes have them built in. Full-BAB classes get their iterative attack at 6th level. Spellcasters get 3rd level spells. But I'm not so set on how to handle Expert/Rogue types. Another +1 to Trap Sense is weak compared to a level in almost any other class.
So a rough outline for spellcasters is easy.
1. 1st level spells
2. Minor ability (+50% hp boost, +1 BAB)
3. Major ability
4. 2nd level spells
5. Major ability
6. 3rd level spells.
For full-BAB classes:
1. 1st level abilities
2. Minor ability (+50% hp boost, +1 BAB)
3. Major ability (Feat)
4. Major ability (Stat boost)
5. Major ability
6. Iterative Attack
For sneaky, clever skillmonkey types
1. 1st level abilities
2. Minor ability (+50% hp boost, +1 BAB)
3. Major ability (Feat)
4. Major ability (Stat boost)
5. Major ability
6. ???????