sayaijin
2021-05-01, 10:08 PM
I've seen many posts on "Why don't we eliminate this class? It's too similar to this other one mechanically/thematically." Here I propose a different way to make classes that is potentially more complicated, but I thought it was neat.
In place of normal class/multiclass rules, each player picks two of the following categories - a primary and secondary trope.
Categories/Tropes:
1) Precision
2) Brute force
3) Arcane Magic
4) Natural Magic
5) Divine Magic
These categories are how the player answers the question, "How would your character overcome an obstacle?"
They gain "half" features from the primary category at levels 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17 and "half" features from the secondary category at levels 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18. Subclass features occur at levels 3, 7, 11, 15, and 19 and ASI's occur at levels 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20.
If they pick the same category twice, then they gain "full" features when they would have gained secondary features. All characters naturally have proficiency with light armor and simple weapons.
Level
1) Primary Feature 1
2) Secondary Feature 1
3) Subclass Feature
4) Feat/ASI
5) Primary Feature 2
6) Secondary Feature 2
7) Subclass Feature
8) Feat/ASI
9) Primary Feature 3
10) Secondary Feature 3
11) Subclass Feature
12) Feat/ASI
13) Primary Feature 4
14) Secondary Feature 4
15) Subclass Feature
16) Feat/ASI
17) Primary Feature 5
18) Secondary Feature 5
19) Subclass Feature
20) Epic Boon + Feat/ASI
Below are some possible features for these tropes. Keep in mind, I'm not a game designer so these are likely not balanced, this is just an idea of what they could look like.
Precision:
Half (Levels 1/2, 5/6, 9/10, 13/14, 17/18)
1) Extra skill proficiencies, Sneak Attack (d4)
2) Uncanny Dodge
3) Evasion
4) Proficiency in all saving throws
5) Can make one attack as part of Uncanny Dodge
Full (Levels 2, 6, 10, 14, 18)
1) Cunning Action, Expertise, Sneak Attack (d8)
2) Expertise
3) Extra Feat/ASI
4) Reliable Talent
5) Stroke of Luck (3x/rest)
Brute force
Half (Levels 1/2, 5/6, 9/10, 13/14, 17/18)
1) AC+*, martial weapons, move speed+
2) Additional Attack
3) Jump, Swim, Climb Speed+
4) Extra Feat/ASI
5) Stunning Strike (no ki required)
* E.g. Unarmored Defense / Armor Proficiency
Full(Levels 2, 6, 10, 14, 18)
1) Action Surge, Fighting Style
2) Extra Feat/ASI
3) Additional Attack
4) Extra Feat/ASI
5) Additional Attack
Magic: Players choosing magic have either half or full caster progression based on whether they take magic for one or both of their categories.
Taking two different magic sources gives half caster spell levels and full caster slots.
Magic (Arcane)
Half (Levels 1/2, 5/6, 9/10, 13/14, 17/18)
1) Spells known
2) Cantrip Formulas
3) Flash of Genius
4) Magic Item Adept
5) Magic Item Savant
Full (Levels 2, 6, 10, 14, 18)
1) Ritual Casting, Spell Book, Prepared Spells
2) Metamagic (x2)
3) Metamagic (x4)
4) Spell Mastery
5) Signature Spells
Magic (Divine)
Half (Levels 1/2, 5/6, 9/10, 13/14, 17/18)
1) Spells known, Lay on Hands
2) Aura of Protection
3) Aura of Courage
4) Cleansing Touch
5) Divine Resistance
Full (Levels 2, 6, 10, 14, 18)
1) Channel Divinity, Spells prepared
2) Blessed Strikes/Potent Cantrip
3) Divine Intervention
4) Destroy Undead
5) Divine Intervention Improvement
Magic (Nature)
Half (Levels 1/2, 5/6, 9/10, 13/14, 17/18)
1) Spells known, Deft Explorer
2) Primal Companion
3) Nature's Veil
4) Feral Senses
5) something
Full (Levels 2, 6, 10, 14, 18)
1) Wild Shape
2) Wild Shape Improvement
3) Wild Shape Improvement
4) Beast Spells
5) Archdruid
Lastly, here is a look at the combinations and what current class/subclass they are similar to. This is just to give an idea what kind of subclass features you can use.
Precision/Brute Force - Swashbuckler/Monk
d4 Sneak Attack, Higher AC, better weapons for higher baseline damage. Subclass features would likely be monk themed.
Precision/Magic (Arcane) - Artificer/Bard
d4 Sneak Attacks, Uncanny Dodge, proficiency in saving throws, Flash of Genius
This character already has fantastic saves and defense along with half caster magic. Subclass features would likely be something like the Arcane Trickster or Armorer stealth mode.
Precision/Magic (Nature) - Ranger/Scout
Precision/Magic (Divine) - Bard/Dex Paladin
Precision/Precision - Assassin
Brute Force/Brute Force - Barbarian
Brute Force/Magic (Arcane) - Eldritch Knight/Hexblade
Brute Force/Magic (Nature) - Ranger
Brute Force/Magic (Divine) - Paladin
Magic (Divine)/Magic (Divine) - Cleric
Magic (Nature)/Magic (Nature) - Druid
In place of normal class/multiclass rules, each player picks two of the following categories - a primary and secondary trope.
Categories/Tropes:
1) Precision
2) Brute force
3) Arcane Magic
4) Natural Magic
5) Divine Magic
These categories are how the player answers the question, "How would your character overcome an obstacle?"
They gain "half" features from the primary category at levels 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17 and "half" features from the secondary category at levels 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18. Subclass features occur at levels 3, 7, 11, 15, and 19 and ASI's occur at levels 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20.
If they pick the same category twice, then they gain "full" features when they would have gained secondary features. All characters naturally have proficiency with light armor and simple weapons.
Level
1) Primary Feature 1
2) Secondary Feature 1
3) Subclass Feature
4) Feat/ASI
5) Primary Feature 2
6) Secondary Feature 2
7) Subclass Feature
8) Feat/ASI
9) Primary Feature 3
10) Secondary Feature 3
11) Subclass Feature
12) Feat/ASI
13) Primary Feature 4
14) Secondary Feature 4
15) Subclass Feature
16) Feat/ASI
17) Primary Feature 5
18) Secondary Feature 5
19) Subclass Feature
20) Epic Boon + Feat/ASI
Below are some possible features for these tropes. Keep in mind, I'm not a game designer so these are likely not balanced, this is just an idea of what they could look like.
Precision:
Half (Levels 1/2, 5/6, 9/10, 13/14, 17/18)
1) Extra skill proficiencies, Sneak Attack (d4)
2) Uncanny Dodge
3) Evasion
4) Proficiency in all saving throws
5) Can make one attack as part of Uncanny Dodge
Full (Levels 2, 6, 10, 14, 18)
1) Cunning Action, Expertise, Sneak Attack (d8)
2) Expertise
3) Extra Feat/ASI
4) Reliable Talent
5) Stroke of Luck (3x/rest)
Brute force
Half (Levels 1/2, 5/6, 9/10, 13/14, 17/18)
1) AC+*, martial weapons, move speed+
2) Additional Attack
3) Jump, Swim, Climb Speed+
4) Extra Feat/ASI
5) Stunning Strike (no ki required)
* E.g. Unarmored Defense / Armor Proficiency
Full(Levels 2, 6, 10, 14, 18)
1) Action Surge, Fighting Style
2) Extra Feat/ASI
3) Additional Attack
4) Extra Feat/ASI
5) Additional Attack
Magic: Players choosing magic have either half or full caster progression based on whether they take magic for one or both of their categories.
Taking two different magic sources gives half caster spell levels and full caster slots.
Magic (Arcane)
Half (Levels 1/2, 5/6, 9/10, 13/14, 17/18)
1) Spells known
2) Cantrip Formulas
3) Flash of Genius
4) Magic Item Adept
5) Magic Item Savant
Full (Levels 2, 6, 10, 14, 18)
1) Ritual Casting, Spell Book, Prepared Spells
2) Metamagic (x2)
3) Metamagic (x4)
4) Spell Mastery
5) Signature Spells
Magic (Divine)
Half (Levels 1/2, 5/6, 9/10, 13/14, 17/18)
1) Spells known, Lay on Hands
2) Aura of Protection
3) Aura of Courage
4) Cleansing Touch
5) Divine Resistance
Full (Levels 2, 6, 10, 14, 18)
1) Channel Divinity, Spells prepared
2) Blessed Strikes/Potent Cantrip
3) Divine Intervention
4) Destroy Undead
5) Divine Intervention Improvement
Magic (Nature)
Half (Levels 1/2, 5/6, 9/10, 13/14, 17/18)
1) Spells known, Deft Explorer
2) Primal Companion
3) Nature's Veil
4) Feral Senses
5) something
Full (Levels 2, 6, 10, 14, 18)
1) Wild Shape
2) Wild Shape Improvement
3) Wild Shape Improvement
4) Beast Spells
5) Archdruid
Lastly, here is a look at the combinations and what current class/subclass they are similar to. This is just to give an idea what kind of subclass features you can use.
Precision/Brute Force - Swashbuckler/Monk
d4 Sneak Attack, Higher AC, better weapons for higher baseline damage. Subclass features would likely be monk themed.
Precision/Magic (Arcane) - Artificer/Bard
d4 Sneak Attacks, Uncanny Dodge, proficiency in saving throws, Flash of Genius
This character already has fantastic saves and defense along with half caster magic. Subclass features would likely be something like the Arcane Trickster or Armorer stealth mode.
Precision/Magic (Nature) - Ranger/Scout
Precision/Magic (Divine) - Bard/Dex Paladin
Precision/Precision - Assassin
Brute Force/Brute Force - Barbarian
Brute Force/Magic (Arcane) - Eldritch Knight/Hexblade
Brute Force/Magic (Nature) - Ranger
Brute Force/Magic (Divine) - Paladin
Magic (Divine)/Magic (Divine) - Cleric
Magic (Nature)/Magic (Nature) - Druid