Feats with variable costs [3.5 mainly, but basically any d20]

[DonEsteban]

So we all know that there are feats out there that almost everybody (of a certain class) takes and then there are the ones that nobody wants (methinks Toughness is one those). So if there are feats with different values, why not let them have different costs?

Say you get 1 "feat point" per level and the average feat costs 3 feat points, but some more and some less. You could even consider assigning costs to class features (e.g. "a sneak attack progression costs 1 feat point per level"), but I'm not sure if I'd want to take it that far.

So my question is: What do you think and has this been tried before?


Edit: Have a look at the poll.

[jokey665]

I know I saw a thread on this forum a while back dealing with this idea, but I don't know how far it got. Also, check out this link for a starting point.

[Ashtagon]

Problem is that it's too granular and you don't get an awfully large number of feats. A typical character gets 7 feats by 20th level before race and class bonuses are added.

Let's say Toughness is a 2-point feat. That's toughness and 2 more sucky feats you have to pick before you get an extra standard 3-point feat. Or suppose some feats are 4-pointers. That basically railroads you into buying a sucky feat at some point in order to buy that "good feat". This immediately devalues those feats by a considerable amount. All it'd end up doing is changing the dynamic of which feats are considered "good". Everyone will seek out the best 3-point feats, unless you throw a bone and include a 2-point feat that is vaguely half-decent.

[Siosilvar]

So my question is: What do you think and has this been tried before?

I think it's an interesting idea if balanced right and yes, this has been tried before. If I'm not mistaken, I've seen this exact post before at least twice.

Other discussions on the topic:
[Character Creation]Feat Points?
Feat Points [House]
[3.5] Feat tier system
EDIT: Do note that posting in any of these counts as necro.

[DonEsteban]

Stupid me, couldn't find those threads although I did search. Thanks a lot for all the links.

[...]Or suppose some feats are 4-pointers. That basically railroads you into buying a sucky feat at some point in order to buy that "good feat". [...] Everyone will seek out the best 3-point feats, unless you throw a bone and include a 2-point feat that is vaguely half-decent.

Well, you wouldn't have to buy a "sucky" feat. You only would get your "good" feat a level later. And also you could argue that there wouldn't be any more sucky feats.

Anyway, the motivation behind the idea was not so much to "make all feats equal" or something, but to allow a broader range of competitive character concepts.

The most valid objection in the previous discussions, I think, was the one on requirements for prestige classes. That would need some attention. But I'm actually no lover of the prestige class concept anyway. I'll have to think about it...

[DonEsteban]

So, it seems that many people agree that a feat point system would be a good idea. So the next step would be to assign costs to feats. Instead of thinking of something myself (Heaven forbid!) I thought to draw on the WIS of the appreciated GitP crowds and put up a little survey: Please have a look at this.

In case you have any suggestions for improvements or need for clarification, please let me know. Also, please refrain from discussing the value of any particular feat at this point. You're most welcome, of course, to discuss the general approach.