Post by dodrudon on May 4, 2007 22:49:30 GMT
Currently, there is little to no use (in reverse order) for the 1st-level-only feats.
A 1st level feat represents a character's innate talent in some skill, or some unique background in which they were raised, that makes them stand out from the crowd. This trait may manifest itself steadily over a character's life (the character is unusually skilled in some aspect, and is a quick study for that), or eventually culminates in a unique ability (the character has progressed beyond all mortal knowledge, and develops new, exceptional abilities no one else has yet to achieve).
My suggestions for changes come in two flavors: either incremental skill bonuses over levels, or big bonuses once or twice in a character's lifetime.
Gender is used as a tool for some feats for characters to choose which bonus they'd want. I'm assuming it's possible to detect the gender of a character, because it's possible with conversations. If not, then just consider the different gender bonuses separate suggestions.
Here's a breakdown of 1st-level-only feats and the bonuses they give (ignoring Luck of Heroes, because that already has an expanded use). Change suggestions are in white. Because feats can't be modified without a hack, all changes are in addition to the feat's current effects. The skill bonuses below raise the base skill level, so every 5 points of tumble gives the +1 AC. However, bonuses will not raise the skill past the max of character level + 3 (though it will increase the skill beyond cross-class limits).
Artist - requires Bard
+2 Perform, Spot, Persuade
This feat represents the bard's natural talent performing before all sorts of audiences. Every 5th character level (to keep from having to relog every level), the male bard gains +4 Perform. Female bards, instead, due to their experience performing in front of an audience, gain the same bonus to Tumble, but only for every 5th bard (including Harper Scout) level. For either gender, in addition, all bards with this feat gain Skill Focus: Perform at bard level 10. At character level 60, if the bard has over 60 charisma and at least 50 total bard and Harper Scout levels, the bard gains +10 Tumble to whatever their tumble skill is (this does not stack with the female +5 tumble bonus).
Blooded
+2 Initiative, Spot
Rangers, rogues, and assassins are all skilled at tracking their quarry. Intense training and difficult situations give them an edge over others when it comes to sensing the hidden. Any character of any class, with this skill, will gain +5 Search every 5th level. A character with one of the above classes, and with this feat, gains Skill Focus: Search. At character level 60, if the character has at least 40 levels of some combination of the above classes, the character gains an additional +3 to the skill, which stacks with the +5.
Bullheaded
+2 vs Taunt, +1 Will
Some are truly stubborn, refusing to budge under the most trying of circumstances, uncompromising, unshakeable. This is can be a boon and a curse. This feat allows the character to choose the legendary feat Stubborness, which gives +3 to Will saves. Stubborness, in turn, allows access to the feat Immovable, which gives the character immunity to Knockdown. However, this feat also lowers the character's Will saving throw by 4, effectively negating the +4 will save bonus gained in the process of achieving this feat.
Courteous Magocracy
+2 Lore, Spellcraft
The character was raised in a society of mages. Magic was as common as butterflies. Even the barmaids know simple spells to calm those in a drunken stupor. Due to their unique upbringing, male characters gain an additional +5 to Lore and Spellcraft every 5th level, while female characters gain +1 to all saves per 14 ranks in base Lore and Spellcraft summed, up to a maximum of 1 per 6 caster levels, for a max of +9 to saves.
Silver Palm
+2 Appraise, Persuade
Some call commerce an art. Those that don't are usually driven out of business by the ones that do. Characters with this feat gain +5 Appraise every 5th character level, as well as gain 10% more gold from items sold in the Mass Seller chest, or from gold piles. Their charm also gives them a permanent, one-time bonus of +5 UMD at character level 60.
Snake Blood
+1 Reflex, +2 vs Poison
A very few are said to be born with the blood of snakes. Some are said to be fated to become evil, while others struggle to fight off the stereotype. The unique blood raging through the character gives them immunity to disease at character level 20, and allows the character to choose the Venom Veined feat in Legendary levels, which grants immunity to poison (an alternative to the Perfect Health feat).
Strong Soul
+1 Fortitude, Will, vs Death
Many face death in the early years of their lives. Few survive. Those that do are blessed with stronger souls, more able to withstand the forces that would rob them of their life. Upon gaining this feat, at level 1, the character gains +1 to reflex saves, and in Legendary levels, the character may select Hardened Soul feat, which give +2 to all saves. Characters with the Hardened Soul feat gain access to the Legendary Soul feat, which gives another +2 to all saves.
A 1st level feat represents a character's innate talent in some skill, or some unique background in which they were raised, that makes them stand out from the crowd. This trait may manifest itself steadily over a character's life (the character is unusually skilled in some aspect, and is a quick study for that), or eventually culminates in a unique ability (the character has progressed beyond all mortal knowledge, and develops new, exceptional abilities no one else has yet to achieve).
My suggestions for changes come in two flavors: either incremental skill bonuses over levels, or big bonuses once or twice in a character's lifetime.
Gender is used as a tool for some feats for characters to choose which bonus they'd want. I'm assuming it's possible to detect the gender of a character, because it's possible with conversations. If not, then just consider the different gender bonuses separate suggestions.
Here's a breakdown of 1st-level-only feats and the bonuses they give (ignoring Luck of Heroes, because that already has an expanded use). Change suggestions are in white. Because feats can't be modified without a hack, all changes are in addition to the feat's current effects. The skill bonuses below raise the base skill level, so every 5 points of tumble gives the +1 AC. However, bonuses will not raise the skill past the max of character level + 3 (though it will increase the skill beyond cross-class limits).
Artist - requires Bard
+2 Perform, Spot, Persuade
This feat represents the bard's natural talent performing before all sorts of audiences. Every 5th character level (to keep from having to relog every level), the male bard gains +4 Perform. Female bards, instead, due to their experience performing in front of an audience, gain the same bonus to Tumble, but only for every 5th bard (including Harper Scout) level. For either gender, in addition, all bards with this feat gain Skill Focus: Perform at bard level 10. At character level 60, if the bard has over 60 charisma and at least 50 total bard and Harper Scout levels, the bard gains +10 Tumble to whatever their tumble skill is (this does not stack with the female +5 tumble bonus).
Blooded
+2 Initiative, Spot
Rangers, rogues, and assassins are all skilled at tracking their quarry. Intense training and difficult situations give them an edge over others when it comes to sensing the hidden. Any character of any class, with this skill, will gain +5 Search every 5th level. A character with one of the above classes, and with this feat, gains Skill Focus: Search. At character level 60, if the character has at least 40 levels of some combination of the above classes, the character gains an additional +3 to the skill, which stacks with the +5.
Bullheaded
+2 vs Taunt, +1 Will
Some are truly stubborn, refusing to budge under the most trying of circumstances, uncompromising, unshakeable. This is can be a boon and a curse. This feat allows the character to choose the legendary feat Stubborness, which gives +3 to Will saves. Stubborness, in turn, allows access to the feat Immovable, which gives the character immunity to Knockdown. However, this feat also lowers the character's Will saving throw by 4, effectively negating the +4 will save bonus gained in the process of achieving this feat.
Courteous Magocracy
+2 Lore, Spellcraft
The character was raised in a society of mages. Magic was as common as butterflies. Even the barmaids know simple spells to calm those in a drunken stupor. Due to their unique upbringing, male characters gain an additional +5 to Lore and Spellcraft every 5th level, while female characters gain +1 to all saves per 14 ranks in base Lore and Spellcraft summed, up to a maximum of 1 per 6 caster levels, for a max of +9 to saves.
Silver Palm
+2 Appraise, Persuade
Some call commerce an art. Those that don't are usually driven out of business by the ones that do. Characters with this feat gain +5 Appraise every 5th character level, as well as gain 10% more gold from items sold in the Mass Seller chest, or from gold piles. Their charm also gives them a permanent, one-time bonus of +5 UMD at character level 60.
Snake Blood
+1 Reflex, +2 vs Poison
A very few are said to be born with the blood of snakes. Some are said to be fated to become evil, while others struggle to fight off the stereotype. The unique blood raging through the character gives them immunity to disease at character level 20, and allows the character to choose the Venom Veined feat in Legendary levels, which grants immunity to poison (an alternative to the Perfect Health feat).
Strong Soul
+1 Fortitude, Will, vs Death
Many face death in the early years of their lives. Few survive. Those that do are blessed with stronger souls, more able to withstand the forces that would rob them of their life. Upon gaining this feat, at level 1, the character gains +1 to reflex saves, and in Legendary levels, the character may select Hardened Soul feat, which give +2 to all saves. Characters with the Hardened Soul feat gain access to the Legendary Soul feat, which gives another +2 to all saves.
