D&D Pokemon-Design-ified

[zakarntson]

Talking with the tech director at my work, a long-time D&D player. He was telling me about some of the rules changes they made, and one falls right in line with my firm belief in "if it's complex, ease your players in gradually."

Comments

[zakarntson]

Well, we didn't go into great detail, but here's an example of what I think he was getting at (and how I'd do it):

I don't have my books, so let's say there's a Diplomat class. Reaching 3rd-level from 2nd- is a leap of 2000 XP. At 3rd-level, you get the Stentorian Voice ability, 2 1st-level Divinations and 1 2nd-level Divination, your Defense Bonus goes up by +1, and your Will save goes up by +2.

You divide the 2000 XP among each of those abilities, giving more worth to better abilities.

Then, instead of getting all those options upon reaching 3rd-level, you can purchase any option as soon as you have the XP.

You could make a Cleric who, at 5th-level, casts as a 3rd-level Cleric, but turns undead at 7th-level. Or a Fighter who consistently gives up a bonus feat for a few extra to-hit bonuses.