Class Kit Example

[SethDrebitko]

So class kits are an optional rule I'm using in my current game. I don't like having players sift through massive feat lists so when they choose their class they pick a "kit" which is a set of 20 feats grouped around a theme. They pick one at 1st level and then another at 2nd and every other level. This gives those people who want fiddly bits for long term games an optional rule to accommodate them in a super simple way.

Below is an example for a fighter kit.

Two Weapon Specialist (FIGHTER)
Some fighters specialize in the art of two
weapon fighting to lay down a barrage of
deadly blows.

Two Weapon Fighting:
• This must be taken at first level as it
leads into all of the players remaining
abilities. These extra attacks occur
after all your normal attacks during
the round.
• You may make an extra attack this
round with a -2 penalty to all attacks
made this round.

Improved Two Weapon Fighting
• Prerequisites: Two-Weapon Fighting
• You may make a 2nd extra attack with
your offhand but take a -4 penalty to
it. You still only take the -2 to the
remaining attacks this round.

Greater Two Weapon Fighting
• Prerequisites: Improved Two-Weapon
Fighting
• You gain a 3rd extra attack with your
off hand though this attack is at -6.

Quick Draw
• Draw your weapons as a free action.

Toughness
Benefit: You get an extra +1 HP per level.

Skill Focus
• Choose a specific task related to a skill
that you get a +2 bonus towards. For
examples check the example skill
matches for ideas.

Two Weapon Defense
• Prerequisites: Two-Weapon Fighting.
• You get a +1 shield bonus when
wielding 2 weapons.

Improved Two Weapon Defense
• Prerequisite: Two Weapon Defense
• Your shield bonus increases to +2 and
you get +2 on when you make a parry
action.

Weapon Finesse
• When wielding light weapons you use
your DEX for your attack bonus.
Weapon Specialization
• Add +1 to attack and damage rolls
with a chosen weapon type. (You may
take this more than 1 time)

Dodge
• You get a +2 bonus to AC when you
are able to be mobil.

Whirlwind
• Prerequisite: Improved two weapon
fighting.
• You may make an attack against each
adjacent enemy instead of your full
attack. If you have Two Weapon
Fighting you may use both of your
weapons but take a -2 penalty to each.

Two Fronts
• When using an ability that expends a
use of a challenge you may choose one
additional adjacent target.

Flurry of Blades
• Each attack you make on a single
opponent in a row reduces their AC by
a cumulative -1. This only applies to
your attacks.

Improved Unarmed Strike
• You do not suffer an attack of
opportunity when making unarmed
attacks.

Resilient
• You get a +2 to a chosen saving throw.
You may take this 1 time for each
saving throw.

Parry
• If an opponent hits you with an attack
you may sacrifice an attack later in the
round to make an opposed attack roll.
If you roll equal to or greater than the
enemy you deflect the attack. If you
fail the enemy threatens a critical.

Deadly Parry
• Prerequisite: Parry
• If you successfully block the enemy
you may immediately make the attack.

Power Attack
• You may subtract a number (no
greater than your attack bonus) and
add that amount to damage.

[M-Type]

Nice

[weeot]

So, its a feat list, abbreviated so that you only have to sift through feats relevant to your character build.

Huh. I like it.

[morganm]

The premise is laudable; more options for players and diversity amongst similar classes. Sorry but I'm not a fan of this idea in general (not any one specific thing outlined above).  What you are creating here is a convoluted matrix of pre-requisites, special circumstances, and more book keeping.  

One might say "well didn't you do the same thing with your PathfinderLITE classes?"  The same premise... but achieved in a different way.  The mechanics you'll find for special class powers all operate roughly the same way and everything is laid out from level 1 on a single page.  Keeping the mechanics roughly the same amongst classes means players don't need to learn 11 different classes (or in your case X number of kits) they just need to understand how one of them works and they understand all of them.  The mechanics also simply scale up with the player's level.  There's no need to look at a matrix of pre-requisites or try to figure out your "skill tree" yet players still have lots of options to choose from.  

You've laid out essentially one kit and it would be hard pressed to fit into a single page... would it go in with the Fighter's standard class mechanics section?  Or would kits get their own section? If kits get their own section now players are flipping around the rules figuring out kits at character creation, reviewing them every time they level up, and referring back to them as circumstances warrant.  I would assume each class would have different kits?  It's going to be a lot of decisions at character creation and slow down that process.  

I think you're essentially building a FeatsLITE sub-system... it's a little more lite than D&D 3.5 feats ... but not by much.  I'm sorry; probably not the feed back you wanted =/  However I feel the need to stand up for the principle of simplicity in Microlite.  Simple yet robust... the entire reasoning behind why I even switched to Microlite.... the inspiration and core for my PathfinderLITE creation.

 

[SethDrebitko]

Excellent points and I do actually agree with you. The finer points of the resource pool is still up in the air but something similar to to your pathfinder point system would work. These class kits are purely 100% optional for groups who want more variation. I'm actually planning on trimming the list back to 7 so that there is exactly enough for full advancement.

I really appreciate your input and I will take it into account as I continue pondering this idea.