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7 months ago ::
Nov 20, 2012 - 9:52AM
#21
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Date Joined:
Jun 17, 2003
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The problem with the current "mix n match" approach is that it means Styles and Schemes don't really exist. They're phantom class features that do nothing, like the OP said. To satisfy your camp, though, I would be OK with including a Freestyle version of every class' "kit" (side note: in my head, I've been thinking of Styles/Schemes/Traditions/Domains as Kits. Am I th only one to do that?). The Academic tradition is pretty much this already, so the Freestyle Wizard is covered. The Freestyle Cleric would be the godless "worships a philosophy/ideal" version from past editions. Freestyle martial characters would get a bonus maneuver at first level.
Also, as an aside, it occurs to me that Fighting Styles could stand to offer a themed skill or two (Tumble and/or Bluff for the Duelist, for instance).
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7 months ago ::
Nov 20, 2012 - 1:58PM
#22
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Date Joined:
Feb 24, 2008
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Second Wind,
A fighter can dig in deep and call upon his or her internal willpower to keep fighting in the face danger. Once per day, the fighter can induce an adrenaline rush that gives the fighter temporary hitpoints. Roll all expertise die, you gain temporary hitpoints equal to the total. In addition, these hitpoints stack with any temporary hitpoints provided by another source. All expertise die are refunded, and until the next of your next turn are doubled.
Hold the Line,
Once per day, the fighter can focus on standing his ground. The fighter ignores any attempts to dislodge him or her from his or her spot. In addition, the fighter can make a DC10 (or whatever fair value you come up with) STR or DEX check to stop any opponent that incites an OA resulting from movement within the fighter's reach. The number of times the fighter can perform this stop is determined by his or her expertise die. Roll all of your expertise dice and take the highest value. You can stop this many enemies. These expertise dice are not expended by the manuever. Each enemy stopped take one expertise die in damage with no other damage modifiers. The fighter retains his reaction action and can freely use this action during the round.
A fighter can attempt to Hold the Line multiple times a day. Additional attempts require a successful STR, DEX or CON check against a DC of 25. The fighter may expend expertise dice to aid the ability check. For each die expended, the fighter can roll an additional modifier. However, the fighter only keeps the highest die to aid his or her attempt.
Void Strike
Once per day, the fighter can focus his concentration and enter a singular mindset akin to the void to critically strike his opponent. To use this ability, the fighter must sacrifice any additional attacks until the start of his next turn and must declare the intention to use this ability before making the attack roll. On a successful hit, the strike is automatically a critical hit. The fighter may add his expertise dice to the damage. All expertise die used to enhance damage are maximized. This ability is not expended on a miss.
The fighter may attempt this manuever additional times a day; however, this requires a INT, WIS or CHA check against a DC of 25. The fighter may expend expertise dice to aid this ability check. Roll the expertise dice and take the highest value. Add this to the check.
Overwhelm
Once per day, the fighter can call upon his inner reserve to overpower his enemies. To use this ability, the fighter must declare the intention to use this ability with an attack. On a successful hit, the strike automatically deals maximum damage along with any die used to modify damage for this attack. In addition, the opponent is stunned (CON save) and knocked prone (DEX save). After the attack, the fighter is off-balance and grants advantage to all enemies until the start of his or her next turn. In addition, the fighter cannot take any reaction actions until the start of his or her next turn. On a miss, the ability is not expended.
The fighter may attempt this manuever additional times a day; however, this requires a STR check against a DC of 25. The fighter may expend expertise dice to aid this ability check. Roll the expertise dice and take the highest value. Add this to the check.
Just some class features that I was thinking of... I don't know what level (probably not level one) to add any of them. I'm not really pushing to add them to a combat style or anything; just presenting some ideas.
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7 months ago ::
Nov 20, 2012 - 4:10PM
#23
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Date Joined:
Jun 17, 2003
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The page says "Fighting Style"
I see "Pick a maneuver"
The pages says "Scheme"
I see "Pick 4 skills and a maneuver"
The schemes and styles of the previous playtest had a better feeling to me. Each scheme made the rogue play differently and the class feature greatly changed how the rogue fought. The same with the fighting styles with fighters but to a lesser state.
Now 3 classes have expertise dice. Fighting styles and schemes are just prepackages of skills and maneuvers.
How about fighting styles and schemes being actual class features that matter?
Do you think Schemes and Fighting Styles should have a mechanical aspect?
if yes, what should they be?
I agree wholeheartedly, both in regards to styles/schemes and even further in regard to specialties. These abilities need to have something that make them more than just packages of manuevers and feats. Deities and Traditions both grant an extra class feature of some kind that are distinct from spells, so I think Schemes and Styles should grant extra class features that are distinct from maneuvers.
For the Fighter, the Duelist Style could bump up the damage die of rapiers and grant an extra 5' of movement, the Protector could have some kind of Marking ability, the Sharpshooter could bump up the damage die of ranged weapons (elven sharpshooters with longbows would be SCARY... as they should be), the Slayer could reclaim its STR-damage-on-a-miss ability, and the Veteran could have its XD refresh at both the start AND end of its turn.
On the Rogue end, the Schemes should build around using signature skills to generate Advantage, since IMO exploiting circumstances to generate an unfair advantage is nearly as iconic to the rogue concept as skills are. The Acrobat could get Advantage following a successful Tumble check. The Enforcer could do the same, but with an Intimidate check instead. The Rake can do it with a flashy display of flourishes and feints, so he'd use Bluff. The Thief should always have Advantage when using their Thieves' Tools and Sneak attempts. Tricksters would use Sleight-of-Hand. At later levels, the Schemes would offer special class features that require Advantage to function (a la Sneak Attack).
I think you're on to something here. I honestly really like all the suggestions you gave - couldn't have given better suggestions if I tried. ^ ^ I also liked Orzel's idea of the level 1 maneuvers getting free ED - would be too bad if the two of those were combined?
I have no problem with that, though unless "high level" maneuvers are introduced eventually (I'd like to see that, to be honest), there's no reason it should just be restricted to the 1st level ones, since all maneuvers are at the same power level. One manuever just gets to be "always on", like it's a Stance, and switching stances would cost an action.
Hmm... this got me thinking about the Book of Nine Swords again. I'd love to see those classes, stances, and maneuvers rebuilt using the Expertise system. 
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7 months ago ::
Nov 21, 2012 - 11:48AM
#24
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Date Joined:
Jun 25, 2011
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+1 Orzel. I too was disappointed when i saw the new styles and schemes, and thought the same thing you did.
I really loved the Schemes in the second packet. They gave benefits as you leveled up and it was something to look forward to. It helped really define the difference between a thiefy rogue and a thuggy rogue.
The simplest solution would be to award a specific maneuver for each style/scheme. i.e. the Duelist gains Spring Attack as a bonus maneuver (in addition to Deadly Strike). He still gets to choose one maneuver at level 1. This solution serves to increase a character's options, but it doesn't really add anything interesting.
However, I'd much prefer a solution where each style/scheme got its own little set of class features. They don't have to be really big benefits, or even combat related at all!!! Using the Aug17 rogue schemes as a template....
Level 1: an iconic ability of the style/scheme
Level 2: a non-combat/RP benefit associated with the style/scheme
Level 5: a cool ability that helps define and distinguish the style/scheme
So I took a shot at creating some abilities for the new Rogue/Fighter Schemes/Styles. It was harder than I thought it would be to come up with ideas for the Rogue. But I think the Fighter Style benefits are pretty awesome. I also thought we could incorporate Monk Disciplines to this. Let me know what you guys think. Feel free to fill in the blanks.
Rogue Schemes:
The Acrobat
Level 1: You can move easily throughout the battlefield. When moving past an enemy provokes an attack of opportunity, you can add your training in Tumble to your AC in place of your Dexterity modifier.
Level 2: When climbing, you movement is considered to be 5 feet greater
Level 5: When you deal Sneak Attack damage, you can move up to half of your speed as part of the same action.
Using the objects around you, you can gain Half Cover in combat even if you are only 25% covered.
The Enforcer
Level 1: Your Sneak Attacks are crippling. When you deal damage with a Sneak Attack, your targets speed is reduced to 0 until the EOYNT.
Level 2:
Level 5: Make Charisma (Intimidate) check vs Wisdom against a target. On success, you gain advantage on your next check against that target. The target must be intelligent and you must be able to speak their language. Once this abilitiy is used on a creature, it cannot be used against it again for a whole day (regardless of the check's success or failure).
The Rake
Level 1: When you use the Disarm action, you gain a +2 on the check.
Level 2: You love a good audience. When there are at least 2 non-combatants watching you, you gain a +2 to checks involving physical or performance stunts.
Level 5:
The Thief
Level 1: You can Hide when lightly obscured or when you only have 25% cover.
Level 2: Your vision improves. You can spend 1 minute to adjust your eyes to the dark and gain Low Light vision 30 feet. If you already have low-light vision, the distance increases to 45 feet.
Level 5:
The Trickster
Level 1: During the first round of combat, you have advantage on attack rolls against any target that has a lower initiative.
Level 2:
Level 5: Make Charisma (Bluff) check vs Wisdom against a target. On success, you gain advantage on your next check against that target. The target must be intelligent and you must be able to speak their language. Once this abilitiy is used on a creature, it cannot be used against it again for a whole day (regardless of the check's success or failure).
Fighter Styles:
The Duelist
Level 1: When you use the Disengage or Hustle action, you can move an additional 5 feet.
Level 2: Your excellent footwork grants you a +2 on checks to keep your balance, move through difficult terrain, or escape from a grab.
Level 5: your melee attacks with a finesse weapon now crit on a 19-20
The Protector
Level 1: When using the Protect maneuver, if you roll a 1 on your ED you can reroll it. You can only use this ability once per use of this maneuver.
Level 2: Your constant vigilance grants you a +2 AC and Dexterity saving throws while you are surprised and cannot take actions.
Level 5: When making a reflex save to avoid an area attack, you add your Shield's AC bonus (including any magical bonuses) to the roll.
The Sharpshooter
Level 1: Your normal range and long range with missile weapons increases by 25%.
Level 2: Your keen eyes grant you a +2 on checks to notice or find things
Level 5: your ranged attacks with a missile weapon now crit on a 19-20
The Slayer
Level 1: Your aggressive fighting style grants you a +2 on checks to knockdown or push a target.
Level 2: You know where to strike, even with words. You gain a +2 on checks to intimidate or cower targets.
Level 5: When attacking an enemy in melee, if you roll a natural 16+ you can deal your STR-mod to damage to one adjacent enemy.
The Veteran
Level 1: Your combat resolve is strong. You gain a +2 on checks to resist Fear and Charm effects.
Level 2: Your experience leading your allies in battle gives you a +2 on checks to command or influence targets
Level 5: When using the Mighty Exertion maneuver, if you roll a 1 on your ED you can reroll it. You can only use this ability once per use of this maneuver.
Monk Disciplines
Tiger
Crane
Ox
Butterfly
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