hidufel
12-20-2006, 05:33 PM
From the D20 Players Companion again... something to look at rather then stick to one single heroic class...
Class Combos vs. Advanced Classes
Many players, once they decide on a vocation for their new characters, immediately begin searching for an advanced class to provide the details that separate one member of a basic class from another Looking through the core rules, though, you cannot find a Lawyer, Bouncer, or Entrepreneur advanced class, even though all three are fairly common character types in modern d20 settings. The reason is simple—specificity.
The basic classes are designed to cover broad types of characters and allow individual players to customize them to fit the needs of an individual personality. In other words, if a character type or occupation has many different expressions, it should be developed through application of various basic classes. Medical doctors, for example, generally have several levels of Dedicated Hero (and abilities from the healing talent tree). But different types of doctors (surgeons, medical examiners, paramedics, research scientists, and so forth) each have smatterings of other basic classes.
Advanced classes, on the other hand, are meant to capture the specific flavor and essence of a very particular type of person. They provide characters with abilities that are not available through the basic classes. These abilities, though, invariably come at the expense of more generally applicable traits (such as saving throws, skill points, or defense bonus). A player may choose to develop a doctor character by giving him the Field Medic advanced class (see Chapter 6 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game), making him highly skilled at treating patients in the midst of combat and other highpressure situations. This works very well for a characterwho is envisioned to be a paramedic, combat surgeon, or first aid specialist, but it leaves a lot of details lacking for one who is supposed to be a hospital administrator, general practioner, or forensic investigator Most of those careers are better modeled through levels of Smart or Charismatic Hero.
Any set of skills that can be created through combinations of basic classes should be achieved that way. Advanced classes should be reserved for archetypes that require the character to focus on one aspect of his development to the detriment of others.
Class Combos vs. Advanced Classes
Many players, once they decide on a vocation for their new characters, immediately begin searching for an advanced class to provide the details that separate one member of a basic class from another Looking through the core rules, though, you cannot find a Lawyer, Bouncer, or Entrepreneur advanced class, even though all three are fairly common character types in modern d20 settings. The reason is simple—specificity.
The basic classes are designed to cover broad types of characters and allow individual players to customize them to fit the needs of an individual personality. In other words, if a character type or occupation has many different expressions, it should be developed through application of various basic classes. Medical doctors, for example, generally have several levels of Dedicated Hero (and abilities from the healing talent tree). But different types of doctors (surgeons, medical examiners, paramedics, research scientists, and so forth) each have smatterings of other basic classes.
Advanced classes, on the other hand, are meant to capture the specific flavor and essence of a very particular type of person. They provide characters with abilities that are not available through the basic classes. These abilities, though, invariably come at the expense of more generally applicable traits (such as saving throws, skill points, or defense bonus). A player may choose to develop a doctor character by giving him the Field Medic advanced class (see Chapter 6 of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game), making him highly skilled at treating patients in the midst of combat and other highpressure situations. This works very well for a characterwho is envisioned to be a paramedic, combat surgeon, or first aid specialist, but it leaves a lot of details lacking for one who is supposed to be a hospital administrator, general practioner, or forensic investigator Most of those careers are better modeled through levels of Smart or Charismatic Hero.
Any set of skills that can be created through combinations of basic classes should be achieved that way. Advanced classes should be reserved for archetypes that require the character to focus on one aspect of his development to the detriment of others.