ezo
Get off my lawn!
Something that has always bothered myself and some of those I play with is the sudden bump that occurs when proficiency bonus increases. This is a quick, first-draft sketch of a way to "fix" that issue, although we understand the design was for simplicity.
First, I'll say that we find the general proficiency bonus in 5E as too broad, but found skill ranks, etc. from 3E too fiddly. I'm hoping this is something in between that will work.
Second, this is just the baseline concept. Classes like Bard, Ranger, and Rogue would have special provisions for their greater "skill monkeyness", and we already have some thoughts for things like expertise.
Third, this allows level-by-level improvement in something, which the player gets to choose to improve, and provides an easy method for gaining new proficiencies.
Finally, as a (+) thread, so please keep that in mind and thanks! I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
CONCEPT:
Each PC begins with two "weapons" (label them melee and ranged if you prefer), two saves, four skill, and two tool proficiencies; all at +2. Classes with the spellcasting or pact magic feature must replace either a weapon or skill proficiency with a "spellcasting" proficiency.
When you gain an even level (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) you gain three +1 improvement bonuses; gaining the odd levels (3rd, 5th, 7th, etc.) grants two +1 improvement bonuses, as shown on the Proficiency Improvements table.
You can use an improvement bonus to increase a proficiency by +1, subject to the Maximum Proficiency, or to gain a new weapon (if used individually), saving throw, skill, or tool proficiency (at +2); or to learn a new language.
Creating a character at higher levels. If you want to use this concept for PCs beyond 1st level, start with the Base Proficiency beyond 1st for the starting level. Apply the cumulative improvements, +1 each, to your proficiencies. For example, if you want to create a 7th-level PC, you have the proficiencies noted at 1st level (two weapons, two saves, etc.) all at +3 (the Base Proficiency beyond 1st for a 7th-level PC), and then choose five (5) improvements to those proficiencies (from +3 to +4), or to gain any new proficiencies.
Example: below is an example showing how you might improve proficiencies from 1st to 17th levels. You'll notice "across-the-board" that proficiency is +3 at 5th level, +4 at 9th level, +5 at 13th level, and +6 at 17th level--mirroring when those proficiency "bumps" occur.
First, I'll say that we find the general proficiency bonus in 5E as too broad, but found skill ranks, etc. from 3E too fiddly. I'm hoping this is something in between that will work.
Second, this is just the baseline concept. Classes like Bard, Ranger, and Rogue would have special provisions for their greater "skill monkeyness", and we already have some thoughts for things like expertise.
Third, this allows level-by-level improvement in something, which the player gets to choose to improve, and provides an easy method for gaining new proficiencies.
Finally, as a (+) thread, so please keep that in mind and thanks! I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
CONCEPT:
Each PC begins with two "weapons" (label them melee and ranged if you prefer), two saves, four skill, and two tool proficiencies; all at +2. Classes with the spellcasting or pact magic feature must replace either a weapon or skill proficiency with a "spellcasting" proficiency.
When you gain an even level (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) you gain three +1 improvement bonuses; gaining the odd levels (3rd, 5th, 7th, etc.) grants two +1 improvement bonuses, as shown on the Proficiency Improvements table.
You can use an improvement bonus to increase a proficiency by +1, subject to the Maximum Proficiency, or to gain a new weapon (if used individually), saving throw, skill, or tool proficiency (at +2); or to learn a new language.
Creating a character at higher levels. If you want to use this concept for PCs beyond 1st level, start with the Base Proficiency beyond 1st for the starting level. Apply the cumulative improvements, +1 each, to your proficiencies. For example, if you want to create a 7th-level PC, you have the proficiencies noted at 1st level (two weapons, two saves, etc.) all at +3 (the Base Proficiency beyond 1st for a 7th-level PC), and then choose five (5) improvements to those proficiencies (from +3 to +4), or to gain any new proficiencies.
Example: below is an example showing how you might improve proficiencies from 1st to 17th levels. You'll notice "across-the-board" that proficiency is +3 at 5th level, +4 at 9th level, +5 at 13th level, and +6 at 17th level--mirroring when those proficiency "bumps" occur.