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16) class-less character development.
It was something my wife and I came up with the other night when talking about our latest parties. We're long-time fans of role-playing games (paper and computer), and found quite a bit of enjoyment in those systems that had open character development - where all skills were open to everyone (eg GURPS or Arcanum)
So, we were thinking, why not in Wiz? Say, at character setup, in the upper right corner, you had a list of tickboxes for which skills you wanted available. You could pick from any of the spellbooks, music, engineering, criticals, stealth, etc.
On the right at the top would be your race stats and bonus points listed, which would adjust as per the skills you open. So, for example, if you add criticals, your speed and senses are adjusted up to the minimum bonus points available adjusted down (if necessaary).
At the bottom would be a list of restrictions or new abilities. So, for example, if you open stealth or criticals your character cannot wear heavier than the leather armours, or if you open both you cant wear more than suede. Or, other examples, opening the priest spellbook allows you turn undead, and the alchemist spellbook allows you to mix potions.
The more skills you open, the higher the xp required to level up. eg an additional 10% per level for each spellbook, 5% each for stealth, locks/traps, pickpocket, music, engineering.
And, you can pick where to put your 25% bonus on any skill - only one, but your choice!
Really, this exists implicitly within the balancing of the current 14 classes. So why not open it right up?
How bout a dark priest of a thieving cult? He's got the priest spellbook, stealth, lock/traps, and a 25% bonus to dagger.
Or even just little tweaks, like a ninja with the psionic spellbook, or a ranger without spells - just a bow/tracking/mythology specialist.
Imagine the possibilities!
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