Character Creation
Go back to the Epic Path page.
Character Creation
Here is a quick outline of the character creation process:
Choose a Class
A character's class represents a profession, such as fighter or wizard. If this is a new character, he or she starts at 1st level in this chosen class. As the character gains experience points (XP) for defeating monsters, he goes up in level, granting him new powers and abilities.
If your character is a spell caster that prepares spells (such as a wizard) you will need to determine the spells your character starts with. Consult your GM to determine this list.
Favored Class: Each character begins play with a single favored class of his choosing. Typically, this is the same class as the one he chooses at 1st level. Whenever a character gains a level in his favored class, he receives either + 1 hit point or + 1 skill rank. The choice of favored class cannot be changed once the character is created, and the choice of gaining a hit point or a skill rank each time a character gains a level (including his first level) cannot be changed once made for a particular level. Prestige classes (see Prestige Classes) can never be a favored class.
Additional race- or class-specific favored class bonuses are not available, and may not be selected at level-up. After the classes were rebuilt the need for the favored classes bonuses are greatly reduced, and including them makes maintaining balance much more difficult. Players must suffer through the stifling choice between an extra hit point or an extra skill point if they level up in their favored class.
- Note: At this time, multi-classing and prestige classes are removed from the game.
| Class | Primary Role | Potential Role | Important Stat(s) | Ease of design | Ease of play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alchemist | Damage | Support | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Barbarian | Damage | Tank | STR, CON | Moderate | Simple |
| Bard | Support | Healing | CHA, DEX | Moderate | Complex |
| Brawler | Damage | Tank | STR, CON | Simple | Moderate |
| Cleric | Healing | Support | WIS, CHA | Moderate | Complex |
| Druid | Support | Healing | Complex | Complex | |
| Fighter | Tank | - | STR, CON | Complex | Moderate |
| Monk | Damage | Tank | DEX, WIS | Simple | Simple |
| Paladin | Damage | Tank, Healer | CHA, STR | Moderate | Simple |
| Prowler | Damage | - | Simple | Moderate | |
| Ranger | Damage | Support | STR or DEX, WIS | Moderate | Simple |
| Rogue | Damage | - | DEX or INT, STR | Moderate | Moderate |
| Sorcerer | Damage | Support | CHA, DEX | Moderate | Moderate |
| Warlord | Support | Tank | CHA, STR | Simple | Moderate |
| Wizard | Support | Damage | INT, DEX | Complex | Complex |
Choose a Race
Any race listed on the d20pfsrd is potentially playable, with GM approval. It should be noted that many of the less-common races with unusual appearances may encounter social stigma in civilized areas. GM's are advised to demonstrate caution, many of the races out there are very cool, but not exactly built with an eye towards balance.
Alternate racial traits are allowed with GM approval.
Character Backstory
The d20pfsrd has a great section on creating a detailed backstory for your character. It can be found here: Character Background
In general, players should come up with as much backstory as they can stand, as backgrounds provide hooks for GM's to use to customize their campaign to the characters. This lets the characters feel more like a part of the story, and makes the story seem more like it couldn't have happened with just anyone who came along.
That said, character backgrounds do not have any sort of game-mechanics effect on the character. Just because your character has a former military career, or used to be a Raver of Puellor, doesn't mean you get bonuses in combat, or start with some scary magic item. The story is there to help you get into the head of your character, and help the other players understand what motivates you.
Traits
Traits are allowed with GM approval. Characters begin the game with 2 traits, and they must each be selected from different trait categories. For example, you cannot have both of your traits come from the "Combat" traits category, even though that would be awesome.
Drawbacks are not in the game, unless your GM says otherwise. The Heroic Flaw is nearly always arrogance or overconfidence. Role-play away, you Greek-Lit majors!
Campaign-specific traits may be proposed by players for GM approval. Bear in mind that traits should have a power level roughly equal to half a feat, or less. This means no trait should give you +1 to hit, as that is a full feat (Weapon Focus).
Feats
A lot of feats have been modified, removed, or added. Please refer to the feats sections on this wiki, rather than the d20pfsrd. Most of the really commonly-taken feats (like Weapon Focus) have not been changed. Less common feats (like Athletic) have been revised to be more useful. A number of feats (like Vital Strike) have been removed from the game for balance purposes. If the feat isn't listed on this wiki, it is not available. If there is a specific feat you'd like considered, talk to your GM. Bring bribes.
Starting Stats
Stat generation will use a point buy system, with 28 points. Stat costs are:
Stat 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Cost -2 -1 0 1 2 3 5 7 10 13 17
No more than one stat may be bought below a 10 (racial mods may bring a second stat below 10), and no stat may exceed an 18 without a racial mod. For those of you who would like to use a calculator, this web page has a fairly useful one: Point Buy Calculator (use the first one on the page; the second one uses different numbers).
Starting Gold
Starting gold for all characters is determined by class selection. Alternatively, the GM may state that all classes begin with 250gp starting funds. Normal equipment may be purchased, but masterwork items and magic items are not available. At the GM's discretion, minor alchemical items, such as Alchemist's Fire or Tanglefoot bags may be available.
Table: Starting Character Wealth
| Class | Starting Wealth | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Alchemist | 3d6 × 10 gp | 105 gp |
| Barbarian | 3d6 × 10 gp | 105 gp |
| Bard | 3d6 × 10 gp | 105 gp |
| Brawler | 3d6 × 10 gp | 105 gp |
| Cleric | 4d6 × 10 gp | 140 gp |
| Druid | 2d6 × 10 gp | 70 gp |
| Fighter | 5d6 × 10 gp | 175 gp |
| Monk | 1d6 × 10 gp | 35 gp |
| Paladin | 5d6 × 10 gp | 175 gp |
| Prowler | 4d6 × 10 gp | 140 gp |
| Ranger | 5d6 × 10 gp | 175 gp |
| Rogue | 4d6 × 10 gp | 140 gp |
| Sorcerer | 2d6 × 10 gp | 70 gp |
| Warlord | 5d6 × 10 gp | 175 gp |
| Wizard | 2d6 × 10 gp | 70 gp |
Starting Hit Points
Level 1 characters get full CON score plus max hit die for HP's at level 1. Hit dice are restored to old (lower) values. As a result, all Epic Path classes are considerably more durable at first level than older rules sets would have created. Even the least durable classes like Wizards are no longer at risk of death from a single attack at first level. Note that this is a considerable change! A first level Epic Path character feels much more robust than you will expect! Don't be afraid to go out and adventure!
Multiclassing
Because play-testing and class balancing is still ongoing, multi-classing is not allowed at this time. Much work was expended to make all the classes balanced and interesting to play at all levels. Allowing multi-classing makes balance much harder to maintain. Every referee may, of course, allow whatever they wish. If multi-classing IS ruled to be acceptable, it is strongly recommended that players be required to take a minimum of five levels in any selected class. You Have Been Warned.
Retraining
Instead of multiclassing, each time a character gains a level, she may, if she wishes, retrain out a single element of her character's abilities: a feat, 1 level's worth of skill points, the decision to take an extra skill over a hit point, etc. Doing so allows her to swap this out with a new ability she likes better. This gives players a chance to undo choices they've made that didn't pan out the way they'd hoped. Note that you may not train out an ability that is a prerequisite for another ability. Backing down a feat tree in this manner can be done, but may take several levels.
Level Advancement Tables
Basic Level Advancement
| Level | High BAB | Medium BAB | Low BAB | Strong Save | Weak Save | Base Weapon Damage | Wealth | Wealth This Level | Feats | Bonus Stats | Max Skill Ranks | Slow XP | Medium XP | Fast XP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +0 | +0 | +2 | +0 | x1 | 150 | 850 | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | - |
| 2nd | +2 | +1 | +1 | +3 | +0 | x1 | 1,000 | 2,000 | - | - | 2 | 4,800 | 3,200 | 2,000 |
| 3rd | +3 | +2 | +1 | +3 | +1 | x1 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 1 | - | 3 | 12,000 | 8,000 | 5,000 |
| 4th | +4 | +3 | +2 | +4 | +1 | x1 | 6,000 | 4,500 | - | +1 | 4 | 21,600 | 14,400 | 9,000 |
| 5th | +5 | +3 | +2 | +4 | +1 | x1 | 10,500 | 5,500 | 1 | - | 5 | 36,000 | 24,000 | 15,000 |
| 6th | +6/+1 | +4 | +3 | +5 | +2 | x1 | 16,000 | 7,500 | - | - | 6 | 55,200 | 36,800 | 23,000 |
| 7th | +7/+2 | +5 | +3 | +5 | +2 | x1 | 23,500 | 9,500 | 1 | - | 7 | 84,000 | 56,000 | 35,000 |
| 8th | +8/+3 | +6/+1 | +4 | +6 | +2 | x2 | 33,000 | 13,000 | - | +1 | 8 | 122,400 | 81,600 | 51,000 |
| 9th | +9/+4 | +6/+1 | +4 | +6 | +3 | x2 | 46,000 | 16,000 | 1 | - | 9 | 180,000 | 120,000 | 75,000 |
| 10th | +10/+5 | +7/+2 | +5 | +7 | +3 | x2 | 62,000 | 20,000 | - | - | 10 | 257,000 | 171,000 | 107,000 |
| 11th | +11/+6/+1 | +8/+3 | +5 | +7 | +3 | x2 | 82,000 | 26,000 | 1 | - | 11 | 372,000 | 248,000 | 155,000 |
| 12th | +12/+7/+2 | +9/+4 | +6/+1 | +8 | +4 | x2 | 108,000 | 32,000 | - | +1 | 12 | 526,000 | 350,000 | 220,000 |
| 13th | +13/+8/+3 | +9/+4 | +6/+1 | +8 | +4 | x2 | 140,000 | 45,000 | 1 | - | 13 | 756,000 | 504,000 | 315,000 |
| 14th | +14/+9/+4 | +10/+5 | +7/+2 | +9 | +4 | x2 | 185,000 | 55,000 | - | - | 14 | 1,000,000 | 710,000 | 443,000 |
| 15th | +15/+10/+5 | +11/+6/+1 | +7/+2 | +9 | +5 | x3 | 240,000 | 75,000 | 1 | - | 15 | 1,500,000 | 1,000,000 | 635,000 |
| 16th | +16/+11/+6/+1 | +12/+7/+2 | +8/+3 | +10 | +5 | x3 | 315,000 | 95,000 | - | +1 | 16 | 2,000,000 | 1,425,000 | 891,000 |
| 17th | +17/+12/+7/+2 | +12/+7/+2 | +8/+3 | +10 | +5 | x3 | 410,000 | 120,000 | 1 | - | 17 | 3,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 1,275,000 |
| 18th | +18/+13/+8/+3 | +13/+8/+3 | +9/+4 | +11 | +6 | x3 | 530,000 | 155,000 | - | - | 18 | 4,400,000 | 3,000,000 | 1,900,000 |
| 19th | +19/+14/+9/+4 | +14/+9/+4 | +9/+4 | +11 | +6 | x3 | 685,000 | 195,000 | 1 | - | 19 | 6,400,000 | 4,400,000 | 2,800,000 |
| 20th | +20/+15/+10/+5 | +15/+10/+5 | +10/+5 | +12 | +6 | x3 | 880,000 | 440,000 | - | +1 | 20 | 9,000,000 | 6,000,000 | 4,000,000 |
Epic Level Advancement
| Level | High BAB | Medium BAB | Low BAB | Strong Save | Weak Save | Base Weapon Damage | Wealth | Wealth This Level | Feats | Bonus Stats | Max Skill Ranks | Slow XP | Medium XP | Fast XP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21st | +21/+16/+11/+6 | +16/+11/+6 | +11/+6 | +13 | +7 | x3 | 1,320,000 | 680,000 | 1 | - | 21 | 13,000,000 | 9,000,000 | 5,900,000 |
| 22nd | +21/+16/+11/+6 | +16/+11/+6 | +11/+6 | +13 | +7 | x4 | 2,000,000 | 1,000,000 | - | - | 22 | 18,800,000 | 13,000,000 | 8,750,000 |
| 23rd | +22/+17/+12/+7 | +17/+12/+7 | +12/+7 | +14 | +8 | x4 | 3,000,000 | 1,500,000 | 1 | - | 23 | 28,000,000 | 19,000,000 | 13,000,000 |
| 24th | +22/+17/+12/+7 | +17/+12/+7 | +12/+7 | +14 | +8 | x4 | 4,500,000 | 2,250,000 | - | +1 | 24 | 41,000,000 | 28,000,000 | 19,000,000 |
| 25th | +23/+18/+13/+8 | +18/+13/+8 | +13/+8 | +15 | +9 | x4 | 6,750,000 | 3,250,000 | 1 | - | 25 | 62,000,000 | 41,000,000 | 28,500,000 |
| 26th | +23/+18/+13/+8 | +18/+13/+8 | +13/+8 | +15 | +9 | x4 | 10,000,000 | 5,000,000 | - | - | 26 | 91,500,000 | 61,500,000 | 42,000,000 |
| 27th | +24/+19/+14/+9 | +19/+14/+9 | +14/+9 | +16 | +10 | x4 | 15,000,000 | 7,500,000 | 1 | - | 27 | 138,000,000 | 91,000,000 | 61,500,000 |
| 28th | +24/+19/+14/+9 | +19/+14/+9 | +14/+9 | +16 | +10 | x4 | 22,500,000 | 11,300,000 | - | +1 | 28 | 204,000,000 | 134,000,000 | 91,000,000 |
| 29th | +25/+20/+15/+10 | +20/+15/+10 | +15/+10 | +17 | +11 | x5 | 33,800,000 | 17,200,000 | 1 | - | 29 | 307,000,000 | 198,000,000 | 135,000,000 |
| 30th | +25/+20/+15/+10 | +20/+15/+10 | +15/+10 | +17 | +11 | x5 | 51,000,000 | 25,000,000 | - | - | 30 | 450,000,000 | 290,000,000 | 195,000,000 |
| 31st | +26/+21/+16/+11 | +21/+16/+11 | +16/+11 | +18 | +12 | x5 | 76,000,000 | 38,000,000 | 1 | - | 31 | 675,000,000 | 425,000,000 | 285,000,000 |
| 32nd | +26/+21/+16/+11 | +21/+16/+11 | +16/+11 | +18 | +12 | x5 | 114,000,000 | 57,000,000 | - | +1 | 32 | 1,000,000,000 | 625,000,000 | 425,000,000 |
| 33rd | +27/+22/+17/+12 | +22/+17/+12 | +17/+12 | +19 | +13 | x5 | 171,000,000 | 86,000,000 | 1 | - | 33 | 1,500,000,000 | 900,000,000 | 620,000,000 |
| 34th | +27/+22/+17/+12 | +22/+17/+12 | +17/+12 | +19 | +13 | x5 | 257,000,000 | 128,000,000 | - | - | 34 | 2,100,000,000 | 1,400,000,000 | 900,000,000 |
| 35th | +28/+23/+18/+13 | +23/+18/+13 | +18/+13 | +20 | +14 | x5 | 385,000,000 | 150,000,000 | 1 | - | 35 | 3,200,000,000 | 2,000,000,000 | 1,400,000,000 |
| 36+ | +1/+1/+1/+1per2 | +1/+1/+1per2 | +1/+1per2 | +1/2 | +1/2 | Unch. | +150,000,000 | +150,000,000 | Odds | +1/4 | +1 | +1,200,000,000 | +800,000,000 | +500,000,000 |
Bonus Spell Slots per Day
| Ability Score | Modifier | 0th | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30–31 | 10 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 32–33 | 11 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 34–35 | 12 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 36–37 | 13 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| 38–39 | 14 | — | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
| 40–41 | 15 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| 42–43 | 16 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 44–45 | 17 | — | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 46–47 | 18 | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 48–49 | 19 | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 50–51 | 20 | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 52–53 | 21 | — | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 54–55 | 22 | — | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 56–57 | 23 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 58–59 | 24 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 60–61 | 25 | — | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |