The Malus Feats...

[NeOmega]

I was RCRing a character of mine, who has a big scar on his face.
When looking to recruit his replacement, I noticed the malus feats.
I was willing to take a malus... ...but not lose a feat for it.
That's a double whammy.

So I'd suggest either having a malus feat give a feat (since I dont think you can have free picked feats) or have them give positives as well.

For instance, disfigured, (the one I was going to choose), is a -5 to bluff, diplomacy and intimidate.
It could be -5 to diplomacy, and maybe +2 to intimidate. I mean, I certainly wouldn't want to tick off a guy with club ear, or who has obviously suffered a broken nose or two.

and poor eyesight or whatever could give -5 to spot and search, but +2 to listen.

But I'd rather I could just take the malus, but not lose a feat for it.

[Valefort]

The latter is not possible, I'll add small bonuses.

[NeOmega]

The latter is not possible, I'll add small bonuses.

what about as bacground feats? those might be able to grant a free feat, because they come before feat selection.

[Brother Bruce]

Perhaps they could be granted by a dm pending a request. Like being sickly or disfigured fitting into your background, or perhaps the result of some kind of event. Makes more sense than gaining a level and achieving a crippling blindness. Of course there's nothing stopping you from doing so. The idea of a small bonus to offset the penalty is a good idea, though it would have to be very minor I'd think.

[Valefort]

Hey no one forces you to take those.

[Brother Bruce]

Hey no one forces you to take those.

youre absolutely right. Was suggesting a way to get the feat to the op that didn't involve taking it on when you get a level since it looked like he wanted it without having to give up another feat for it. I actually plan on taking one myself on a newer character at some point

[NegInfinity]

Perhaps they could be granted by a dm pending a request. Like being sickly or disfigured fitting into your background, or perhaps the result of some kind of event. Makes more sense than gaining a level and achieving a crippling blindness. Of course there's nothing stopping you from doing so. The idea of a small bonus to offset the penalty is a good idea, though it would have to be very minor I'd think.

Actually, feat granting npc for those purposes would make sense. And same applies to backgrounds.

However, stuff that gives "bonus to offset penalty" would probably require dm attention and should take a feat to get it.

[Valefort]

That's a fair point, it could be an NPC in the Nexus that you can talk to to get your Malus feat(s).

[Calantyr]

That's a fair point, it could be an NPC in the Nexus that you can talk to to get your Malus feat(s).

You make it sound like it'll beat you up.

[NegInfinity]

That's a fair point, it could be an NPC in the Nexus that you can talk to to get your Malus feat(s).

You make it sound like it'll beat you up.

Given the nature of the feats, perhaps it will do exactly that.

[NeOmega]

some other fun suggestions for malus feats:

elderly
you are in your twilight years, and your body and mind are failing you. But as you come closer to meeting your god, combined with decades of experience, have made you wiser and more faithful than most.
-3 Dex, -3 con, -3 str, -2 int, +2 wis, +2 caster level. for determining dcs, +2 lore:local, +2 lore:religion, -4 all other skills, +10% arcane spell failure chance.

young
you are young, and ready to take on the world. However, as you transition from youth to adulthood, you still have a lot to learn, and often other interests distract you from your studies and prayers. You do, however have potential, and others see that in you.
-5 all skill points except diplomacy, which is +4, +2 cha, +10% spell failure chance (arcane or divine).

also, if technically feasible, +10% song failure chances for young and elderly

impoverished
you were born into poverty. Although you can haggle with vegetable merchants, your experience with luxury is non-existant. Sometimes, only through your faith have you managed to feel you have a chance.
-1000 gold. -10 appraise, +2 lore:religion.

mentally challenged
you never could beat that orc at checkers
-4 int, -2 cha, -10 all skills

cursed
something in your past haunts you
-2 will saves

[NeOmega]

That's a fair point, it could be an NPC in the Nexus that you can talk to to get your Malus feat(s).

You make it sound like it'll beat you up.

Given the nature of the feats, perhaps it will do exactly that.

ha ha. go to npc, say "i wish to be disfigured". npc sets you on fire.

[AlexBnt]

The only problem with giving bonuses to the malus feats is it just gives min-maxers even more to work with.

I'm all for there being a way to "gain" a malus feat without forcing a player to have to give up another feat.

[Thorsson]

cursed
something in your past haunts you
-2 will saves

Truly Cursed
The Gods have turned their backs on you and you are destined for the Wall
-4 on all Stats

A bit too similar to being Elderly maybe...

[NeOmega]

The only problem with giving bonuses to the malus feats is it just gives min-maxers even more to work with.

I'm all for there being a way to "gain" a malus feat without forcing a player to have to give up another feat.

yeah, i see it as a problem for young, but not elderly. I actually think quite a few people would take elderly, since the concept of a feeble but wise old person is a trope. however, i think 10% spell failure chance is enough to discourage most casting min-maxers. the physical maluses would discourage elderly monk min-maxxers, but still allow interesting monk and divine caster concepts.

maybe just take away the CL and attribute bonuses, just to be sure. nthe skill point bonuses though, cant be that big of a deal.