My group complained about the missing flexibility of the proficiency bonus. Therefore I developed a system that can be used parallel with the traditional system. They were very content so I imagined you might like it too.
Optional Rule: proficiency levels and proficiency points
The following rule allows greater flexibility in designing player characters or non-player characters with levels. The balancing does not change with this rule, so it can be used in parallel with the traditional system with a fixed proficiency bonus.
Proficiency with weapons, tools, saving throws, skills, and spellcasting is measured in proficiency levels. These are assigned to the usual level-dependent proficiency bonuses, as shown in the following table.
Proficiency with armor, shields, and languages is not measured in proficiency levels. If you are proficient with a certain type of armor and shields, you are simply considered " familiar"; if you are proficient with a language, you have "learned" it.
When creating a first-level character, this does not initially change anything. A first level character receives proficiency in everything appropriate to his or her class and chosen background, and receives a proficiency level of "Beginner" in it. However, there is no longer a fixed proficiency bonus. On subsequent level ups, a character will instead receive proficiency points, the number of which will depend on his class. This allows characters to increase their proficiency level with weapons, tools, saving throws, skills, and spellcasting. He may also use proficiency points to gain the proficiency level "Beginner" with other weapons, tools, saving throws, or skills, as well as gain armor familiarity or learn new languages.
Traits that can usually be used a number of times equal to the proficiency bonus may be used a number of times equal to 1 + a quarter of the character's level (rounded up).
Characters who are proficient with only certain simple or martial weapons on the part of their class, such as bards, usually only increase their proficiency level with those particular weapons by spending a proficiency point. For example, if a bard wanted to increase his or her proficiency level with all martial weapons, spending the first proficiency point would cause him or her to be considered a "beginner" with all martial weapons from then on.
Characters who gain levels in different classes will, upon advancement to the first level of another class, receive the number of proficiency points designated for that class and will be allowed to increase proficiency levels with all weapons and tools designated by the class, as well as gain armor familiarity and learn languages. If the new class has the spellcasting trait, characters receive it for free with the Proficiency Level "Beginner" when advancing to the first level of that class. The trait may be increased with practice points on this or subsequent level ups. If characters receive the spellcasting trait from different classes, the proficiency level for spellcasting must be increased separately for the spellcasting trait of each class.
Traits and talents that give proficiency in a particular skill area will now give characters a dedicated practice point to invest in that skill.
The following list shows how many proficiency points are allocated to each class as you level up.
Barbarian 2
Mage 3
Bard 4
Monk 3
Druid 3
Paladin 2
Warlock 3
Rogue 4
Fighter 2
Ranger 3
Cleric 3
Sorcerer 3
Enjoy playing!
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Hey guys!
My group complained about the missing flexibility of the proficiency bonus. Therefore I developed a system that can be used parallel with the traditional system. They were very content so I imagined you might like it too.
Optional Rule: proficiency levels and proficiency points
The following rule allows greater flexibility in designing player characters or non-player characters with levels. The balancing does not change with this rule, so it can be used in parallel with the traditional system with a fixed proficiency bonus.
Proficiency with weapons, tools, saving throws, skills, and spellcasting is measured in proficiency levels. These are assigned to the usual level-dependent proficiency bonuses, as shown in the following table.
Proficiency Level - Proficiency Bonus
Beginner +2
Veteran +3
Expert +4
Master +5
Legend +6
Proficiency with armor, shields, and languages is not measured in proficiency levels. If you are proficient with a certain type of armor and shields, you are simply considered " familiar"; if you are proficient with a language, you have "learned" it.
When creating a first-level character, this does not initially change anything. A first level character receives proficiency in everything appropriate to his or her class and chosen background, and receives a proficiency level of "Beginner" in it. However, there is no longer a fixed proficiency bonus. On subsequent level ups, a character will instead receive proficiency points, the number of which will depend on his class. This allows characters to increase their proficiency level with weapons, tools, saving throws, skills, and spellcasting. He may also use proficiency points to gain the proficiency level "Beginner" with other weapons, tools, saving throws, or skills, as well as gain armor familiarity or learn new languages.
Traits that can usually be used a number of times equal to the proficiency bonus may be used a number of times equal to 1 + a quarter of the character's level (rounded up).
Characters who are proficient with only certain simple or martial weapons on the part of their class, such as bards, usually only increase their proficiency level with those particular weapons by spending a proficiency point. For example, if a bard wanted to increase his or her proficiency level with all martial weapons, spending the first proficiency point would cause him or her to be considered a "beginner" with all martial weapons from then on.
Characters who gain levels in different classes will, upon advancement to the first level of another class, receive the number of proficiency points designated for that class and will be allowed to increase proficiency levels with all weapons and tools designated by the class, as well as gain armor familiarity and learn languages. If the new class has the spellcasting trait, characters receive it for free with the Proficiency Level "Beginner" when advancing to the first level of that class. The trait may be increased with practice points on this or subsequent level ups. If characters receive the spellcasting trait from different classes, the proficiency level for spellcasting must be increased separately for the spellcasting trait of each class.
Traits and talents that give proficiency in a particular skill area will now give characters a dedicated practice point to invest in that skill.
The following list shows how many proficiency points are allocated to each class as you level up.
Enjoy playing!