Publication:Unearthed Arcana/Variant Character Classes

Variant Character Classes
This section presents sixteen variant versions of the standard character classes in the d20 System, along with several additional variants created by swapping one or more class features for features of other classes.

Each fully detailed variant has entries for one or more of the following topics. If an entry does not appear, use the material for the standard class as presented in the d20 System.

Alignment: Changes to the class's alignment restrictions.

Hit Die: Changes to the class's Hit Die.

Base Attack Bonus: If the class uses a different base attack bonus, this entry gives the column to use (good, average, or poor).

Base Save Bonuses: If the class has a different mix of good and poor saves, this entry gives the appropriate column for each save.

Class Skills: Additions or subtractions from the class skill list, and/or changes in the number of skill points gained per level.

Class Features: Changes, additions, or subtractions to the class's special features, including spellcasting.

Multiclassing And Variant Classes
Multiclassing between variants of the same class is a tricky subject. In cases where a single class offers a variety of paths (such as the totem barbarian or the monk fighting styles), the easiest solution is simply to bar multiclassing between different versions of the same class (just as a character can't multiclass between different versions of specialist wizards). For variants that are wholly separate from the character class—such as the bardic sage or the urban ranger—multiclassing, even into multiple variants of the same class, is probably okay. Identical class features should stack if gained from multiple versions of the same class (except for spellcasting, which is always separate).

In any case, only the first version of a favored class is treated as favored; a halfling rogue/wizard who later begins gaining levels in the wilderness rogue variant class can't treat both the rogue and wilderness rogue classes as favored, only the class gained first (in this case, rogue). Under no circumstances does spellcasting ability from multiple classes (even variants of the same class) stack. A character with levels of bard and levels of bardic sage has two separate caster levels and two separate sets of spells per day, even though the classes are very similar.