Barbarian 7th level lost feats - replaceable?

[GlassJaw]

If you lose a feat (Weapon Focus, Imp Crit, etc) because you reach Barbarian 7, can those feats be replaced with something else?

For example, if I'm a Bbn 6 and have Weapon Focus, can I replace Weapon Focus with Power Attack upon reaching Barbarian level 7?

 

[urdinaran]

I would say no, unless your GM would allow retraining as in PHB II.

 

[Yogah of Yag]

I would say no, unless your GM would allow retraining as in PHB II.

What does that describe?

 

[Foxworthy]

Basically the retraining rules are using xp to fix whatever poor design choices were made in the past. I'm pretty sure it's not open content so I can't get really specific.

But if a character reaches the seventh level of the barbarian he loses the feat but won't get any feats to replace them. It's the cost of the powerful abilities that the barbarians get.

 

[Lord Jolly the Scribe]

If you are going to lose them down the road, why take them in the first place?

Also, if you need Weapon Focus or something for a feat that has it for a prereq, get that feat, then lose Weapon Focus, do you lose the feat also that needed it for a prereq?

 

[Yogah of Yag]

Basically the retraining rules are using xp to fix whatever poor design choices were made in the past. I'm pretty sure it's not open content so I can't get really specific.

But if a character reaches the seventh level of the barbarian he loses the feat but won't get any feats to replace them. It's the cost of the powerful abilities that the barbarians get.

So, what you're saying is, if a PC wants to "retrain" he needs to discard x amount of xp first? Hhmmm. Intriguing. Thanks.

 

[GlassJaw]

If you are going to lose them down the road, why take them in the first place?

Not really the point but I suppose if someone wants a slight boost with Weapon Focus at lower levels or something.

The book says "he immediately and permanently loses this feat". That leads me to believe he now has an open feat slot. I can't think of any mechanic in any other d20 system where you lose a feat slot.

I really don't like this rule at all. I can see why it's there but there is nothing unbalancing about it at all. It just seems like a wonky mechanic to force-feed some flavor into the barbarian class. I'm thinking about dropping it completely.

Also, if you need Weapon Focus or something for a feat that has it for a prereq, get that feat, then lose Weapon Focus, do you lose the feat also that needed it for a prereq?

Per standard d20 rules, yes.

 

[Foxworthy]

Basically the retraining rules are using xp to fix whatever poor design choices were made in the past. I'm pretty sure it's not open content so I can't get really specific.

But if a character reaches the seventh level of the barbarian he loses the feat but won't get any feats to replace them. It's the cost of the powerful abilities that the barbarians get.

So, what you're saying is, if a PC wants to "retrain" he needs to discard x amount of xp first? Hhmmm. Intriguing. Thanks.

I just realised I made a mistake, retraining quest which cost xp are optional, the base thing is take two weeks and pay 50 gold to to retrain each feat. Which just seemed silly to me which is why I probably blocked it from my mind.

 

[Trodax]

I really don't like this rule at all. I can see why it's there but there is nothing unbalancing about it at all. It just seems like a wonky mechanic to force-feed some flavor into the barbarian class. I'm thinking about dropping it completely.

I agree that the mechanic isn't exactly elegant, and for Weapon Focus I don't think it really matters if you house-rule it away. However, I would look out so you don't make the 14th and 20th level Versatility (double and triple threat range with all melee weapons) stackable with the Improved and Greater Critical feats. That could easily become very unbalanced (my guess is that this is the origin of the feat-restriction for barbarians).