Training in 3E or 3.5E?

[Supplement Four]

Back in the days of AD&D 2E, there was a training rule that was used. When a character would earn enough XP to meet a new level, he wouldn't be allowed to advance until he found someone to train him.

I remember adventure scenarios (like the Forgotten Realms Time of Troubles trilogy Shadowdale, Tantras, and Waterdeep) would include NPCs as encounters in the adventures that could teach certain things to particular classes (this NPC was a fighter trainer...that one was a Cleric trainer, etc).

Training, while erring on the side of realism a bit, also served a number of other functions. It kept the players focused on how they were going to build their characters because they'd have to be using certain skills and abilities (practicing) as they gain XP so that training won't take so long once they do reach the next level.

Training was a great way for the GM to drain some of the PC money away.

And, training could lead to all sorts of interesting story "pulls" and "pushes", giving the GM an NPC that the PCs needed something from. They'd have to do the NPC's bidding (sometimes, his bidding was an entire adventure!) as his price wasn't always met in gold.

Training also gave the GM a story tool to direct the PCs to a certain part of the campaign world. They could hear a rumor, for example, that a swordsman sells his knowledge for those willing to pay his price, but the guy lives riiiiigggghhhht here, at this point on the map.

You get the idea.



So, I wonder, having never before played any 3E or 3.5E D&D...is there a rule out there in D&D land that brings training to D&D land? Usually it's in the form of a roll. Some sort of check. If the PC makes the check, he levels normally, learning as he does things. If the PC fails the training check, then he's at a point where he needs and instructor to help him advance.

Does anyone know of a similar training rule in 3E or 3.5E?

I've got some ideas on how to bring this concept to the Conan game, but I want to investigate how regular D&D does it...if it indeed still exists (and was not an AD&D "thing" only).

Anyone know?

 

[kintire]

It does not exist.

The assumption made in d20 is that levels actually represent acumulated experience in the field, and that the necessary training is done prior to first level. PCs are at the "I have taught you all I can. The rest, you must learn for yourself" stage.

The only partial exception is prestige classes, which do sometimes need a trainer to enter, but not always. And Conan, thank goodness, has few prestige classes.

 

[Supplement Four]

The assumption made in d20 is that levels actually represent acumulated experience in the field, and that the necessary training is done prior to first level. PCs are at the "I have taught you all I can. The rest, you must learn for yourself" stage.

Which makes sense in some ways and doesn't in others.

For example, a character at 1st level has no ranks in the Open Lock skill. This is a skill that requires you to be trained. The entire time the character is played at 1st level, no locks are opened by either him or his companions.

At 2nd level, the player decides to put some of his new skill points into Open Lock, and magically, just like that, he is a trained lock picker.



AD&D 2E would avoid this problem of logic by allowing the character a throw. If the throw succeeds, the character can naturally figure his way into early training by himself, without anybody else's help. GMs are encouraged to have their players describe what their PCs are doing "in the off times". A player who is thinking of picking up Open Locks at level 2 would maybe visit a lock smith while in town or have his character spend a lot of time with the party thief. That way, it's not so much of a logical leap when he picks up Open Lock at 2nd level.

If the throw fails, then the character must seek out someone to train him before he can put ranks into Open Lock. This could be the party thief, and if no thief is in the party, then the PC must locate an NPC and pay his price for the training.

I quite liked this system, and I'm shocked that, no where in 3.0 or 3.5 D&D land, there is no rule like this.

Like I said, I've got some thoughts for my game, but I was looking to see if the "wheel" had already been invented (with respect to 3.0/3.5).

 

[kintire]

AD&D 2E would avoid this problem of logic by allowing the character a throw. If the throw succeeds, the character can naturally figure his way into early training by himself, without anybody else's help. GMs are encouraged to have their players describe what their PCs are doing "in the off times". A player who is thinking of picking up Open Locks at level 2 would maybe visit a lock smith while in town or have his character spend a lot of time with the party thief. That way, it's not so much of a logical leap when he picks up Open Lock at 2nd level.

If the throw fails, then the character must seek out someone to train him before he can put ranks into Open Lock. This could be the party thief, and if no thief is in the party, then the PC must locate an NPC and pay his price for the training.

I quite liked this system,

The system in D20 and Conan is exactly the same, except GM choice replaces the throw.

That and the assumption that all characters have at least basic grounding in their class skills. But a GM can always deny access to a skill if there is no way to learn it.

 

[Spade]

I've always reserved the right to demand roleplay and in-game effort on the part of players to earn a feat, the first ranks in a skill, or a lot of ranks at once in a skill. Everything else I chalk up to experience.

I try to put these into play at significant moments but not always, in the way that a television program will make a big deal about going into the secret base a few times, and then leave it to the viewer to imagine it happens all the time. The players should remember they don't develop all their abilities in a vaccuum, and its very good fodder for NPC contacts.

I've always wanted to maroon a party and deny them development of certain skills, feats, or classes. That would be interesting for a halfhand of sessions.

- Spade