This optional system replaces the favored class bonus system. As a character advances in experience and level, they will gain enhancement points (aka EP) which can then be spent on enhancements. The available enhancement selection is based upon a character’s class, and consists of improvements to those class strengths. For example, a Thief would be offered enhancements to improve skill at hiding or disarming traps, while a Berserker would be offered enhancements to improve their ability to Rage.
Enhancements are offered via different “trees”, which are a collection of thematically related enhancements:
Each tree is broken into 2 parts – the core enhancements plus 4 or 5 tiers of enhancements:
- Each successive tier offers (usually) more powerful enhancements than the one before
- Each successive tier requires a certain number of EP to be spent on previous tiers, called progression, thus a character cannot spend all their points on the highest, most powerful tiers
Tiers also require certain character or class level:
- Tier 1-4 enhancements require class levels 1-4 respectively.
- Tier 5 enhancements require class level 5 and character level 12.
The core enhancements work slightly differently:
- Core enhancements have a minimum point expenditure required, but are only available once a certain class level is reached.
- The Core 1 enhancement must be purchased before any EP can be spent on the Tiers, but further core abilities are purely optional.
Enhancements from a class usually stack with other enhancements from other class trees, even when they give identical bonuses: If, however, the enhancements have identical names, they may not stack:
Ability bonuses from enhancements or equipped items do not count towards enhancement or feat prerequisites.
Enhancements can be reset by retraining.
Class trees have 5 tiers. Racial trees have 4 tiers.
Enhancement Points: Enhancement Points (EP) are points gained throughout the process of heroic leveling. A character can spend those points on enhancements. They must, however, meet the prerequisites, before being able to pick the desired enhancement.
Each level, a character gains 5 EP (to a maximum of 100 EP).
Some enhancements cost more than one EP. For this reason, a character does not lose EP when leveling up – they can save (or bank) as many as they wish, until they choose to spend them.
Ranks: It is generally possible to acquire from 1 to 3 ranks in an enhancement (unrelated to ranks in character levels). If for instance, an enhancement lists “EP Cost: 2, Ranks: 3”, that means up to 3 ranks can be acquired in that enhancement, each costing 2 EP. An enhancement description may refer to bonuses based on the number of ranks acquired. For instance, a description “+[1/2/3] to saves” means the enhancement imparts a +1 competence bonus on saves with the first rank acquired, +2 with the second rank, and +3 with the third (and final) rank.
In addition to class enhancements, you will be able to spend your EP on enhancements specific to your race.
Unless stated, all extraordinary abilities are swift action to use.