Universal character enhancers D&D 3.5

[Alternate.howl]

What are methods of strengthening or customizing a character in D&D 3.5 that can be applied to almost any character? I've compiled my own list, what would you add, and where is it from?
List of player character improvers:

Attributes:
Skill tricks (CS)
Flaws for extra feats (UA)
Traits (UA)
Racial substitution levels (varies)

Builds:
Alternate class features (varies)
Multiclassing (physical builds this is a must, varies)
Tome of battle, everyone increases initiator level as character level increases, opening access to feats and maneuvers
Prestige classes (magic users this is a must)
Domain feats (must be character relevant)
Skill Synergy bonuses (PHB)
Retraining feats/skills/levels/spells (PHB II)
Item Familiars (UA)
Elder evil worship grants free feats (Elder Evils)
Legendary sites, typically last a year or permanent, esp Otyugh hole for Iron Will, gp valued. (CS)

Mundane Items:
Poisons (varies)
Alchemical items (varies)
Masterwork skill items (generic +2)
Gimmick items (marbles, caltrops, etc)
Exotic weapons (characters can still use, but non-proficiency is -4)
Hidden blades/spaces (sneaky characters, CS)
Alternate materials for armor/weapons (varies)
Armor/Weapon templates (varies, many in DMGII)

Magic Items:
Stack magic abilities on same item, especially +2 4 6 stat bonuses no charge (MIC)
Custom magic items DMG (ask DM first)

Other:
Contacts (DMG II)
Teamwork benefits (PHB II)
Joining a faction (Complete Scoundrel)

[Raineh Daze]

I'm not really sure what you're asking.

This is basically "What improves characters". Aside from a few particularly daft feats that imply you can't do basic abilities without them, the answer is "pretty much anything".

[Alternate.howl]

What mostly I'm asking is what are ways you can customize your character that may not be obvious to newer players? There are interesting segments of items to delve into, multi classing, variant rules and more. The aim of this post is to learn more ways to do this. The intent is to find categories of things that can make a character more unique

[Raineh Daze]

Hm. I think you've forgotten race choices (odd, you got the substitution levels), and IIRC bloodlines are a thing? Oh, also LA-buyoff can make some things more viable.

[Alternate.howl]

That is for sure a great start. Thanks. Others that reminds me of are templates, Vampire, Lich, Dark, Xorvintaal, and more.

[Raineh Daze]

Stack magic abilities on same item, especially +2 4 6 stat bonuses no charge (MIC)

Also, I'm pretty sure I recall there being a cost modifier to doing that? That might have been added to Pathfinder. But it wouldn't surprise me, a Belt of Magnificence costs extra for a reason.

[Alternate.howl]

So, you are right in many cases, but for certain common bonuses you just pay the additional price of the item, like the example from MIC 234:

Example: Lidda has a pair of boots of striding and springing, and she wants to add a Dexterity bonus (rather than buying gloves of Dexterity). Her friend Mialee isn’t around, so Lidda must track down a stranger to do the work. She pays the wizard 4,000 gp, and four days later her boots now also grant her a +2 enhancement bonus to Dexterity. When Lidda later decides to improve the bonus to +4, she manages to talk Mialee (who has the Craft Wondrous Item feat and knows the cat’s grace spell) into performing the work. After spending eight 8-hour days of work and expending 6,000 gp of components (likely supplied by Lidda) and 480 XP, Mialee succeeds in increasing the +2 enhancement bonus to Dexterity to +4.

Usually you add 1.5 times the cost of an item for most effects, like the example from MIC 233:

In most cases, if the item is one that occupies a body slot, the cost of adding any additional ability to that item is 1-1/2 times the value of the added power (or the value of the added power plus 1/2 the value of the existing item, if the added power normally costs more than the existing item).

[phaedrusxy]

I think if we refined this to "(less commonly known/used) tricks that can be used to improve any character", it could be a useful handbook. SorO has some threads that are somewhat similar in theme, but organized differently, that you might check out.

[Alternate.howl]

I will, thanks

[Alternate.howl]

Grafts should be added as well now that I think about it.

[Nifft]

Yeah, add Grafts & Symbiotes.

Some of the old symbiotes (e.g. Fiend Folio ones) seem to have no GP cost -- unless I'm missing where that was published -- and a few have spiffy benefits.

For example, the Psionic Sinew (FF, p.218) gives you:
- Claws which deal 1d12+Str damage
- A +4 enhancement bonus to Strength
- Inertial Armor (+4 armor bonus to AC, which is a Force effect)
- Blindsight 60 ft. (not personally, though -- but it can tell you about stealthy threats)
- A friend who is both Lawful and Evil, which means you have easy access to excellent legal and ethical advice.

[ketaro]

Stack magic abilities on same item, especially +2 4 6 stat bonuses no charge (MIC)

Also, I'm pretty sure I recall there being a cost modifier to doing that? That might have been added to Pathfinder. But it wouldn't surprise me, a Belt of Magnificence costs extra for a reason.

A Belt of Magnificence costs less than its combined parts, actually.

[SorO_Lost]

I think if we refined this to "(less commonly known/used) tricks that can be used to improve any character", it could be a useful handbook. SorO has some threads that are somewhat similar in theme, but organized differently, that you might check out.

Here is the link to the recompiled thread I was working on for MMF.

[phaedrusxy]

I think if we refined this to "(less commonly known/used) tricks that can be used to improve any character", it could be a useful handbook. SorO has some threads that are somewhat similar in theme, but organized differently, that you might check out.

Here is the link to the recompiled thread I was working on for MMF.

Thanks. Yeah... that was looking quite awesome.

[PlzBreakMyCampaign]

Welcome to the boards! Have you considered reformatting your list by what a PC expends to get the benefits?

Obviously there are classes for ECL. Race is its own category since you can only chose one. Also you forgot affiliations.

[SorO_Lost]

Thanks. Yeah... that was looking quite awesome.

Yeah, now that I can quote Jack's post I could probably finish the Dragon ACFs out since if I can figure out my login over there I should still be able to edit the post.