Author: FireLance

The following are rules for (Pre-1st) Novice and Apprentice level characters. Please note that while this system generates characters that are less powerful than core 1st-level 4e characters, the main objective is simplification rather than power reduction. This system is intended to slowly introduce new players to their characters' abilities and the rules of the game, starting with the most basic. Hence, while the characters may be using a smaller subset of the abilities they will have at 1st level, the abilities themselves work pretty much in the same way (so a 1st-level character's encounter abilities do not become an Apprentice level character's daily abilities, for example).

Novice Level

Novice level introduces the players to the simplest abilities of their characters and the basics of gameplay. At Novice level, characters have access to most of their constant and at-will racial and class traits. However, they will only have access to one defining class feature of their class, and one at-will power (two for humans). In deciding what is the defining class feature for each class, I was mostly guided by the multiclass feats. So, even though I originally intended to focus on constant and at-will abilities at Novice level, I have decided that Novice level clerics and warlords should have access to healing word and inspiring word, even though they are encounter abilities. Novice level characters do not have action points and cannot catch a second wind. Novice level characters become Apprentice level characters after they have earned 250 xp.

Racial Abilities

Novice level characters have the following racial traits as stated in the individual race descriptions in the PH:

Dragonborn
Ability Scores
Size
Speed
Vision
Languages
Skill Bonuses
Dragonborn Fury
Draconic Heritage

Dwarf
Ability Scores
Size
Speed
Vision
Languages
Skill Bonuses
Cast-Iron Stomach
Dwarven Weapon Proficiency
Encumbered Speed
Stand Your Ground

Eladrin
Ability Scores
Size
Speed
Vision
Languages
Skill Bonuses
Eladrin Education
Eladrin Weapon Proficiency
Eladrin Will
Fey Origin
Trance

Elf
Ability Scores
Size
Speed
Vision
Languages
Skill Bonuses
Elven Weapon Proficiency
Fey Origin
Group Awareness
Wild Step

Half-Elf
Ability Scores
Size
Speed
Vision
Languages
Skill Bonuses
Dual Heritage
Group Diplomacy

Halfling
Ability Scores
Size
Speed
Vision
Languages
Skill Bonuses
Bold
Nimble Reaction

Human
Ability Scores
Size
Speed
Vision
Languages
Bonus At-Will Power
Bonus Skill
Human Defense Bonus

Tiefling
Ability Scores
Size
Speed
Vision
Languages
Skill Bonuses
Bloodhunt
Fire Resistance

Class Abilities

Novice level characters have the following class traits and features. Unless otherwise indicated, they are the same as stated in the individual class descriptions in the PH:

Cleric
Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: Religion and one more trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: healing word
Level 1 At-Will Prayer: Choose one

Fighter
Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 3 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: One trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: Combat Challenge
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Choose one

Paladin
Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 3 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: Religion and one more trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: Divine Challenge
Level 1 At-Will Prayer: Choose one

Ranger
Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: Dungeoneering or Nature and one more trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: Hunter's Quarry
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Choose one

Rogue
Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: Stealth, Thievery and one more trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: Sneak Attack
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Choose one

Warlock
Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: One trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: Warlock's Curse
Level 1 At-Will Spell: Eldritch Blast

Warlord
Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: One trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: inspiring word
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Choose one

Wizard
Armor Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiencies
Bonus to Defense
Hit Points: 2 + Constitution score
Healing Surges per Day
Trained Skills: Arcana and one more trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Feature: cantrips
Level 1 At-Will Spell: Choose one

Apprentice Level

At Apprentice level, players are introduced to the more tactical aspects of gameplay. Apprentice level characters gain access to action points, the second wind action, and encounter abilities. Apprentice level characters become 1st-level characters after they have earned 500 xp.

Racial Abilities

Apprentice level characters gain their remaining racial abilities, namely:

Dragonborn: Dragon Breath
Dwarf: Dwarven Resilience
Eladrin: Fey Step
Elf: Elven Accuracy
Half-Elf: Dilettante
Halfling: Second Chance
Human: Bonus Feat
Tiefling: Infernal Wrath

Class Abilities

Novice level characters gain the following class traits and features. Unless otherwise indicated, they are the same as stated in the individual class descriptions in the PH:

Cleric
Hit Points: Gain +5 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Features: Gain Channel Divinity, Healer's Lore, Ritual Casting
Level 1 At-Will Prayer: Gain another
Level 1 Encounter Prayer: Choose one

Fighter
Hit Points: Gain +6 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Features: Gain Combat Superiority, Fighter Weapon Talent
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Gain another
Level 1 Encounter Exploit: Choose one

Paladin
Hit Points: Gain +6 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Features: Gain Channel Divinity, lay on hands
Level 1 At-Will Prayer: Gain another
Level 1 Encounter Prayer: Choose one

Ranger
Hit Points: Gain +5 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Features: Gain Fighting Style, Prime Shot
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Gain another
Level 1 Encounter Exploit: Choose one

Rogue
Hit Points: Gain +5 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Features: Gain First Strike, Rogue Tactics, Rogue Weapon Talent
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Gain another
Level 1 Encounter Exploit: Choose one

Warlock
Hit Points: Gain +5 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Features: Gain Eldritch Pact, Prime Shot, Shadow Walk
Level 1 At-Will Spell: Gain another, as determined by the choice of Eldritch Pact
Level 1 Encounter Spell: Choose one

Warlord
Hit Points: Gain +5 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Features: Gain Combat Leader, Commanding Presence
Level 1 At-Will Exploit: Gain another
Level 1 Encounter Exploit: Choose one

Wizard
Hit Points: Gain +4 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Class Features: Gain Arcane Implement Mastery, Ritual Casting, spellbook
Level 1 At-Will Spell: Gain another
Level 1 Encounter Spell: Choose one

1st-Level Characters

At 1st-level, the characters gain one feat and their remaining class abilities, namely:

Cleric
Hit Points: Gain +5 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Level 1 Daily Prayer: Choose one

Fighter
Hit Points: Gain +6 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Level 1 Daily Exploit: Choose one

Paladin
Hit Points: Gain +6 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain an additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Level 1 Daily Prayer: Choose one

Ranger
Hit Points: Gain +5 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain two additional trained skills from the list of class skills.
Level 1 Daily Exploit: Choose one

Rogue
Hit Points: Gain +5 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain two additional trained skills from the list of class skills.
Level 1 Daily Exploit: Choose one

Warlock
Hit Points: Gain +5 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain two additional trained skills from the list of class skills.
Level 1 Daily Spell: Choose one

Warlord
Hit Points: Gain +5 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain two additional trained skills from the list of class skills.
Level 1 Daily Exploit: Choose one

Wizard
Hit Points: Gain +4 hit points
Trained Skills: Gain one additional trained skill from the list of class skills.
Level 1 Daily Spell: Choose one