Destiny proposal: Branching talent picks at lvl4/lvl7, branching talent suggestions

This thread is a relay off a conversation topic with Dan, in regards to destinies.

I propose that we all chip in and design "branches" to the current and/or future lvl4 or lvl7 talents. In other words, each destiny would have, either at level 4, level 7, or both levels, a choice between two utilities. Level 10 talents could work as well, but they seem rather "iconic" of the destiny goal, so they probably don't need extra branching.

This would add extra versatility to each destiny as there would be more pics.

For example, let's take the current official destiny, Archmage.

Archmage
Spellbook
Your magical knowledge plays host to a fantastic book of spells. Once per session you may swap a utility talent you know for another utility talent you qualify for.

Arcane Secrets - 3/Day
Your study of magical secrets allows you to employ the art in new and versatile ways. You can use Arcana in the place of your next Persuasion, Perception, Stealth or Mechanics check.

Master of Magic
Your mastery of magic has moved beyond the commonplace and ascended into something worthy of legend. Lesser spellcasters can barely comprehend the ease and versatility with which you cast the mightiest of spells. Twice a day, you may use a Magic Talent without spending a Magic Point.

This destiny is a good example of what branching might be beneficial for. Arcane secrets is a utility that heavily relies on arcana being the prime stat of a player character. If it isn't, it becomes useless, which then makes the destiny not worth taking.

If we add branching, we can give players the option to ignore this and choose an alternate talent. For instance...

Arcane Power
After you are involved in the use of magic points (via magic point utilities, elements of harmony skill use, boosting skill checks, or having your skill checks boosted by them), the next skill you perform afterwards* will gain a +8 bonus and can critically succeed on a roll of 18 or higher (cutie mark criticals still require a natural 20). This cannot stack with itself.

*AFTER whatever triggered it. Boosting yourself with magic points wont affect that skill, but the one you perform right afterwards.

With this talent and branching added, we'd get the final result of:

Archmage

LVL4

Spellbook
Your magical knowledge plays host to a fantastic book of spells. Once per session you may swap a utility talent you know for another utility talent you qualify for.

---

LVL7

Arcane Secrets - 3/Day
Your study of magical secrets allows you to employ the art in new and versatile ways. You can use Arcana in the place of your next Persuasion, Perception, Stealth or Mechanics check.

OR

Arcane Power
After you are involved in the use of magic points (via magic point utilities, elements of harmony skill use, boosting skill checks, or having your skill checks boosted by them), the next skill you perform afterwards will gain a +8 bonus and can critically succeed on a roll of 18 or higher (cutie mark criticals still require a natural 20). This cannot stack with itself.

---

LVL10

Master of Magic
Your mastery of magic has moved beyond the commonplace and ascended into something worthy of legend. Lesser spellcasters can barely comprehend the ease and versatility with which you cast the mightiest of spells. Twice a day, you may use a Magic Talent without spending a Magic Point.

Dan fully supported this idea and encouraged me to post this: Make some suggestions on branching talents! Keep in mind that they should still stick in with the destiny's goal, as well as be balanced to the level they are branching at.

Zarhon wrote:This thread is a relay off a conversation topic with Dan, in regards to destinies.

Dan fully supported this idea and encouraged me to post this: Make some suggestions on branching talents! Keep in mind that they should still stick in with the destiny's goal, as well as be balanced to the level they are branching at.

And to give credit where credit is due, the idea only came out of Zarhon's desire for some form of diversity and Fury of Tempest's suggestion to do such branches in the first place. Thanks guys!

Hipster alert: My destiny had branches before it was cool.

And really, done correctly you could in effect merge a fair amount of the destinies together, which would cut down on catalog clutter. I figure most of them have similar enough goals and fluff anyway.

So, kind of like the official Inventor destiny's level 7? I like the idea. And I would have to say that level 7 should probably be where it's at; level 4 is picking the destiny itself (which is huge), and level 10 is the culmination or fulfillment of your destiny, so level 7 looks perfect for giving some customization choices.