Initiative idea

I was reading a hackmaster RPG book today, and one of their concepts intrigued me. They gave an example of a round where a band of orcs attacks the party. The initiative was counted down, with every 5 representing the orcs moving closer (20: Orcs begin yelling and drawing weapons, rogue gets to move on initiative 18. 15: orcs begin to move, fighter and ranger take actions. 10, orcs speed up to a full charge. 5 orcs arrive and the unlucky wizard with initiative 5 gets hammered.

I liked the description and the way it added realism to the actions of the players ( ie, the faster ones were able to react quicker). I also thought about what to do if the party were in the orcs' position. I believe that a party should be able to self-determine initiative depending on their plan in a surprise round, and if they are capable of communication or devising a way of timing the attack. I know the rules basically allow that with delay and ready, but I think initiative in surprise rounds should be open and rolled after the battle joins.

Any ideas on how to add to this kind of action? (I love the countdown as the players wait in turn to act. It would seem to add urgency)

Skill Training (Revised)

Thanks for the suggestion, Adam. Others have also expressed that the feat would be too "weak" in it's current form, therefore I will go with what Adam suggested:

Feat: Skill Training

Prerequisites: None

Choose one cross-class skill. Treat this skill as a class skill, regardless of character class.
This feat can be taken multiple times. A new skill is converted each time.

What do you think?

New Rule Ideas

Anyone got any ideas?

Proposed Feat: Skill Training

Ever had a character who needed a skill but couldn't take it because it was a "cross-class" skill? Well, D&D 3.5 is all about flexibility, so I propose a feat:

Skill Training

Prerequisites: None

One skill from the class skill list can be replaced by a skill that is not on the class skill list.

Now you can have a rogue who liked camping as a kid..

What do you think?

D20 Home Brewery

This is a place that I have created to share homebrew D20 3.5 SRD compatible rules and feats. I will post rules, the reasoning behind them, and then ask people to comment if they like them or not, and to rate them. Also, if you have homebrew rules/feats/classes/etc. of your own, then feel free to post them as well.

Thanks,

 Josh