So, based on something talked about on another thread, here's a question for the more technical fiddly-minded of you. How could you scrap the feat system in D&D, and replace it with some kind of combination of special powers and a "stunting" system similar to what is found in Forward... to Adventure!?
RPGPundit
Given how it was described in the review Jeff K did on RPGnet, I don't see why the hell you'd want to.
Adding an extra die roll just to add a bonus to another die roll seems far more cumbersome and needlessly complex than simply getting the bonus or the action in the first place.
For the simple reason that a feat is always the same one thing. A stunt can be anything.
So, here's the thing: if you took the feat "advanced bashing" that gives you +2 to bashing or whatever, guess what your PC will do? Bashing.
Bashing. He'll be constantly bashing. He'll bash regardless of his opponents, of his terrain, of the distractions around him; the answer will always be "bash".
With stunts, your character attempts to do something which will either give him a bonus, give an ally a bonus, or incapacitate or penalize an enemy; but what he actually does can be something different each time.
RPGPundit
Well, there's the stunt system from Book of Iron Might and Challenges and Stunts from Iron Heroes, I'd port the stunts system from Dragonfist.
Edit: Heck, I doctored up something like DF's stunt system for 3E years back and never used it. Here's the relevant text (don't presume it's balanced)...
Ability scores also have stunt dies. During each round in combat, in addition to a character's standard and move actions, a character can perform a single feat of prowess related to an ability score. This feat then provides a bonus to the related parameters indicated below. Characters with a prime in that ability score roll a stunt die one category higher.
Ability Scores and Stunt Bonus Die
Ability Score Die
1-11 1d3-1
12-13 1d3
14-15 1d4
16-17 1d6
18-19 1d8
20-21 1d10
22-23+ 1d12
Might (Strength) - Bonus: to melee attack rolls and to damage
Agility (Dexterity) - Bonus: to AC, to Reflex saves, and to attack rolls with ranged weapons.
Fortitude (Constitution) - Bonus: to Fortitude saves and provides temporary hit points that round.
Savvy (Intelligence) - Bonus: to any skill check involving advanced stunts.
Insight (Wisdom) - Bonus: to Intiative and Will saves.
Guile (Charisma) - Bonus: to any one roll that round.
Example: Lin is badly injured and needs to quickly finish off an hungry ghost that is pursuing her. She comes out of hiding and quickly perform a form, mimicking the movements of a tiger. Lin feels strength surge back into her veins. Her player has elected to use a Might feat this round in combat. She has Strength score of 17 and Strength is one of her prime ability scores. Therefore, she rolls 1d8 and she rolls a 3. For that round, she will have an additional +3 bonus to her melee attack and damage rolls.