Gralamin
2009-08-31, 05:21 PM
The Hybrid Class rules (From Dragon) that will be printed in PHB3 are, overall, an excellent set of rules. However they have a few flaws I wish to address.
1) They do not feel like they mesh completely - Class features such as sneak attack cannot be used on both classes powers, and so it doesn't seem like the class is a unified Whole. In addition, these class features cannot even be used with multiclass powers!
2) Hybrid Talent is too limited - At max, you can get two Hybrid Talents by giving up your prestige class. I understand why its limited, but its too limited overall for my tastes.
3) Some Hybrid Classes lose more then others - A good example is the Wizard and Sorcerer. Sorcerer loses almost nothing through Hybrid, while a Wizard loses basically everything.
Fixes
1) I have two fixes for this problem: A feat, and a change to Paragon Hybrid rules.
Unified Hybrid (Heroic)
Prerequisite: Hybrid Character, Hybrid Class Feature that only applies to one classes powers.
Benefit: Choose a Hybrid Class Feature that only applies to one classes powers. That Feature may be used with any powers from classes or paragon paths that you possess. If this benefit would cause two features to stack that would not normally, you only use the feature that gives the greater benefit.
Special: You may take this Feat a second time in Paragon, and a third time in Epic.
This would allow, say, A ranger|Rogue to Sneak attack and Hunter's quarry with either sides powers, just not at the same time.
Paragon Hybrid Change
You gain Unified Hybrid for all class features you possess that it could apply to. If you gain a new class feature that it would apply to through some method after taking your first level of Paragon Hybrid, you do not gain this benefit for the new feature.
2)A simple change: Hybrid Talent may be taken 1/tier (Each time costing a feat), and Paragon Hybrid gives you the feat for free, not counting towards your limit.
3) More detailed and close examination of Hybrid classes is needed for a complete homebrew. As a quick and dirty fix for some:
Wizard - Gains Arcane Implement Mastery (Hybrid). Can spend Hybrid Talent to gain the full version of the Ability, with the same implement as selected.
Arcane Implement Mastery (Hybrid)
Choose one of the following benefits.
Orb of Deception - 1/encounter as a free action, when you miss an enemy with a wizard illusion power, choose another enemy adjacent to the missed target. The chosen enemy cannot also be a target of the original attack. Repeat the attack against the new target.
Orb Of Imposition - 1/encounter as a free action, you may choose to extend the duration of an effect created by a wizard at-will spell (Such as cloud of daggers or ray of frost) that would otherwise end at the end of your current turn. The effect instead ends at the end of your next turn.
Staff of Defense - You gain a +1 bonus to AC
Tome of Binding - 1/encounter as a free action, if you use your tome when using an arcane summoning power, all creatures summoned by the power gain a +1 bonus to damage.
Tome of Readiness - You gain a +1 bonus to Reflex (Couldn't think of a better way).
Wand of Accuracy - 1/encounter as a free action, you gain a +1 to a single attack roll.
[hr]
This obviously isn't completely done, but questions, comments?
1) They do not feel like they mesh completely - Class features such as sneak attack cannot be used on both classes powers, and so it doesn't seem like the class is a unified Whole. In addition, these class features cannot even be used with multiclass powers!
2) Hybrid Talent is too limited - At max, you can get two Hybrid Talents by giving up your prestige class. I understand why its limited, but its too limited overall for my tastes.
3) Some Hybrid Classes lose more then others - A good example is the Wizard and Sorcerer. Sorcerer loses almost nothing through Hybrid, while a Wizard loses basically everything.
Fixes
1) I have two fixes for this problem: A feat, and a change to Paragon Hybrid rules.
Unified Hybrid (Heroic)
Prerequisite: Hybrid Character, Hybrid Class Feature that only applies to one classes powers.
Benefit: Choose a Hybrid Class Feature that only applies to one classes powers. That Feature may be used with any powers from classes or paragon paths that you possess. If this benefit would cause two features to stack that would not normally, you only use the feature that gives the greater benefit.
Special: You may take this Feat a second time in Paragon, and a third time in Epic.
This would allow, say, A ranger|Rogue to Sneak attack and Hunter's quarry with either sides powers, just not at the same time.
Paragon Hybrid Change
You gain Unified Hybrid for all class features you possess that it could apply to. If you gain a new class feature that it would apply to through some method after taking your first level of Paragon Hybrid, you do not gain this benefit for the new feature.
2)A simple change: Hybrid Talent may be taken 1/tier (Each time costing a feat), and Paragon Hybrid gives you the feat for free, not counting towards your limit.
3) More detailed and close examination of Hybrid classes is needed for a complete homebrew. As a quick and dirty fix for some:
Wizard - Gains Arcane Implement Mastery (Hybrid). Can spend Hybrid Talent to gain the full version of the Ability, with the same implement as selected.
Arcane Implement Mastery (Hybrid)
Choose one of the following benefits.
Orb of Deception - 1/encounter as a free action, when you miss an enemy with a wizard illusion power, choose another enemy adjacent to the missed target. The chosen enemy cannot also be a target of the original attack. Repeat the attack against the new target.
Orb Of Imposition - 1/encounter as a free action, you may choose to extend the duration of an effect created by a wizard at-will spell (Such as cloud of daggers or ray of frost) that would otherwise end at the end of your current turn. The effect instead ends at the end of your next turn.
Staff of Defense - You gain a +1 bonus to AC
Tome of Binding - 1/encounter as a free action, if you use your tome when using an arcane summoning power, all creatures summoned by the power gain a +1 bonus to damage.
Tome of Readiness - You gain a +1 bonus to Reflex (Couldn't think of a better way).
Wand of Accuracy - 1/encounter as a free action, you gain a +1 to a single attack roll.
[hr]
This obviously isn't completely done, but questions, comments?