Curious
2011-06-17, 09:36 PM
So after several weeks of reading threads about the melee/caster imbalance, I've been bouncing ideas around in my head. One of the big splits in power between casters and non-casters seems to be in their ability to use expendable resources to gain temporary (or not so temporary) boosts in power. Melee doesn't often get anything like this, and combined with their singular lack of versatility or flexibility, they simply can't compete.
And so, I have attempted to create what will be hopefully be the first in a series of classes using the pool mechanic. And with no further ado, I present-
Battle Scions
Battle Scions are lords of the battlefield, wading through the corpses of their enemies with weapon in hand. They hail from all the walks of life, from grizzled old soldiers and mercenary dogs, to noble warriors and idealistic young knights. What sets them apart is the fundamental understanding that no matter who you are, on the battlefield the only thing that matters is the skill with which you wield your blade.
Abilities: While their combat skills are impressive on their own, a Battle Scions true strength comes from his ability to pull off miraculous stunts through the use of his Valor pool, which is expanded by his constitution modifier. His second primary stat is either Strength, or Dexterity, depending on which fighting style he chooses.
Role: Battle Scions have one true purpose in combat; to destroy their enemies. Whether it be with a hail of arrows or the stroke of a blade, Battle Scions are adept at all forms of death-dealing.
Alignment: Any
Hit Die: D12
Class Features
Class Skills:
The Battle Scions class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) (Int), Knowledge (Engineering) (Int), Knowledge (Local) (Int), Knowledge (Nobility) (Int), Perception (Wis), Perform (Cha), and Swim (Str).
Skill Ranks per Level: 6+ Int modifier.
Table: Battle Scion
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+2| Battle Art, Fighting Style, Valor Pool, Weapon Style
2nd|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+3| Battle Art, Heart of Steel
3rd|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+3| Fighting Style Progression, Uncanny Dodge
4th|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+4| Battle Art, Mettle
5th|
+5|
+4|
+4|
+4| Bonus Feat
6th|
+6/+1|
+5|
+5|
+5| Battle Art, Evasion
7th|
+7/+2|
+5|
+5|
+5| Fighting Style Progression, Second Fighting Style
8th|
+8/+3|
+6|
+6|
+6| Battle Art
9th|
+9/+4|
+6|
+6|
+6| Bonus Feat
10th|
+10/+5|
+7|
+7|
+7| Battle Art
11th|
+11/+6/+1|
+7|
+7|
+7| Fighting Style Progression, Improved Uncanny Dodge
12th|
+12/+7/+2|
+8|
+8|
+8| Battle Art, Improved Mettle
13th|
+13/+8/+3|
+8|
+8|
+8| Bonus Feat
14th|
+14/+9/+4|
+9|
+9|
+9| Battle Art
15th|
+15/+10/+5|
+9|
+9|
+9| Fighting Style Progression, Third Fighting Style
16th|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+10|
+10|
+10| Battle Art
17th|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+10|
+10|
+10| Bonus Feat
18th|
+18/+13/+8/+3|
+11|
+11|
+11| Battle Art
19th|
+19/+14/+9/+4|
+11|
+11|
+11| Fighting Style Progression
20th|
+20/+15/+10/+5|
+12|
+12|
+12| Battle Art, Scion of War[/table]
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Battle Scions are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor (heavy, medium, and light), and with shields (including tower shields).
Battle Arts: As a Battle Scion immerses himself more fully in the clangor of battle, he begins to develop techniques and abilities to augment his battle prowess. At 1st level, a Battle Scion gains a battle art of his choice. He gains an additional battle art at 2nd level, and for every 2 levels attained after 2nd level, as noted on Table: Battle Scion. A Battle Scion cannot choose an individual battle art more than once. The save to resist a battle art is equal to 10 + 1/2 the Battle Scions level + the Battle Scions Constitution/Charisma modifier.
Sweeping Blade (Ex): Attack all enemies in an arc
Leap (Ex): (6th level) Basically flight.
Pheonix Strike (Ex): With a single, powerful blow you send your enemy flying. You make one full attack at your full base attack bonus, which deals an extra 2d6 + your level damage, plus another 2d6 for every ititerative attack you possess. If the attack is successful, your enemy is also moved back 5ft in a straight line for every level you have, and must succeed on a reflex saving throw to avoid being knocked prone. If the enemy hits a wall or other solid object while sliding, they take a further 4d6 damage.
Improved Evasion (Ex): You have honed your reflexes to the point where you simply cannot be caught unawares by an attack. You now not only take no damage on a successful reflex saving throw against attacks, but henceforth you only take half damage on a failed save. You must be at least level 12 to take this battle art.
Deadly Focus (Ex): Increase the critical threat range of any weapon you wield by 2. This stacks with, but is not multiplied by, the Improved Critical feat and the Keen enchantment.
Blow-for-Blow (Ex): Whenever you provoke an attack of opportunity from an enemy, you may make a single attack of opportunity against them. You must be at least 8th level to choose this battle art.
Juxtaposition (Ex): You move with such speed that the eyes of your enemies cannot trace you. Twice an encounter as an immediate action, you may move your character anywhere within 200 feet of his current position. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity. You also gain a +10 bonus to your base movement speed.
Fighting Styles: Every warrior has their own preferred methods of slaying foes, and the Battle Scion is no exception. At 1st level, a Battle Scion may choose 1 fighting style. At level 7 and 15, he may gain a second and third fighting style, respectively.
Skirmisher: A style for those who like to hurt their enemies without being hurt themselves.
Defender: A style based around taking the hits, and trucking on anyways.
Mauler: A style meant for nothing more than absolute carnage.
Rider: A style for either heavy hitting charges or skirmish style dashes, all on your mount.
Commander: A true leader of men, this style is for those who wish to inspire those who fight beside them to ever-greater feats of glory.
Weapon Styles: While all weapons are deadly in the hands of a Battle Scion, most prefer to work with what they are familiar with, the weapons they have held for years. A Battle Scion gains the listed benefits of a weapon style when wielding a weapon described within its text.
Ranged: For hitting enemies from where they can't hit back. Suckers.
Two-Handed: For heavy damage dealing.
Two-Weapon: For lots of attacks.
One-Handed: For finesse and style.
Unarmed: For all you monk enthusiasts out there.
Sword and Shield: Balancing between defense and attack.
Reach: When you just don't want to let enemies get close enough to touch 'ya.
Still under development.
And so, I have attempted to create what will be hopefully be the first in a series of classes using the pool mechanic. And with no further ado, I present-
Battle Scions
Battle Scions are lords of the battlefield, wading through the corpses of their enemies with weapon in hand. They hail from all the walks of life, from grizzled old soldiers and mercenary dogs, to noble warriors and idealistic young knights. What sets them apart is the fundamental understanding that no matter who you are, on the battlefield the only thing that matters is the skill with which you wield your blade.
Abilities: While their combat skills are impressive on their own, a Battle Scions true strength comes from his ability to pull off miraculous stunts through the use of his Valor pool, which is expanded by his constitution modifier. His second primary stat is either Strength, or Dexterity, depending on which fighting style he chooses.
Role: Battle Scions have one true purpose in combat; to destroy their enemies. Whether it be with a hail of arrows or the stroke of a blade, Battle Scions are adept at all forms of death-dealing.
Alignment: Any
Hit Die: D12
Class Features
Class Skills:
The Battle Scions class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) (Int), Knowledge (Engineering) (Int), Knowledge (Local) (Int), Knowledge (Nobility) (Int), Perception (Wis), Perform (Cha), and Swim (Str).
Skill Ranks per Level: 6+ Int modifier.
Table: Battle Scion
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+2| Battle Art, Fighting Style, Valor Pool, Weapon Style
2nd|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+3| Battle Art, Heart of Steel
3rd|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+3| Fighting Style Progression, Uncanny Dodge
4th|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+4| Battle Art, Mettle
5th|
+5|
+4|
+4|
+4| Bonus Feat
6th|
+6/+1|
+5|
+5|
+5| Battle Art, Evasion
7th|
+7/+2|
+5|
+5|
+5| Fighting Style Progression, Second Fighting Style
8th|
+8/+3|
+6|
+6|
+6| Battle Art
9th|
+9/+4|
+6|
+6|
+6| Bonus Feat
10th|
+10/+5|
+7|
+7|
+7| Battle Art
11th|
+11/+6/+1|
+7|
+7|
+7| Fighting Style Progression, Improved Uncanny Dodge
12th|
+12/+7/+2|
+8|
+8|
+8| Battle Art, Improved Mettle
13th|
+13/+8/+3|
+8|
+8|
+8| Bonus Feat
14th|
+14/+9/+4|
+9|
+9|
+9| Battle Art
15th|
+15/+10/+5|
+9|
+9|
+9| Fighting Style Progression, Third Fighting Style
16th|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+10|
+10|
+10| Battle Art
17th|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+10|
+10|
+10| Bonus Feat
18th|
+18/+13/+8/+3|
+11|
+11|
+11| Battle Art
19th|
+19/+14/+9/+4|
+11|
+11|
+11| Fighting Style Progression
20th|
+20/+15/+10/+5|
+12|
+12|
+12| Battle Art, Scion of War[/table]
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Battle Scions are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor (heavy, medium, and light), and with shields (including tower shields).
Battle Arts: As a Battle Scion immerses himself more fully in the clangor of battle, he begins to develop techniques and abilities to augment his battle prowess. At 1st level, a Battle Scion gains a battle art of his choice. He gains an additional battle art at 2nd level, and for every 2 levels attained after 2nd level, as noted on Table: Battle Scion. A Battle Scion cannot choose an individual battle art more than once. The save to resist a battle art is equal to 10 + 1/2 the Battle Scions level + the Battle Scions Constitution/Charisma modifier.
Sweeping Blade (Ex): Attack all enemies in an arc
Leap (Ex): (6th level) Basically flight.
Pheonix Strike (Ex): With a single, powerful blow you send your enemy flying. You make one full attack at your full base attack bonus, which deals an extra 2d6 + your level damage, plus another 2d6 for every ititerative attack you possess. If the attack is successful, your enemy is also moved back 5ft in a straight line for every level you have, and must succeed on a reflex saving throw to avoid being knocked prone. If the enemy hits a wall or other solid object while sliding, they take a further 4d6 damage.
Improved Evasion (Ex): You have honed your reflexes to the point where you simply cannot be caught unawares by an attack. You now not only take no damage on a successful reflex saving throw against attacks, but henceforth you only take half damage on a failed save. You must be at least level 12 to take this battle art.
Deadly Focus (Ex): Increase the critical threat range of any weapon you wield by 2. This stacks with, but is not multiplied by, the Improved Critical feat and the Keen enchantment.
Blow-for-Blow (Ex): Whenever you provoke an attack of opportunity from an enemy, you may make a single attack of opportunity against them. You must be at least 8th level to choose this battle art.
Juxtaposition (Ex): You move with such speed that the eyes of your enemies cannot trace you. Twice an encounter as an immediate action, you may move your character anywhere within 200 feet of his current position. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity. You also gain a +10 bonus to your base movement speed.
Fighting Styles: Every warrior has their own preferred methods of slaying foes, and the Battle Scion is no exception. At 1st level, a Battle Scion may choose 1 fighting style. At level 7 and 15, he may gain a second and third fighting style, respectively.
Skirmisher: A style for those who like to hurt their enemies without being hurt themselves.
Defender: A style based around taking the hits, and trucking on anyways.
Mauler: A style meant for nothing more than absolute carnage.
Rider: A style for either heavy hitting charges or skirmish style dashes, all on your mount.
Commander: A true leader of men, this style is for those who wish to inspire those who fight beside them to ever-greater feats of glory.
Weapon Styles: While all weapons are deadly in the hands of a Battle Scion, most prefer to work with what they are familiar with, the weapons they have held for years. A Battle Scion gains the listed benefits of a weapon style when wielding a weapon described within its text.
Ranged: For hitting enemies from where they can't hit back. Suckers.
Two-Handed: For heavy damage dealing.
Two-Weapon: For lots of attacks.
One-Handed: For finesse and style.
Unarmed: For all you monk enthusiasts out there.
Sword and Shield: Balancing between defense and attack.
Reach: When you just don't want to let enemies get close enough to touch 'ya.
Still under development.