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AgentMaineSIGMA
2019-03-22, 11:20 AM
As part of an expansion I've been working on for the past year or so, I've recently added a fair number of unique class options. When I say unique class options, I mean you can substitute certain stats or gain certain benefits unusual to the class, but carry some restrictions. I like to think that these are interesting and balanced, but I'm always open to suggestions.

Please note that a good number of these refer to subclasses I've written, which you can find in Aster's Arcane Atlas (linked in my bio), in addition to these unique class options. I hope you enjoy!

UNIQUE CLASS OPTIONS
The archetypical classes of Dungeons and Dragons are not set in stone, rather a framework for your abilities. Some warlocks are destined to be great scholars, some druids to be bound in service to the fey, some paladins destined for the clergy. To this end, there are unique class options that change the core mechanics of a class in a significant way, but carry significant restrictions.

A unique class option refers to a specific condition that fundamentally changes the way a class operates. For example, a “Scholar of Magic” bard will use Intelligence instead of Charisma for their bard features, but must join the College of Lore and cannot have more levels in bard than they do in Wizard.

If a unique class option changes which statistic you use for class features, you use the new statistic for the multiclass requirements. For example, to multiclass into the “Scholar of Magic” bard unique class, you need 13 Intelligence, rather than 13 Charisma.

If it is impossible for you to meet the restrictions of a unique class option by level 20, you may not take it.

AGENT OF DIVINE WRATH
Prerequisite: 6th level Oath of Vengeance/Oath of Conquest Paladin
You are an agent of the gods, a tool of their wrath. Filled with divine fury, you may cast any smite spell (Searing Smite, Wrathful Smite, etc.) while raging.
Restriction: Your training as a barbarian are representative of your devotion to the gods. When you select your Primal Path at 3rd level, you must select Path of the Zealot. Furthermore, you are still primarily a servant of the gods. Your levels in barbarian cannot exceed half your levels in paladin (rounded up)

STORMBORN
Prerequisite: 6th level Storm Sorcerer
You embody not only the power, but the wrath of the storm. You use your Charisma modifier in place of your Constitution modifier for your barbarian features. Furthermore, you can cast spells that deal lightning or thunder damage while raging.
Restriction: Your levels in barbarian are indicative of your ability to channel the destructive potential of storms. When you select your Primal Path at 3rd level, you must select Path of the Storm Herald. Furthermore, you must select the Sea option for all the features granted by your Primal Path, and may not change it when you level up. Finally, your levels in barbarian cannot exceed half your levels in sorcerer (rounded up).
SCHOLAR OF MAGIC
Prerequisite: 6th level Wizard
Driven by your pursuit for arcane knowledge, you have begun studying ancient tales of magic, seeking ways to revive lost magical techniques. You use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Charisma modifier for your bard features.
Restrictions: You are only a bard in that you study the same ancient stories as them for the purpose of unlocking new spells and magical techniques. When you select your Bardic College at 3rd level, you must select the College of Lore. Furthermore, you are a wizard first and foremost. Your levels in bard can never exceed your levels in wizard.
CRUSADER
Prerequisite: 6th level Oath of Devotion Paladin
A true warrior of the gods, you have dedicated your life in service of the divine. Rising through the ranks of the church, you have found a certain place in the clergy, channeling the divine power of the gods more effectively than most paladins. You use your Charisma modifier instead of Wisdom for your cleric features, including spellcasting.
Restrictions: A warrior at heart, you can only choose the War divine domain. Furthermore, your levels in cleric can never exceed your levels in paladin.

DEATH KNIGHT
Prerequisite: 6th level Oathbreaker Paladin
Breaking your oath, you swear to become a force of terror and death. You learn to call upon the gods of death, such as Chemosh, Myrkul, and Wee Jas, to bolster these dark powers. You use your Charisma modifier instead of Wisdom for your cleric features.
Restrictions: Your chosen gods bolster only your dark powers, meaning you can only choose the Death divine domain. Furthermore, you are still rooted in your training as a knight, meaning your levels in cleric can never exceed your levels in paladin.
ENVOY OF THE SUMMER COURT
Prerequisite: 6th level Archfey Warlock
Having shown your loyalty to your fey patron, they entrust you with expanded powers on the material plane. You gain the ability to channel the powers of the nature and feywild at will. You use your Charisma modifier instead of Wisdom for your druid features.
Restrictions: Though you are afforded greater independence, your powers are still tied to the feywild. When you select your druidic circle at 2nd level, you must select the Circle of Dreams. Furthermore, your levels in druid can never exceed your levels in warlock.
GLADIATOR
Prerequisite: 3rd level Open Hand Monk
Your study of combat goes beyond the halls of a monastery, as you seek to master all forms of war. To that end, you study armed combat rigorously. You can use your Wisdom modifier instead of Strength or Dexterity for your fighter features.
Restrictions: Your study of combat has taught you many specific techniques to subdue your opponents. When you select your Martial Archetype at 3rd level, you must select Battlemaster. Furthermore, your levels in fighter can never exceed your levels in monk.

SPELLSWORD
Prerequisite: 3rd level Warrior’s Soul Sorcerer
You exhibit remarkable proficiency in the art of combat and spellcasting, learning to blend the two effortlessly. You use your Charisma modifier instead of your Intelligence modifier for your fighter features.
Restrictions: You must select the Eldritch Knight martial archetype at 3rd level, as it focuses on combining martial prowess with arcane ability. Furthermore, your levels in fighter can never exceed your levels in sorcerer.
AGENT OF THE LONG DEATH
Prerequisite: 3rd level Assassin Rogue
Your ability to kill is further enhanced by your formal study of death, learning the laws governing death in a monastic setting. You use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Wisdom modifier for your monk features.
Restriction: Your monastic training is centered on inflicting and staving off death. When you select your Monastic Tradition at 3rd level, you must select the Way of the Long Death. Furthermore, you levels in monk cannot exceed your levels in rogue.

HOST OF THE WILDS
Prerequisite: 6th level Totem Warrior Barbarian
Through rituals, you have bonded numerous animal spirits to your body, harnessing them to gain supernatural abilities. You use your Strength modifier in place of your Dexterity modifier for your monk features (excluding your Unarmored AC).
Restrictions: Your growth as a monk reflects your progress in harmonizing with and absorbing new animal spirits. When you select your Monastic Tradition at 3rd level, you must select the Way of the Beast.

KEEPER OF THE CURSED BLADE
Prerequisite: 3rd level Hexblade Warlock; Pact of the Blade
You are part of an order dedicated to safeguarding a powerful arcane blade. Chosen as this blade’s next wielder, you learn to augment your monastic training with the magical gifts of the blade. You use your Charisma modifier instead of Wisdom for your monk features.
Restrictions: Your life has revolved around learning to wield this cursed blade properly. When you choose your Monastic Tradition at 3rd level, you must select the Way of the Kensei. Furthermore, your levels in warlock cannot exceed triple your levels in monk. If your levels in warlock exceed triple your levels in monk when you take this unique class option, you must take levels in monk until you meet the restrictions.
AGENT OF NATURE
Prerequisite: 2nd level Circle of Land Druid
You serve the land itself, seeking justice on those who profane nature. You use your Wisdom modifier instead of Charisma for your paladin features.
Restrictions: Your abilities as a paladin are an extension of nature’s will. When you choose your Divine Oath at 3rd level, you must select the Oath of the Ancients. Furthermore, your levels in paladin cannot exceed your levels in druid, and your levels in druid cannot exceed double your levels in paladin. If your levels in druid exceed double your levels in paladin when you take this unique class option, you must take levels in paladin until you meet the restrictions.

DREAD TYRANT
Prerequisite: 2nd level Despair Domain Cleric
Through your worship of the gods of despair, you seek to control the masses as a fearsome leader. You use your Wisdom modifier instead of Charisma for your paladin features.
Restrictions: Your training as a paladin is an extension of your abilities as a despair cleric. When you choose your Divine Oath at 3rd level, you must select the Oath of Conquest. Furthermore, your levels in paladin cannot exceed your levels in cleric, and your levels in cleric cannot exceed double your levels in paladin. If your levels in cleric exceed double your levels in paladin when you take this unique class option, you must take levels in paladin until you meet these restrictions.
GUARDIAN OF THE REALMS
Prerequisite: 6th level Planewalker Warlock
You have been appointed a sentinel of the planes by your patron, guarding the realms from extraplanar threats. You use your Charisma modifier instead of Wisdom for your ranger features.
Restriction: Your new, varied planeshifting abilities are a gift from your patron. When you select your Ranger Archetype at 3rd level, you must select the Horizon Walker archetype. Furthermore, your levels in ranger cannot exceed your levels in warlock.
DIVINE TRICKSTER
Prerequisite: 2nd level Trickery Domain Cleric
Your abilities in deception and stealth are enhanced through divine magic. Most often, these rogues are devout followers of Mask, though you can worship any gods of deceit and trickery. You use your Wisdom modifier instead of Intelligence for your rogue features.
Restriction: Your arcane abilities are a gift of your deity. As such, when you select your Roguish Archetype at 3rd level, you must select the Arcane Trickster archetype. Furthermore, your levels in rogue can never exceed your levels in cleric, and your levels in cleric can never exceed double your levels in rogue. If your levels in cleric exceed double your levels in rogue when you take this unique class option, you must take levels in rogue until you meet the restrictions.
STORMBRINGER
Prerequisite: 2nd level Tempest Domain Cleric
Your innate magic is a gift from the storm gods themselves, who seek to use you as their herald. Given your magic stems from this connection to the divine, you use your Wisdom modifier instead of Charisma for your sorcerer features.
Restriction: You must choose the Storm Sorcery Sorcerous Origin, given the nature of you innate magic. Furthermore, your levels in sorcerer can never exceed your levels in cleric, and your levels in cleric can never exceed double your levels in sorcerer. If your levels in cleric exceed double your levels in sorcerer when you take this unique class option, you must take levels in sorcerer until you meet the restrictions.
CHOSEN OF THE COSMOS
From birth, you were marked to serve the Great Old Ones. Gifted with raw intellect, you do not need to convince your patron to grant you power. Rather, you learn to manifest this power through rigorous study and observation. You use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Charisma modifier for your Warlock features.
Restrictions: Since you were marked from birth for your service, your patron is limited to the Great Old Ones. Furthermore, you achieve your spellcasting abilities through study, meaning you may only select the Pact of the Tome feature at 3rd level.

FLAME OF THE GODS
Prerequisite: 2nd level Light Domain Cleric
Your service to a god of light has earned you the favor of one of their angels. Imbuing you further with the powers of light, you bind yourself in service to this celestial being as an extension of your god’s will. You use your Wisdom modifier for your Warlock features instead of Charisma.
Restrictions: Just as your god controls light, so does your newfound patron. You must choose either the Celestial or Lightbringer patron. Furthermore, your levels in warlock can never exceed your levels in cleric, and your levels in cleric can never exceed double your levels in warlock. If your levels in cleric exceed double your levels in warlock when you take this unique class option, you must take levels in warlock until you meet the restrictions.

LICH KING
Prerequisite: 10th level School of Necromancy Wizard
Your studies in the art of necromancy enable your pursuits of lichdom, granting yourself increased powers over the forces of undeath. You use your Intelligence modifier for your Warlock features instead of Charisma.
Restrictions: Your path to lichdom is limited by your knowledge of necromancy. You may only select the Undying patron. Furthermore, your levels in warlock can never exceed your half your levels in wizard (rounded up).
DIVINE SEER
Prerequisite: 2nd level Knowledge Domain Cleric
Driven by your pursuit of knowledge, you have turned to formal arcane study, seeking new methods of divination to honor your god. You use your Wisdom modifier for your Wizard features instead of Intelligence.
Restrictions: Seeking knowledge in all forms, your school of wizardry is optimized for discovering knowledge. When you select your Arcane Tradition at 2nd level, you must select the School of Divination. Furthermore, your pursuits of knowledge are still in service of your deity. Your levels in wizard can never exceed your levels in cleric.

MASTER ILLUSIONIST
Prerequisite: 6th level College of Mirrors Bard
Seeking the ability to create even more potent illusions, you begin studying the fundamentals of illusory magic. You use your Charisma modifier for your wizard features instead of Intelligence.
Restrictions: Your formal education in spellcasting is solely for amplifying the power of your illusions. When you select your Arcane Tradition at 2nd level, you must select the School of Illusion. Furthermore, you are a performer at heart. Your levels in wizard can never exceed your levels in bard.

SCHOLAR OF THE ELEMENTS
Prerequisite: 6th level Way of the Four Elements Monk
You excel in evoking the four elements through mastery of your ki, and now seek to immortalize these techniques in writing. You use your Wisdom modifier for your wizard features instead of Intelligence.
Restrictions: You are a scribe, immortalizing the arts of evocation you have discovered and incorporating new spellcasting techniques you find. When you select your Arcane Tradition at 2nd level, you must select the School of Evocation. Furthermore, your levels in wizard can never exceed your levels in monk.

Ogrillian
2019-03-23, 07:30 AM
A prestige class is more for if you get to level 20 and still want to advance your base class these are multi classing feats. However these are very interesting an creative Balances

AgentMaineSIGMA
2019-03-23, 02:55 PM
A prestige class is more for if you get to level 20 and still want to advance your base class these are multi classing feats. However these are very interesting an creative Balances

Ohhhh that makes sense. I'll change the name to something more appropriate, probably "Alternate Class Options".