The mercenary (base class)

[aimlessPolymath]

I selected Expeditious Dodge not because it's a good feat, but because it's a prerequisite for Mobility, which I feel is a better choice than pure immunity to attacks of opportunity.

Mmmm... I think the damage problems could be solved pretty well with maneuvers, actually. It's a good solution, since it adapts well to various combat styles- there are disciplines out there for archery, for TWF, for whatever role you want.

An alternative would be to include a small, flat damage bonus, scaling up to about 3-4d6 extra damage per attack. It should work well to keep most of the combat styles effective- all but S&B and THW have lots of attacks, and those two can deal without due to their various focuses (ultra Power Attack and a defensive focus, respectively).


Also, I agree that the Contract downside is way too painful- it's perfectly good just from being needed to "turn on" class features via a minimum price. It is missing rules about who can pay you, though- consider a teammate who pays you to do something, but then you just give back the money later.