[3.5]Improved Monster Classes- Still Alive, and taking requests!

[Gorgondantess]

Arrow Demon: Born archer is lame. I really don't see why anyone would do that. Scrap it and move close combat shot to 1st level- 2nd is too loaded.
Once that's done, looks pretty good.
Awakened Cat: Does not deserve full BAB. Also doesn't deserve +2 Cha; I'd leave it at a net +1 bonus- it's not a pixie, it's a cat.
Fix the charm person DCs, and I would change diplomacy to bluff.

Unholy Scion: Fix the skills. It shouldn't get Enervation at level 5. Go ahead and give it divine stacking. And clean it up: Unholy Strike especially needs some rewording. Does the damage apply to only melee attacks? Manufactured attacks? Touch attacks? Natural weapons? Just say all attacks, all attacks from a manufactured weapon, all melee attacks, all melee touch attacks, or whatever.

Half-Fey: It gets a lot for only one level- thus, it doesn't need ability score bonuses, and should get only 4+int skill points.
For the 2nd option, that would allow an undead/construct to become a fey... no.
Then, give it logical SLAs. Please. Gee, do I want faerie fire (a mediocre level 1 spell) or glitterdust (one of the best 2nd level spells). Hmmm, that's a really tough question.
Anyways, it also shouldn't ever be able to get spells earlier than a fullcaster of similar level. Beyond that, give it a progression- weaker spells earlier, more powerful spells later.

Dream Larva: Okay, a little tough for time right now, but at a glance it looks good. At a glance. Not perfect, but I'll get to that later today. Also, if you're casting a spell, it should be stated it's an SLA!

[Magicyop]

Dream Larva: Okay, a little tough for time right now, but at a glance it looks good. At a glance. Not perfect, but I'll get to that later today. Also, if you're casting a spell, it should be stated it's an SLA!

Great, stated that its spell-like abilities are in fact, spell-like abilities. Thanks very much for taking the time to critique.

And yes, of course it's not perfect. This is my first monster class, while other people in this thread have been practicing for a long time. I'd rather take critique and edit it a thousand times to learn how to do it right.

[Cogidubnus]

Arrow Demon: Born archer is lame. I really don't see why anyone would do that. Scrap it and move close combat shot to 1st level- 2nd is too loaded.
Once that's done, looks pretty good.

Done it. Born Archer was just an attempt to come up with something. It's basically a weak version of power attack, and you get proper ranged power attack later on anyway.

[Kobold-Bard]

...

Half-Fey: It gets a lot for only one level- thus, it doesn't need ability score bonuses, and should get only 4+int skill points.
For the 2nd option, that would allow an undead/construct to become a fey... no.
Then, give it logical SLAs. Please. Gee, do I want faerie fire (a mediocre level 1 spell) or glitterdust (one of the best 2nd level spells). Hmmm, that's a really tough question.
Anyways, it also shouldn't ever be able to get spells earlier than a fullcaster of similar level. Beyond that, give it a progression- weaker spells earlier, more powerful spells later.

...

1. I knew that, and yet added them at the last second anyway. D'oh!
2. Cool.
3. No it doesn't, the special requirement still requires the others as well.
4. Better?

Half Fey

Class:

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Pre-requisites:
Type - Any except Construct, Fey or Undead
Skills - Knowledge (Nature) 4 Ranks
Language - Sylvan
Special - Either: have one Fey parent and one non Construct, Fey or Undead parent

or

Must have sought another Fey and prove yourself to it under a full moon by succeeding at some whim it decides on; this may be as simple as dancing in time with a group of Pixies, as challenging as matching a Wild Hunt as it tracks it's quarry, or as innane as spending the night telling a Satyr how handsome he is etc. After this success the Fey will take a Cold Iron weapon from you, cut itself slightly and allow you to take a vial of it's blood. Drinking this as dawn breaks completes the ritual and the transformation will be finished after 1 hour.

Hit Dice: d6
{table]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1|+0|+0|+2|+2|Fey-Blooded, Faerie Magic[/table]
Class Skills: 4+Int Mod; Bluff, Concentration, Diplomacy, Disguise, Escape Artist, Handle Animal, Heal, Hide, Knowledge (History, Nature, Planes), Listen, Move Silently, Perform, Sense Motive, Slight of Hand, Spot, Survival

Class Features:

Fey-Blooded: Unlike other monster classes the Half Fey doesn't lose it's racial traits, but it does gain Fey Traits and a bonus on Saves vs. Enchantment spells equal to 1/2 it's HD, becoming full Immunity at 15HD.
- At 4HD the Half Fey gains DR overcome by Cold Iron Weapons equal to 1/2 it's HD.
- At 6HD the Half Fey grows a pair of wings, usually designed after butterfly wings, but certain Half Fey have different types. They gain a fly speed equal to their land speed with Average manoeuvrability. This increases to double land speed with Good manoeuvrability at 10HD.

Faerie Magic: Half Fey may use several spell-like abilities that are obtained at the HD shown on the table below. SLAs are obtained retroactively. Where a choice is given this must be made at the level it is obtained and cannot be changed. The Save DC for all Faerie Magic is 10+1/2HD+Cha Mod
{table]HD|Spell-Like Abilities
1|Charm Person 1/day
2|Sleep 1/day
3|Hypnotism 1/day
4|Hideous Laughter 1/day
5|Glitterdust 1/day
6|Enthrall 1/day
7|Suggestion 1/day
8|Hold Person 1/day
9|Confusion 1/day
10|
11|Dominate Person 1/day
12|Mass Suggestion 1/day
13|Eyebite 1/day
14|Insanity 1/day
15|Mass Invisibility 1/day
16|
17|Irresistible Dance 1/day
18|
19|Dominate Monster 1/day[/table]

Comments:

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Couldn't think of anything to do and this was on the waiting list. Thoughts? Maybe some way to stagger the SLAs, coz that seems like a lot for one level.

[The Tygre]

Stiiil waitin' on that derro class... No pressure! Just sayin'!

[Starsign]

I'm also waiting on the Gravetouched Ghoul class. Anyone up for it? I'd expect it to be more powerful than the standard ghoul class.

[Hyudra]

I'm a real fan of the gravetouched ghoul, and would step in to do it, but I dimly recall someone saying they had it on their To Do list.

If nobody objects, I could write it up.

[monkman]

Unholy Scion: Fix the skills. It shouldn't get Enervation at level 5. Go ahead and give it divine stacking. And clean it up: Unholy Strike especially needs some rewording. Does the damage apply to only melee attacks? Manufactured attacks? Touch attacks? Natural weapons? Just say all attacks, all attacks from a manufactured weapon, all melee attacks, all melee touch attacks, or whatever.

How many skill points per level and what skills?
should enervation come at lv 7?
Should it be divine and arcane?
how would the unholy strike work with touch spells?

[Gorgondantess]

Done it. Born Archer was just an attempt to come up with something. It's basically a weak version of power attack, and you get proper ranged power attack later on anyway.

Redo the table to reflect your changes. Also, it seems odd that it gets +2 scores at 4 & 5- I'd move those to the later levels.

1. I knew that, and yet added them at the last second anyway. D'oh!
2. Cool.
3. No it doesn't, the special requirement still requires the others as well.
4. Better?

Ah. I thought it was ALL that or the other option, not just the special or the other option. Might want to specify.
Anyways, the normal Half-Fey gets 13 SLAs- this one gets 17. PROBLEM. OR's are okay, you just need to make them sensible OR's. Also, no dominate person.

Stiiil waitin' on that derro class... No pressure! Just sayin'!

I hear you loud and clear. I'll see if I can churn one out sometime, if noone else wants it.

I'm a real fan of the gravetouched ghoul, and would step in to do it, but I dimly recall someone saying they had it on their To Do list.

If nobody objects, I could write it up.

I believe I saw something similar. Go ahead and do it if they don't post again within a few days.

How many skill points per level and what skills?

That's your choice. You know the fluff better than me.

should enervation come at lv 7?

That, or later.

Should it be divine and arcane?

Again, you know the fluff better than me.

how would the unholy strike work with touch spells?

Well, there's this item I like called the gauntlets of the heartfelt blows. It adds charisma modifier damage to all melee attacks & melee touch attacks. What this means is that when attacking with a melee weapon, natural strike, whathaveyou, you add charisma damage to all of those attacks... and when using any ability with a range of touch, such as a spell or a paladin's lay on hands, you can add cha mod damage to that as well. Get the picture?

[Gorgondantess]

Derro

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HD: d8
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special

1st|

+0

|

+2

|

+0

|

+2

|Dwarfish Body, Lesser Madness, Instable Insight, +1 Con

2nd|

+1

|

+3

|

+0

|

+3

|Roguish Skills, +1 Dex

3rd|

+2

|

+3

|

+1

|

+3

|Pinnacle of Madness, Insane Insight, Spell Resistance, +1 Con, +1 Dex[/table]
Proficiencies: The Derro gains proficiency with all simple weapons, light martial weapons, and the hand crossbow, as well as light armor and light shields & bucklers.

Skills: 4+Int modifier. Class skills are Balance, Bluff, Disguise, Hide, Intimidate, Knowledge: Dungeoneering, Listen, Move silently, Sleight of Hand, and Spot.

Dwarfish Body: A Derro loses all other racial traits and becomes a small monstrous humanoid (granting 60 ft. Darkvision) with 20 ft. move speed.
In addition, he gains a +1 natural armor bonus to AC. This bonus improved to +2 at 5 HD, and by another 1 at every 5 HD thereafter.

Lesser Madness: When the Derro gains this ability, he takes a -2 penalty to wisdom; however, he also gains a bonus of +2 to charisma and immunity to confusion & insanity effects.
The Derro may choose to not gain this ability, not losing and wisdom and not gaining any charisma or immunities.

Instable Insight: The Derro gains the ability to cast Ghost Sound, Daze & Lesser Confusion as SLAs, each 1/day/HD. All of his SLAs have a DC of (10+1/2 HD+Cha mod).
The Daze SLA improves to Daze Monster at 4 HD. In addition, the max HD affected by Daze is equal to the Derro's HD+4, and the max HD affected by Daze Monster is equal to the Derro's HD+6.
The Lesser Confusion SLA improves to Confusion at 6 HD, and Insanity at 13 HD.

Ability Score Bonuses: The Derro gains a +1 bonus to constitution at levels 1 & 3, and a +1 bonus to dexterity at levels 2 & 3, for a total of +2 to dexterity and constitution at level 3.

Roguish Skills: At 2nd level, the Derro never accidentally poisons himself when applying poison to a weapon, gains +1d6 sneak attack damage (as the rogue ability) and gains a racial bonus to the hide & move silently skills equal to 1/2 HD.

Pinnacle of Madness: The Derro takes an additional -2 penalty to his wisdom score, but gains immunity to mind-affecting effects. This ability is only gained if the Derro took Lesser Madness.

Insane Insight: The Derro gains the ability to cast Darkness, Shatter & Sound Burst as SLAs each a number of times per day equal to his HD/3.
At 5 HD, Darkness improves to deeper darkness.
At 8 HD, the Derro may cast Shout instead of Sound Burst once per day. Using this ability still takes up a use of Sound Burst.

Spell Resistance: The Derro gains SR equal to 11+HD.

[monkman]

changed some thing ,it's on page 11

[Dusk Eclipse]

I am having a big trouble deciding on how to adjucate all the Concordan Killer's Spell like abilities.

For the record they have

At will Analize Dweomer greater dispel magic, mage armor, magic missile, O Resilent Sphere, shield and Greater Teleport( With the usual 50 pounds of object thingy)

3/day: Forcecage, greater invisibility, M Sword, Plane shift O Telekinetic Sphere, wall of Force

And Finally
1/day the Words line, and Mindblank.

My idea was giving access to them one level later than they would normally be first available as spells (level 2 for 1st level spells and so on)

The problem is the extremely varying of usage.

[Gorgondantess]

Ah, I missed your post regarding the concordant... yeah, I wouldn't advise that for a beginner.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Awww crap... I had almost all planned up, the only problem were the SLAS, all the other abilities were almost finished....

[Gorgondantess]

Awww crap... I had almost all planned up, the only problem were the SLAS, all the other abilities were almost finished....

Well, rule of thumb is to never get SLAs before a fullcaster of equivalent level would get them. We generally ignore the 50 lb limitation, and like to give teleport, then have it upgrade to greater at a certain HD. Otherwise, just look at other classes for examples on how to handle it.
As for the # of times per day? Doesn't matter too much. Just don't give a high level spell 1/day/HD and you should be fine.

[Dusk Eclipse]

hmmm ok another question
How doess this looks?

1/2 HD per day for the at-will SLAS

1 per 3 HD per day for the 3/day SLAS

and 1 per 5 HD for the 1/day SLAS

[mootoall]

Should the Derro's daze be similar to the pixie's sleep, in that it doesn't have the normal HD cap, and instead can affect creatures up to his HD + 4, like the Pixie's sleep?

[Gorgondantess]

hmmm ok another question
How doess this looks?

1/2 HD per day for the at-will SLAS

1 per 3 HD per day for the 3/day SLAS

and 1 per 5 HD for the 1/day SLAS

No. Daily uses should be applied on an individual basis- stronger spells should be able to be used less frequently than weaker spells.

Should the Derro's daze be similar to the pixie's sleep, in that it doesn't have the normal HD cap, and instead can affect creatures up to his HD + 4, like the Pixie's sleep?

Hmmm. Perhaps.

[Dusk Eclipse]

No. Daily uses should be applied on an individual basis- stronger spells should be able to be used less frequently than weaker spells.

I see, ok I'll see what I can come up.

[Hyudra]

Derro

Looks good.

For the Derro Image, if you want, you can use this resized image URL if you don't want to have to spoiler it (more visibility, easier to spot that there's a monster entry there): http://oi51.tinypic.com/4glwd5.jpg

[Crafty Cultist]

You left out the derro's skills. Also these classes were made to have no ability penalty. you should make its wisdom penalty an optional trade off.

[The Tygre]

When I have conquered this world and put the offenders to the axe, your kindness will be remembered.

[Makiru]

Nashrou: ...Interesting.
Go ahead and give it the claws at 2nd level, and let it start with 40 ft. move speed.
Standard saves.
You should generally have a class skill list at least twice the skill points. Either reduce the skill points, or add more class skills.
Also, it doesn't have 3rd and 4th levels- it's HD, not levels for those.

Done, done, done, and fixed. As always, thanks for the input.

[Lord_Gareth]

So, who wants to do Arcadian Avenger (MMV)?

[Gorgondantess]

When I have conquered this world and put the offenders to the axe, your kindness will be remembered.

Do I get Australia?

You left out the derro's skills. Also these classes were made to have no ability penalty. you should make its wisdom penalty an optional trade off.

Well, having an ability penalty is kindof a part of the Derro's Schtick. Sortof like the pixie having a strength penalty. Just how things work, eh?

Looks good.

For the Derro Image, if you want, you can use this resized image URL if you don't want to have to spoiler it (more visibility, easier to spot that there's a monster entry there): http://oi51.tinypic.com/4glwd5.jpg

Eh. Still sorta screen-stretchy. But better.

[AugustNights]

I'm a real fan of the gravetouched ghoul, and would step in to do it, but I dimly recall someone saying they had it on their To Do list.

If nobody objects, I could write it up.

I don't think I'm going to have it up as soon as you could, so go for it.

Derro: Seconding the motion for Pixie like sleep with Daze, besides that it looks fine.

[Gorgondantess]

Oookay. Derro is edited- anybody have anything more to say before I add it to the list?
Nashrou's added.
I'll get to the Dream Larva later today.
Is there anyone else I'm missing?

[Kobold-Bard]

Adjusted 1/2 Fey SLAs and added a note saying you have to have all the other pre-req's regardless of which special option you pick.

Except the first Level 1 spells, they get all their SLA's a level after an equal HD sorcerer would get them.

[Cogidubnus]

Moved the ability scores around a bit, made sure the table matches everything else.

Once that's good enough, I would like to reveal my Construction Project.

I'll try to work through the golems (starting with Stained Glass, I think), because golems are cool and I've quite enjoyed this so far.

Ed: Ok, yeah, I work that fast. Hope it's decent quality despite the speed.

[Cogidubnus]

Stained Glass Golem



Spot the Golem

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HD: d10
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Features
1|+0|+0|+0|+0|Glass Body, Sharp Body, Str +1
2|+1|+0|+0|+0|Razor Edges, Window, Str +1
3|+2| +1| +1| +1|Restorative Glassware, Recast, Str +1
4|+3| +1| +1| +1|Magic Resistance, Devastating Cut, Str +1
5|+3| +1| +1| +1|Sharpened Blades, Cleave Through, Recast, Str +1
[/table]

Class Skills (2+ Int Modifier): None

Proficiencies: Its own natural weapons, and, if it gains the ability to manipulate them, simple weapons. Light Armour.

1st Level:

Glass Body: The Glass Golem loses all racial modifiers and receives the Construct type (which grants Darkvision 60'), medium size, 30 ft. land speed, and 2 natural slam attacks dealing 1d8+strength modifier slashing damage.
The Glass Golem takes 2d6 points of damage from a Shatter spell.
The Golem gains a +1 increase to Strength at every level (total +5).

The Stained Glass Golem has all the characteristics of the construct type (which has been changed from the normal construct type, so it is highly advisable the below is read):

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• No Constitution score.
• Darkvision out to 60 feet.
• Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects).
• Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, and necromancy effects.
• Not subject to critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability drain, ability damage, fatigue or exhaustion, or energy drain.
• Cannot heal damage on its own if it has no Intelligence score, although it can be healed. Magical A Mending spell heals the Stained Glass Golem for 2d6 Points of damage.
• Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects or is harmless).
• Not at risk of death from massive damage, but when reduced to 0 hit points or less, it is immediately destroyed.
• Never being alive to begin with, a construct cannot be raised or resurrected. It can only be revived by a wish, limited wish, miracle, or by reconstructing the Stained Glass Golem's body (requiring 2,250 gp worth of specially treated alloys- or the golem's previous body-, 2,500 gp worth of rare substances, and a DC 18 glass-working check) and then a reincarnate spell, which will always put the golem's soul into the new effigy.
• Constructs does not breathe, eat, or sleep.

Lastly, the Glass Golem gains natural armor bonus equal to his strength modifie
The Golem also gains +1 HP per HD at 5 HD. This bonus increases to +2 at 10 HD, +3 at 15 HD, and +4 at 20 HD.

Sharp Body: The Golem’s slam attacks cause threaten critical hit on a roll of a 19-20, but it cannot wield any other weapons or perform actions that require delicate manipulation. The exemption to this is spellcasting, which it performs through careful motions of its whole body.
The Golem's critical threat range increases by 1 at each level.
The Golem's natural weapons may also be enchanted.

Note: The Golem can wear armour, but it has to be priced as armour for a non-humanoid creature and always twice as long to put on, in order to avoid it being damaged on the jagged edges of your body.

2nd Level:

Razor Edges: Enemies striking the Golem with natural weapons or unarmed strikes take damage equal to the Golem’s HD, and the critical multiplier of the Golem's Slam attacks increases to x3. The Golem also receives DR/Bludgeoning equal to half its HD.

Window: The Golem does a fantastic impression of a true window, and gains a bonus to Hide checks equal to its HD while standing in a window frame.

3rd Level:

Restorative Glassware: The magic that animates the Golem’s glass body also helps to reform it when it is damaged. The Golem receives a Fast Healing equal to 1/2 of its HD, but can re-grow shattered body parts over 8 hours of rest as well.

Recast: Using its own knowledge of glasswork, the Golem is able to improve itself. Pick one of the following abilities:

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Skewering Arms: The Golem’s arms now deal both piercing and slashing damage. In addition, the Golem now adds 1.5x its strength modifier to damage, as it punches exit wounds in its enemies.
Toughened Glass: The Glass Golem adds +1 to its natural armour bonus /3 HD it has.
Singing Hands: The Glass Golem manages to recast its arms with hands attached. It may now perform tasks involving fine manipulation, but each movement of its hands causing the glass to crinkle and sing like a wind chime.
Lead Framing:The Golem's natural attacks gain a poison that is inflicted every time they cause damage to an enemy. This poison has a Fort DC of (10+1/2 HD+Str mod) and causes 1 point of Constitution damage as its primary and secondary damages. This damage increases by one step every 3HD, up to a maximum of d8.

The Golem gains another one of these special abilities at 5th level.

4th Level:

Magic Resistance: The Golem receives SR equal to 11 + its HD.

Devastating Cut: The Golem's critical multiplier increases to x4, and its natural attacks and Razor Edges count as adamantium.

5th Level:

Sharpened Blades: The Golem’s Slam attacks deal damage as though they were one size larger (2d6).

Cleave Through: The Golem's Slam attacks now cut straight through an enemy, allowing it to inflict critical hits (but not precision damage) on enemies that aren't susceptible to critcal hits by damaging their whole form.

Recast: Choose another ability from the 3rd level list. The Golem may now also spend a feat to gain another ability if it so chooses.

Comments:

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I had to think about this one. The lack of hands is potentially crippling, hence quite good natural attacks and full BAB, to allow it to fight. The DR/bludgeoning just made sense.

Changes:

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Moved Hide in Plain Sight to 8 HD, just after a Shadowdancer gets it.
Moved Natural Armour to 1st, changed ability scores. Left in ability to imitate a window.
Big overhaul of special abilities. Focus on criticals. Added in chance to enchant natural weapons (meant to do that anyway, as it can't use normal ones).