Base Class Challenge Chat Thread III: Gotta 'Brew 'Em All!

[Xhosant]

Now that is something i didn't consider either :/ what can we do to get some extra room, if needed?

Edit: I also owe Quellian one, for now i will reward you a cookie. Thanks.
Edit2:We could add posts at the thread's bottom and link to them, although that would be kinda disruptive to the thread if a new class were to be posted after it. Or we could start a new thread to host Utterances etc.

[sirpercival]

So, I'm no longer inspired by the Percussionist, and will be replacing it with the Jongleur.

[Xhosant]

For some strange reason, that sounds scary.

I'll be adding Axe and Greataxe on the weapons list, mostly because of Instrumental Weapon. It doesn't exactly match the class' flavor, but how can I deprive anyone of the Axtar?

[Xhosant]

Just finished adding more or less all of the class features, unless i come up with something extra. Just need to add the Chords (read: spells/utterances), which will be slow and progressive :P.

What do you think? Is the kit lacking/overloaded? Is the wording of something bad? Are the numbers unbalanced? If anything catches your eye, mention it.

As for chords, there will be tiers, and most will deliver simple effects and require that you have experienced some semblance of their effect and/or you have taken some specific action. The number you can learn will be limited (especially at higher tiers) until level 20 when you can learn any number you are eligible for.

[Temotei]

Schnockers. I forgot to reserve a post for Utterances. Is it okay if I link to a Google Drive Document?

A new post would probably be better at the bottom. Just link to the post anywhere in your class like this or at the bottom, if you prefer.

A Google Document would work if you really don't want to make a new post.

I got a question in a PM about this, as well. The option that should not be used is creating a new thread.

As for artwork, it's completely optional. I'll clarify this in the template.

EDIT: "Put an optional image of your class here (following da rules)!"

[Xhosant]

Kudos, thanks :D

(Changelog: fixed a minor balance issue and a typo.)

[Temotei]

Hey, everybody. Since the forums were attacked and down for a while, I'll extend the due date for the contest. Happy homebrewing, everyone. Hope nobody lost anything from this.

[Mr. M]

I was interested by the idea of the the contest, so I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring.

Really need to find a picture to make the name work, though.

[Temotei]

I was interested by the idea of the the contest, so I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring.

Really need to find a picture to make the name work, though.

Welcome to the playground and to the contest.

Just make sure to follow the rules for images as outlined here.

Happy 'brewing.

[Xhosant]

I'm in a bind. I want to give the class a utility "spell" that basically demands attention. Here's the dilemma:

"As a full-round action this spell refreshes your abilities (random details) and everyone present cannot take swift, standard and full-round actions in their turns until your next turn.

So, the question is: do i add a save? Normally, a save would decrease the spell's potency, which would be good. But, as it is it's effect is universal: more of a factor than a trick. The playing field remains level. If i add a save, those that make it get a major advantage, which makes it exploitable and thus stronger.

So, do I go with traditional knowledge and nerf it with a save, or do I leave it impartial without one?

[Temotei]

I'm in a bind. I want to give the class a utility "spell" that basically demands attention. Here's the dilemma:

"As a full-round action this spell refreshes your abilities (random details) and everyone present cannot take swift, standard and full-round actions in their turns until your next turn.

So, the question is: do i add a save? Normally, a save would decrease the spell's potency, which would be good. But, as it is it's effect is universal: more of a factor than a trick. The playing field remains level. If i add a save, those that make it get a major advantage, which makes it exploitable and thus stronger.

So, do I go with traditional knowledge and nerf it with a save, or do I leave it impartial without one?

Can creatures still take immediate and free actions? What's the radius? Level of the spell? Regardless, I think a save would be good.

[Xhosant]

Free are hardly actions, so yes, immediate actions take energy and effort but not time (as swift) so no. If you can do it while spontaneously turning your head and attention to the sound's source, it's fair game. Radius is earshot, if you can hear it you want to check it. The spell is available at level 1 (it's the equivalent of one of ToB's recovery mechanics, refreshing the few-per-encounter casts), usable once per minute. Basically, a full-round, magically-enhanced distraction meant to give you the spotlight back.

[Temotei]

Free are hardly actions, so yes, immediate actions take energy and effort but not time (as swift) so no. If you can do it while spontaneously turning your head and attention to the sound's source, it's fair game. Radius is earshot, if you can hear it you want to check it. The spell is available at level 1 (it's the equivalent of one of ToB's recovery mechanics, refreshing the few-per-encounter casts), usable once per minute. Basically, a full-round, magically-enhanced distraction meant to give you the spotlight back.

Do creatures who can't hear get affected by this?

[Xhosant]

It's sound-based, so no.

Well, ain't that en exploit :/

[Temotei]

It's sound-based, so no.

Well, ain't that en exploit :/

Earplugs, whoo!

Good luck on this. It sounds cool.

[Xhosant]

What's less bad, making it affect deaf (with some excuse) or affect deaf allies normally but not deaf enemies?

[Xhosant]

Ok, i've decided. It's whole point is to be a flashy move to give you the spotlight, so it's not just a flashy sound. It's a whole flashy performance, weaved with magic for good measure, too. So even if you can't hear it, it's still spectacular enough that it distracts you.

As for a save, i'll just add a footnote saying "here's the deal DM, you choose" or something.

[Temotei]

Ok, i've decided. It's whole point is to be a flashy move to give you the spotlight, so it's not just a flashy sound. It's a whole flashy performance, weaved with magic for good measure, too. So even if you can't hear it, it's still spectacular enough that it distracts you.

As for a save, i'll just add a footnote saying "here's the deal DM, you choose" or something.

Sounds fair.

[sirpercival]

Hey Temotei, any chance of an extension? Like, by a month? Lol. I doubt I'm going to have time to finish this...

[Temotei]

Hey Temotei, any chance of an extension? Like, by a month? Lol. I doubt I'm going to have time to finish this...

I could stretch it by a few days, maybe a week because of the servers being down and people not being notified right away, but a month is too much.

If an extension of three or four days would get you enough time to finish, I'll do that, but any more I'm going to say is too much.

[sirpercival]

I could stretch it by a few days, maybe a week because of the servers being down and people not being notified right away, but a month is too much.

If an extension of three or four days would get you enough time to finish, I'll do that, but any more I'm going to say is too much.

Doubtful... I'll see what I can do, but my wife is due to have baby #2 in the next couple weeks... life's been crazy (and will get crazier), as you can imagine.

[Temotei]

Doubtful... I'll see what I can do, but my wife is due to have baby #2 in the next couple weeks... life's been crazy (and will get crazier), as you can imagine.

Squee. This sounds really monotone. Imagine a monotone squee. Just try.

Good luck, mayne. I'd love to delay it because that's a better reason than most, but delaying even more than we already have seems excessive. If you don't finish, better luck next time, I hope.

[Xhosant]

Maybe an extra day or 2 would be useful to me as well. I may not even need them, but as things are i have 3 deadlines (including it) on the exact same day

So, i'd not ask for an extension, but if percy wants a small one i'd vote for.

[Temotei]

Maybe an extra day or 2 would be useful to me as well. I may not even need them, but as things are i have 3 deadlines (including it) on the exact same day

So, i'd not ask for an extension, but if percy wants a small one i'd vote for.

Two people is enough for me for a sure extension. I'm sure no one will complain too much about having extra time to look over their stuff.

I'll give the deadline a three-day extension. That puts it at May 28th at 23:59 Central Time U.S. I'll likely be late by an hour or two, though.

[malonkey1]

Well, I took out a bit too much to swallow. I wanted to do custom lexica, but I guess I'll switch to just using Truenamer Lexica.

EDIT: Anybody interested in a PEACH trade?

[Xhosant]

Anybody interested in a PEACH trade?

As little as my experience (and thus ability) is, always! Ask away!

[malonkey1]

Okay, Xhosant:

First off, Infuse Essence. I feel like the reroll is a little unecessary. Perhaps just lose the bonus while performing unobserved actions?

Instrumental Weapon: A Potent ability, simply for the fact that you have a weapon and an instrument at your beck and call at any time. Can the summoning effect be made a free action with Quick Draw? Additionally, I assume the secondary, attack-modifying abilities have limited daily uses?

Chords: Seem balanced. Are you allowed to have Flight take the form of a propeller beanie? :P

All in all, not a bad class. The theme is well-met, and the class's features aren't too wildly out of bounds on either end. My guess is, it'd be somewhere in T3 or T4

[inuyasha]

so how is my class? Ive been done for a while :p

[Xhosant]

Infuse Essence. I feel like the reroll is a little unecessary.

It's meant to represent the sudden lack of guidance. If you're playing the part, you gotta stick to it :P Plus, it facilitates Infuse Life.

Instrumental Weapon: A Potent ability, simply for the fact that you have a weapon and an instrument at your beck and call at any time.

That was the idea. I was thinking, "I'm in bard territory, what makes him as weak as they say? Possibly, that he can't fight and play at the same time."

Can the summoning effect be made a free action with Quick Draw?

I'll leave that up to the GM, since it might become unbalanced. Sensible though.

Additionally, I assume the secondary, attack-modifying abilities have limited daily uses?

I was thinking unlimited, so as to promote Charisma's usefulness in an extra way. Is it too good?

Chords: Seem balanced. Are you allowed to have Flight take the form of a propeller beanie? :P

Of course :P But i was thinking more Touhou fanart wings. So, everyone's happy!

I'll be posting your PEACH back within a couple hours, and then it's inuyasha's turn.

EDIT: Any particular point you want me to focus on, you two?

[Xhosant]

So, malonkey:

Fix on the Law is solid, although you may want to add a little something to prevent use of a single, maybe 2 utterances (that was the lost concept behind it)

The DCs avoid the trap the original fell for, but it may need to be bumped up a tiny bit. I'm not entirely sure, but off the top of my head, i think it scales almost exactly as the average roll as you level, baring items, feats etc. If you factor these in, you can probably make the rolls trivial soon (especially if you get your hands on a "always-take-10" power) and you may want to avoid that. Still, didn't do the math and it's probably no big deal anyway.

Like the "no penalty for fighting with instrument" bit, a simple and elegant solution. ok, well, as elegant as smacking a guy with a guitar can be, but you get my point :P

Basic riffs is a good, simple attack. Useful.

Power chord is kinda tricky, in that you won't be using it aggressively a lot, difficulty of finding a truename and all. I would add a high-DC truespeech check "backdoor", in other words you either make a highly difficult check (possibly at better odds if used helpfully) OR use a truename for it to succeed. Also, might I point out that, unless i'm misunderstanding something, only creatures (PCs and NPCs alike) of 10HD or more allow you research of their truenames. That would you only really get Power Chord at level 10. Or i'm horribly wrong.

Whammy bar is an interesting mechanic, my only concern is that a d10 is an average 5.5, compared to the 6 you give up on. That means a negligible negative modifier, so you may or may not want to check this. Some very minor scaling with charisma or truespeak, perhaps?

Anthem of Awesome is, well, awesome. Simple and powerful, perfect for a lvl15 power.

Power Ballad is strong and solid, except for truename reliance and the issues linked with it.

Finally, PtyFB is great, the short of thing that ought be at lvl20.

Bottom line, things look generally solid. If I'm a little harsh, it's cause i'm a tweaker by nature, even perfection can take some improvement. Only really important thing, you may want to modify personal truename rules or add a supporting-replacement-thingy along, something easier to get, to substitute truenames for lesser effect. Maybe a riff that "strikes true" to the target's truename, which you can find with a good roll in-combat and only lasts for a little while?