[Drop Dead Studios] Spheres of Might Open Playtest

[N. Jolly]

That's... an incredibly serve chance to character creation which I don't think I quite enjoy the sound off.

What we're doing to help alleviate this as an issue is that if you retrain the class which you took at first and didn't take a martial tradition, you gain the option of taking a martial tradition with your new class (as long as you could qualify for one), as well as allow talents to be retrained. I'm not sure if this is out of internal yet or not though.

[khadgar567]

That's... an incredibly serve chance to character creation which I don't think I quite enjoy the sound off.

I dont know about you blade wolf but ditch the paizos weapon proficiency to grab fluff appropriated one is good in my book and maybe nearly everyone's book to

[Dr_Dinosaur]

The post Blade Wolf was responding to said that you no longer gain ANY proficiencies, not "fluff-related" ones...

[N. Jolly]

Hey all, it's been a wild ride, and we're trying to take into account all of your feedback, but this is just a notice to let you know that we will officially be ending the Spheres of Might playtest on June 30th. We've all been blown away by the level of feedback that you've given, and we're working on quite a few changes that you'll be seeing in the full release. Seriously, thanks to all of you for participating, we couldn't have made this book half as good without your feedback, playtesting, and support. We sincerely hope that we've made something that you'll all enjoy,

The Spheres of Might team

[khadgar567]

Hey all, it's been a wild ride, and we're trying to take into account all of your feedback, but this is just a notice to let you know that we will officially be ending the Spheres of Might playtest on June 30th. We've all been blown away by the level of feedback that you've given, and we're working on quite a few changes that you'll be seeing in the full release. Seriously, thanks to all of you for participating, we couldn't have made this book half as good without your feedback, playtesting, and support. We sincerely hope that we've made something that you'll all enjoy,

The Spheres of Might team

happy to help

[master4sword]

Did the Equipment talent for selecting a custom selection of weapons get removed, or am I overlooking it somehow?

[Mehangel]

Did the Equipment talent for selecting a custom selection of weapons get removed, or am I overlooking it somehow?

Damn, you are right. I don't see it anymore.

[Beowulf DW]

I've built a doudle-weapon using Conscript for a game that's just getting started. No idea how he'll handle in play, but the abilities should add up to a very powerful melee combatant...Provided that I can remember all the tricks he has up his sleeve. Never thought I'd say this about a non-magic class, but I feel like this thing has too many moving parts. I might not be able to get the most out of him simply due to not being able to remember what everything is suppose to do.

I'll report back once he's seen some action.

[N. Jolly]

Did the Equipment talent for selecting a custom selection of weapons get removed, or am I overlooking it somehow?

I have no idea where that went, we'll be adding it again as it's in the internal doc. Thanks for pointing this out!

I've built a doudle-weapon using Conscript for a game that's just getting started. No idea how he'll handle in play, but the abilities should add up to a very powerful melee combatant...Provided that I can remember all the tricks he has up his sleeve. Never thought I'd say this about a non-magic class, but I feel like this thing has too many moving parts. I might not be able to get the most out of him simply due to not being able to remember what everything is suppose to do.

I'll report back once he's seen some action.

I feel ya there, I'm building the iconic Conscript, and he's got so many talents, it's difficult for me to remember all of my options here.

We also have a new version of the Brute sphere up in the guide, so let us know what you think about it. We're getting closer to the end, and we thank everyone who's participated in this playtest thus far; you've helped make this an amazing book!

[Mehangel]

I feel ya there, I'm building the iconic Conscript, and he's got so many talents, it's difficult for me to remember all of my options here.

I found that writing out stat-blocks similar to those found in Fantastical Creatures and How to Survive Them, is really helpful when trying to remember options available. Which is one reason why I recommended/requested in the SoM GM document that the stat-blocks be written in a similar fashion.

[N. Jolly]

I found that writing out stat-blocks similar to those found in Fantastical Creatures and How to Survive Them, is really helpful when trying to remember options available. Which is one reason why I recommended/requested in the SoM GM document that the stat-blocks be written in a similar fashion.

I'll pass that along to Adam.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the playtest, it was a lot of fun and we're looking forward to pushing through with more playtests in the future, including one for a class we didn't get the chance to include in this playtest.

[The Blade Wolf]

You are welcome, and I hope my feedback was considered useful.

[Doc_Maynot]

Anyone have any backup copies of the playtest docs? I have players in an active game playing a Conscript and a Blacksmith.

[calyst]

Doh I am in the same boat opened it up for my players and none of us saved a offline copy.

[master4sword]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cswlth5w8c...0Docs.zip?dl=0

Saved'em last night, so they're current as of 11:15 pm central time zone. If there were any last-second changes I didn't catch those.

[Doc_Maynot]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cswlth5w8c...0Docs.zip?dl=0

Saved'em last night, so they're current as of 11:15 pm central time zone. If there were any last-second changes I didn't catch those.

You are a saint.

[EldritchWeaver]

Can anyone clarify, how using claws does work with the striker's unarmed strikes? Do I get claw damage in addition to the striker attack? Or is it strictly separate?

[Ualaa]

I asked about which spheres would benefit natural attacks, and was basically told the system was not designed with natural attacks in mind.
That's not saying it wouldn't work in some way, or that it would.

Basically natural attacks are either too weak (base) or too strong (if you build for them).
That was going to be for a gestalt build, with spheres of power focusing on being a shapechanger on one side and going spheres of might on the other side.

[EldritchWeaver]

I'm not asking to add additional attacks, but if claw strikes can supplant unarmed strikes, effectively treating the claw strike as an unarmed strike.

[khadgar567]

I'm not asking to add additional attacks, but if claw strikes can supplant unarmed strikes, effectively treating the claw strike as an unarmed strike.

I think brand new sphere might be more useful for claw users.

[Dr_Dinosaur]

No way. Unlike SoP, Might needs fewer, deeper spheres imo. Plus Feral Combat Training exists, so you can at least Flurry with claws

[Doc_Maynot]

Can anyone clarify, how using claws does work with the striker's unarmed strikes? Do I get claw damage in addition to the striker attack? Or is it strictly separate?

To answer this, you'd have to use Open Hand (Bestial Training) or the a Favored Weapon Stalker Art, if you do the damage is replaced by the SoM unarmed damage as it will act like the unarmed strike for most purposes.

I have a question regarding the legendary talent Fencing (Dimensional Lunge). If you count as being in all unoccupied squares within 30' for reach and range increment purposes, does that include ones you cannot see due to walls and such? Ones above you that you couldn't actually be in due to lack of flight or similar? Ones on the floor(s) below you, or are other wise underground? If yes on the first and last ones, does that grant you awareness of those squares? Awareness of the area around them?

[Beowulf DW]

All right. Reporting back in on the monk spade using conscript. He's doing just fine so far. The only real weakness I can find is an inability to punch through DR on his own.

[stack]

After many delays, the prodigy is now available for your playtesting pleasure.

Prodigy

The prodigy is a flexible mid-BAB, Mid-caster based on making a 'sequence', using a series of moves to unlock powerful finishers. They also can gain temporary talents similar to a spiritualism hedgewitch.

[digiman619]

My initial thoughts:
* Good amount of skills, especially if you choose Intelligence as your CAM/PAM.
* I really like how even though can get either magic or combat talents, but they came from the same pool. I was expecting them to get 10 of each rather than 20 total for you to mix and match.
* Is there anything stopping a prodigy from spamming the same link over and over? Or am I asking a dumb question?
* Any reason you keep saying "cast a spell" rather than "activate a sphere ability"? I suppose it's possible for a Vancian caster to multiclass into this, but you're guaranteed to have at least 2 magic talents, so why not word your abi!ity accordingly?
* Integrated Techniques is a good way to personalize your character, as does Imbue Sequence.
* Talent Blending seems like a slightly nerfed Spell Combat, but the at-will nature of spheres effects probably make that a good idea.
*Any reason Adaption was split into multiple improvements, rather than being one ability that gets additional effects at various levels like a Brawler's Martial Flexibility?
* Steady Skill is really interesting, though the 'Taking 15' remind me of psionic focus. Any particular reason you limit it to skills on the Prodigy skill list rather than any class skills they possess?
* Even though I gave Adaptation a hard time, I really like Shared Adaptation. There are definitely times where giving an ally a particular sphere ability would be very useful.
* Reflect Spell seems like a really useful ability. Thumbs up.

All in all, really good. I could see this on either extreme; either as a martial with a few tricks or a spherecaster with a modicum of martial skill. Good job.

[Aipaca]

3/4 Casting, with Martial Focus for talents.
3/4 BAB, with Might talents and Martial Focus for those as well.
6+Int skills/lvl +inbuilt take 10 or 15 mechanic.
More class features which complement both casting and combat, and often don't take up action economy.
Good Ref and Will.

Not going to lie, this seems damn strong, a little over the top.

[EldritchWeaver]

3/4 Casting, with Martial Focus for talents.
3/4 BAB, with Might talents and Martial Focus for those as well.
6+Int skills/lvl +inbuilt take 10 or 15 mechanic.
More class features which complement both casting and combat, and often don't take up action economy.
Good Ref and Will.

Not going to lie, this seems damn strong, a little over the top.

It is comparable to a magus, which is skill monkey in addition, but with a variable focus regarding martial and magic. Plus the sequences. They seem balanced on paper, but how do they hold up in reality? I fear that you can't get enough sequence-length because fights are too short. Or at best can use one longer sequence before the enemies are dead. So this feature might not end up be used that much, despite being the shtick of the class. So how much actual playtesting was done and how well did the sequences work?

[stack]

My initial thoughts:
* Good amount of skills, especially if you choose Intelligence as your CAM/PAM.
* I really like how even though can get either magic or combat talents, but they came from the same pool. I was expecting them to get 10 of each rather than 20 total for you to mix and match.
* Is there anything stopping a prodigy from spamming the same link over and over? Or am I asking a dumb question?
* Any reason you keep saying "cast a spell" rather than "activate a sphere ability"? I suppose it's possible for a Vancian caster to multiclass into this, but you're guaranteed to have at least 2 magic talents, so why not word your abi!ity accordingly?
* Integrated Techniques is a good way to personalize your character, as does Imbue Sequence.
* Talent Blending seems like a slightly nerfed Spell Combat, but the at-will nature of spheres effects probably make that a good idea.
*Any reason Adaption was split into multiple improvements, rather than being one ability that gets additional effects at various levels like a Brawler's Martial Flexibility?
* Steady Skill is really interesting, though the 'Taking 15' remind me of psionic focus. Any particular reason you limit it to skills on the Prodigy skill list rather than any class skills they possess?
* Even though I gave Adaptation a hard time, I really like Shared Adaptation. There are definitely times where giving an ally a particular sphere ability would be very useful.
* Reflect Spell seems like a really useful ability. Thumbs up.

All in all, really good. I could see this on either extreme; either as a martial with a few tricks or a spherecaster with a modicum of martial skill. Good job.

-Each component can only grant a link once per round.
-Wording: I think I just messed it up and didn't go back to check the proper wording for casting a sphere effect. Will fix.
-Had a few comments on adaptation's split formatting not working, On the list to change.
- Probably not a strong argument to not be 'any class skill'. Interested to hear if anyone would resist the change.

3/4 Casting, with Martial Focus for talents.
3/4 BAB, with Might talents and Martial Focus for those as well.
6+Int skills/lvl +inbuilt take 10 or 15 mechanic.
More class features which complement both casting and combat, and often don't take up action economy.
Good Ref and Will.

Not going to lie, this seems damn strong, a little over the top.

As noted, getting the biggest sequence abilities are going to be difficult. Also, that is why we open playtest, get more data on this stuff. There has been a suggestion to reduce it to 4 skills, but that seems low if you aren't INT based for a generalist.

It is comparable to a magus, which is skill monkey in addition, but with a variable focus regarding martial and magic. Plus the sequences. They seem balanced on paper, but how do they hold up in reality? I fear that you can't get enough sequence-length because fights are too short. Or at best can use one longer sequence before the enemies are dead. So this feature might not end up be used that much, despite being the shtick of the class. So how much actual playtesting was done and how well did the sequences work?

There has been some playtesting with positive feedback but I don't have specific comments on that at my fingertips.

[Mehangel]

Probably not a strong argument to not be 'any class skill'. Interested to hear if anyone would resist the change.

I also would like to see the ability changed to allow 'any class skill'. I personally dont keep track of where class skills come from (whether they come from race choice, traits, multiclassing, etc). However, checking to see what skills are class skills are easy, is the box checked? Then it is a class skill, no need to have the book open right infront of you.

[digiman619]

- Probably not a strong argument to not be 'any class skill'. Interested to hear if anyone would resist the change.

I also would like to see the ability changed to allow 'any class skill'. I personally dont keep track of where class skills come from (whether they come from race choice, traits, multiclassing, etc). However, checking to see what skills are class skills are easy, is the box checked? Then it is a class skill, no need to have the book open right infront of you.

Also, seeing as you already have all Knowledge skills, all 3 interaction skills and UMD on that skill list, I don't see how letting the 8 nonclass skills in on the fun would be breaking anything. Or at least not breaking anything else.