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  1. - Top - End - #1
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
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    Default The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    The Grandmaster


    True, but if my pawn moves there, then he can swap with the knight, allowing my dark bishop to incinerate their flank -Sjakk Mestari, Grandmaster pondering a battle

    Adventures: Grandmasters usually travel to hone their activating talents and to gain power, though they also travel for all the reasons other classes travel (fame, wealth, glory, adventure).

    Characteristics: A Grandmaster is a cunning opponent who fights by growing figurines to large sizes and using them in combat against his foes. Each figurine has a host of unique ablilites, and the Grandmaster may meld into one, augmenting its powers and making it a force to be reckoned with.

    Alignment: Most Grandmasters tend towards Lawful Neutral, with their ordered minds and sense of superiority, but Grandmasters have been known to come from any alignment.

    Religion: The most commonly worshiped gods among Grandmasters are Boccob and Wee-Jas, as Grandmasters often have a somewhat smug, yet distanced personality, and these characteristics are visible in these deities. However, Grandmasters have been known to worship almost any deity.

    Races: A Grandmaster may come from any race, though more intelligent and more civilized races often produce the most famous. Elves often produce great Grandmasters due to their longevity, though even Dwarf and Orc Grandmasters are not unheard of.

    Other Classes: The Grandmaster gets along well with other classes, especially wizards. Though they may come across as somewhat elitist, they are usually willing to work with others to enhance their capabilities.

    Role: The Grandmaster works well with different groups depending on his focus. If he focuses on Pawns or Knights, he can provide assistance to other melee classes, while one focused on Bishops can provide magical support and one focused on Rooks can defend a caster-heavy party.

    Adaptation: The Grandmaster can be incorporated into any medium to high magic setting. Magic Figurines are not uncommon, and the Grandmaster has simply mastered the art of creating and using them.

    GAME RULE INFORMATION
    Grandmaster's have the following game statistics.
    Abilities: Int is very important to the Grandmaster to fuel his abilities, followed by dexterity and constitution to protect him (while not melded) in combat.
    Alignment: Any
    Hit Die: d6
    Starting Age: As Wizard
    Starting Gold: As Wizard

    Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
    1st
    +0
    +0
    +0
    +2
    Pawns, Themed Set - - - -
    2nd
    +1
    +0
    +0
    +3
    Rooks, Intelligent Tactician - - - -
    3rd
    +1
    +1
    +1
    +3
    Knights - - - -
    4th
    +2
    +1
    +1
    +4
    Bishops, Spells 0 - - -
    5th
    +2
    +1
    +1
    +4
    Focused Master 0 - - -
    6th
    +3
    +2
    +2
    +5
    Intelligent Tactician 1 - - -
    7th
    +3
    +2
    +2
    +5
    Meld 1 - - -
    8th
    +4
    +2
    +2
    +6
    Quick Calling 1 0 - -
    9th
    +4
    +3
    +3
    +6
    Swap 1 0 - -
    10th
    +5
    +3
    +3
    +7
    Focused Master 1 1 - -
    11th
    +5
    +3
    +3
    +7
    Intelligent Tactician 1 1 0 -
    12th
    +6/+1
    +4
    +4
    +8
    Empowered Figurines 1 1 1 -
    13th
    +6/+1
    +4
    +4
    +8
    Quick Calling, Meld 1 1 1 -
    14th
    +7/+2
    +4
    +4
    +9
    Swap, Queen 2 1 1 0
    15th
    +7/+2
    +5
    +5
    +9
    Focused Master 2 1 1 1
    16th
    +8/+3
    +5
    +5
    +10
    Intelligent Tactician 2 2 1 1
    17th
    +8/+3
    +5
    +5
    +10
    Meld 2 2 2 1
    18th
    +9/+4
    +6
    +6
    +11
    Quick Calling 3 2 2 1
    19th
    +9/+4
    +6
    +6
    +11
    Checkmate 3 3 3 2
    20th
    +10/+5
    +6
    +6
    +12
    King-piece 3 3 3 3

    Class Skills
    The Grandmaster's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Tumble (Dex), and UMD (Cha).
    A Grandmaster specializing in white adds: Forgery (Dex), Gather Info (Cha), and Intimidate (Cha)
    A Grandmaster specializing in black adds: Heal (Wis), Diplomacy (Cha),and Decipher Script (Int)

    Skill Points at First Level: (6 + Int modifier) x 4
    Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 6 + Int modifier

    Class Features
    All of the following are class features of the Grandmaster.

    Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: The Grandmaster is proficient in the use of all simple weapons and with light armor but not shields.

    Themed Set (Ex): The Grandmaster carries a set of small carved figurines known as a "Set". These figurines are treated as figurines of wondrous power, with stats as noted below. At first level, the Grandmaster picks a side and a theme for his figurines. The "side" is either white or black, white being tied in to destruction, and black focusing on protection, though there is no alignment stigma for either. The theme may be anything from "fire" to "darkness" to "winter". This theme has no effect other than adding one point of damage (of a related energy type) to each figurine's attack per level the Grandmaster has in this class. (e.g. A 10th level Grandmaster with the "Winter" theme would add 10 cold damage to each attack his figurines deal). Force may not be selected as an energy type. Those Grandmasters on the white side gain a +2 to initiative, while those of the black side gain +2 to AC.

    It takes a standard action (that doesnt provoke) to activate each figurine, the Grandmaster must have the figurines at hand to use their power. Each may remain activated for 10 minutes per Grandmaster level per day, after which the figurine becomes inert and may not be used for 24 hours. The Grandmaster may have a number of pieces out at any one time equal to 1/3 his HD (round up). If the Grandmaster loses his pieces then he cannot use his class abilities until he carves a new set. Each piece costs 50 gp for materials and takes 8 hours to carve, though more powerful grandmasters often own much more elaborate sets.

    Lastly, a themed set allows a grandmaster to wield the pieces as if they were magic weapons. When holding a piece, a grandmaster may choose to elongate it into a specific magical weapon. Pawns become shortswords, bishops become quarterstaffs, Knights become spears (longspears or otherwise), Rooks become heavy metal shields, and the queen becomes a longbow. This requres a move action. Each weapon has an enhancement bonus equal to 1 with an additional +1 at 10th level, and is treated as the metal or substance that the piece itself is made of (wood is wood, cold iron is cold iron, adamentium is adamentium, etc.). When using a piece of his focused mastery, the pieces instead gain +1 every 5th level (so a 20th level pawnmaster could choose to use a +5 shortsword or a +2 quarterstaff). The weapon does half the normal theme damage (e.g. a 10th level grandmaster with the Thunder theme (sonic) would deal 5 bonus sonic damage per hit). The grandmaster is considered proficient when wielding a piece.

    Basic Figurine Traits
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    A Figurine has immunity to poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, necromancy effects, mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects), and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain. It cannot heal damage, but it can be repaired.

    A Figurine also has Hardness equal to 1/2 its HD.

    A figurine with class levels may use the heroic stat array, and gains the bonus ability point for every 4 levels it has.

    If an activated figurine is destroyed, the statuette of the figurine turns black and cannot be activated for an hour.


    Pawns (Ex): The simplest and first of the pieces the grandmaster learns to activate, pawns are sneaky figurines that can serve as scouts and spies. The Grandmaster has 4 of these pieces, and at level 10 gains another 4.
    Stats:
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    A pawn acts as a Scout with 1/4 the Grandmaster's HD in levels (minimum 1). The Grandmaster may customize the pawn, but every pawn must be identical. The pawn starts with the gear standard for a NPC ranger of the appropriate level (see the DMG). The pawn also has the ability to move at twice its speed in the first round it is summoned.


    Rooks (Ex): Strong defensive figurines, rooks can protect their masters and allies from harm in various ways. The Grandmaster has two of these pieces.
    Stats:
    Spoiler
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    A rook acts as a Shield Warrior with 1/2 the Grandmaster's HD in levels (minimum 1). The Grandmaster may customize the rook, but every rook must be identical. The rook starts with the wealth standard for a NPC fighter of the appropriate level (see the DMG).


    Knights (Ex): Inspiring beacons of courage and strength, Knights roam the battlefield with their huge maces and swords, inspiring allies everywhere. The Grandmaster has two of these pieces.
    Stats:
    Spoiler
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    A Knight acts as a paladin with 1/2 the Grandmaster's HD in levels (minimum 1). The Grandmaster may customize the knight, but every knight must be identical. The knight starts with the gear standard for a NPC paladin of the appropriate level (see the DMG). The smite ability functions against creatures of an alignment opposite to the Grandmaster's.


    Bishops (Ex): Powerful matched casters, the Grandmaster that focuses on these is to indeed be feared. The Grandmaster has two of these pieces.
    Stats:
    Spoiler
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    A bishop acts as either a warmage or a healer, depending on the color chosen by the Grandmaster (white is warmage, black is healer.) with 1/2 the Grandmaster's HD in levels (minimum 1). The Grandmaster may customize the bishop, but every bishop must be identical. The bishop starts with the wealth standard for a NPC (wizard or cleric, respectively) of the appropriate level (see the DMG). The bishops may not take metamagic feats.


    Spells:
    Beginning at 4th level, a Grandmaster gains the ability to cast a small number of arcane spells, which are drawn from the Grandmaster spell list. A Grandmaster may cast spontaneously.

    To prepare or cast a spell, a grandmaster must have a Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a Grandmaster's spell is 10 + the spell level + the Grandmaster's intelligence modifier.Like other spellcasters, a grandmaster can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. His base daily spell allotment is given on Table: The Grandmaster. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Intelligence score. When Table: The Grandmaster indicates that the grandmaster gets 0 spells per day of a given spell level, he gains only the bonus spells he would be entitled to based on her Intelligence score for that spell level.

    A grandmaster prepares and casts spells the way a sorcerer. A grandmaster may prepare and cast any spell on the grandmaster spell list, provided that he can cast spells of that level.

    Through 3rd level, a grandmaster has no caster level. At 4th level and higher, his caster level is half his grandmaster level.

    Focused Master (Ex): Choose one type of figurine to focus on (bishops is a single focus) You gain bonuses to those figurines as listed below. These bonuses scale at particular levels (5, 10, 15).

    Pawnmaster:
    • At 5th level, the Pawnmaster's pawns learn to flank better. The flanking bonus of pawns is equal to the number of pawns flanking the target at any given time (minimum of +2)
    • At 10th level, pawns have levels in the scout class equal to 1/2 the grandmaster's level.
    • At 15th level, the pawnmaster develops the Sicilian defense. The grandmaster may now act as if permanently under the effects of Foresight, as the spell.


    Rookmaster:
    • At 5th level, the Rookmaster and his rooks become tougher. The rookmaster gains DR/adamentium equal to 1/2 his level, and rooks gain a deflection bonus equal to 1/4 their HD (this stacks with any prior bonuses). Rooks are treated as riverine, regardless of their actual composition.
    • At 10th level, rooks increase their shield warrior levels to 3/4 the grandmaster's level. They also gain move-speed as a monk of their level.
    • At 15th level, the Tarrasch rule comes into play. Whenever a rook is within a single move action of another piece, that piece gains the rook's deflection bonus. The Grandmaster's DR becomes hardness, thus stacking with his Iron Body ability.


    Knightmaster:
    • At 5th level, the Knightmaster's knights learn how to better smite their foes. They take no penalty for power attacking their enemies while smiting.
    • At 10th level, Knights level to 3/4 the grandmaster's level.
    • At 15th level, the Knights learn Capablanca's Theorem. The Grandmaster may summon the Queen an additional time per week. The Knights also learn to better move around the field. Their paladin mounts are treated as phantom steeds, though they may be ridden by anyone the knight wishes.



    Bishopmaster:
    • At 5th level, the Bishopmaster's bishops learn how to better use their key stat. They gain a bonus to their caster level equal to either their intelligence modifier or their charisma modifier, whichever they use as a casting stat.
    • At 10th level, Bishops level to 3/4 the grandmaster's level.
    • At 15th level, the Bishops learn to fianchetto. As a swift action, they may swap (as the Grandmaster abililty) with any other piece. They may do this a number of times per day equal to their key ability modifier.



    Intelligent Tactician (Ex): The Grandmaster knows how to activate stronger figurines that are better trained. The Grandmaster adds his intelligence modifier to the figurines health for each hit dice they have. At 6th level, his intelligence modifier is added to the figurines' attack rolls. At 11th level, it is added to their AC and saves, and at 16th level it is added to their initiative (Note: the bonus to saves and to HP does not apply when the grandmaster is melded with that figurine, though it continues working for all other figurines).

    Meld (Su):The grandmaster melds into a figurine for protection and strength. The Grandmaster must be adjacent to the figurine and take a move action to "enter" it. Treat the Grandmaster as using the psionic power fusion, except it has no cost and can be used as long as the figurine is usable. (The int bonus to saves and to HP does not apply when the grandmaster is melded with that figurine, though it continues working for all other figurines). At level 13 and 17 respectively, the intelligence bonus to HP and the Bonus to saves are factored in to the "gestalt".

    Quick Calling (Ex): The Grandmaster knows how to call his figurines faster. At 8th level, he becomes able to call them as a move action (and thus able to activate two per round). At 13th, he learns to activate them as a swift action (allowing three to be activated in a round), and at 18th he learns to activate two with a single action (swift or move), allowing 6 to be activated in a single round.

    Swap (Ex): The grandmaster can swap the places of any two figurines, or that of himself and a figurine as a standard action that does not provoke. At 14th level, he may swap places as a swift action. He may do this a number of times equal to twice his intelligence modifier per day.

    Empowered Figurines:All figurines gain +2 class levels


    Queen (Ex): The Grandmaster gains a powerful minion that acts as an emergency piece when he is in dire need. The Grandmaster may call upon the Queen 1/week as an immediate action. Every time over that that she is summoned, the Grandmaster takes 2 points of intelligence damage. This damage may only be healed through natural rest. The queen is not empowered via the "Empower Figurines" ability. The queen remains summoned (unless dismissed) for a maximum of one hour.

    Stats:
    Spoiler
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    The grandmaster may decide on a queen character. This character is treated as a character of a level equal to the Grandmaster's level -1. This character is customizable, but must meet with DM approval in terms of power and flavor.


    Checkmate (Su): The grandmaster learns how to declare their opponent defeated. If his pieces threaten every square around an enemy, the grandmaster may declare checkmate. This is usable 3/day. The opponent must succeed on a fortitude save equal to the Grandmaster's level+Intelligence modifier+5 or instantly suffer the effects of a flesh to stone spell. This is a supernatural effect.


    King-piece (Ex): Only achievable by the most powerful grandmasters, the grandmaster takes on the role of the King of Figurines. The grandmaster gains the continual benefits of the Iron Body spell, with the exception that they do not suffer from the spell failure chance. This is suppressible as a free action (not on your turn). In addition, the grandmaster may take the form of the King piece. The Grandmaster may take this form 1/day, and it lasts until the end of the encounter. While in this form, each of the grandmaster's active figurines gains an additional bonus to all rolls equal to the grandmaster's intelligence modifier, while opponents take an similar penalty. The grandmaster must be visible to the creatures taking the bonuses or penalties.

    Grandmaster Spell List:
    Spoiler
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    1st:Know Greatest Enemy, Lay of the Land, Phantom Threat,Mass Aid, Checkmate's Light, Warning Shout, Dawn, Omen of Peril, Rary's Telepathic Bond, Targeting Ray, Benign Transportation

    2nd: Know Vulnerabilities, Knight's Move, Tactical Precision, Speak to Allies, Divine Protection, Quick March, Detect thoughts, Snake's Swiftness (mass), Dimension Step

    3rd: Know Opponent, G'Elsewhere Chant, Speechlink, Resist Energy (mass), Anticipate Teleport, Allegro, Battle Hymn

    4th: Resistance, Greater. Implacable Pursuer, Spell Vulnerablility, Hallucinatory Terrain, Freedom of Movement, Dimension Shuffle

    Black Spells:
    1st: Sleep
    2nd: Tongues, Haste
    3rd: Lesser Vigor (mass), Aid (mass)
    4th: Decoy Image

    White Spells:
    1st: Disguise Self
    2nd: Hold Person
    3rd: Cone of Grief, Curse of Impending Blades (mass)
    4th: Modify Memory



    Construct ACF:
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    This ACF replaces the customizable characters of the base class with astral construct, which significantly cuts down on both book-keeping and stabilizes potential power level.

    The following deviations from the base class are in place:
    • Constructs gain specials when the grandmaster gains bonuses for his specialization.
    • Constructs gain HD instead of class levels.



    The following deviations from standard astral constructs are in place:
    • Constructs gain feats at the rate of 1/3 HD, with a bonus feat at 1st, as standard characters.
    • Constructs will gain Menu abilities as they gain HD. However, the abilities chosen within each type of piece maintain for all. For example, if +10 movespeed is chosen for one pawn, all pawns will also have that same Menu A ability. If they advance sufficiently in HD, they can choose a new ability from the appropriate menu, as detailed in the astral construct entry once they hit the appropriate minimum number of HD for a higher form.



    Pieces Stats
    Spoiler: Pawn
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    A basic piece that works best in large groups.
    1. 20 foot move speed.
    2. AC equals 10+grandmaster level+grandmaster intelligence modifier
    3. Saves equal the grandmaster's level.
    4. Attack bonus equals the grandmaster's level. A pawn's base damage equals the grandmaster's level.


    Basic Special: A pawn's speed is doubled on the first turn it takes after being summoned. 1d6 sneak attack.
    Advanced Special: A pawn can move 10 feet as a 5 foot step. 3d6 sneak attack and evasion.
    Masterful special: A pawn that strikes the killing blow on an opponent can be promoted to a queen. 6d6 sneak attack and evasion.


    Spoiler: Knight
    Show

    A fast moving piece that provides bonuses to its teammates. Auras do not stack.
    1. 50 foot move speed.
    2. AC equals 10 + grandmaster level + grandmaster intelligence modifier
    3. Saves equal the grandmaster's level.
    4. Attack bonus equals the grandmaster's level. A knight's base damage equals double the grandmaster's level.


    Basic Special: A knight emanates a 60 foot aura that grants a bonus to AC equal to the grandmaster's intelligence to all allies (except itself or other knights).
    Advanced Special: The knight's aura also grants immunity to fear effects and damage reduction equal to the AC bonus. Charge deals 1.5 times damage.
    Masterful special: The knight's aura also grants immunity to transfiguration effects and a bonus to saves equal to the AC bonus. Charge deals double damage.


    Spoiler: Rook
    Show

    A tough piece that protects its teammates.
    1. 30 foot move speed.
    2. AC equals 10 + grandmaster level + twice grandmaster intelligence modifier
    3. Saves equal the grandmaster's level.
    4. Attack bonus equals the grandmaster's level. A rook's base damage equals double the grandmaster's level.


    Basic Special: A rook gains the ability to cast a shield self on a single individual. The rook also gains DR equal to half the grandmaster's level.
    Advanced Special: The rook gains 10 foot reach. The rook also gains fast healing equal to half the grandmaster's level.
    Masterful special: The rook's fast healing and DR equal the grandmaster's level. The rook's statuette can also function as a daern's instant fortress while the rook is inactive.



    Spoiler: Bishop
    Show

    A quick, spellcasting piece.
    1. 40 foot move speed.
    2. AC equals 10 + grandmaster level.
    3. Saves equal the grandmaster's level.
    4. Attack bonus equals 1/2 the grandmaster's level. A bishop's base damage equals half the grandmaster's level.


    Basic Special: Bishops can cast spells from the warmage or healer lists (each bishop can cast spells from only one list). Each bishop can also cast from a single domain. The healer bishop's healing spells are treated as repair spells for the purpose of healing constructs. The bishop's spellcasting follows the bard's progression.
    Advanced Special: Bishop spells are treated as heightened 2 levels.
    Masterful Special: Bishop spells are treated as empowered.


    Queen Construct:
    Spoiler
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    The queen is treated as a construct with max hp and HD equal to the Grandmaster's +2. Each time that she is summoned, the grandmaster may decide on new abilities for her from the astral construct menu (2 from each menu)


    Designer Notes:
    Spoiler
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    Mid-High tier 3ish guy who uses "figurines of wondrous power" in a chess-like manner, and can meld into them to gain benefits. Can also focus on one kind of piece to gain extra benefits. Can choose to meld or cast spells in the back (Hint: Ring of Invisibility + This Guy => I hope you don't have a "rocks fall you die" DM)

    Credits:
    Spoiler
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    Special thanks to Merchant, Jiruku, Noctis Vigil, Road_runner...heck, thanks to everyone! You guys made it happen.

    Changelog:
    Spoiler
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    Added a domain of casting to the bishops Edit: Deleted a domain Edit:maybe kept a domain...thoughts?
    Changed bishops from adept and witch to healer and warmage with bard casting
    Added both a class level system and a psionic construct system. To stop debate
    Working on spell list now
    Added Checkmate
    Changed King piece
    Added Queen
    Added empowered figurines
    DONE! PEACH?
    3/9/12
    Clarified Meld
    5/17/12
    Made statuettes not be destroyed, but rather rendered inert for an hour
    added Dimension Step and Dimension Shuffle
    Last edited by Demidos; 2016-10-11 at 10:59 PM.
    My Homebrew:
    WIP
    The Fortunar Base Class: A Fortuneteller wielding a minor Deck of Many Things. Mid T3.

    Completed Classes
    The Grandmaster : A master of animated stattuettes and tactical magic. High tier 3.
    The Hidden Word: An infiltrator with a wide range of abilities that works best in small teams. Tier 2-3
    Web-Spinner: A martial class based around using webs. Mid T3.
    The True Warrior: A swift mundane martial combat class that can dodge and slice their way to victory. Low Tier 3.

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    RedWizardGuy

    Join Date
    Jun 2010

    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Looks sort of interesting so far. Still, with the chess piece creatures, I believe WoTC statted them up in one of the last 3.5e Dragons, although I forget specifically which one, so you might want to look into that if interested.
    Newest Work: Pyromancer - My submission for Base Class Contest X
    Vote here.

    Awesome Quotes:

    Quote Originally Posted by chess435 View Post
    May Chuck Norris smile upon you.


    Finall got an Extended Homebrew Signature, courtesy of Cipherthe3vil

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
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    Male

    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by Pyromancer999 View Post
    Looks sort of interesting so far. Still, with the chess piece creatures, I believe WoTC statted them up in one of the last 3.5e Dragons, although I forget specifically which one, so you might want to look into that if interested.
    Wow! That was fast!!!

    Edit: Ooooh. thanks!

    So far im thinking of the Queen as a unit that can't be used every combat, sort of a last resort panic button. Maybe can be used 1/week, and she's like a sorcerer of 2 levels below you, as per a cohort from leadership, maybe with some more cool abilities (like dominate, fast movement, something?)?

    Anyone have thoughts for what the Grandmaster himself should be doing during combat other than using "swap"? And or unique chess abilities?
    Last edited by Demidos; 2011-10-10 at 11:30 PM.
    My Homebrew:
    WIP
    The Fortunar Base Class: A Fortuneteller wielding a minor Deck of Many Things. Mid T3.

    Completed Classes
    The Grandmaster : A master of animated stattuettes and tactical magic. High tier 3.
    The Hidden Word: An infiltrator with a wide range of abilities that works best in small teams. Tier 2-3
    Web-Spinner: A martial class based around using webs. Mid T3.
    The True Warrior: A swift mundane martial combat class that can dodge and slice their way to victory. Low Tier 3.

  4. - Top - End - #4
    Barbarian in the Playground
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    lost in my own mind

    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Just a basic observation: this will slow combat down like crazy if he has all those guys active at once. He'd be amazing in a solo campaign, but I would question usefulness when he has no summoning left; perhaps give him some more personal combat bonuses?

    I like the idea of picking an element, but it leaves one question in my mind: why not further delineate it by also adding white and black sides? Maybe white focuses on defense/healing, black focuses on offense/blasting?

    Also a suggestion: when they specialize in a piece type, maybe make that type of piece be summonable for longer periods of time? Or perhaps have one of your chosen type active at all times, like a guardian or familiar? I would also suggest maybe making them gain aspects of their chosen piece, like maybe an AC bonus for choosing Rook, or attack/damage bonuses for choosing Knight. I would also suggest the option for an unfocused Grandmaster who doesn't specialize in one type; perhaps he could gain tactical bonuses that effect all his units and his combat style as a whole, less powerful and focused but far more broad.

    I like the idea of the Queen as an emergency piece, although I think that Sorcerer might be a bit much. Would have to see the class finished then playtest a little to know for sure though.

    About the King Piece ability: does it have a duration? A limit on uses per day? Down sides (fatigued after using it or some such)?

    Other questions: How does equipment factor into this? Does each piece start with equipment, or do you have to equip each piece individually? That could get pricy.

    As far as skills go, this is a tactician class; Knowledges are very needed here. Craft is a good idea if he makes his own figurines. Profession is usually a standard. Heal is a good idea (combat medic). Concentration for flavor. Use Magic Device makes a lot of sense. Possibly Spellcraft.

    Biggest suggestion I have: decide if he's more magical or more combat oriented, and make adjustments accordingly. Combat means slightly more equipment, more HP, stuff like that; make him more survivable in combat. If he's more magical, I strongly suggest minor spellcasting, although no more than, say, a Paladin; make a small list of spells that would benefit him as a tactician, leader and combat person.

    Overall, this looks amazing, and I look forward to the finished product. I love chess, and I love D&D; the two together are like the ultimate nerdgasm.
    Last edited by Noctis Vigil; 2011-10-11 at 12:10 AM.

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Grod_The_Giant's Avatar

    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    Pittsburgh, PA
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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by Noctis Vigil View Post
    Just a basic observation: this will slow combat down like crazy if he has all those guys active at once. He'd be amazing in a solo campaign, but I would question usefulness when he has no summoning left; perhaps give him some more personal combat bonuses?
    This is the single biggest problem I see with the class, but not one that's avoidable. A limit to the number/total HD of the pieces you can have active at the same time might be good from a balance standpoint, if nothing else, but... yeah. Be prepared to drive your party-mates crazy with how long your turn takes

    It is, however, a really cool class. I'd love to use it for an NPC villain. I look forwards to seeing what else you come up with.
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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Note: post has been edited.

    Wow. This idea has... a lot of potential. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you create.

    Couple of notes: I suggest Tumble and Ride as class skills - Ride so you can saddle up with one of your knights, Tumble so you can get clear of the monsters that will inevitably come running to splat you when they realize you're a summoner. If the grandmaster will not cast, you need minimum 6 skill points per level.

    To expand on the concern that Noctis and Grod have expressed, time management is going to be a MAJOR concern for this class, and you'll need to keep that in mind as you design every aspect of it. Here are a couple of ideas that should help:

    1. Do not provide any abilities that can be used as swift or immediate actions.
    2. All of the pieces should get only one attack per round, ever.
    3. Attacks made by pieces should not force additional rolls.
    4. Each piece (except caster pieces) should get a special ability, but the specials shouldn't involve making separate die rolls.
    5. Pieces that cast spells should be restricted to one spell per round from a limited list.


    Ideas for the pieces:
    Pawn: A basic piece that has a 20-ft. move, decent AC and saves, and a modest attack bonus to deal average damage. Mostly useful as a flanking partner.
    Basic Special: A pawn's speed is doubled on the first turn it takes after being summoned. Minor sneak attack.
    Advanced Special: A pawn that strikes the killing blow on an opponent can enter its space. Better sneak attack.
    Masterful special: A pawn that strikes the killing blow on an opponent can be promoted to a queen. Good sneak attack and evasion.

    Queen: The queen is a wrecking ball, fast, durable, hard-hitting, and difficult to pin down (perhaps she flies). Can only be promoted from a pawn that has struck the killing blow on an opponent.
    Basic Special: The queen's attack automatically delivers a debuff condition of some kind, with no saving throw.
    Advanced Special: The debuff gets better.
    Masterful Special: The debuff is now really, really crippling.

    Rook: I think you're right on here, make it like a shield guardian. Average speed, high AC with DR and energy resistance, simple slam for modest damage. Has reach.
    Basic Special: shield other on grandmaster.
    Advanced special: gains fast healing.
    Masterful Special: Can function as daern's instant fortress.

    Knights: Obviously a mounted form, and should always remain mounted. I'd suggest a centaur shape, if you're open to it. The grandmaster could ride a knight as a mount. Excellent speed and high AC, attacks once with sword or axe for average damage.
    Basic Special: Weak Aura.
    Advanced Special: Charge with lance deals double damage. Aura improves.
    Masterful Special: Can teleport its speed as a move action provided that it appears in a position to flank an opponent. Teleport qualifies as a charge. Charge now deals triple damage. Strong aura.

    Bishops: Fast speed, poor AC, attacks only with spells and has no specials. I'd suggest an extremely restrictive list of spells, such as the ability to cast only from the one domain. However, you might choose a different domain for each bishop every day.

    Grandmaster powers:
    Aspect of the King: Grandmaster gains appearance of a king piece, gains hardness and a slam attack, but reduced movement speed. See the iron body spell.
    Castling: As benign transposition, but only once per encounter and only between the grandmaster and a rook.
    Promotion: Able to promote a pawn to a queen. 1/day, pawn must have dropped an opponent in current combat.
    Multiple Summon: Able to conjure up more than one piece at a time, perhaps 1/4 levels.
    Grand Strategy: Select one piece at the beginning of the day. No duration limit on summoning this piece. Can't choose a queen.
    Last edited by jiriku; 2011-10-11 at 02:06 AM.
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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    I like Jiriku's ideas for the class, because a level 20 chessmaster could take about 5 minutes to resolve his turn if you treat every chess piece as a PC.

    For dealing with Equipment, why not have each piece get half the total wealth of the chessmaster, but they cannot take their armour off?
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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by jiriku View Post
    To expand on the concern that Noctis and Grod have expressed, time management is going to be a MAJOR concern for this class, and you'll need to keep that in mind as you design every aspect of it. Here are a couple of ideas that should help:

    1. Do not provide any abilities that can be used as swift or immediate actions.
    2. All of the pieces should get only one attack per round, ever.
    3. Attacks made by pieces should not force additional rolls unless the piece is using its special.
    4. Each piece (except maybe pawns) should get a special ability, but no piece should have more than one special.
    5. Pieces that cast spells should be restricted to one spell per round from a limited list.
    This. Clean, efficient and nicely put.

    Quote Originally Posted by Hazzardevil View Post
    For dealing with Equipment, why not have each piece get half the total wealth of the chessmaster, but they cannot take their armour off?
    This is actually a really good idea, although half might be a bit much. Maybe 1/4? Or perhaps 1/2 for, oh, Knights and Rooks, and 1/4 for Bishops and Pawns?

    Question: these pieces are the equivalent of characters at X% of your HD, if I read it right? Does this give each one individual HP, feats, skills, et cetera? That's a lot of book keeping for the player/GM, although this isn't a big deal (the Eidolon Binder on these forums is a ton of book keeping as well, but still a great deal of fun). Still, this is something to keep in mind, as this means keeping at the very least 15 separate character sheets for you to go through at level 10 (1 for the Grandmaster, 8 for Pawns, 2 for Rooks, 2 Knights, 2 for Bishops); add another one in there for the Queen at 14th level for 16. Oh, and then double that for Melded descriptions, bringing you to 31 character sheets if you write it all out. This could get messy fast without an electronic character sheet maker/organizer. As I said, not a huge problem, but one to keep in mind.

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Rather than having separate equipment, it might be better simply to grant level-based stat boosts. The last thing you want is to have eight pawns running around, each with different stats.

    You can use the astral construct as a model. In fact, flavoring these as astral constructs would provide a handy entry for including minor psionic powers, if you were inclined to do so.
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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    This is just...wow. There are a ton of really good ideas in here. Wow. Thank you for these super in-depth reviews!

    Ok....going through now

    Quote Originally Posted by Noctis Vigil View Post
    Just a basic observation: this will slow combat down like crazy if he has all those guys active at once. He'd be amazing in a solo campaign, but I would question usefulness when he has no summoning left; perhaps give him some more personal combat bonuses?

    Yeah, this was one of my main concerns for the class. Although, obviously, an int based caster with even 4+ int skill points can be a skill monkey, the guy himself would be somewhat useless in combat. I tried to fix that with the swap and meld abilities, which give him something to do in-combat, but i guess that wasn't enough? It seems strange fluff-wise for a chess grandmaster to have 3/4 bab or to be fighting in melee in person.

    I like the idea of picking an element, but it leaves one question in my mind: why not further delineate it by also adding white and black sides? Maybe white focuses on defense/healing, black focuses on offense/blasting?

    This is a....really good idea. Any suggestions on how i could do that? I guess i could use different base classes for the pieces? Like, a black side could have warmage and the white caster could have healers...hey, that works! Ok, will add. Any ideas for the other pieces, or should i just leave them as is?

    Also a suggestion: when they specialize in a piece type, maybe make that type of piece be summonable for longer periods of time? Or perhaps have one of your chosen type active at all times, like a guardian or familiar? I would also suggest maybe making them gain aspects of their chosen piece, like maybe an AC bonus for choosing Rook, or attack/damage bonuses for choosing Knight. I would also suggest the option for an unfocused Grandmaster who doesn't specialize in one type; perhaps he could gain tactical bonuses that effect all his units and his combat style as a whole, less powerful and focused but far more broad.

    This sounds good.

    I like the idea of the Queen as an emergency piece, although I think that Sorcerer might be a bit much. Would have to see the class finished then playtest a little to know for sure though.

    I share your concerns. Originally it was meant to be a rogue, but...a rogue isnt particularly impressive as a queen. It seems strange fluff-wise

    About the King Piece ability: does it have a duration? A limit on uses per day? Down sides (fatigued after using it or some such)?

    Eheh...a'right....I meant to do that

    Other questions: How does equipment factor into this? Does each piece start with equipment, or do you have to equip each piece individually? That could get pricy.

    Wealth scales exponentially, right? I don't think each piece starting with his ECL would be rigged, but...not sure there

    As far as skills go, this is a tactician class; Knowledges are very needed here. Craft is a good idea if he makes his own figurines. Profession is usually a standard. Heal is a good idea (combat medic). Concentration for flavor. Use Magic Device makes a lot of sense. Possibly Spellcraft.

    He's not a spellcaster, so i ditched the spellcraft. Heal seems a bit strange. I think i have craft (checks) yep. How does the skill list look now?

    Biggest suggestion I have: decide if he's more magical or more combat oriented, and make adjustments accordingly. Combat means slightly more equipment, more HP, stuff like that; make him more survivable in combat. If he's more magical, I strongly suggest minor spellcasting, although no more than, say, a Paladin; make a small list of spells that would benefit him as a tactician, leader and combat person.

    I was originally going to have marshal auras, but the knights usurped that I think he's probably more like to a paladin caster, though i dont know many team bonus spells. Maybe battlefield control?

    Overall, this looks amazing, and I look forward to the finished product. I love chess, and I love D&D; the two together are like the ultimate nerdgasm.
    Thanks! I always liked the figurines of wondrous power (though a bit overpriced) and themed magic, and I happened to be playing chess...
    Quote Originally Posted by Grod_The_Giant View Post
    This is the single biggest problem I see with the class, but not one that's avoidable. A limit to the number/total HD of the pieces you can have active at the same time might be good from a balance standpoint, if nothing else, but... yeah. Be prepared to drive your party-mates crazy with how long your turn takes

    At the moment, 1/3 of the Grandmaster's class levels in pieces can be out at once (its in the "themed set" entry. Maybe i should make that more clear.

    It is, however, a really cool class. I'd love to use it for an NPC villain. I look forwards to seeing what else you come up with.
    Thanks! Feel free to playtest it and give me feedback on balance
    Quote Originally Posted by jiriku View Post
    Note: post has been edited.

    Wow. This idea has... a lot of potential. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you create.

    Couple of notes: I suggest Tumble and Ride as class skills - Ride so you can saddle up with one of your knights, Tumble so you can get clear of the monsters that will inevitably come running to splat you when they realize you're a summoner. If the grandmaster will not cast, you need minimum 6 skill points per level.

    Tumble, got it. Ride....hmmm...i always thought if you wanted to be a knight you could simply meld into one. I could go ahead with the White/black idea and make one side have centaurs and the other knights (both constructs, of course.) Thoughts?

    To expand on the concern that Noctis and Grod have expressed, time management is going to be a MAJOR concern for this class, and you'll need to keep that in mind as you design every aspect of it. Here are a couple of ideas that should help:

    1. Do not provide any abilities that can be used as swift or immediate actions.
    2. All of the pieces should get only one attack per round, ever.
    3. Attacks made by pieces should not force additional rolls.
    4. Each piece (except caster pieces) should get a special ability, but the specials shouldn't involve making separate die rolls.
    5. Pieces that cast spells should be restricted to one spell per round from a limited list.


    Hmmm...ok...the only swift i was thinking of was that knights could use knights move, a spell on page...129 SC...allowing short range teleport...basically exactly the same as your suggested ability

    Ideas for the pieces:
    Pawn: A basic piece that has a 20-ft. move, decent AC and saves, and a modest attack bonus to deal average damage. Mostly useful as a flanking partner.
    Basic Special: A pawn's speed is doubled on the first turn it takes after being summoned. Minor sneak attack.
    Advanced Special: A pawn that strikes the killing blow on an opponent can enter its space. Better sneak attack.
    Masterful special: A pawn that strikes the killing blow on an opponent can be promoted to a queen. Good sneak attack and evasion.

    Queen: The queen is a wrecking ball, fast, durable, hard-hitting, and difficult to pin down (perhaps she flies). Can only be promoted from a pawn that has struck the killing blow on an opponent.
    Basic Special: The queen's attack automatically delivers a debuff condition of some kind, with no saving throw.
    Advanced Special: The debuff gets better.
    Masterful Special: The debuff is now really, really crippling.

    Rook: I think you're right on here, make it like a shield guardian. Average speed, high AC with DR and energy resistance, simple slam for modest damage. Has reach.
    Basic Special: shield other on grandmaster.
    Advanced special: gains fast healing.
    Masterful Special: Can function as daern's instant fortress.

    Knights: Obviously a mounted form, and should always remain mounted. I'd suggest a centaur shape, if you're open to it. The grandmaster could ride a knight as a mount. Excellent speed and high AC, attacks once with sword or axe for average damage.
    Basic Special: Weak Aura.
    Advanced Special: Charge with lance deals double damage. Aura improves.
    Masterful Special: Can teleport its speed as a move action provided that it appears in a position to flank an opponent. Teleport qualifies as a charge. Charge now deals triple damage. Strong aura.

    Bishops: Fast speed, poor AC, attacks only with spells and has no specials. I'd suggest an extremely restrictive list of spells, such as the ability to cast only from the one domain. However, you might choose a different domain for each bishop every day.

    Grandmaster powers:
    Aspect of the King: Grandmaster gains appearance of a king piece, gains hardness and a slam attack, but reduced movement speed. See the iron body spell.
    Castling: As benign transposition, but only once per encounter and only between the grandmaster and a rook.
    Promotion: Able to promote a pawn to a queen. 1/day, pawn must have dropped an opponent in current combat.
    Multiple Summon: Able to conjure up more than one piece at a time, perhaps 1/4 levels.
    Grand Strategy: Select one piece at the beginning of the day. No duration limit on summoning this piece. Can't choose a queen.

    So...you seem to be against using actual classes for the pieces? Also, is using warmage and healer OP (seeing as you say only one domain of casting)? I dont know much about them except that theyre tier 4 healer and blaster. Seeing as they would cast at 1/2 level, it doesnt seem too strong unless you focused alot on them. (metamagic stacking might be outlawed)

    Also, question on the grandmaster powers: are these more class abilities? or usable as a kingpiece, or...?

    I like the advancing abilities, they will be put in Thanks
    Quote Originally Posted by Hazzardevil View Post
    I like Jiriku's ideas for the class, because a level 20 chessmaster could take about 5 minutes to resolve his turn if you treat every chess piece as a PC.

    Will address below

    For dealing with Equipment, why not have each piece get half the total wealth of the chessmaster, but they cannot take their armour off?

    Tempting, but it seems like ALOT of money...i'd have to ponder this
    Quote Originally Posted by Noctis Vigil View Post
    This. Clean, efficient and nicely put.



    This is actually a really good idea, although half might be a bit much. Maybe 1/4? Or perhaps 1/2 for, oh, Knights and Rooks, and 1/4 for Bishops and Pawns?

    Hmmm....this could work

    Question: these pieces are the equivalent of characters at X% of your HD, if I read it right? Does this give each one individual HP, feats, skills, et cetera? That's a lot of book keeping for the player/GM, although this isn't a big deal (the Eidolon Binder on these forums is a ton of book keeping as well, but still a great deal of fun). Still, this is something to keep in mind, as this means keeping at the very least 15 separate character sheets for you to go through at level 10 (1 for the Grandmaster, 8 for Pawns, 2 for Rooks, 2 Knights, 2 for Bishops); add another one in there for the Queen at 14th level for 16. Oh, and then double that for Melded descriptions, bringing you to 31 character sheets if you write it all out. This could get messy fast without an electronic character sheet maker/organizer. As I said, not a huge problem, but one to keep in mind.

    Ok, my thought was, each kind of piece would have an identical sheet (so only one pawn sheet) using the elite array, and maybe there should be limited feats allowable for each type to prevent shocktrooper and such. I usually play druids, so I dont really know much about melee feats. Should their feats be limited?
    Quote Originally Posted by jiriku View Post
    Rather than having separate equipment, it might be better simply to grant level-based stat boosts. The last thing you want is to have eight pawns running around, each with different stats.

    Each pawn would definitely have to be identical. Otherwise...wow what a nightmare.

    You can use the astral construct as a model. In fact, flavoring these as astral constructs would provide a handy entry for including minor psionic powers, if you were inclined to do so.

    Hmm...I don't know much about those. Sounds good. What is the basic concept?

    Edit: I was looking at those. It looks good, but would preclude using classes as the bases for each...it could definitely be included as an ACF. You could pick two powers from each menu with Empowered Figurines giving access to each new menu. (the menu would have to be modified to give rooks the DR, Bishops the energy blasts, Peons the flights, etc.)
    Wow. Lots of great ideas to incorporate. Putting them in now!
    Last edited by Demidos; 2011-10-12 at 12:57 AM.
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    The Fortunar Base Class: A Fortuneteller wielding a minor Deck of Many Things. Mid T3.

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    The Grandmaster : A master of animated stattuettes and tactical magic. High tier 3.
    The Hidden Word: An infiltrator with a wide range of abilities that works best in small teams. Tier 2-3
    Web-Spinner: A martial class based around using webs. Mid T3.
    The True Warrior: A swift mundane martial combat class that can dodge and slice their way to victory. Low Tier 3.

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by Demidos View Post
    Hmmm...ok...the only swift i was thinking of was that knights could use knights move, a spell on page...129 SC...allowing short range teleport...basically exactly the same as your suggested ability
    Yeah, I had that spell in mind. However, by making it replace the knight's normal move rather than be in addition to a normal move, you reduce the number of actions the knight takes and the number of choices it forces the player to make. Even with 6 pieces and a PC to manage in combat, a turn can go by pretty quick if the typical turn for most pieces is"move once, attack once, resolve special ability".

    Quote Originally Posted by Demidos View Post
    So...you seem to be against using actual classes for pieces? Also, is using warmage or healer OP? I don't know much about them except that they're tier 4.
    I would recommend against using real classes. Real classes are very complicated, with many many options to consider. Managing all those character sheets is time-consuming at best and may be impossible for people who lack strong system mastery. Also, it's unfair to the other players if the grandmaster's PC gets a dozen full-fledged characters while they get only one.

    Quote Originally Posted by Demidos View Post
    Hmm...I don't know much about those. Sounds good. What is the basic concept?
    Psionic summoners summon astral constructs instead of outsiders. Astral constructs are highly standardized, but their summoner can customize the base construct by choosing from lists of options. They're powerful, but easy to learn and use.



    If you choose to go with a spellcasting grandmaster, I'd actually recommend you cherry-pick the bard list, especially the spells in Spell Compendium. There are a lot of good team-support spells in there.
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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by jiriku View Post
    Yeah, I had that spell in mind. However, by making it replace the knight's normal move rather than be in addition to a normal move, you reduce the number of actions the knight takes and the number of choices it forces the player to make. Even with 6 pieces and a PC to manage in combat, a turn can go by pretty quick if the typical turn for most pieces is"move once, attack once, resolve special ability".

    I guess...and pounce isnt really required with only one attack.

    I would recommend against using real classes. Real classes are very complicated, with many many options to consider. Managing all those character sheets is time-consuming at best and may be impossible for people who lack strong system mastery. Also, it's unfair to the other players if the grandmaster's PC gets a dozen full-fledged characters while they get only one.

    Ok. I can see your point. Maybe i'll keep the real classes around as an ACF instead

    Psionic summoners summon astral constructs instead of outsiders. Astral constructs are highly standardized, but their summoner can customize the base construct by choosing from lists of options. They're powerful, but easy to learn and use.

    OK.

    If you choose to go with a spellcasting grandmaster, I'd actually recommend you cherry-pick the bard list, especially the spells in Spell Compendium. There are a lot of good team-support spells in there.
    I'll check them out. Any suggestions on the casting progression? As bard? As adept? as paladin?
    Ok. So at the moment, we have a guy summoning astral constructs, who have tailored abilities for each one. I can go for that. Would this leave this at T3 or drop it to tier 4? I think the Bishops might need slightly more power or risk becoming somewhat useless. I also still need a way to differentiate black and white. Perhaps use the themed bonus for white for additional HP and AC instead of damage?

    Stuff left to do
    Specialized Paths (pawnmaster...etc)
    -I'll get those up tommorow

    Any other thoughts? ?
    Last edited by Demidos; 2011-10-12 at 01:28 AM.
    My Homebrew:
    WIP
    The Fortunar Base Class: A Fortuneteller wielding a minor Deck of Many Things. Mid T3.

    Completed Classes
    The Grandmaster : A master of animated stattuettes and tactical magic. High tier 3.
    The Hidden Word: An infiltrator with a wide range of abilities that works best in small teams. Tier 2-3
    Web-Spinner: A martial class based around using webs. Mid T3.
    The True Warrior: A swift mundane martial combat class that can dodge and slice their way to victory. Low Tier 3.

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    OK, let me be completely honest here: I like the idea of having the pieces have actual class levels in proportion to the Grandmaster, so the following list of suggestions is based on the idea you use this idea (this should be a good contrast to jiriku's ideas, which may help).

    Pawns: Fighters or Rogues of 1/2HD of Grandmaster level, rounded down. Definitely make a short list of feats they would be limited to. I'd say let the first 4 be Fighters and the second set of 4 you get at lvl10 have be Rogues; this provides a little more flexibility, lets you have one set focus on attack and one set focus on defense, and makes it more interesting overall.

    Pawnmaster could have their Grandmaster level equal levels in fighter for qualification in feats. Gain bonus feats off the Fighter list at selected levels. Possibly gain small sneak attack damage. Pawnmasters should get weaker abilities to the actual Grandmaster himself, since his bonuses to the pieces will be spread out over 4 times the pieces as other types of Grandmaster.

    Rooks: While the idea of defense is great, keep in mind one thing: outside the Queen, a Rook is the most mobile piece on the board, and he also is a powerhouse. My suggestion is to make White Rooks have 1/2HD in Monk or one of the Monk remakes, and Black Rooks have 1/2HD in Barbarian. This obviously goes against your idea of strong defensive pieces, though. Unfortunately, I seem to have lost all my books (they were saved pdfs on a memory stick), so it may be a bit before I can hunt down a good defensive idea for you. Limited feat list, again.

    Rookmasters could get Wis to AC as a Monk or unarmored bonus to AC as a Monk, as well as DR like a Barbarian (though not as much as a Barbarian). Give them boosts to move speed.

    Knights: White is a Paladin of 1/2HD, Black is a Blackguard of 1/2HD. Big point: remove the casting from them. This makes them very nice front line shock troops and damage dealers, and gives them some good versatility.

    Knightmasters could get a Lay On Hands equivalent ability in accordance with their color (White heals, Black damages; see the ability descriptions in Paladin and Blackguard classes). Give them more equipment proficiencies. Give them something vaguely Smite-esque.

    Bishops: I have never used the Warmage or the Healer personally, and don't even know where to find them; if you supply a link or a book and page, I could better review this. The concept sounds good in theory, though. Once again, small feat list.

    Bishopmasters...this is where I got stumped. They need bonuses to their casting, obviously. Maybe bonus metamagic or item creation feats? Definitely bonuses to spells that fit the theme of their pieces (+1 to caster level on healing spells (White) or fire spells (Black) if you chose Sun as your theme, for example).

    Queen: The idea of an emergency piece sounds really good, and that requires flexibility and power; as such, this piece should be useable once a week or so, like you said, and I'd give it 3/4HD compared to the Grandmaster himself. As for what it should have for levels, that should be up to the player, although it should be in fitting with the theme and the color you chose (all Wizard HD with acid specialization when you chose White with a winter theme is vetoed, for instance). Limit the feats (no item creation feats, for example), but other than that, it should be pretty open-ended (pending GM approval, of course).

    My suggestion for specialization: simply grant the chosen piece type more HD, maybe 3/4 of the Grandmaster's total, instead of 1/2. Also, as this class is essentially Leadership Light, make the class qualify for feats that require Leadership as a prerequisite at some point.

    For actual casting for the Grandmaster himself, I'd say no more than 4th level spells as a Paladin, though not necessarily off the Paladin list. This lets him get the whole cure list, as well as restoration and some nice buffs (Bull's Strength, Eagle's Splendor, et cetera), good shielding spells, et cetera, but doesn't overpower him. In contrast, you may want to make two lists, a White list full of healing and support magic and a Black list full of attack and debuff magic.

    Skills: as far as it goes, you seem to have chosen to add small casting ability, so give him Spellcraft. Also, pick, oh, three skill for White and three skills for Black, or somewhere thereabouts, to give more flavor to the color choice. Other than that, skills look good, though I think he needs "Bluff" instead of "Buff", personally.

    Yes, all these suggestions will make the class more complicated, take longer to create, and have slightly longer turns, but they provide way more flexibility than astral constructs (which are a waste of PP, IMHO), and is far more useful in the long run. Also, I don't feel this class as psionic. It feels more magical to me, but that might just be me.

    Also, if you use class levels on the pieces, I'd change what the King Piece ability does; just taking on level equivalents makes this feel a little odd. Or, if you do keep this ability as is, make it so you can only take on full levels of the piece type you chose to master (for Pawn, pick either Fighter or Rogue when you get the ability make it unchangeable down the road). This makes your mastery type even more of a big deal in the long run, requires slightly more strategy, and is slightly less broken than "OK, now I'm a Paladin, but if I get tired of that, I'll switch to Healer, or maybe Rogue". Do you see what I'm getting at with this rant, or am I making no sense?

    All in all, the above suggestions seem like a well balanced class that would land in, oh, tier 3, if I had to take a wild stab at it; the astral constructs idea would drop it to maybe 4, but I'm no tier expert, so don't quote me on that.

    I hope this hugely massive wall of text helps! I can't wait for this class to finish, personally.

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    I like the concept, but I think it would be better as a 10-level PrC, IMHO...

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by Noctis Vigil View Post
    OK, let me be completely honest here: I like the idea of having the pieces have actual class levels in proportion to the Grandmaster, so the following list of suggestions is based on the idea you use this idea (this should be a good contrast to jiriku's ideas, which may help).

    Pawns: Fighters or Rogues of 1/2HD of Grandmaster level, rounded down. Definitely make a short list of feats they would be limited to. I'd say let the first 4 be Fighters and the second set of 4 you get at lvl10 have be Rogues; this provides a little more flexibility, lets you have one set focus on attack and one set focus on defense, and makes it more interesting overall.

    Ok. How about fighters with their bonus feats swapped for sneak attack (Its an ACF)? Makes them more tanky (like they should be) and keeps sneak attack?

    Pawnmaster could have their Grandmaster level equal levels in fighter for qualification in feats. Gain bonus feats off the Fighter list at selected levels. Possibly gain small sneak attack damage. Pawnmasters should get weaker abilities to the actual Grandmaster himself, since his bonuses to the pieces will be spread out over 4 times the pieces as other types of Grandmaster.

    Rooks: While the idea of defense is great, keep in mind one thing: outside the Queen, a Rook is the most mobile piece on the board, and he also is a powerhouse. My suggestion is to make White Rooks have 1/2HD in Monk or one of the Monk remakes, and Black Rooks have 1/2HD in Barbarian. This obviously goes against your idea of strong defensive pieces, though. Unfortunately, I seem to have lost all my books (they were saved pdfs on a memory stick), so it may be a bit before I can hunt down a good defensive idea for you. Limited feat list, again.

    True, but i think a tank piece is required, just cause some players enjoy that Still, feel free to keep sending ideas. You might change my mind yet

    Rookmasters could get Wis to AC as a Monk or unarmored bonus to AC as a Monk, as well as DR like a Barbarian (though not as much as a Barbarian). Give them boosts to move speed.

    Knights: White is a Paladin of 1/2HD, Black is a Blackguard of 1/2HD. Big point: remove the casting from them. This makes them very nice front line shock troops and damage dealers, and gives them some good versatility.

    I feel okay with leaving their spells. They're self only, and paladins are already tier 5. I'm not too worrried.

    Knightmasters could get a Lay On Hands equivalent ability in accordance with their color (White heals, Black damages; see the ability descriptions in Paladin and Blackguard classes). Give them more equipment proficiencies. Give them something vaguely Smite-esque.

    I'm liking the proficiencies. The lay on hands...that could work. I dont personally like smite much. It always seemed far too circumstancial, and besides, black doesnt particularly mean evil, just damaging.

    Bishops: I have never used the Warmage or the Healer personally, and don't even know where to find them; if you supply a link or a book and page, I could better review this. The concept sounds good in theory, though. Once again, small feat list.

    The little i know about them is that its a Evocation class and a healing class. Both tier 4, good at what they do, but at nothing else. It sounded pretty in line with what i was going for.

    Bishopmasters...this is where I got stumped. They need bonuses to their casting, obviously. Maybe bonus metamagic or item creation feats? Definitely bonuses to spells that fit the theme of their pieces (+1 to caster level on healing spells (White) or fire spells (Black) if you chose Sun as your theme, for example).

    Queen: The idea of an emergency piece sounds really good, and that requires flexibility and power; as such, this piece should be useable once a week or so, like you said, and I'd give it 3/4HD compared to the Grandmaster himself. As for what it should have for levels, that should be up to the player, although it should be in fitting with the theme and the color you chose (all Wizard HD with acid specialization when you chose White with a winter theme is vetoed, for instance). Limit the feats (no item creation feats, for example), but other than that, it should be pretty open-ended (pending GM approval, of course).

    I personally would have no problems with that, but it seems somewhat open-ended for a class. Well, i guess its similar to leadership cohort, huh. Ok, sure, why not. I was thinking it should have the levels of a cohort though. It is once per week, and even with cohort levels...well leadership is all day every day.

    My suggestion for specialization: simply grant the chosen piece type more HD, maybe 3/4 of the Grandmaster's total, instead of 1/2. Also, as this class is essentially Leadership Light, make the class qualify for feats that require Leadership as a prerequisite at some point.

    Hmmm. I didnt mean to be inferior to a single feat. With the queen and all, i'd say its at least equal. Ok, but i was planning on specialization upgrading, to make it more interesting. So i'll need some more stuff

    For actual casting for the Grandmaster himself, I'd say no more than 4th level spells as a Paladin, though not necessarily off the Paladin list. This lets him get the whole cure list, as well as restoration and some nice buffs (Bull's Strength, Eagle's Splendor, et cetera), good shielding spells, et cetera, but doesn't overpower him. In contrast, you may want to make two lists, a White list full of healing and support magic and a Black list full of attack and debuff magic.

    How's this look?

    Skills: as far as it goes, you seem to have chosen to add small casting ability, so give him Spellcraft. Also, pick, oh, three skill for White and three skills for Black, or somewhere thereabouts, to give more flavor to the color choice. Other than that, skills look good, though I think he needs "Bluff" instead of "Buff", personally.

    Heh...thats hilarious. Sounds like a handy skill. oh well
    Yes ok, spellcraft back in, and sure, maybe diplo and heal for white and...something for black. Maybe jump


    Yes, all these suggestions will make the class more complicated, take longer to create, and have slightly longer turns, but they provide way more flexibility than astral constructs (which are a waste of PP, IMHO), and is far more useful in the long run. Also, I don't feel this class as psionic. It feels more magical to me, but that might just be me.

    Thats why now we have

    Also, if you use class levels on the pieces, I'd change what the King Piece ability does; just taking on level equivalents makes this feel a little odd. Or, if you do keep this ability as is, make it so you can only take on full levels of the piece type you chose to master (for Pawn, pick either Fighter or Rogue when you get the ability make it unchangeable down the road). This makes your mastery type even more of a big deal in the long run, requires slightly more strategy, and is slightly less broken than "OK, now I'm a Paladin, but if I get tired of that, I'll switch to Healer, or maybe Rogue". Do you see what I'm getting at with this rant, or am I making no sense?

    I think so? Youre saying that he shouldnt be able to be so many classes at once. Okay. Its not actually broken, since everything is tier 4 or lower, making him tier 2 tops, but yeah...sure...i can do that.

    All in all, the above suggestions seem like a well balanced class that would land in, oh, tier 3, if I had to take a wild stab at it; the astral constructs idea would drop it to maybe 4, but I'm no tier expert, so don't quote me on that.

    Agreed

    I hope this hugely massive wall of text helps! I can't wait for this class to finish, personally.
    Quote Originally Posted by SlashRunner View Post
    I like the concept, but I think it would be better as a 10-level PrC, IMHO...
    Maybe. But I didnt really want to go in as a caster. And i didnt think anyone else could really qualify. And i didnt really want to get mixed up in spellcasting levels and stuff. I think his flavor is pretty unique. Maybe you could get in as a paladin or bard, but...dunno. I like it as a class
    Thoughts for stuff to add to the spell list?
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    The Fortunar Base Class: A Fortuneteller wielding a minor Deck of Many Things. Mid T3.

    Completed Classes
    The Grandmaster : A master of animated stattuettes and tactical magic. High tier 3.
    The Hidden Word: An infiltrator with a wide range of abilities that works best in small teams. Tier 2-3
    Web-Spinner: A martial class based around using webs. Mid T3.
    The True Warrior: A swift mundane martial combat class that can dodge and slice their way to victory. Low Tier 3.

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    I had a random idea for a capstone ability (it may have some balance issues, but can be modified)


    Checkmate(Su): The grandmaster learns to use his strategical position to cleverly crush his opponents. If all of the adjacent square of an opponent are threatened by the grandmaster's pieces, which must include the queen, the Grandmaster can call "checkmate" (a verbal free action). The opponent is aware of the conditions for checkmate. The opponent must make a Fortitude Saving throw, DC = 20 + (2 x the number of pieces threatening the opponent) + Int modifier or be instantly turned to stone, as flesh to stone, except spell resistance and immunities do not apply. Many grandmasters chose to display opponents defeated in this way as trophies back at their castles. Usable 1/encounter, 3 times/day
    Last edited by Road_Runner; 2011-10-12 at 11:19 PM.
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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by Road_Runner View Post
    I had a random idea for a capstone ability (it may have some balance issues, but can be modified)


    Checkmate(Su): The grandmaster learns to use his strategical position to cleverly crush his opponents. If all of the adjacent square of an opponent are threatened by the grandmaster's pieces, which must include the queen, the Grandmaster can call "checkmate" (a verbal free action). The opponent is aware of the conditions for checkmate. The opponent must make a Fortitude Saving throw, DC = 20 + (2 x the number of pieces threatening the opponent) + Int modifier or be instantly turned to stone, as flesh to stone, except spell resistance and immunities do not apply. Many grandmasters chose to display opponents defeated in this way as trophies back at their castles. Usable 1/encounter, 3 times/day
    Looks very cool, but do note the queen can only be summoned once per week. However, it sounds good. 2* pieces may be a bit much (especially with the astral constructs path, as they end up as huge sized). This would work for the classes side. Hmm. Thoughts on how to integrate it?

    Edit: I actually like this more than the capstone at the moment. Hm.....
    Last edited by Demidos; 2011-10-12 at 11:28 PM.
    My Homebrew:
    WIP
    The Fortunar Base Class: A Fortuneteller wielding a minor Deck of Many Things. Mid T3.

    Completed Classes
    The Grandmaster : A master of animated stattuettes and tactical magic. High tier 3.
    The Hidden Word: An infiltrator with a wide range of abilities that works best in small teams. Tier 2-3
    Web-Spinner: A martial class based around using webs. Mid T3.
    The True Warrior: A swift mundane martial combat class that can dodge and slice their way to victory. Low Tier 3.

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    For the Pawns: I still like the idea of half Fighter half Rogue; if you go all fighter, maybe make it every 4th level's feat is sneak attack damage, just to keep some of those bonus feats, but personally I really like feats, so do it however you like. I might recommend just straight Rogue if you do just one or the other; a Fighter without bonus feats is pretty much useless.

    I'm trying to find a really good defensive class for the Rook, but so far no luck; will post again after some more digging (I have over 120 books to go through here). I do still strongly recommend boosting AC, giving DR/SR, and boosting move speed on a Rookmaster though.

    for the Knights: if you don't think the spellcasting is too much, go for it; Paladin and Blackguard are really fun classes.

    For Bishops: OK, just looked up the Warmage after finding my books, and it's pretty powerful; I still can't find (and have never seen) the Healer, but it will have to be putting out a lot of healing and buffing power to match the Warmage's damage output; Warmages are pretty powerful blasters. Once again, if someone could tell me where to find the Healer, I'd do a proper comparison.

    For Queens: you make a valid point. Once a week is a little weak if it's only 3/4. Maybe make it useable whenever, but deal damage to your caster stat like they did with the Eidolon Binder's emergency summon? If you go that route, make it have levels equal to your own, though.

    For the Grandmaster's casting, look at the Paladin, Blackguard, Bard and Warmage lists to start with. Those have a lot of buffs and debuffs, and the Warmage is full of blaster spells.

    And I never said this was inferior to the Leadership feat, just that you should qualify for feats that have it as a prerequisite.

    Will put some thought into Rook class and spells and post again later.

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by Demidos View Post
    Looks very cool, but do note the queen can only be summoned once per week. However, it sounds good. 2* pieces may be a bit much (especially with the astral constructs path, as they end up as huge sized). This would work for the classes side. Hmm. Thoughts on how to integrate it?

    Edit: I actually like this more than the capstone at the moment. Hm.....
    Oh, I was kind of assuming that all the pieces were medium sized, and therefore had 5 foot reach. This ability would be kind of ridiculous with huge sized astral constructs. Also, the queen thing isn't really necessary at all, I think it could be easily taken out.
    optimization is like salt. a pinch here and there can't hurt, but too much will spoil everything.

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by Noctis Vigil View Post
    For the Pawns: I still like the idea of half Fighter half Rogue; if you go all fighter, maybe make it every 4th level's feat is sneak attack damage, just to keep some of those bonus feats, but personally I really like feats, so do it however you like. I might recommend just straight Rogue if you do just one or the other; a Fighter without bonus feats is pretty much useless.

    Its like a rogue, with worse skills, but better hand weapon selection. it Does get sneak attack. Why is it useless?

    I'm trying to find a really good defensive class for the Rook, but so far no luck; will post again after some more digging (I have over 120 books to go through here). I do still strongly recommend boosting AC, giving DR/SR, and boosting move speed on a Rookmaster though.

    Idk about the move speed, other two, will do

    for the Knights: if you don't think the spellcasting is too much, go for it; Paladin and Blackguard are really fun classes.
    Okey dokey

    For Bishops: OK, just looked up the Warmage after finding my books, and it's pretty powerful; I still can't find (and have never seen) the Healer, but it will have to be putting out a lot of healing and buffing power to match the Warmage's damage output; Warmages are pretty powerful blasters. Once again, if someone could tell me where to find the Healer, I'd do a proper comparison.

    Would it be good to ban metamagic you think?

    For Queens: you make a valid point. Once a week is a little weak if it's only 3/4. Maybe make it useable whenever, but deal damage to your caster stat like they did with the Eidolon Binder's emergency summon? If you go that route, make it have levels equal to your own, though.

    How about 1/week, every extra summon is -2 Int?

    For the Grandmaster's casting, look at the Paladin, Blackguard, Bard and Warmage lists to start with. Those have a lot of buffs and debuffs, and the Warmage is full of blaster spells.

    How does this look?

    And I never said this was inferior to the Leadership feat, just that you should qualify for feats that have it as a prerequisite.

    Yeah, I know, sorry if it came off that way

    Will put some thought into Rook class and spells and post again later.

    Great, thanks!
    Quote Originally Posted by Road_Runner View Post
    Oh, I was kind of assuming that all the pieces were medium sized, and therefore had 5 foot reach. This ability would be kind of ridiculous with huge sized astral constructs. Also, the queen thing isn't really necessary at all, I think it could be easily taken out.

    Heh, yeah, i assumed so. The queen thing is good though, otherwise it could be abused. The size thing is an issue though. Hmm...will need more thinking time
    AGh my post was eaten! Okay, heres more or less what it was
    My Homebrew:
    WIP
    The Fortunar Base Class: A Fortuneteller wielding a minor Deck of Many Things. Mid T3.

    Completed Classes
    The Grandmaster : A master of animated stattuettes and tactical magic. High tier 3.
    The Hidden Word: An infiltrator with a wide range of abilities that works best in small teams. Tier 2-3
    Web-Spinner: A martial class based around using webs. Mid T3.
    The True Warrior: A swift mundane martial combat class that can dodge and slice their way to victory. Low Tier 3.

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Have sustained passives for your pieces. Like, each piece has some stats and some constant special defensive ability, but you can sustain some number of pieces with a nice offensive passive ability (like bleed or skirmish or Ref Save v. Being lit on fire).

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Hmm. That spell list is a lot of buffs and the like. Some of it is good for both, but the individual White and Black lists should be more than one spell each. Also, things like Bull's Strength (+4 to one creature/character's Str) and Cat's Grace (+4 to one creature/character's Dex); there's one for each stat, and I recommend at least the two listed; they're both level 2 spells. Also, you currently have no blasting spells on the Black list; I recommend something like Fireball at least. For White, add some healing, and possibly an ability that lets him use healing spells normally on his pieces.

    I've only found one class that looks defensive, and it's kind of meh: Knight, PHB2. Gets lots of bonuses for defending others, but can't flank or attack an opponent who isn't ready for his attack or he loses class abilities/takes stat penalties. It's like a Paladin/Blackguard with no supernatural or magical abilities, pretty poor overall, about on par with a Fighter IMHO. I still think Monk/Barbarian is a good idea, personally; the bonus to AC and the SR that a Monk gets and the DR that a Barbarian gets are the best innate defenses I could find, and the movement speed boosts are there too (Scout gets movement boosts too, but his defensive abilities only work if he moved in a round, whereas Monk and Barbarian are always active).

    As for the Pawns, I actually suggest dropping the Fighter/Rogue idea and just using the Scout class (Complete Adventurer). I think it more embodies the idea of the Pawn (the guy out in front of the rest of the army), personally, and it feels like a Fighter/Rogue crossover a little already with no tweaking. Still give some sort of sneak attack to the Grandmaster (possibly the Skirmish ability listen under Scout; less raw damage, but some boost to AC), and possibly bonus feats, but use the Scout bonus feat list shown with the class instead of fighter bonus feats. The Scout is slightly weaker than the Rogue, and slightly more powerful than the Fighter, so his power level is about the same.

    EDIT: just noticed, you list Decipher Script twice under Skills.
    Last edited by Noctis Vigil; 2011-10-13 at 01:07 AM.

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    I'd run with paladin casting, and bump it to adept if you feel it needs a boost.

    You don't necessarily need to copy astral constructs verbatim, but you might want to mine them for ideas. Astral constructs are introduced in Expanded Psionics Handbook, and there's additional support for them in Complete Psionic.
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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    I love this class. I've been thinking of creating a character for a story that uses pieces from chess as his troops and uses strategy. love the flavor

    I have a suggestion or two.

    First I think there should be more strategic bonuses. Say for example:for every additional 'pawn' adjecent to the same target each gets +1 to flanking.

    Maybe if a bishop (is that the healer) then maybe they get fast healing(repair 1)

    I personally dislike spellcasting because you see it everywhere. Spell like abilities for the pieces is a different story.

    Flavorwise I think White should be more aggressive. In chess White goes first, so if they are a WhiteMaster they get bonuses to initiative and attack bonus or damage bonus.

    Black could be the defensive one and perhaps throw in abilities like DR, deflection bonus, maybe self repair, illusions. Maybe more hit points? Maybe the BlackMaster uses tactics to debuff and exhaust his opponents.


    If you are thinking of a base ability for all the pieces regardless the color maybe each color could be slightly better in one area.

    Also I would like you to consider an ability to create a chess board which may give the pieces a boost in power. Perhaps depending on what square an adjacent enemy is on maybe sets off a debuff or them or a special tactic for the piece.

    Also. I see this person ruling battlefield control but I'd hate to see this creation do subpar in other areas. If you are having these rogue levels or simply class levels for the pieces. Then I suggest giving the Grandmaster 'Aspects' of his pieces. Aspect of the 'pawn' would be the Grandmaster gains trapfinding. Aspect of the bishop offers a weaker and limited number of turning/rebukes?

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    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by YouLostMe View Post
    Have sustained passives for your pieces. Like, each piece has some stats and some constant special defensive ability, but you can sustain some number of pieces with a nice offensive passive ability (like bleed or skirmish or Ref Save v. Being lit on fire).

    Appropriately enough....you lost me Can you elaborate?
    Quote Originally Posted by Noctis Vigil View Post
    Hmm. That spell list is a lot of buffs and the like. Some of it is good for both, but the individual White and Black lists should be more than one spell each. Also, things like Bull's Strength (+4 to one creature/character's Str) and Cat's Grace (+4 to one creature/character's Dex); there's one for each stat, and I recommend at least the two listed; they're both level 2 spells. Also, you currently have no blasting spells on the Black list; I recommend something like Fireball at least. For White, add some healing, and possibly an ability that lets him use healing spells normally on his pieces.

    Yes, I remember you mentioning those, but since they only apply to one person, it seemed out of place. Unless you were thinking he would use them on himself?

    The fireball thing. I didn't really see him as a blaster. He's like the guy in the corner doing all the strategy, not the actual dirty work. I'm willing to expand the black and white lists, but i need some spells. I can add the repair chain to the white side though And some healing


    I've only found one class that looks defensive, and it's kind of meh: Knight, PHB2. Gets lots of bonuses for defending others, but can't flank or attack an opponent who isn't ready for his attack or he loses class abilities/takes stat penalties. It's like a Paladin/Blackguard with no supernatural or magical abilities, pretty poor overall, about on par with a Fighter IMHO. I still think Monk/Barbarian is a good idea, personally; the bonus to AC and the SR that a Monk gets and the DR that a Barbarian gets are the best innate defenses I could find, and the movement speed boosts are there too (Scout gets movement boosts too, but his defensive abilities only work if he moved in a round, whereas Monk and Barbarian are always active).

    Hm. Do note they already get DR better than a barbarian's under the "construct traits". I'll give them the AC bonuses though. How about monks with d12 hd?

    As for the Pawns, I actually suggest dropping the Fighter/Rogue idea and just using the Scout class (Complete Adventurer). I think it more embodies the idea of the Pawn (the guy out in front of the rest of the army), personally, and it feels like a Fighter/Rogue crossover a little already with no tweaking. Still give some sort of sneak attack to the Grandmaster (possibly the Skirmish ability listen under Scout; less raw damage, but some boost to AC), and possibly bonus feats, but use the Scout bonus feat list shown with the class instead of fighter bonus feats. The Scout is slightly weaker than the Rogue, and slightly more powerful than the Fighter, so his power level is about the same.

    Hey! That was my original suggestion that no one commented on! Hmph. Will add back in then

    EDIT: just noticed, you list Decipher Script twice under Skills.
    Right. I'll fix that now
    Quote Originally Posted by jiriku View Post
    I'd run with paladin casting, and bump it to adept if you feel it needs a boost.

    As in, the paladin spell list? Because the paladin spell list seems mostly to be self/mount buffs, which isnt really that helpful

    You don't necessarily need to copy astral constructs verbatim, but you might want to mine them for ideas. Astral constructs are introduced in Expanded Psionics Handbook, and there's additional support for them in Complete Psionic.

    Ok. I found them. It looks good. Have you seen the stuff i've done so far with them? I introduced most of your ideas, though im planning on tweaking it a bit.
    Quote Originally Posted by Merchant View Post
    I love this class. I've been thinking of creating a character for a story that uses pieces from chess as his troops and uses strategy. love the flavor

    I have a suggestion or two.

    First I think there should be more strategic bonuses. Say for example:for every additional 'pawn' adjecent to the same target each gets +1 to flanking.

    Good call. Will do.

    Maybe if a bishop (is that the healer) then maybe they get fast healing(repair 1)

    They are healers though. Why do they need to repair? If anything the rooks should get it, as the tanks

    I personally dislike spellcasting because you see it everywhere. Spell like abilities for the pieces is a different story.

    I tried to keep this spell-casting to super limited tactical spells. Still not good?

    Flavorwise I think White should be more aggressive. In chess White goes first, so if they are a WhiteMaster they get bonuses to initiative and attack bonus or damage bonus.

    Hm. Ok. I can see that. I'd have to switch all the fluff around though

    Black could be the defensive one and perhaps throw in abilities like DR, deflection bonus, maybe self repair, illusions. Maybe more hit points? Maybe the BlackMaster uses tactics to debuff and exhaust his opponents.


    If you are thinking of a base ability for all the pieces regardless the color maybe each color could be slightly better in one area.

    Also I would like you to consider an ability to create a chess board which may give the pieces a boost in power. Perhaps depending on what square an adjacent enemy is on maybe sets off a debuff or them or a special tactic for the piece.

    I really did think of this, but it seemed so metagame to have 5 foot squares delineated on the ground....idk.

    Also. I see this person ruling battlefield control but I'd hate to see this creation do subpar in other areas. If you are having these rogue levels or simply class levels for the pieces. Then I suggest giving the Grandmaster 'Aspects' of his pieces. Aspect of the 'pawn' would be the Grandmaster gains trapfinding. Aspect of the bishop offers a weaker and limited number of turning/rebukes?

    Aha. Those are good ideas. I'll put them in under the Pawnmaster/Bishopmaster/etc if you dont mind though? That way you could specialize in something fairly well.
    Okay. Lots of great new ideas! I'll try to incorporate some (most) of this stuff by tonight, but i'm a bit exhausted IRL. My aim is to finish this by this weekend, so it will be ready for playtesting. Yep...
    My Homebrew:
    WIP
    The Fortunar Base Class: A Fortuneteller wielding a minor Deck of Many Things. Mid T3.

    Completed Classes
    The Grandmaster : A master of animated stattuettes and tactical magic. High tier 3.
    The Hidden Word: An infiltrator with a wide range of abilities that works best in small teams. Tier 2-3
    Web-Spinner: A martial class based around using webs. Mid T3.
    The True Warrior: A swift mundane martial combat class that can dodge and slice their way to victory. Low Tier 3.

  26. - Top - End - #26
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    BardGuy

    Join Date
    Oct 2011

    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Two things:

    1) Awesome concept

    2) I want to second the idea of a "check mate" capstone.

  27. - Top - End - #27
    Barbarian in the Playground
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    lost in my own mind

    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    OK, I think I found a good class for your Rook: the Shield Warrior, courtesy of the one and only NeoSeraphi. It's a class that specializes totally in shields, which means even without trying to they make great defensive partners.

    Bull's Strength and Cat's Grace are great spells to cast on your fellows and yourself in combat, or as utility spells outside of battle; they're good to have as a team buffer. Likewise, Invisibility Sphere is useful. Bestow Curse should be the crown jewel in the combat color's casting repertoire. Not sure what the show stopper should be for the healer/defense class, will have to look into it more. Maybe drop the level on a couple of the Mass spells, like Mass Bull's Strength (I think it's 5th level normally). I'm not good with spell lists at all.

  28. - Top - End - #28
    Dwarf in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2011

    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    I love the checkmate idea as well. But being a lover of games then I would like someone to come up with a 'check' ability too. I see is it as a unique summon/or teleport for the Queen. That way in your next turn you can have checkmate which is how the game works. Not sure if it should do something else as well though.

    I know this will mean a little more work but perhaps the class being used for the pieces might be different depending on color. (Sorry just really fixated on the color fluff)

  29. - Top - End - #29
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Quote Originally Posted by gabrion View Post
    Two things:

    1) Awesome concept

    2) I want to second the idea of a "check mate" capstone.

    Three votes, including the OP....guess it'll go in
    Quote Originally Posted by Noctis Vigil View Post
    OK, I think I found a good class for your Rook: the Shield Warrior, courtesy of the one and only NeoSeraphi. It's a class that specializes totally in shields, which means even without trying to they make great defensive partners.

    ...ok, thats pretty dang cool. Ok. Unless someone else suggests something, you win the round Good Job.

    Bull's Strength and Cat's Grace are great spells to cast on your fellows and yourself in combat, or as utility spells outside of battle; they're good to have as a team buffer. Likewise, Invisibility Sphere is useful. Bestow Curse should be the crown jewel in the combat color's casting repertoire. Not sure what the show stopper should be for the healer/defense class, will have to look into it more. Maybe drop the level on a couple of the Mass spells, like Mass Bull's Strength (I think it's 5th level normally). I'm not good with spell lists at all.

    Maybe. I keep thinking of him as a tactician more than a buffer though. Maybe the Masses and Bestow curse. And maybe the shpere.
    Quote Originally Posted by Merchant View Post
    I love the checkmate idea as well. But being a lover of games then I would like someone to come up with a 'check' ability too. I see is it as a unique summon/or teleport for the Queen. That way in your next turn you can have checkmate which is how the game works. Not sure if it should do something else as well though.



    I know this will mean a little more work but perhaps the class being used for the pieces might be different depending on color. (Sorry just really fixated on the color fluff)

    2 paths for color, plus 2 differnt classes (one construct, one class levels...TOO MUCH!
    Will work on this tommorow
    My Homebrew:
    WIP
    The Fortunar Base Class: A Fortuneteller wielding a minor Deck of Many Things. Mid T3.

    Completed Classes
    The Grandmaster : A master of animated stattuettes and tactical magic. High tier 3.
    The Hidden Word: An infiltrator with a wide range of abilities that works best in small teams. Tier 2-3
    Web-Spinner: A martial class based around using webs. Mid T3.
    The True Warrior: A swift mundane martial combat class that can dodge and slice their way to victory. Low Tier 3.

  30. - Top - End - #30
    Troll in the Playground
     
    jiriku's Avatar

    Join Date
    Aug 2009

    Default Re: The Grandmaster 3.5 Base Class PEACH

    Oh, no no no. Paladin spell list is mostly worthless for this class. A quick list of spells I think would be appropriate:

    4th: rary's telepathic bond
    3rd: allegro, haste, mass curse of impending blades
    2nd: battlehymn, curse of impending blades, mass snake's swiftness, harmonic chorus, know opponent, speak to allies, tactical precision
    1st: know vulnerabilities, targeting ray

    I'm sure there are more as well.
    Subclasses for 5E: magus of blades, shadowcraft assassin, spellthief, void disciple
    Guides for 5E: Practical fiend-binding

    D&D Remix for 3.x: balanced base classes and feats, all in the authentic flavor of the originals. Most popular: monk and fighter.


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