| Vladimir Thomas |
Hello fellow paizonians. This is my attempt in making a DEX-based warrior class for an E6 game (ergo the lack of levels above 6). I understand that the swashbuckler is being developed to fill this niche, but I am not that big on panache / grit mechanics, as I prefer to keep things a bit simpler.
This is my first time trying to create a custom class, so I have no idea if it is horribly underpowered or overpowered. Therefore, constructive feedback would be very much appreciated! I have also used class features from published paizo classes, so I must give credit where it's due.
Hit Die: d10
Class skills: Acrobatics, Climb, Craft, Handle Animal, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (Geography), Knowledge (Nature), Perception, Profession, Stealth, Survival, Swim
Skill ranks: 6+INT modifier
BAB Progression: High (like fighter)
Saves: 2 good (Fortitude, Reflex), one bad (Will)
Proficiencies: A skirmisher is proficient with all simple weapons and all light and one-handed martial weapons. Skirmishers are proficient with light armor, bucklers, and light shields.
Class features (explained below):
Level 1: Finesse, fast attack
Level 2: Fast movement, Skirmisher ability
Level 3: Silent and swift
Level 4: Skirmisher ability, Bonus feat
Level 5: Area of expertise
Level 6: Blinding speed, skirmisher ability
List of abilities and class features:
Combat finesse (Ex): A skirmisher can attack with finesse when wearing light armor or no armor and carrying a light shield, a buckler or no shield. The skirmisher must also be carrying a light load. Combat finesse can be used when attacking with any light melee weapon, one-handed piercing melee weapon, a cutlass or a scimitar. When these conditions are met, the skirmisher can use his dexterity modifier on attack rolls, instead of his strength modifier.
Fast attack (Ex): When using combat finesse and making a full-attack action, the skirmisher can attack one additional time. All attacks suffer a -2 penalty when using fast attack. The skirmisher applies only half his strength modifier on all weapon damage rolls when using fast attack.
Fast movement (Ex): The skirmisher’s land speed increases by 10 feet when wearing no armor or light armor and carrying a light load.
Skirmisher ability (Ex): The skirmisher can select one of the following abilities.
1. Cautious fighting: The skirmisher can add half his Intelligence or Wisdom modifier (round down) to his armor class. If the skirmisher loses his dexterity bonus to AC, this bonus is also denied. The choice between Intelligence and Wisdom is made when selecting this ability. Once made, it is final.
2. Resilience: The skirmisher can add half his Intelligence or Wisdom modifier (round down) to all his saves. The choice between Intelligence and Wisdom is made when selecting this ability. Once made, it is final.
3. Swift slinging: The skirmisher can reload a sling as a swift action. He can do so when using his “shield arm”, but only if wearing a buckler or a light shield. In addition, he can attack rapidly when using sling. This allows him to attack one additional time with a sling when using the full-attack action. All attacks suffer a -2 penalty when doing so, and only half the skirmisher’s strength bonus is applied on damage rolls (round down).
4. Javelin expert: The skirmisher can draw javelins as free actions. In addition, he can attack rapidly when using a javelin. This allows him to attack one additional time with a sling when using the full-attack action. All attacks suffer a -2 penalty when doing so, and only half the skirmisher’s strength bonus is applied on damage rolls (round down).
5. Fast yet focused: The skirmisher reduces the -2 penalty to -1 when using the fast attack class feature. This applies to the “swift slinging” and “javelin expert” abilities as well.
6. Expert hurler: The slinger doubles the range of thrown weapons and slings when moving before attacking. Any type of movement qualifies, including a 5-foot step. In addition, the base damage increases by one size category (i.e. 1d3 becomes 1d4, 1d4 becomes 1d6, 1d6 becomes 1d8 and 1d8 becomes 2d6).
7. Parry: This ability can be used a number of times per day equal to the skirmisher’s Intelligence or Wisdom modifier. The choice between Intelligence and Wisdom is made when selecting this ability. Once made, it is final.
When wielding a melee weapon and using combat finesse, the skirmisher can attempt to parry incoming melee attacks. He must choose to parry after the enemy declares his attack, but before he resolves it. The skirmisher then makes an attack using his highest attack bonus (substituting the strength modifier with the dexterity modifier). If the enemy’s attack is lower than the skirmisher’s result, the attack fails; otherwise, the attack hits normally. Either way, a use of this ability is expended.
Parry is not effective against attacks made with natural weapons.
8. Counterattack: To select counterattack, the skirmisher must have the parry ability. Counterattack allows the skirmisher to make an attack as an immediate action against an enemy, after successfully parrying that enemy’s attack. The attack is made at the skirmisher’s highest attack bonus.
9. Projectile protection: If a skirmisher, as a free action, kneels behind a shield (but not a buckler), he gains a +5 bonus to his armor class against all ranged attacks, instead of the normal +2 bonus. The -2 penalty on melee attacks while kneeling remains. Getting up from a kneeling position becomes a free action.
10. Heavy shield expert: The skirmisher gains proficiency in heavy shields. In addition, all class features that work while using a light shield, now also work with a heavy shield.
Silent and swift (Ex): The skirmisher gains a +1 dodge bonus to armor class while wearing light or no armor. If the skirmisher loses his dexterity bonus to AC, this bonus is also denied. The skirmisher also gains a +1 bonus on Stealth checks.
Bonus feat: The skirmisher gains a bonus combat feat.
Area of expertise (Ex): The skirmisher must choose two of the following skills: Acrobatics, Climb, Handle Animal, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (Nature), Perception, Stealth, Survival, Swim. He gains a +2 bonus on these skills.
Blinding speed (Ex): The skirmisher can use the fast attack ability as a standard action. This allows him to attack twice as a standard action. Both attacks are made with the skirmisher highest base attack bonus, but suffer a -2 penalty. If the skirmisher has the fast yet focused ability, the penalty is reduced to -1.
Thanks for taking the time to read this!