| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Hey guys, so I made a Phoenix Disciple PrC.
Similar in concept to the Dragon Disciple, but rather than being a gish that becomes monstrous, the Phoenix Disciple is a front-liner that gains supernatural powers themed with elemental might and renewal. Fire is the most common element, but one could easily be a Cryophoenix Disciple, or similar offshoot. My world view allows for phoenixes of other elements.
Design-wise, this class adds utility to martials without increasing their raw damage output, which is already strong point. Wreathed in Glory is fairly weak damage that I expect to be fully resisted by enemies about 33% of the time, however it serves in doing damage to swarms. Blaze of Glory likewise is an option against swarms (and invisible opponents).
Martials often become spell-drains on their caster pals, forcing them to provide them a means of flight to get to the foe, or cast boring healing spells rather than cool spells. The PD still enjoys receiving buff spells, but can provide himself with flight and healing to lighten the load on the party.
So that's my thought process on the design. I'd appreciate feedback. Some abilities could be moved around and fine-tuned. Level 6 and 7 are barren besides earlier abilities scaling, which isn't particularly fun.
I can't really think of prerequisites that I like for this. I considered a fluff prerequisite of needing to have died and been brought back, but that doesn't really do anything besides encourage players that want to enter the PrC to commit suicide once and then be dandy.
I enjoy the flavour you gave to the Phoenix Disciple, but I feel it's actually underpowered. Given how much of the PrC hinges on Wreathed in Glory, a duration of rounds/day equal to levels in the PrC is just not enough. It's probably better to make it rounds/level, usuable a number of times equal to the character's Wisdom (or Con, or Cha) bonus per day. Obviously, in that case it should not be possible to sub-divide it into smaller usages.
Hm, I agree that the base pool of rounds should be larger. Maybe 3+Con/day, for rounds=level.
3+Con works. I really like this class, by the way.
If you go the 3+Con route, make sure it's at least a move action to activate it. If it's a swift or less, that amounts to it being on every round of every fight in a day, which seems much too good. I'd personally stick to 1+Con or even straight Con times per day. Con is already a primary stat for this type of character, given that they are front line combatants.
PS. I think it would be awesome to take barbarian into Phoenix Disciple. Sounds very thematic, even if you have to make up the "totem" powers yourself. Likewise, Ranger would work well, and especially for a Dragonlance campaign (Habbakuk, anyone?). I know there's the Phoenix of Habbakuk PrC in the 'Holy Order of the Stars' book already, but that's 3.5 and not as neat as this one.
Think I'll take another look this weekend. 3+Con/day sounds healthier.
I also think Barbarian Totems would be very cool, I'll brainstorm on what those could do without overlapping the PrC.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Thanks!
I'm also working on a Couatl Disciple, which includes my take on a tanking mechanic.
Should be up later today.
dot
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
On one hand, these powers don't have unified mechanics. On the other hand, show me a totem that does.
Phoenix Totem, Lesser (Su)
The Trailblazer
Benefit: While raging and using the overrun maneuver or charging, the barbarian ignores difficult terrain and allies. The barbarian adds 1d6 fire damage plus an additional 1d6 fire damage per four levels to the attack he makes at the end of his charge, and to all creatures he succeeded his overrun maneuver on.
Phoenix Totem(Su)
Fire burns away impurity
Prerequisite: Barbarian 6, Lesser Phoenix Totem
Benefit: While raging, whenever the Barbarian fails a save and suffers an effect other than damage, he may as an immediate action reroll the save. If he succeeds on the second roll, he negates the effect and deals fire damage to himself equal to his level.
Phoenix Totem, Greater(Su)
What doesn't kill me just is just fuel for my fire
Prerequisite: Barbarian 10, Lesser Phoenix Totem, Phoenix Totem
Benefit: While raging, whenever the barbarian reduces damage that would he would be dealt (whether through damage reduction, energy resistance, or another ability), add the prevented amount as fire damage to your attacks for the duration of this rage (damage from this ability stacks with itself up to your level).
Phoenix Totem was 65% Yang inspired, may need to add laser pointer some sort of laser distraction ability given today's episode.
I like the idea of this Phoenix Disciple. It's very neat.