The savage lord possesses thematic traits of both the ranger and the bard. I have been continuing to work on this since March, when I have been able to spare some time anyways.
Of course, all responses are welcome, but mostly I am looking for input on:
-How will the power level of this class hold up at low, medium, and high levels compared to other non-caster classes? This kind of analysis does not come easily to me.
-Are there places where the language leave holes in how an ability works, or have I left something open for abuse?
***The Savage Lord***
As a final note, at the bottom of the document is my very first attempt at an archetype.
Great flavor all around! Well done in succeeding in making a wilderness class with it's own fresh identity. More people should see and comment on this, though.
cricket sounds...
+30 feat of speed from heirloom boots? Savage lords gotta go fast, apparently.
I think you could let warrior's calling last a while. As it stands, I am not sure how often it would see use since full attacks are still going to be pretty precious. I say just let the bonuses last a minute.
Then again: what do you consider an ability-based check? Does that include attack rolls?
Thank you for your response.
The speed bonus is an enhancement bonus, so that it doesn't stack with magic items, spells, etc. I took pains to make sure that heirloom bonus types were of the usual sort that magic items have.
For warrior's calling, I see what you're saying. This is something I have gone back and forth on. Should I let it become a swift action to activate at a certain level (probably 8th, maybe 6th), the way bardic performance does? Maybe I work it so that (at the approproiate level) he can activate as a swift, or as the haste version as a move?
I know what I consider ability-based checks, but the game's definition is not 100% clear, as evidenced by forum threads where it is argued. I wrote it that way because when similar effects list the specific types of checks they affect, I feel that they can become useless certain kinds of characters. And I like brevity, sometimes to my detriment.
To me, ability based checks include ability score checks (str, dex, con) and skill checks. It also included some other specific abilities that are also ability checks, such as initiative, stabilization, wild empathy, and some others. This ability previosuly included attacks, but I removed it. I forget exactly why. Should I remove "ability-based checks" and write it out more specifically? What do you think about the inclusion of attacks?
Well, I think that if it included attacks then I feel the move action is appropriate. It is like the class has a really good aid ally a few times a day in that case.
Instead of making the ability a swift action, I would expand it so that it can be used as a move action or as part of a charge. That would get the ability more use and I feel like a savage lord could inspire his allies with the ferocity of his charge.
Your suggestions have been implemented.