So most of my homebrew changes to the Rogue worked for a time but my players grew tired of it because they couldn't experiment with archetypes with it.
So I wanted an alternate base class to experiment with and modify. It's more powerful than the Rogue, but it is still a 3/4 BAB, one good save class. It does have quite a few interesting features.
The most ALPHA section are the Skill Knacks. They are not well balanced, but I have some plans. They would work kind of like Mysteries when I'm done.
Link fixed! Any comments?
EDIT: Also, props to Ciaran Barnes for the inspiration.
The layout is really easy to read. Thats a huge deal. I like the knacks too, but think they will need some fine tuning. For example, using Climb in place of CMB to grapple may be too easy to abuse, and tumbling should be rephrased to moving through threatened squares.
Overall, the skill knacks, while not balanced against each other very well yet, are still balanced fairly well against other customizable class features so I have no real criticism there, but cunning recovery needs the old nerf bat.
Being able to regain cunning on attacks of opportunity is a major no-no since combat reflexes breaks this ability in half (reach builds could easily gain 3+ uses back per round), and since so many abilities rely on cunning being a limited pool of points they're far too strong when they become basically at will. I have a Barbarian that can get 20+ attacks of opportunity in in a round, it's not hard to get them if you're trying. A better mechanic would be if you recovered cunning from kills and crits, which is much more in line with other abilities that can recover their limited pools throughout the day. Forcing rerolls is a powerful ability, turning into a super-pugwampi because you can do it all the time? Too powerful.
Other than that, the class seems like a nice bump compared to the standard rogue and has the bonus to-hit on sneak attacks that the rogue desperately needs so as a whole gets an approval.
Easily fixed -- added a line saying that Cunning Recovery cannot be triggered more than once per round.
Remember - the Knave needs to hit with the AoO too, and as a 3/4 BAB class, they need to make sure they get Dastardly Strike to ensure they hit, or at least use Cunning, which may in turn remove resources.
I'm thinking about decoupling the Skill bonuses from the extra feats, and making something like "Skill Knack" which only adds +skills, and then a "Combat Specialization" which is a package of feats.