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This is an archetype I made for one of my players. Please comment with constructive criticism.
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The Elemental Master strives to become one with the winds, stones, flames, and waves. She travels the world, seeking audience with the genies and learning what she can from the myriad elemental races. Although she is specialized with a particular element, she seeks to master them all before her time runs out.
Elemental Lore (Ex)
An elemental master gains a +2 bonus on Knowledge (planes) checks and that is treated as a class skill for the character.
This ability replaces nature sense.
Nature Bond
An elemental master must select a single elemental domain from the Air, Earth, Fire, Water domains, or any subdomain of those domains. This represents her favored element. She cannot choose an animal companion as part of her nature bond.
This ability alters nature bond.
Elemental Empathy (Ex)
An elemental master can use her wild empathy ability with elementals and genies as a full-round action with a +4 bonus.
This ability alters wild empathy.
Elemental Transformation (Su)
At 2nd level, an elemental master may adopt an elemental aspect while retaining her normal form. She gains one of the following bonuses depending on which element she wishes to emulate:
Air: Feather Fall as the Sorcerer/Wizard spell (personal only)
Earth: 20-foot burrow speed
Fire: +30 feet to her land speed
Water: gains the amphibious universal monster ability, allowing her to breathe water or air
While using elemental transformation, the elemental master may speak normally and can cast Elemental Speech (elementals and genies only) at will. Using this ability is a standard action at 2nd level, a move action at 7th level, and a swift action at 12th level. The elemental master can use this ability for a number of minutes per day equal to her druid level. These minutes do not need to be consecutive, but they must be used in 1-minute increments. This is a polymorph effect and cannot be used while the druid is using another polymorph effect, such as wild shape. Only one elemental transformation can be used at one time.
This ability replaces woodland stride.
Elemental Form (Su)
At 4th level, an elemental master can only use wild shape to take the form of a Small elemental. When taking the form of an elemental, the druid's wild shape functions as elemental body I.
At 6th level, an elemental master can use wild shape to change into a Medium elemental as elemental body II.
At 8th level, an elemental master can use wild shape to change into a Large elemental as elemental body III. Furthermore, an elemental master’s wild shape ability functions at her druid level – 4 when transforming into an animal.
At 10th level, an elemental master can use wild shape to change into a Huge elemental as elemental body IV.
At 12th level, an elemental master adds the Advanced simple template to her wild shape elemental form.
If an elemental master takes on the form of an elemental matching the element of her domain or subdomain ability per nature bond, her wild shape ability functions at her level +2. If this raises the effective level to 14 or greater, the elemental master also adds the Giant simple template to her wild shape elemental form.
Elemental masters cannot use wild shape to take the form of plant creatures.
This ability alters wild shape.
Elemental Summons (Su)
At 5th level, an elemental master may cast summon nature’s ally as a standard action to summon elementals, and summoned elementals gain temporary hit points equal to her druid level. She can cast Summon Nature’s Ally II at 5th level, Summon Nature’s Ally IV at 7th level, Summon Nature’s Ally V at 9th level, Summon Nature’s Ally VI at 11th level, Summon Nature’s Ally VII at 13th level, and Summon Nature’s Ally VIII at 15th level. At 17th level, a single elder elemental with the advanced template can be summoned. Only elementals can be summoned with this ability. This ability may be used a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
This ability replaces a thousand faces.
Elemental Aura (Su)
At 8th level, an elemental master’s melee attack deals +1d6 points of energy damage (acid, cold, electricity, or fire). She chooses what kind of energy damage that she deals each time she attacks.
This ability replaces the additional use of wild shape at 8th level.
Bonus Feat
At 9th level and every 4 levels thereafter, an elemental master gains one of the following bonus feats: Combat Casting, Elemental Focus, Elemental Spell, Magical Aptitude, and Skill Focus (Knowledge [Planes]). She must meet the prerequisites for these bonus feats.
This ability replaces venom immunity.
Currently running an Elemental Shaman in a homebrew. Similar concept, slightly different changes. Based, in general, on the Ape/Bear/etc Shaman.
Elemental Shaman
Nature Bond
An elemental shaman must choose from the Air, Earth, Fire, and Water domains.
Wild Empathy (Ex)
A elemental shaman can use wild empathy with elementals as a full-round action with a +4 bonus.
Totem Transformation (Su)
At 2nd level, a elemntal shaman may adopt an aspect of the elemental while retaining her normal form. She gains one of the following bonuses:
movement (a movement bonus based on her domain, the druid must be 5th level to select this bonus)
Domain: Elemental Movement
Air: Fly 60 feet (average)
Earth: Burrow 30 feet
Fire: +30 feet base speed
Water: Swim 60 feet
senses (darkvision 60 ft)
toughness (+2 natural armor bonus to AC, energy resistance 5, based on domain )
natural weapons (slam [1d8+ 1d6 (acid, cold, electricty, or fire based on domain)] for a Medium shaman, +2 to CMB on grapple checks)
While using totem transformation, the elemental shaman may speak normally and can speak with elementals (as speak with animals) at will. Using this ability is a standard action at 2nd level, a move action at 7th level, and a swift action at 12th level. The elemental shaman can use this ability for a number of minutes per day equal to her druid level. These minutes do not need to be consecutive, but they must be used in 1-minute increments. This is a polymorph effect and cannot be used while the druid is using another polymorph effect, such as wild shape.
Totemic Summons (Su)
At 5th level, a elemental shaman may cast summon nature’s ally as a standard action when summoning elementals, and summoned elementals gain temporary hit points equal to her druid level. She can apply the young template to any elemental to reduce the level of the summoning spell required by one. She can also increase the level of summoning required by one in order to apply either the advanced or the giant template, or increase it by two to apply both the advanced and giant templates.
This ability replaces a thousand faces.
Wild Shape (Su)
At 6th level, a elemental shaman’s wild shape ability functions at her druid level – 2. If she takes on the form of a elemental, she instead uses her druid level + 2.
Bonus Feat
At 9th level and every 4 levels thereafter, a elemental shaman gains one of the following bonus feats: Skill Focus (planes), Lightning Reflexes, Improved Lightning Reflexes, Elemental Focus, Greater Elemental Focus. She must meet the prerequisites for these bonus feats.
This ability replaces venom immunity.
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casiel: Too powerful. Your archetype is very similar to the animal shamans, but you don't delay wild shape, the elemental transformation benefit for fire grants +30 ft speed compared to +10ft for the animal totems, and your elemental form grants additional bonuses on top of getting elemental forms two levels ahead of a normal druid. Elemental aura is also a good trade since form access is more important than uses/day, especially if you have Druid's Vestments (which are cheaper than a flaming AoMF even before you add other enhancements and consider the ability to change weapon type and affect manufactured weapons).
While most of the animal totem archetypes are considered weak, this is due to a combination of the lack of good summoning options for totemic summons, and the lack of good wild shape options for your totem. The lion and saurian shaman are exceptions - they have better options and are considered good archetypes. Elementals, like cats and dinosaurs, are similarly good summons and strong wild shape options, so this will be overall better than the already good lion/saurian shaman archetypes.
Cid Ayrbourne's looks better, though Elemental Lore from casiel's would be a good addition and the feats list could be adjusted to taste. Elemental Spell is a good option.