New base classes for review / playtesting ...

[Brian M Moran]

Hello Everyone,

I recently published a book (in cooperation with the incredible Amora Game) and now I find myself working on another set of base classes. However, this set will be tackled in a different way. I didn't want to spend weeks of writing, creating and development only to have the new product(s) unwanted or worse still; disliked! Which brings me here today. I wanted to hear everyone's feedback (basically like an open playtest) on the new material that I am putting together. This way I can gauge what people really want and ensure that the new material is a better success than my previous attempt.

Without further ado I present to you the Malefic Host as well as the Sciath Laoch. I won't go into great detail. Instead give them a read through. I have also enabled comments just in case you want to mention something a bit more specific. These classes are still in development so bits and pieces might seem a bit unpolished.:P

I am hoping that you will find the following two new classes both unique and interesting:

Malefic Host

Sciath Laoch

Cheers
Brian

[Here4daFreeSwag]

Good to see two new free playtest classes. ;)

[Oceanshieldwolf]

Malefic Host looks like a fun class, like a Gauntlet Witch that can't lose her gauntlet. ;) Lots of potential for talents, and plenty of room for archetypes.

I disagree with comments saying to change the name. I'm quite happy for Sciath Laoch rather than anything/Guardian.

Having said that, thematically I can't see spell casting fit this at all, particularly arcane, and while heavily armoured. Give it Full BAB, and get creative with the aegis.

[Oceanshieldwolf]

@Brian - also check out THIS product/thread. Seems thematically similar to the Malefic Host. Has some links at the bottom to more content on d20PFSRD.

[Brian M Moran]

Whelp ... apologies for missing these comments! RL has been hectic and my free time to play/develop has basically dwindled to nothing.

Here4daFreeSwag wrote:

Good to see two new free playtest classes. ;)

Anything free is a good thing:) Especially if you like it! Let me know what you liked/disliked.

Oceanshieldwolf wrote:

Malefic Host looks like a fun class, like a Gauntlet Witch that can't lose her gauntlet. ;) Lots of potential for talents, and plenty of room for archetypes.

Glad ya like it OSW. I agree there's a ton of potential for archetypes. My focus will be on implementing only a core set (demonic, angelic, eldritch, and necrotic).

Oceanshieldwolf wrote:

I disagree with comments saying to change the name. I'm quite happy for Sciath Laoch rather than anything/Guardian.

Awesome! I was pretty set on keeping this name.

Oceanshieldwolf wrote:

Having said that, thematically I can't see spell casting fit this at all, particularly arcane, and while heavily armoured. Give it Full BAB, and get creative with the aegis.

This is something that I have fought with for some time: casting or no casting. Thematically I can see the argument for it not fitting. However, as the ability is a quasi magical manifestation I like the idea of combining a truly focused spellcaster with a unique defensive ability. Also, spellcasting allows me to add on carrier effects to the aegis in a simple yet perfectly balanced progression (especially when using abilities that provide a bonus of x where x is the level of the spell). As it stands there are a ton of options and abilities for the aegis. This is only the start. Once I have more time this list will grow.

Oceanshieldwolf wrote:

@Brian - also check out THIS product/thread. Seems thematically similar to the Malefic Host. Has some links at the bottom to more content on d20PFSRD.

Many thanks for that link! Any bit of inspiration is helpful.:)

Based on these responses I will pursue this further in order to produce an actual product. My other question for everyone is this: Do you prefer small (very well priced) focused products or combined products that feature a multitude of classes/feats/archetypes etc?

Cheers
Brian

[Brian M Moran]

Oh I just thought of something else ... instead of spellcasting I could add in a pool instead. I will have to ponder this further.

[TheAntiElite]

Very much digging these.

Onligatory Manga thematic question - have you considered an archetype where, rather than the arm being perpetually on display, it is an activation triggered effect? While the comic inferences most obvious have an always on aspect, I wonder if a more Spiritualist flavored version would be viable option for those who draw more of their inspiration from, say, Sado from Bleach or the protagonist from High School DxD or sCRYed than Witchblade.

[Brian M Moran]

TheAntiElite wrote:

Very much digging these.

Onligatory Manga thematic question - have you considered an archetype where, rather than the arm being perpetually on display, it is an activation triggered effect? While the comic inferences most obvious have an always on aspect, I wonder if a more Spiritualist flavored version would be viable option for those who draw more of their inspiration from, say, Sado from Bleach or the protagonist from High School DxD or sCRYed than Witchblade.

Very happy you like them!

As far as having a "activation" trigger for the arm I was going to go with a feat instead. It's a nice and simple solution. Basically you'll be able to turn your arm off/on.:)

On another note I have drafted up another version of the Sciath Laoch. This one is full BAB and no spellcasting per se. Instead they gain an "Abjurant Pool". Let me know what you think. There will also be an ability that allows them to spend pool points to cast abjuration spells of up to 6th level. The cost in points will be equal to the level of the spell cast.

Sciath Laoch.v2

Cheers
Brian

PS sCRYed = win:)

[Oceanshieldwolf]

While I don't really understand the Overcharge schtick I think the magus-esque Abjurant Pool is a fairly simple and effective replacement that I much prefer thematically to spellcasting.

As to your general sales question: I think you are better off with focused but supported products rather than a grab bag. The grab bag takes much longer to develop, play test and produce and can suffer from weak participles - in terms of base classes - polish them, give them plenty of feat, FCB and archetype support - put as much as you can to give people as many options as the concept can stand. You can always make a "More/Expanded...." follow up.

The grab bag also suffers from being unfocused for consumers - they may not want 70% of the products contents and as such you will lose potential customers.

[Brian M Moran]

Hey OSW,

Thanks for the great advice and excellent insight. It's much appreciated. In light of what you mentioned above I have done some revisions to the sciath laoch. I think it's pretty good now. The base class still needs a bit more work but overall it's close to being finished. Then I can start work on feat support/archetypes/ACFs.

On the other hand I made a huge mistake in writing up the malefic host. Now I am stuck pretty much reworking the chassis so that I can more easily incorporate the 4 distinct types of "hosts"(demonic/angelic/necrotic/eldritch).

Cheers
Brian

[khadgar567]

love the malefic host