Brian M Moran's page

My favorite take on the trope is the Nightblade (Path of Shadows) from Ascension Games (though it's 3/4 BAB), followed by the antipodist-classes in Ultimate Antipodism by Interjection Games. The Nightblade would be the full BAB class there; it rocks hard and is my favorite shadowy-full-BAB-class. And it has an archetype that removes the light/shadow-duality and makes it all shadow.

RGG's Shadow Warrior isn't bad, either, though not as good as the two aforementioned classes.

Also: Thanks for being professional about the review and taking the criticism in the constructive spirit it is intended.

Ah, yes, the Nightblade is awesome. Although for me it's another take on the rogue and not a warrior per se. I think I purchased that book the second it was released. Such excellent writing.:)

Haven't picked up the Ultimate Antipodism yet. In light of what you've mentioned above that will change sooner rather than later.

Cheers
Brian

... snip

I would like to thank you for such a well thought out and detailed review Endzeitgeist! It's this kind of response that will help me sharpen my writing skills in order produce higher caliber material in the future.

As a side note which other 3PP classes do the "shadowy" warrior schtick better? I have read a ton of them and I have never been blown out of the water. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: I will slowly work on a revision in order to improve the overall book. Not sure how long this will take but once completed I will send it your way.:)

Cheers
Brian

I saw the post about the godhand but not the class itself. Here I can see the playtest version...

My personal inspirations were Hellboy, Vladyn from Valdis Story, and Corum [lus any amount of cybernetic characters with artificial arms/hands. My idea behind the class was less about having possessed hand and more having a transplant/artifical hand, with wider array of power sources (beyond celestial, fiendish, undead, and magical arms included things such transplanted aberrant tentacles, fey-imbued, draconic claws, pieces of inevitables, etc.).

The resemblance goes beyond the general imagery, though still along more or less obvious extrapolations from the general idea - e.g. shield bonus to AC, though mine is scaled differently and instead of being an automatic ability requires selecting the right talent (which also grants Deflect Missiles as a bonus feat).

I really enjoy seeing other peoples thought process when it comes to certain design ideas. It always surprises me how similar the core aspects can be. Personally I kept to the core host types because I was going to craft addons at a later time which incorporated aberration hosts (cthonic), fey hosts as well as a new type of host which are actually grafts (i.e. inevitable, "bionic" etc etc). Hopefully this picks up some steam and the class gets published in some fashion.

Some other differences: No mechanical aspect to conflict between the master and the arm. Grants a primary natural attack selected from claw, slam, and tentacle but does not modify unarmed strike. Selectable talents are on even levels instead of being spread every three levels after 2nd. Favored Fortitude and Refex saves instead of Fortitude and Will.

I haven't got to designing power points and their expenditure, though unlike you I wanted them to be quickly expended resource but at the same time less powerful than daily points.

Please feel free to post your version ... I would love to see in which direction you took this wonderful concept.

Cheers
Brian

Actually that's pretty funny. Apparently a ton of folks have been working on something similar. When I first posted my class Little Red Goblin Games PM'd me advising that they were releasing the Godhand. They were nice enough to also link their google doc containing the draft version. What was even more surprising was that the inspirational art which they were using exactly matched what I had as well.:P

I chalk this up to great minds think alike and all that jazz.:)

Cheers
Brian

Hey Khadgar,

Very happy that you are liking the class! I have thought about introducing other emotions so that fury techniques could be swapped out for passion techniques or covetous techniques. However, this would require a huge amount of additional writing. If the class did well and people seemed interested I would probably write up the optional material as a free addon .pdf. Right now though the reason why its based on anger and fury is because the entity has been enslaved in someones arm.:p Which would really PO anybody.

As a side note the sinister secrets have been updated. At this stage it needs a few edits (read a lot:p) and playtesting.

Cheers
Brian

Hey All,

Here is the revamped malefic host base class I promised! As I mentioned in my previous thread this class has gone through a complete revamp so that I could better incorporate the different types of hosts. Please check out the new doc and let me know what you think. I am hoping some brave souls would be willing to play test this bad boy. Any and all comments are welcome (comments have been enabled on the google page as well).

Revised Malefic Host can be found here.

Please note that I have to add in the Sinister Secret options for the angelic, necrotic and magic hosts still. They will appear this evening.:)

Cheers
Brian

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

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:)

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

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

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.

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).

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.

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.

@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

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

Got my review up - sorry it took so long.

Of the 4 I loved the Aether Blade the most as personal taste. I love Mage/Fighter stuff.

Thanks for the review Lord Mhoram! Like you I love mage/fighter types and have played several spellswords and other gish-types in my time.:P I am very pleased that you'll be allowing all of the new classes in your games! There's no greater compliment for a game designer.

As a side note - I am working on another set of base classes which focus more on defense. One of them is almost done (the Malefic Host) the other one is yet another mage/fighter one called Sciath Forsa. They both introduce a unique mechanic based on being struck in combat. The Malefic Host uses Fury Techniques and the Sciath Forsa uses an Aegis-like affect to protect his comrades. I will be posting the classes once I am done the rough drafts as I would like to obtain community feedback on them.:)

Cheers
Brian

Thanks for the review Malwing! I really appreciate the in-depth look at the product and the breakdown of each class. What else would you like to see for the Verdant Blade? Let me know as I wanted to put together a sort of free Web Enhancement for the product.

I love hearing what people like most about the product. It's always so random. Many folks loved the Shadow Blade and Vital Blade but were lukewarm regarding the other two. I consider it a success as long as at least one of these classes can make it to someones gaming table.

Cheers
Brian

PS Apologies for the late reply but RL and work has been taking up most of my time over the last week or so.

Brian M Moran wrote:

@Malwing - AG has advised you should have your review copy now.

I got mine and downloaded. Review should pop up early next week on my blog first then on Paizo.

Whoops! Somehow I missed this post Malwing. Apologies for that. Looking forward to your review.:)

Cheers
Brian

In Dreamscarred Press publications the Cryptic gets it at 10th, the Shroud Marksman at 7th, and the War Soul Soulknife can get it at 8th level.

Drop Dead Studios gets it at 10th for Fey Adept (while close to dim light).

Rite Publishing and Mark Seifter's Masquerade Reveler can do it as early as 5th level.

This isn't a complete list, but I believe that other 3PP have classes or feats to access Hide in Plain Sight significantly earlier than 17th level. Many would consider this class feature to be the class feature to be effective at stealth since without it sneaking becomes near impossible in many cinematic situations.

Paizo isn't the only stick to measure your materials by since the third party market has a will completely separate from the first party market, but even Paizo seems to have realized how important this feature is as the Slayer can get access to Hide in Plain Sight at 10th level using Slayer Camouflage. If they made an Unchained Ranger I wouldn't be surprised if HiPS got moved up to level 10-12.

I can understand what you mean Insain Dragoon. You've made an excellent point. However, in this case "the" main schtick of the class is the ability to move around and stealth while wearing heavy armour. I believe that this has been accomplished. The Slayer obtains it earlier due to it being a hybrid class. When these classes were originally created hybrids didn't exist so I measured their overall power to the base/core classes. Obviously this was only to try and gauge the relative strength of each new class.

In truth this has piqued my spidy senses. I will speak of this to AG.

I really like the classes presented in this book :) Also I like that the archetypes offer a different style of play for each of the classes. If I were to add anything it would be either some new spells for the Verdant Blade or a couple discounted spells since the Druid list 1-4 isn't renowned for its strength. Also Bloodrager style caster level would be a nice little boon since the most useful Druid spells are all about their long duration.

Very happy you like the classes. Just an FYI, the Verdant Blade might be getting a slight update. Going to tweak it slightly in order to better align it with my vision of what the class should be.

Cheers
Brian

Canvas of Cuts on Vital Blade is a bonus to natural armor while Arboreal Armor on the Verdant Blade is an enhancement bonus to natural armor. Is it intentional that they grant different kinds of bonuses? The difference in wording makes the Vital Blade benefit from Canvas of Cuts+an amulet of natural armor while the Verdant Blade cannot benefit from an Amulet of natural armor.

Whelp ... I have no idea how I managed to miss that one! Good catch Insain Dragoon. Canvas of Cuts should be an enhancement bonus. This will be revised.

Also the Shadow Blade's Hide in Plain Sight option comes in at 16th level while most Hide in Plain Sight abilities from Paizo and other 3PP come in between 7th and 11th level. Most campaigns don't last till 16th level, so it would be super cool if it could be dropped to at somewhere in the 7-11 range.

I recall in my playtests that the ability was originally available at 12th level. However, it made for a potent combination when combined with fullplate a greatsword and a meanstreak a mile long.;) I would absolutely understand if folks wanted to lower the requirement (lets say to 12th level) for their own games. This also keeps the ability more inline with the ranger (another stealthy full BAB class) which also gains Hide in Plain Sight albeit at 17th level.

Cheers
Brian

@Malwing - AG has advised you should have your review copy now.

@Nata Z - Thanks for the fyi! Looking forward to your review.

Cheers
Brian

Hey Malwing,

I have sent a notification to AG for your free review copy.

Cheers
Brian

Hello Everyone,

Just in case anybody was interested in having a copy there is still 1 free copy up for grabs. Please let us know if anybody is interested.

Cheers
Brian

File updated. New feat also added.

Much appreciated AG!

Cheers
Brian

For Arcane Bulwark and Arcane Celerity, it says they act as spell-like abilities, but don't list what level of spell they act as (necessary for concentration checks, though swift actions mean you don't have to worry about casting defensively, but there's still entangled/riding a horse/grappled), nor what the caster level is (admittedly, I doubt many would bother with dispelling something that only lasts a round, presuming they're aware of that, but still). I know they're based off of arcane strike, but that's not a spell-like ability, so doesn't share these issues...

This part "that acts as a spell-like ability," of the ability is an artifact left over from an earlier version. Apologies for not catching that earlier. For now please omit that part.:p

I haven't had time to go over this in depth, though, so the only other thing that sprung out at me was this line on page 4, "All damages are based on medium sized, and are adjusted one-step if the aether blade is a small or medium creature, as appropriate."

a) "sized" should be size or sizes?

b) "small or medium"? Since the basic version is Medium, shouldn't it be Small or Large?

c) Standard for Pathfinder material is to capitalize actual size categories like Small, Medium, and Large, if only to try and avoid confusion for something that is merely descriptively large (ie, a Small spider is rather alarmingly large, while not Large, and not very small). It's clear here what you meant, but I still prefer keeping to the conventions there.

d) As written, it only adjusts sizes for Small or Medium (or likely, Large); you should possibly include the possibility of larger or smaller sizes, which while unlikely for a PC, are not entirely impossible, and definitely problematic if a DM wants to toss some aether blade sprites or storm giants (as random off the top of my head examples) at the party.

This one will be revised to instead read as follows:

"All aether weapon damages are based on a Medium-sized creature wielding Medium-sized weapons; adjust the weapon damage as appropriate for different sized weapons."

This way it takes into account size differences without having to explicitly detail everything.

Many thanks for the comments Luthorne! I will be making a list of revisions so that once done the product will be updated appropriately.

Cheers
Brian

Thanks for sending out the free copies Amora Game/Liz!

Thanks for taking the time to review the product folks!

Cheers
Brian

Also wanted to thank everyone!

Looking very forward to the reviews.:)

Cheers
Brian

Howdy Folks,

Thanks Liz!

If anybody has any questions please feel free to post them here and I will do my best to answer them promptly.

For those interested you can find a 5 page preview here.

Cheers
Brian

You're a blue + yellow expansion away from a super sentai group.

Thanks for the chuckle.:)

What are the mechanics like? Pool point, daily powers, or something more exotic like maneuvers or incarnum?

It's a mixed bag to be honest. Vital blades use a pool while aether blades gain some daily powers as well as aura-like affects. As far as exotic goes ... well lets just say that one class (read Verdant Blade) is capable of implanting seeds into victims struck by their woad weapon.:p

What kind of blades are available to be summoned? Everything slashing, maybe some of the piercing? Or is it more of a unique weapon, instead of a mystical version of a regular one?

The creation of the personal weapon is different for each class. However, the Shadow Blade does not "summon" a weapon, instead he imbues his weapons with the powers of darkness and shadows.

Also, please note that there is a 5 page preview located here.

Cheers
Brian

Woot! It's finally here.:) Thank you so very much for posting this product notification Greg (aka Amora Game).

Now that we have that out of the way I would like to introduce myself. As you already know my name is Brian and I am the author of the above mentioned book. Greg has done an excellent job in summarizing the contents. However, if there are any questions please feel free to ask and I will try my best to answer them.

Cheers
Brian