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Fizzban wrote:

Has anyone played a binder from the Tome of Magic, or does any one have any thoughts on them?

Fizz

I was just recently looking at that class, as a matter of fact. Not for me but for one of my players. No, I have never played or DM'd a binder. I think in theory they're a cool concept but from just reading about them they seem kinda limited. They get nowhere near the selection of spells a spellcaster gets and the other class abilities just didn't seem to balance them out enough. I realize they aren't necessarily another spellcaster class but I use that comparison simply because it seems like the most likely class to compare them to. I really like some of the abilities they get and the vistages give them their own uniqeness but I think by 9th or 10th level they're pretty much done. Being a fan of high level play, this doesn't make them appealing. Maybe I missed something about them but I wouldn't count on a binder to get me out of a high level bind (pun intended).

Also, I couldn't figure out if these guys have to make their binder checks everyday to get their vistages' powers or if it's just once per vistage. Cripes, having to deal with that on a regular basis would be kind of a pain, wouldn't it?

Checks are done with every binding, but by the time you get mid to upper level, your modifier will make most checks.

Sadly my Tome of Magic is at another players house right now, but I will try to answer the best I can from memory.

I actually have run a binder through the mid levels. I was running a bard when I bought Tome of Magic and his Charisma rolled right into the new class. The greatest thing about Binders is their flexibility. Depending on the selection of vestiges you choose for the day, you can duplicate anything from a rouge to a paladin. With a high Charisma and some bluff ranks (class skill) you can convince others of it even:

"I'm not saying he's NOT a paladin, but I've never seen one with a necklace of orc ears before." (lol)

They seem to work really well in a smaller group where players have to pick up a couple roles for the party. Also as long as the DM keeps players paranoid of the world learning "their secret" you shouldn't have too much problem keeping the player under control. In their description, Binders are pretty much a heretic of EVERY church. That can also lead to some interesting alliances amongst NPC's.

The flexibility comes at the cost of overall power. Much like the bard, they never really gain one area in which they dominate when it comes to combat. Again, they make great characters for the social role play applications though. Especially when some of the vestiges start imposing their wills upon the character, (Greed, Raspy voice, "One upper", etc)
All in all, it's not really a class to be afraid of. Browse the character. After you get a chance to see how the player runs it a session, get more in depth to make sure you know the character's limits. It will make a lot more sense the second time around.