Pi_guy's page

Idea.

A lot of people like Monks using swords and spears, but the core aesthetic has him using his hands/feet/forehead and "monk" weapons. In order to please those people, would it be too much of a change to state the following?

"Monks are proficient with all simple and martial weapons. However, when using the special monk weapons, they MAY use their WIS modifier instead of their STR modifier in order to hit/damage..."

Actually, I think they should get their wisdom mod as a bonus to CMB - it might help them with all those tricksy maneuvers.

my 2cp.

We started playtesting with our group last night and I thought that I would post a few of the observations that our group had regarding the races.

- Loved the idea that you get +1 hp for every level in a favoured class. Dwarven fighter especially liked it.

- Felt that if there was a +1hp reward for being in a favoured class, that it should be more restricted. Having a choice of two classes seemed too much. We felt that we should stick to the original favoured classes.

- The extra +2 went over very well in general!

- Biggest kudos went to the Half-elf changes. Having a choice of +2 to ANY stat caused a little of drool. There was never a real reason to play one unless you were in so love with the idea of elvish/human offspring that you were willing to give up on some bonuses.

- In our campaigns, nearly ALL of our characters have been human. We all felt that the extra feat was well worth it. We felt that the extra +2 to ANY attribute was too much, and put the humans right back up there in the most popular race to play. If you are looking for balance, our suggestion is to scrap that bonus. It is too much - especially now that you get the extra HP for every level of whatever you are since you get to choose the favoured class.

- Half Orc monks are horribly good. The extra +2 to wisdom seems...out of character to us....but we weren't sure where else to put it. Maybe another physical attribute? CON???

Anyway....just thought I would through this stuff out there and see what everyone else thought.

I REALLY like the idea of the Familiar NOT being an actual animal BUT a sort of humunculus SHAPED into animal form and constantly linked to the casters mind and soul.

I agree in this - really, it would easily allow non-animal familiars and some serious customization to your character.

Other ideas that have been presented that I personally see working well
- familiar can be called and gives bonuses when present.
- familiars aides the caster with their spells
- That the familiar does not "die", but disapates and does not confer any benefit for a time (I think 24 hrs is plenty)
- That the familiar be as customizable as it can be so that you can make it into a combat-ish defender or a studious scholar-aide.
- That the "Improved Familiar" list be standard and not feat-dependant.

If I were the Game-God, I would write it up something like this.
All familiars start off with the same basic stat-block. Or that each specialist school starts with their own basic type. Maybe summoners gain a fiendish template or an evoker gains an elemental. Abjurers could get something that helps protect. Nothing big, but just enough to lend it flavour.

Then, as it grows, it gains HD. Every two hit-dice, it gets a familiar ability (kind like characters gain feats). These abilities could be categprized by power level - ie, a level 2 ability can only be taken from 8th level on or something.

The abilities could be as varied as you want. +2 to a stat. A flying or swim or burrow speed. Increased damage with a natural attack. The metamagic assistant idea (good one!) that was previously introduced. Learn an extra spell at highest-1 level. Deliver touch spells, Increase DC of spells cast, increase caster level, borrow its body, scry on it, gain alertness, gain a bonus to a skill...in fact most of the ideas listed here could make the list. Some could grant a one-time bonus and others could be scalable (gain 2 temp hitpoints/caster level if your familiar is manifested - as an example) - of course, all benefits would be lost if the failiar is not manifested....or if had been "killed"/dispelled.

The up-shot of this post is that I am all in favour of making my familiar something that would be unique every time and that I play a wizard. It would be great if it could reflect the personality of the mage who created it. I love the idea that my caster could have a snowy white owl (like Parry Hotter), a little winged fairy, a devilish imp or a little lump of clay with arms and legs - all WITHOUT having to spend a gross number of all-important feats to make the familiar playable and worth my while. Give ME the choice to what my familiar looks like and (to a certain extent) what abilities it possesses. Enable the players to have what they EACH want - that way you get closer to pleasing everyone.