Now available!
Wait....so this class could maybe be used to build a "Flash/Quicksilver" type character?
Wait....so this class could maybe be used to build a "Flash/Quicksilver" type character?
You will, of course, have to supply your own skin-tight outfits. And cocky attitude.
Great review, Ssalarn.
I'm very interested in seeing how they pulled this off.
|
I really like that the class explores an interesting middle-ground between the normal "move and and standard action or stand still and full attack" of the core martial characters, and the maneuvers of Dreamscarred's Path of War initiator classes. Unlike the Path of War classes, the Marauder doesn't really introduce any major new mechanics to the game; he just tweaks a few existing ones and adds in his Sudden Strike ability (kind of like a 1/2 progression sneak attack triggered by th use of his bonus feats instead of flanking) to make his standard actions count for more. The Marauder is familiar enough that just about any player can pick the class up and run with it (hah!), but has enough cool tricks to entertain even a veteran player.
I'm adding that last line to the review.
Can someone from Alluria Publishing send me a private message? Thanks!
Wait....so this class could maybe be used to build a "Flash/Quicksilver" type character?If by that you mean a character who can move really fast while making effective attacks and receiving a bunch of speed and movement related bonuses.... Yes.
Good thing my dog just left for the pet-sitter, as I think my squee just now would have made him deaf.
I feel like K(geography) would've been a good fit, so they actually know what they can run on.
Also, major concerns over the Staying Strike feat. That, combined with Whirlwind Attack mean that you'll be able to staggerlock just about any group of enemies you want, making it a no brainer. Whirlwind Attack does one single attack against all enemies applicable, so you'd get sudden strike against all of 'em.
Erm, I meant, K(Nature). For some reason, geography sounded perfect to my desperate for sleep brain to describe knowledge of things to run on.
Also, major concerns over the Staying Strike feat. That, combined with Whirlwind Attack mean that you'll be able to staggerlock just about any group of enemies you want, making it a no brainer. Whirlwind Attack does one single attack against all enemies applicable, so you'd get sudden strike against all of 'em.
Is that right?. It is late, so I may be getting this wrong.
Staying Strike lets you lock these people up by, essentially, sacrificing a Sudden Strike.
But Sudden Strike says it works only on 'the next attack.'
The wording for Whirlwind Attack says 'You must make a separate attack roll against each opponent.' Thus, you are, even if it is a single attacking maneuver,making multiple attacks. Therefore, you are really only locking down the first target you roll against.
Alternatively, and probably for the best, this interpretation should be up to a given GM. Even if a table likes the idea of Whirlwind Attack getting the full benefit of being a single attack for purposes above, all that really does is make a mid-high level, multi-attribute dependent Marauder really awesome at locking up mobs.
And, hey, that sounds kind of cool.
EDIT - I Looked at the FAQ.
Sudden Strike is modeled after Sneak Attack. Let's assume a whirlwind attack, via the feat, is a single attack or one that strikes all targets simultaneously . . . well, how would sneak attack handle that?
<From the FAQ>
Sneak Attack: Can I add sneak attack damage to simultaneous attacks from a spell?
No. For example, scorching ray fires simultaneous rays at one or more targets, and the extra damage is only added once to one ray, chosen by the caster when the spell is cast.
Actually, I think I did misread it.
When you use the full-attack action, you can give up your regular attacks and instead make one melee attack at your highest base attack bonus against each opponent within reach. You must make a separate attack roll against each opponent.
Since it was late, instead of reading the next sentence, I stopped looking, since it looked like it was clear that it was a single attack. The second sentence is enough to make it not work against all enemies, although it does raise a question of what's "using" a feat like that.
From an intent purpose, it seems that anything that favors staying stationary and full-attacking is against the intent of the class.
I still feel that the feat is still too good though. The closest to it is Staggering Critical, which requires level 13 at a minimum, a critical hit to happen, and a saving throw on top of that. (Also, the last two sentences of it are badly written)
This requires 1st level marauder, and makes the class a very, very appetizing dip.
|
|
Actually, I think I did misread it.
When you use the full-attack action, you can give up your regular attacks and instead make one melee attack at your highest base attack bonus against each opponent within reach. You must make a separate attack roll against each opponent.Since it was late, instead of reading the next sentence, I stopped looking, since it looked like it was clear that it was a single attack. The second sentence is enough to make it not work against all enemies, although it does raise a question of what's "using" a feat like that.
From an intent purpose, it seems that anything that favors staying stationary and full-attacking is against the intent of the class.
I still feel that the feat is still too good though. The closest to it is Staggering Critical, which requires level 13 at a minimum, a critical hit to happen, and a saving throw on top of that. (Also, the last two sentences of it are badly written)
This requires 1st level marauder, and makes the class a very, very appetizing dip.
I don't know that that's really true. While the staggered condition specifically can't be added as a rider before that level, numerous other debilitating conditions at least as crippling under the right circumstances, like blindness as an immediate example, are available very early on. Staggered doesn't prevent the target from charging, attacking, casting most spells, etc.
Other classes aren't going to have the extensive abilities encouraging them to move like the Marauder does, so the chances to powergame the abilities are... I don't know, maybe I'm not seeing it. You drop a level to multiclass for 2 poor saves, Full BAB, d10, poor skills, and maybe grab Lunge (assuming you qualify), spend another feat on Staying Strike, and now your 6th+ level character can stagger someone for one round when they use Lunge... and then the opponent either 5 foot steps up and smacks you with your reduced AC, or if you're using a reach weapon, charges you.
Sure you can grab a different feat to trigger your Sudden Strike with, but few of them are going to be particularly reliable unless the dipping class is already rewarded for movement, like a Monk or Swashbuckler, and the monk already has much meaner debuffs at his disposal. So, maybe Swashbucklers get a bit of a control bump by dipping Marauder and grabbing a feat? I guess an archer could use it with Charging Shot, but then you're giving up the biggest advantage of archery (more full attacks), to ping an enemy who the feat requires to be in charging range, which is just setting yourself up for failure.
I'm inclined to put this one on the "not a big deal" pile. If you really want it to be worthwhile, you need more than a 1 level dip, or a specialty build that's fairly convoluted and still probably much less powerful than any dozen combinations you can come up with from core materials.