Spheres of Power changed the way casters worked. Spheres of Might did the same for martial combatants. In Champions of the Spheres, both of the ‘Spheres' systems are married together into a unified whole to provide players with a plethora of options to craft a multitude of characters to fit whatever concept they want to roll!
Within Champions of the Spheres you'll find:
3 New Classes: The Prodigy, who can do just about anything he puts his mind to, the Sage, who mixes ki powers and magic prowess to great accomplishment, and the Troubadour, who can change his face, and his powers, to whatever the situation requires.
Player Options: New archetypes, new feats, and other class options to better mix the Spheres of Might and Spheres of Power systems.
Unified Traditions: Unified Traditions mix casting traditions and martial traditions into a single whole, reducing character creation time and better generating a complete character concept for players both new and old.
Come take a look and unlock the secrets of the Champions of the Spheres!
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This massive supplement clocks in at 54 pages, 1 page front cover, 1 page editorial, 1 page TOC (which also features a list of Spheres from Spheres of Power and Spheres of Might), 1 page SRD, 1 page back cover, leaving us with 49 pages of content, so let’s take a look!
In case you didn’t know already: This book basically represents a crossover-supplement between Drop Dead Studios’ critically-acclaimed Spheres of Power and Spheres of Might books, and as such, I assume familiarity with both of them in this review.
This review was recently moved up in my reviewing queue at the request of my patreons.
The pdf starts after a brief introduction to the matter at hand, with three new base classes, which make use of the Blended Training feature – this denotes that the character is treated as possessing Combat Training as a base class feature. The first of these would be the prodigy, who has d8 HD, 4 + Int skills per level, ¾ BAB-progression, good Ref-and Will-saves and proficiency with simple weapons as well as light armor and bucklers. If this is the very first level in any class taken, the prodigy also receives a martial tradition of their choice. Prodigies are Mid-Casters and may choose which of the three mental ability score modifiers they take as casting ability modifier, and as such, they do get 2 bonus talents and a casting tradition. Prodigies have blended training, which means that they get a combat or magic talent whenever they gain a class level, and the class uses the casting ability modifier chosen as practitioner modifier as well. They begin with a caster level of 0 and increase that to 15 over the course of the 20 class levels; essentially, their CL-progression mirrors the BAB-progression.
The first-level signature ability of the class would be sequence. If you’re familiar with Dreadfox Games’ classic Swordmaster or Interjection Games’ momentum-based engines, you may start smiling now: A sequence has three components: An opener, links, and a finisher. The maximum length of a sequence would be 4 + 1 link per 3 class levels. Only one sequence may be in effect at a given time, and whenever the prodigy begins their turn without having added a link since the beginning of their last turn, the sequence loses one link – so it doesn’t immediately crumble when your attack pattern briefly interrupted, when you whip out a healing potion, etc. Becoming dazed, dead, etc. does terminate an ongoing sequence – at least until 14th level, when the ability is upgraded. Sequences may not be started prior to rolling initiative and end automatically 1 round after combat has ceased. Openers begin new sequences, and attacks, critical hits, defeating a creature with a CR equal to or greater than ½ character level or restoring hit points to an ally or removing ability damage/drain or a list of negative conditions also qualifies. As does successfully executing a combat maneuver, having a creature fail a save versus your sphere-effects or using the reflect class feature. Also, features with the (open) tag can act as openers.
Successfully performing a link action increases the prodigy’s active sequence by 1 link, but no action may ever add more than 1 link at once. Openers act as link components after a sequence has already been established. Link actions include expending martial focus as a free action, moving into a hostile creature’s threatened space and sheathing/drawing a weapon as part of that movement…or what about making a touch attack that deals no damage, but generates a link? Disengaging from the adversary, foregoing an AoO, saving against a non-harmless effect, making a concentration check – and no, these are not all options! Finally, almost a whole column is devoted to finishers, which include bonuses to skill checks, a surge of temporary hit points or a bonus to MSB. Those would be the basics. Things get really exciting when you realize that a sufficient amount of links unlocks more impressive options – like a single swift action attack, or an attack action (remember, attack =/= attack action, and attack actions are much better in Spheres of Might!) as a move action…or, well, what about quicker sphere-casts. Once more, some options with the (finish) tag can also act as finishers.
Does this sound complex? Yeah, at first – but it’s actually pretty simple and super-elegant. And it establishes a fun and exciting combo-engine AT FIRST LEVEL. This, ladies and gentlemen, would btw. be one of the rare instances of me using allcaps being a good thing. Oh, and I haven’t even told you about the coolest thing: Depending on your sphere-choice for martial tricks, you get additional sequence options!! This means that you have a super-wide differentiation not only between sphere-choices, but also that the prodigy will play differently depending on spheres chosen and different from other classes that get access to these spheres.
While a prodigy has an active sequence, they get an insight bonus to atk and damage as well as CL equal to ½ the length of the current sequence, minimum 1. At 2nd level, the class may, as a standard action, gain a martial or magic talent for 1 minute. The prodigy must know the base sphere and meet any prerequisites and may use it 3 + ½ class level times. Only one such wildcard talent may be in effect at a given time. At 5th level, this upgrades to two talents and one may act as a prerequisite for the other. 8th level improves the action economy of the ability. At 10th level, an ally may be granted such a talent. 13th level expands that further to 3 talents and a better action economy, with 17th level finally providing the apex of that ability sequence.
Also at 2nd level, the prodigy adds the second massive customization boost, with Imbue Spellcasting. As part of starting a sequence, this effect may be started, and only one such effect may be applied at a given time. The effect is contingent on one of the spheres known, and it unlocks special finishers associated with the respective sphere. Chose Alteration? What about +1 trait applied to blank form or shapeshift as the imbue benefit…and TENTACLE SWARM as a finisher!! That one would be a multi-target trip based on number of links in the sequence. Come on, that is so epic, do I even need to continue writing this review? All right, all right. What about Conjuration’s Conjure Army finisher, which generates a whole array of companions that last for exactly one attack before vanishing. Yes, it has limitations, yes, it gets flanking interaction and the prevention of abuse right. If this ability was hug-able, it’d hug it. Debris fields, arsenal creation, classic anvil-dropping, spheres of darkness, reanimation… This frickin’ engine…know how reading this felt to me? It felt like someone had taken all those cool ideas mired in some classes, all those “OMG, how cool is that”-combo-moments and baked them into an inspired, cohesive whole. This is ridiculously amazing.
3rd level nets the ability to choose a so-called steady skill when regaining spell points, which then always qualifies for taking 10. At 11th level, this skill may be changed in a more flexible manner, and at 19th level, skills can basically be juggled. At 7th level, the prodigy may expend martial focus as an immediate action to attempt to reflect sphere effects, spells or SPs back to the originator – though the prodigy is then staggered…at least until 16th level, where the ability improves. 20th level nets a start of casting ability modifier links when starting a sequence and delimits the wild-card talent gain – you can have as many at a given time as you can pay for in daily uses.
To give you insight into my frame of mind when first reading this pdf, at this point in time, my response was:
“…buy this book. Srsly, buy it now. Even if the rest of the book was utter garbage, this class alone would warrant the asking price on its own.”
Now, after having had more time to take apart this fellow…I’d probably allcaps the statement above. The prodigy is one of the most amazing, fun classes I know. This is masterclass design.
The second class, the sage, gets d6 HD, ½ BAB-progression, 4 + Int skills per level, proficiency with simple weapons and a martial tradition if this is the first level. The class gets ¼ class level AC bonus + Wisdom modifier, monk-style, and has all good saves. The class also gets 1/2 combat talent progression. Sages are proficient practitioners and use Wisdom as practitioner modifier. The sage begins play with Chi Gong, which is measured in d6s. the sage begins with 1d6 and adds another 1d6 at 3rd level and every 2 levels thereafter. This allows the sage to execute touch attacks, treating this attack form as a light weapon. The chi gong dice determine the amount of piercing damage these attacks inflict. This may also be used to heal creatures up to half their maximum hit points. Which can’t be cheesed without even trying. Hand me a half-dead kitten, a siphoning ability – bingo. Infinite healing.
…
Come on. This is really sloppy – it would have been so easy to implement a limitation here that prevents such an abuse. This ruins and disqualifies the class for me and a significant amount of tables out there.
And seriously, the class deserved better. 1st level, 8th and 16th net esoteric training, which allows for debuffing via chi gong, ally enhancement or comboing their touches with combat maneuvers – or fire blasts of ki. Basically, a more magical monk debuffer/buffer, which is such a cool angle! The class also gets a ki pool (class level + Wisdom modifier) and may meditate to gain a pool of surge-style dice that may be applied to ability and skill checks as well as to saves or to bolster his CMD.
The class also treats the Spheres engine in a unique manner: At 1st level and every 2 levels thereafter, the sage gets a bonus combat or magic talent of his choice, being treated as a High Caster and using Wisdom as key ability score, ki as a spell point substitute. 2nd level and every 2 levels thereafter provide esotery, the class talents of this fellow, which once more tap into sphere-aesthetics and provide some really cool combos There are a ton of these, and 3rd level and every 3 levels thereafter net a Skill Focus. The capstone is governed by the esoteric techniques known. This would be a truly amazing addition to the game, and you can fix it easily enough, but its infinite healing exploit left a super-sour taste in my mouth.
The third class would be the troubadour, who gains d8 HD, 6 + Int skills per level, ¾ BAB-progression, good Ref- and Will-saves as well as 1/2 martial talent progression. Troubadours get proficiency with simple weapons, light armor and bucklers as well as a Martial Tradition if this is the first level in any class. These fellows are Low Casters using Charisma as governing ability modifier, and they are proficiency combatants. They get class level + Charisma modifier spell pool and in addition to the 2 bonus talents, they gain a magic talent at 5th level and every 4 levels thereafter.
While in the base persona, a troubadour gets +1 o all saves, (bonus type properly codified) and increases that at 5th level and every 4 levels thereafter by +1. What’s a persona? Okay, think of this as basically the vigilante’s dual identity, though alignment has to be close to that of the character, and while these imitate other races, they don’t bestow racial powers. Personas may be blended with Disguise, and the maximum number of personas begins at 2 and improves to 6. And yes, this does come with vigilante interaction notes. Each persona has its own array of unique abilities and trope; a trope benefit is gained at 1st level, as well as access to a list of persona-quirks; the first of these is gained at 3rd level, with every 2 levels thereafter providing another one. These include an inspiration pool, benefits for failing checks (when embodying the Fool), bardic tricks, cleric-y options…you get the idea.
In addition to these, the class also gains actor training at 2nd level and ever y 2 levels thereafter, offering a massive blending of vigilante-ish tricks, options to fool devices or spells and similar abilities associated with the bardic and roguish side of things. Disguise and Bluff bonuses, quick change, successful lying – these guys can make for the perfect social chameleon and actually manage to be a really cool and compelling class. I really liked these fellows! (As an aside: If you’re running a 1-on-1 game – this class allows a single character, provided he has enough time to change personas, to fill the roles of all key party-members, making it an excellent choice for 1-on-1 gaming.)
Beyond these three class, we get a pretty massive archetypes-chapter: Armigers can choose to become antiquarians, using d8 HD and hedgewitch BAB with a small spell point pool – basically an armiger with a bit of spellcasting and magic-synergy with lightning assault, as well as two unique prowesses. The Bladewalker archetype for the armiger is a Warp specialist who can port to targets damaged. Armorists can choose for a Spheres of Might engine tweak; Commanders can become dreadlords, focusing on Death sphere synergy and getting a unique, rather…öhem, peculiar network of contacts. You know, the usual…grave robbers, cultists, necromancers, vampires…the friendly folks you’ll find hanging around the crypts or in Rappan Athuk’s cantina…
Eliciters get the new empathic duelist archetype, who may choose combat talents instead of magic talents. These guys establish empathic links with targets in charm-range, and can use this link to gain insight into their foes, translating to better mano-à-mano prowess. Hedgewitches and mageknights get pretty straightforward Spheres of Might-synergy archetypes, and magi may elect to become mystics – this complex archetype basically removes the entire core of the magus, making the class instead act as a sphere-casting practitioner. Impressive! (And more fun!) The Scholar is reliant on advanced Conjuration talents and is basically a summoning specialist. Sentinel dimensional defenders would be another archetype that makes good use of its Warp sphere access. The martial shifter is another practitioner engine tweak, and the mirrored soul summoner does for the summoner pretty much the same as the mystic did for the magus: It removes and tweaks the core class features of the class to instead employ the spheres-engine. The final archetype herein would be the surprisingly complex vector symbiat, which would be a telekinetic combatant that will scratch the itch for many different comic book hero build – these fellows have Telekinesis and may enter kinetic overload, which taps into synergy effects with the Brute, Wrestling and Scoundrel spheres. This one is pretty damn cool!
The next chapter provides a metric ton of synergy class talents and abilities to allow for further blending of Spheres of Power and Spheres of Might, and we do get 2 companion options. The feat-section provides further options, including extra X ones, brief boosts to CL when defeating significant foes, penalizing foes whose blood you have, synergy of summoning companions and tactics…We also get a page of favored class options for the core races as well as aasimar, tiefling, orc, goblin and hobgoblin.
The penultimate chapter, though, would probably be the one that most folks wanted to see: Unified traditions. These basically are a tradition that acts as both casting and martial tradition, and we not only get a significant amount of them, we also get concise guidelines to make them. Arcane archers, crusaders and death knights, street mages and reapers…this chapter may not be the longest, but it’s undoubtedly the one that will inspire the creative folks out there.
The final chapter presents sample NPCs, including brief background stories for all 3 new classes – one NPC at CR 5, and one at CR 8 is presented for each of the 2 new classes.
Disclaimer: I backed the Kickstarter that funded this book (as well as Spheres of Might) and paid for this product.
All right, here we are - the gish book. This has been on people's radar ever since Spheres of Might was announced, and it serves as a unifying tome for creating characters that use both systems. After a brief introduction describing some new terms, we get right into the new classes.
The Prodigy is a mid-BAB, mid-Casting character with good Reflex and Will saves, as well as 20 magic talents (+2 magic talents) as they level. Prodigies are built around the Sequence ability, which involves performing a certain number of actions to unlock a useful Finisher. Finishers vary widely, from resolving a blow as a touch attack, getting a bunch of extra attacks, or even regaining Martial Focus. This is important - it helps the Prodigy work with a variety of playstyles. Prodigies also get unique options based on the spheres they know.
The Sage isn't actually a caster. They can get magic sphere abilities, but they never actually get the Casting ability. (This has interesting rule interactions, especially for feats.) Instead, they're closer to being a more magical form of the monk - they get a scaling touch attack they can use as an attack action, a bonus to AC when unarmored and unencumbered, and a selection of styles and techniques powered by a Ki pool. Personally, I'm quite fond of the Enhancer package - you can use it to buff physical ability scores for yourself or your allies, at no cost (for a short time) or at a mild cost (for a somewhat longer duration). A class option allows the same bonus to apply to mental scores as well, albeit only for the Sage. Otherwise, they're a low-BAB, low-talent class with all good saves, though they do get a style talent (either combat or magic) every odd level, bringing them up to 20 talents total. (They do not get the two bonus magic talents, because they are not actually casters.)
The Troubadour is a mid-BAB, low-caster and low-martial proficiency class. They don't get very many magic talents, but make up for it with Personas, which are a sort of supercharged version of the Vigilante's disguise. Personas also come with 'tropes', unique abilities based on stories and concepts. Flavor note: Some of these are 'common' tropes, such as the Lover persona having a 'Diva' trait. However, you should NOT feel bound by the suggested names or ideas in the book. If you have a different concept, by all means, rename the ability and roll with it.
Following the classes, we get Archetypes. These include options for a variety of classes - mostly Spherecasters and Practitioners, but we also get Magus and Summoner options. All things considered, the Mystic archetype for the Magus is probably the most "generic" option in the book. It doesn't just have combat and magic talents, it combines them in an effective way. (The Martial Mageknight is a close second for generic magical warrior builds. Given it was already very Magus-like to begin with, this shouldn't be a surprise.)
There is no generic gish class in the style of the Incanter and the Conscript, which are largely build-your-own classes. Personally, I think that's probably for the best. It's harder than it seems to make a truly balanced generic class using both systems, in part because both Spheres of Power and Spheres of Might are so flexible.
Follow this, we get to the Class Options, which synchronize well with the new archetypes. Most of it comes down to "Pick a Combat/Magic Talent" or "Pick a Gish feat" (these are new), but we do get some animal companion options to go with these.
The Player Options follow after. The feats mainly focus on the new "Gish" category, which are specifically designed to integrate the two systems better. For example, the Dispelling Attack feat allows you to expend martial focus as a swift action to use Counterspell (i.e. Spheres' Dispel Magic power) on a foe you damaged.
We also get some Favored Class Bonuses, but the more exciting bit is the Unified Traditions, which are the last bit of content in this book. These are a replacement for not just martial and casting traditions, but also the two talents characters normally get for taking their first spherecasting level. (Also, yes, this means Sages can't take them.) As with other pre-written traditions, these are largely suggestions, and rules for making and/or modifying traditions in a balanced way are included. The examples include things like Arcane Archers, Crusaders, Death Knights, Reapers, Spellswords, and Traveling Sages.
Overall, this is a fun and exciting release that blends two solid systems together. I'm sure some will be disappointed at the lack of a build-your-own option, but really, some of the archetypes are pretty generic. If your table uses Spheres of Power and Spheres of might, and some people want to use both, this is the book you want to get.
troubadour the master of stage that bard envies, prodigy the true red mage. and sage the class to create your inner saiyan. this book is must have for any serious pathfinder fan out there and thrust me your money is well spend.
You have no idea. We also got the errata wrapped up and pushed out for Spheres of Might the other day so we could get the print proof ordered. While all of us were also working on other, non Spheres of Might Kickstarter related books. It was a hectic month to cap off a hectic year. BUT!!! We ended up with some awesome products and got them into everyone's hands on or ahead of schedule, which we count as a personal and professional victory given how often Kickstarter books get bogged down or delayed. All of the designers and artists involved really brought their A-game and helped carry Spheres of Might and Champions of the Spheres over the finish line.
I'm concerned that there is no sidebar in the Troubadour's section regarding eternal feminine that Adam Meyers said would be present in the final release. We had discussed at length the links between concepts such as eternal feminine and gender essentialism, and I was assured that Rachel Meyers would explain that the Lover trope and its related abilities are not meant to invoke essentialist philosophy. With the presence of the problematic class features in the final release, and the lack of any discussion of the matter, Spheres of Might invokes trans-exclusionary themes that I really don't want my name associated with as a trans freelancer.
I sincerely hope that you can ensure either the inclusion of such a sidebar or a removal of the problematic themes before this book goes to print, Adam.
We also got the errata wrapped up and pushed out for Spheres of Might the other day so we could get the print proof ordered.
Can we expect a updated pdf soon? :) I need to see if the people typo got through :p
I know all the OBS sites already have the update (as GM Rednal mentioned), but Paizo usually does take an extra day or two for updates and such to post. I'll double-check with Adam, but I'm pretty sure he said that he pushed it to all the sites, so if you don't see an updated version, you should see one soon.
It's fairly... distinct. XD They're built around a Sequence mechanic, which starts with an Opener (attack a foe, heal an ally, etc.), goes through link components (impaling a creature with the Lancer sphere, moving up to an enemy, etc.), and closes off with a finisher (ending the sequence and providing a useful effect, like resolving an attack as a touch attack). Knowledge of different spheres grants unique options to integrate into a sequence.
Given the breadth of options, it's quite flexible, but you need to really know your choices and have a sense for what you want to do. I can see people making reference cards or something when playing the Prodigy.
It uses both magic and martial talents and can tie them together into combos that enable powerful finishing techniques. It's designed to really capitalize on the mobility offered by SoM and casting in general while making it pretty easy to build up the links you need for a finishing technique.
It's fairly... distinct. XD They're built around a Sequence mechanic, which starts with an Opener (attack a foe, heal an ally, etc.), goes through link components (impaling a creature with the Lancer sphere, moving up to an enemy, etc.), and closes off with a finisher (ending the sequence and providing a useful effect, like resolving an attack as a touch attack). Knowledge of different spheres grants unique options to integrate into a sequence.
Given the breadth of options, it's quite flexible, but you need to really know your choices and have a sense for what you want to do. I can see people making reference cards or something when playing the Prodigy.
Yeah. It's a really neat class, but I'd say it's not a class for a beginner. It does require some consideration and planning, although it definately rewards the player with a very flavorful experience that is far different from most other classes. It's also very, very flexible, which can make it useful if say, you have a small party.
I have a problem to understand how a character qualifies for a Unified Tradition. So far, i had understood the following:
*Casting Tradition: Whenever you gain the first level on a Sphere Casting Class (or archetype that grants sphere casting) you can select a Casting Tradition.
*Martial Traditions: At character creation, select a Martial Tradition if your class grants it, or trade your starting proficiencies (other than simple weapons, light armor and bucklers) to gain one.
Unified Tradition: Here the lines blurs a little bit. Which classes are allowed to take a unified tradition: Sphere casters, Combat Practitioners or a classes that deal with both elements?
It sounds like Unified needs to be a caster, but only needs to have enough proficiencies to trade away to make up for Martial. So you don't need to be a Combat Practitioner. (And you don't need a class to be a caster either, seeing as how you only have to take Basic Magical Training and Advanced Magical Training.)
Speaking of Sages... man, it's really, really close to being able to represent Gon from Hunter X Hunter but I don't see an option for the Ki to deal Bludgeoning or Slashing at melee. So close to his signature move!
Why is it Sages can modify their Ki blasts by (blast type) talents, but not (blast shape) talents? That seems like a real shame, and such an obvious thing, it's prolly not allowed due to balance reasons, right? I'm asking just to be sure, because unless someone points out to me why that'd be a bad idea, i'd allow people to use (blast shape) talents with Ki blasts.
Well, just glancing at it, Energey Nova, Sphere, Strike, and Tether all seem like amazing choices for the 'against shape' talents. Mutable Blast is just... nasty. Those are just some that don't require spell point.
It also helps differentiate them from regular spherecasters.
I suppose, but there's so many iconic tricks that cant be done normally :/ I guess any changes to ki blast shape are done through esoteries, which is a shame. Those are far from exhaustive. Something like the Mutable Blast talent would be nice. But anyway, ye, i can understand the restriction. Ki blasts are simply better than regular destructive blasts.
If you want to lay a conan- or Soloman Kane style "limited magic" campaign, using the Scholar "caller" archtype and the knacks found later in the book-- everyone else has to use the dabbler and ritual feats, which pretty well defines most of the wizards we find in the more pulp settings-- not that powerful compared to your normal pathfinder setting, but since a wizard is quite literally a one in a million find, they are very powerful compared to most of the people they face.
You know, looking it over, I'm rather surprised that the Sage's Physical Perfection option doesn't have a level requirement. That seems... reaaaaaaaaaally good for something you could get as early as 2nd level. At least there's no Extra Esotery feat to let you buy it that way. XD
You know, looking it over, I'm rather surprised that the Sage's Physical Perfection option doesn't have a level requirement. That seems... reaaaaaaaaaally good for something you could get as early as 2nd level. At least there's no Extra Esotery feat to let you buy it that way. XD
So, that is actually a huge issue caused by one tiny formatting error. Devastation Wave, Heart Stopper, Physical Perfection, and Spider's Web are all supposed to be options for the level 20 Signature Move. It looks like Signature Move was italicized and indented instead of bolded though, so the signature moves ended up bleeding into the list of regular esoteries. I've brought Adam's attention to the issue so he can fix it.
Just wanted to pop in and let you know, we've got the update all queued up, but a catastrophic failure of DDS' primary layout computer has delayed the Champions update and a few other products. Adam is running a massive mega bundle sale on the Open Gaming Store site that we're hoping will help finance the replacement of the defunct machine, so if you're interested in picking up the entire DDS back-catalog for only $30, now's your chance! Even if you already own some of these entries it's still a pretty screaming deal. The bundle doesn't include Spheres of Might or Champions of the Spheres, but it does include Spheres of Power, all of the Skybourne books published so far, and DDS' stand-alone classes like the Luchador, Artisan, and War Dancer.
So, due to my own personal annoyance with the lack of a good Martial Tradition for a Ki Blasting Sage, I cobbled together this:
Ki Blaster martial tradition
Bonus Talents:
Equipment: Unarmed Training.
Equipment: Critical Genius (Ki Blast).
Sniper sphere.
Variable: Ki blasters gain one additional talent of their choice from the Sniper sphere.
I'm now wondering if this would be too specialized, or if you can even take Critical Genius with the Ki Blast.
You're really close. Getting technical, I don't think you're actually "Proficient" with your Ki Blast - at least, I haven't seen any text specifying that. (You can totally apply things like Weapon Focus and Improved Critical to Rays, though. I'm just going with the narrow reading here.)
How. Ev. Er.
Martial traditions generally permit trading up to one talent for a feat. The Ki Blast does say it counts as the Destructive Blast, and guess what? The Deadly Targeting feat improves a Destructive Blast's crit range to 19-20.
So, I'm not sure your tradition is technically legal - but there's something very similar that should work with no problem. Alas, you don't get the extra damage from Critical Genius, but there are plenty of ways to improve a Destructive Blast's power. XD Long-term, it's not a big loss.
...
That said, your tradition does feel over-specialized in offense. I think it would be appropriate to turn the variable Sniper feat into something defensive or utility-oriented.
I've had a chance to read through this a time or two now and I have to say that all three classes in here are very cool.
The Troubadour might take a little bit of note keeping* and the Sage a little bit of planning, but the Prodigy is not for the inexperienced.
This is not a bad thing though; I actually like the existence of classes that require a bit experience to pull off.
*:
I made my own set of character sheets awhile ago that, little did I know, one of my friends spent quite awhile trying to find them online. We both had a good laugh when I told him it was my own making and he mentioned his browsing for them.
Any character examples? Why isn't the Pathfinder site filthy with builds like my other favorite rpg Mutants and masterminds? At least for a test drive.
Any character examples? Why isn't the Pathfinder site filthy with builds like my other favorite rpg Mutants and masterminds? At least for a test drive.
I believe, though I'm waiting for confirmation from Adam on this, that there were some sample characters that were supposed to be included in the .pdf but got overlooked, and that Adam is adding those back in an upcoming update.
Is there a class you're particularly interested in? I primarily worked on the Sage, unified traditions with Adam, and several of the archetypes, but I also helped with the Prodigy a bit and am very familiar with it, so I could probably whip up an example character for pretty much anything except the Troubadour, which I just never had the time to really dig into. I've probably still got the Tsunade and Master Roshi builds I was using during playtesting for the Sage around here somewhere...
Not so much a certain character, but a "G.I. Joe" version of the class. A build made to show why the class is needed. A five round playthrough with various threats and different terrain would show what characters can do.
For example, I had the hunter iconic,Adowyn(4thlvl) fight three hobgoblins from the prd. Nice and efficient. Wolf sneaks,attack, hunter buffs, provides covering fire. Got the concept. And the dice weren't cooperating much!
Thanks for commenting.
I wish Martial animal companions could take other archetypes too :/
The biggest thing is that the martial animal companions get a really solid exchange on their talents as is. We literally couldn't take away any less and maintain a reasonably balanced archetype. You can still bring your companion's Int up to 3 and buy up Extra Combat Talent feats on any archetype though, so there are options out there for applying martial talents to other archetyped companions.
Been using Troubador + homebrew race to represent an outsider subtype of personifications of narrative. Being able to use both the spheres systems in a single character really helps with statting up NPCs with a good mix of toughness that outsiders are meant to have, along with the weird varied magical powers they might possess.
Why is it Sages can modify their Ki blasts by (blast type) talents, but not (blast shape) talents? That seems like a real shame, and such an obvious thing, it's prolly not allowed due to balance reasons, right? I'm asking just to be sure, because unless someone points out to me why that'd be a bad idea, i'd allow people to use (blast shape) talents with Ki blasts.
I may have had something to do with that when I posted a build for a Destruction-focused Sage that could use Barrage's Spinning Shot with Destruction's Explosive Orb. It was pretty ridiculous.
Unfortunately I deleted the sheets a while back, but iirc I maxed out Wisdom and took Extra Ki a bunch of times so I could blast to my heart's content. With Wisdom 22 and 4 feats spent on Extra Ki I had a huge pool of 22 points by Level 8 which I would then use to toss out three 15' radius 8d6 blasts per turn for insane damage, and that combo would've worked five times a day. Don't even think about what pairing that guy with a Ki Channel cleric could do to a day's combats.
Though after another read it looks like that's still possible - in fact despite removing the Blast Shape talents as legal options there's now an Esotery which does the same thing.
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