Obvious Problems

[Chidgey]

Identify

Identifying magical items can be done at will so effectively you will be taking twenty on the rolls. This means that you will automatically (take 20 or roll every 12 seconds until you get a 20) identify items that have a caster level of up to (five + int mod) greater than your own caster level.

So a first level wizard with a 16 int and the appraise skill can id 8th level objects guaranteed in a matter of minutes. You may want to consider not allowing a reroll on appraise checks when using detect magic (identify is fine because its not at will) or having a mechanic like only one reroll per day for each item.

Spell-like abilities

Domains and Wizards have some spell-like abilities of spells you really shouldn't allow. Limited Wish, Wish, Resurrection as written shouldn't be usable daily with absolutely no components or xp costs. If you have them make them cast as spells.

Feats

Although the combat feat mechanic works as a way of implementing 9 sword style content some of the feats you have moved over to this don't work at all.

Some of the feats you converted aren't suitable as combat feats for example Precise Shot needs to be used every round (and folded into the game for free or at least have no prerequisites but that's an aside).

By all means have combat feats have prerequisites of other combat feats but you may want to consider losing the last round you must have done X mechanic.

Rapid Shot and Multishot are different and used in different situations. They would work as combat feats providing they didn't have to follow each other. A lot of the feats you converted aren't something you do to build up to something else.

All combat feats should be some sort of action you can do. As a standard action you can X. None of them should just have flat bonuses (Such as Dodge), such things should be normal feats.

When changing feats don't make them weaker (power attack, combat expertise) and if you are going to radically change them (cleave, greater cleave) just make new feats with a different name instead.

Broken Feats

The Caught Off-Guard feat allows a rogue to carry around a Chair and hit people with it to always get their sneak attack. I can see that someone picking up an item and hitting me may be unexpected but this feat means I'm still surprised on round 15 when the rogue hits me with his chair for the 60th time. Make the feat something like as a Standard action a character can pick up a improvised weapon and make a single attack against an opponent without penalty. The target is flat-footed against this attack. An individual item can only be used this way once per encounter.

Specialist

A Conjurer has the Mage Armour spell therefore his specialist bonus is pointless and never going to be used. Change it to a +1 enhancement bonus to armour class. This bonus increases by +1 for every 5 caster levels you possess, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.

Racial Abilities

Unnatural Beauty - Seems strange that a race without a charisma bonus would have this effect on people.

Spells

The alignment based cleric spells are received much later than normal. This would effect item creation.

[JoelF847]

Chidgey wrote:

Spells

The alignment based cleric spells are received much later than normal. This would effect item creation

This may not be true. These spells so far based on alpha materials are still the same, and are thus on the spell lists of clerics with the appropriate domains, and can be selected as spells to prepare at their usual levels. The domain power version of them is granted at a later level, however.

We'll have to wait and see if these spells change in other ways once additional alpha materials come out.

[Vendle]

I was under the impression spell-like abilities (like Ressurrection) required components and exp. costs the same as the spells they duplicate. /shrug

[Gilarius]

From just a quick glance at the alpha release:

1) Good work, overall. I'll definitely be using some of your ideas, even if I ignore others. eg why give all races a +2 to a stat? I'd add that to half-elves or half-orcs just to make them worthwhile choices. On the other hand, combining skills is excellent.

2) Please re-word the Necromancer (Specialist Wizard) bonus ability - I think it needs to include 'no single undead to exceed the caster's own level of Necromancer' and it also doesn't mention any requirements on how to gain control, eg having to cast 'control undead' or Rebuke. The Turn/Rebuke ability for clerics does contain the HD vs Level limitation, but the Necromancer one doesn't.

eg 1st level Necromancer meets 8 HD vampire: according to the ability he automatically gains control! DM, "But you can't!" Player, "Yes I can. It says 'I control 8HD of undead per caster level', no quibble."

3) Rebuke Undead: if an evil cleric meets any undead while adventuring, and they are at full hit points already, he can gain control of them, since any negative energy 'healing' will make them exceed their full hit points. This should be harder, maybe if he gives them 2 hp per HD (which they can keep as temporary hit points for one hour) as well as the will save listed.

4) Why does the Earth Domain give an Acid attack?

[KaeYoss]

Chidgey wrote:

Identify

Identifying magical items can be done at will so effectively you will be taking twenty on the rolls. This means that you will automatically (take 20 or roll every 12 seconds until you get a 20) identify items that have a caster level of up to (five + int mod) greater than your own caster level.

It's not a bug, it's a feature.

Seriously, I have no problem with identifying magic items not costing money.

Chidgey wrote:

So a first level wizard with a 16 int and the appraise skill can id 8th level objects guaranteed in a matter of minutes. You may want to consider not allowing a reroll on appraise checks when using detect magic (identify is fine because its not at will) or having a mechanic like only one reroll per day for each item.

You're onto something here. I guess you could use knowledge (arcana) instead of appraise - you're not looking how much the sword is worth, you're trying to remember what the thing can do.

Chidgey wrote:

Spell-like abilities

Domains and Wizards have some spell-like abilities of spells you really shouldn't allow. Limited Wish, Wish, Resurrection as written shouldn't be usable daily with absolutely no components or xp costs. If you have them make them cast as spells.

The resurrection I can explain: In another thread about save-or-die, James Jakobs (I think it was JJ, I'm not quite sure, though) said that although he liked s-o-d, he didn't like the punishment you take when you're brought back.

The resurrection 1/day could explain that.

As for the wishes - actually, for all three spells: We don't know what the spells will look like in PF.

They're spells that cost money or XP. Maybe PF will do away with both types of cost.

Wish could have an altered list of possibilities. It could carry a different sort of cost for some things (and none for others. Miracle doesn't charge for all choices, either).

As long as we don't know all the details, we can't know whether there's actually a big problem here is all I'm saying.

Chidgey wrote:

A Conjurer has the Mage Armour spell therefore his specialist bonus is pointless and never going to be used.

Unless Mage Armour is being buffed, the bonus isn't pointless: While it starts off worse than Mage Armour's +4, by level 10 it's equal, and starting on 15, it outperforms the spell.

And then there's duration: Mage Armour only lasts hours (one on 1st-level). Conjurer's bonus lasts all day. Great backup when you're ambushed out of business hours.

Chidgey wrote:

Racial Abilities

Unnatural Beauty - Seems strange that a race without a charisma bonus would have this effect on people.

I think I can explain this: They don't think elves are generally more charismatic than others - their social skills aren't better, they don't have greater confidence in themselves, and so on - they think elves are more pretty than other races, and this beauty affects others.

Kinda makes sense.

Of course, a charisma bonus would fit, too!

Chidgey wrote:

The alignment based cleric spells are received much later than normal. This would effect item creation.

I have a hunch that item creation will change.

And if not, I wouldn't call it an obvious problem. Potential, yes. A lot of things play into this. Playtest will show.

[James Berg]

Chidgey wrote:

The Caught Off-Guard feat allows a rogue to carry around a Chair and hit people with it to always get their sneak attack.

Only works if they're unarmed.

x wrote:

Some of the feats you converted aren't suitable as combat feats for example Precise Shot needs to be used every round (and folded into the game for free or at least have no prerequisites but that's an aside).

By all means have combat feats have prerequisites of other combat feats but you may want to consider losing the last round you must have done X mechanic.

Agreed 100%. The combat feats are going to be a nightmare of bookkeeping for the DM. If PRPG wants these kinds of feats, make them tactical feats, not base feats.

x wrote:

A Conjurer has the Mage Armour spell therefore his specialist bonus is pointless and never going to be used.

Mage Armour lasts 1h/lvl. Bonus is constant.

x wrote:

The alignment based cleric spells are received much later than normal. This would effect item creation

They're received as spell-like abilities later, not as base spells.

x wrote:

I was under the impression spell-like abilities (like Ressurrection) required components and exp. costs the same as the spells they duplicate. /shrug

Nope. SLA require only mental action. That's one of the major reasons that the domains are so powerful - they're abilities your wizard can use almost regardless of circumstance, without having to rely on Still/Silent spell and Eschew Components.

x wrote:

4) Why does the Earth Domain give an Acid attack?

Earth is the associated element with Acid.

Fire - Fire
Air - Lightning
Water - Cold
Earth - Acid

x wrote:

James Jakobs (I think it was JJ, I'm not quite sure, though) said that although he liked s-o-d, he didn't like the punishment you take when you're brought back.

The resurrection 1/day could explain that.

Those two things have nothing in common. Resurrection used as a SLA still incurs a 1 level loss.

[Kalebon]

on unnatural beauty - It is more of the effect people tend to be nicer to the elves than other demi-human races. They appear more graceful and pleasant than other races as well. (Which has no impact on charisma.) THis has more to deal with a physical appearance than a mental stat (there is no appearance stat.)

On wish, limited wish, bend reality, reality revision, miracle, and the like. Unless they word it properly the DM can interpret it any way he wants.

[Kalebon]

Also on 'caught off guard' & 'throw anything' I would like to add that it is better than calling it exotic weapon proficiency (improvised weapons.) and I think it applies only to the first attack. Once the opponent draws a weapon or has 'Improved unarmed attack' (or monk) He is no longer unarmed. (or in true bar brawl style grabs something himself to use. like a halfling.)

[NotJeff]

Chidgey wrote:

Identify

Identifying magical items can be done at will so effectively you will be taking twenty on the rolls. This means that you will automatically (take 20 or roll every 12 seconds until you get a 20) identify items that have a caster level of up to (five + int mod) greater than your own caster level.

I believe you can only try appraise on an item once, then once again after you get a new modifier(from identify the spell). which means you don't get a 20 every 12 seconds, you'd actually only get two rolls a day. If your DM allowed you to re-roll the next day. Otherwise you'd get two rolls period, until you leveled up, or got a int modifier bonus.

[NotJeff]

After reading this post a couple times, I think your mistaken on a few points. The first I pointed out in an earlier reply.

Here are the others.

About precise shot:
Precise shot can be used every round as it is in the alpha book.

About caught off guard(combat):
You said it can be used any # of times in a row. Clearly you did not read this feat. It reads "An unarmed opponent." So the person being attacked by a chair would have to not have any weapon in hand for all of these # of rounds you use as an example. Any object would count as an improvised weapon too, so the person being chaired to death could grab his own chair and he wouldn't be flat footed any more. So caught off guard isn't broken, your example doesn't make any sense. The person would have to stand there, unarmed all of those rounds. That isn't broken. The example is broken.

[Chidgey]

NotJeff wrote:

Precise shot can be used every round as it is in the alpha book.

Yes, but in Alpha 1.0 you couldn't use it with any other archery feat as they were all combat feats and you could only use one a round. This problem is now fixed.

NotJeff wrote:

About caught off guard(combat):
You said it can be used any # of times in a row. Clearly you did not read this feat. It reads "An unarmed opponent." So the person being attacked by a chair would have to not have any weapon in hand for all of these # of rounds you use as an example. Any object would count as an improvised weapon too, so the person being chaired to death could grab his own chair and he wouldn't be flat footed any more. So caught off guard isn't broken, your example doesn't make any sense. The person would have to stand there, unarmed all of those rounds. That isn't broken.

True I didn't notice the unarmed bit but not every foe can wield weapons. What's a lion going to do to protect itself from its greatest foe the chair? What's a Dragon going to do?

NotJeff wrote:

I believe you can only try appraise on an item once, then once again after you get a new modifier(from identify the spell). which means you don't get a 20 every 12 seconds, you'd actually only get two rolls a day. If your DM allowed you to re-roll the next day. Otherwise you'd get two rolls period, until you leveled up, or got a int modifier bonus.

In the Alpha document it states...

"Try Again: When using detect magic or identify to Appraise magic items, you may cast the spell again to attempt to ascertain the powers of the item."

As the detect magic spell is a cantrip you can cast it at will in Pathfinder Alpha as written.

[Jadeite]

Chidgey wrote:

True I didn't notice the unarmed bit but not every foe can wield weapons. What's a lion going to do to protect itself from its greatest foe the chair? What's a Dragon going to do?

Creatures using natural weapons are not considered unarmed. Otherwise they would provoke attacks of opportunity any time they'd attack with them. Caught of Guard might be useful from time to time, but it's not that powerful. As written it only works against enemies without natural attacks, but it might be useful when combined with Improved Disarm.

[LeSquide]

Jadeite wrote:

Chidgey wrote:

True I didn't notice the unarmed bit but not every foe can wield weapons. What's a lion going to do to protect itself from its greatest foe the chair? What's a Dragon going to do?

Creatures using natural weapons are not considered unarmed. Otherwise they would provoke attacks of opportunity any time they'd attack with them. Caught of Guard might be useful from time to time, but it's not that powerful. As written it only works against enemies without natural attacks, but it might be useful when combined with Improved Disarm.

Which is a case of neat skill synergy, and not at all overpowered. Since, as was pointed out, the chair leg doesn't work at all on the lion, making it a suboptimal strategy at best.

In fact, I think that the feat could use a boost as written.

[CastleMike]

I Franklin wrote:

2) Please re-word the Necromancer (Specialist Wizard) bonus ability - I think it needs to include 'no single undead to exceed the caster's own level of Necromancer' and it also doesn't mention any requirements on how to gain control, eg having to cast 'control undead' or Rebuke. The Turn/Rebuke ability for clerics does contain the HD vs Level limitation, but the Necromancer one doesn't.

eg 1st level Necromancer meets 8 HD vampire: according to the ability he automatically gains control! DM, "But you can't!" Player, "Yes I can. It says 'I control 8HD of undead per caster level', no quibble."

I agree the Necromancer undead control class special needs to be worded a lot better.

Even limiting it to caster level for hit die will only delay the problem until mid level when the PC gets his Shadow, Vampire Spawn or Vampire or other undead army of choice.

Imagine the high level games with the ability in play spellcasting lich and vampire armies.

[Pneumonica]

Chidgey wrote:

Unnatural Beauty - Seems strange that a race without a charisma bonus would have this effect on people.

Makes perfect sense to me. Why should a pretty race gain a bonus to intimidate? Why should being pretty be a prerequisite for being persuasive, deceitful, or frightening? Being pretty has nothing to do with being a good speaker, eloquent, etc. Just look at your favorite model, actor, or athlete (of the pretty ones, I mean). [url=smurf][/url]

[Pneumonica]

James Berg wrote:

Fire - Fire

Air - Lightning
Water - Cold
Earth - Acid

Here's something I dislike. Why should Lightning be associated with Air, and not Sonic? [URL=smurf][/url]

[gbonehead]

Pneumonica wrote:

James Berg wrote:

Fire - Fire

Air - Lightning
Water - Cold
Earth - Acid

Here's something I dislike. Why should Lightning be associated with Air, and not Sonic?

Heheh .. tricky there with the little blue person URL.

Anyways, there's a good reason for that. In 3.5E, sonic has always been kind of a wart on the side. Some energy-related abilities/spells deal with it, some don't, and it's been a bit on the random side.

For consistency, it's better to stick with the old standby, electricity, rather than sonic.

[David Jackson 60]

Jadeite wrote:

Chidgey wrote:

True I didn't notice the unarmed bit but not every foe can wield weapons. What's a lion going to do to protect itself from its greatest foe the chair? What's a Dragon going to do?

Creatures using natural weapons are not considered unarmed. Otherwise they would provoke attacks of opportunity any time they'd attack with them. Caught of Guard might be useful from time to time, but it's not that powerful. As written it only works against enemies without natural attacks, but it might be useful when combined with Improved Disarm.

The only place I see this as a problem is a wizard wielding a wand.

Is a wand considered a weapon?

This would force the wizard to drop his wand and pick up a dagger. If that's the intended bonus of the feat, then good. If not...well I hope the rogues in my party don't start carrying around bricks and tablelegs so they can make wand wielding wizards drop their wands via tableleg instead of their normal weapons.