I must say I am quite fond of the Liberator prestige class included in the Second Darkness Companion - it doesn't look grossly overpowered or underpowered, and is a very nice niche. It is incredibly strong at breaking things free, and that's very much not broken.
One errata issue though - the 5th level "Slaver's Ruin" power has no action type listed, or limit per day. "Designating" is typically a free action, and unlisted actions are typically standard actions by default.
Slaver's Ruin:
I would suggestion one of the following: A) free action to designate, usable 1/day per target; B) move action to designate; or C) swift action to designate, usable 1/day per class level.
[Edit for Conversion info:]
Conversion to Pathfinder RPG:
Requirements:
Skills - Open Locks 6 ranks --> Disable Device 3 ranks. Escape Artist 6 ranks --> Escape Artist 3 ranks.
Feats - Possibly remove Power Attack as a prerequisite (as it is no longer a prerequisite for Improved Sunder). Perhaps should be there though.
Class Features:
Lockbreaker - competence bonus should be to Disable Device now instead of Open Locks.
Great Sunder - +2 morale bonus to Combat Maneuver attack to sunder (instead of opposed attack roll).
Quick Pick - Disable Device checks as a move action instead of Open Locks - probably restricted to opening locks.
Requirements:
Skills - Open Locks 6 ranks --> Disable Device 3 ranks. Escape Artist 6 ranks --> Escape Artist 3 ranks.
Feats - Possibly remove Power Attack as a prerequisite (as it is no longer a prerequisite for Improved Sunder). Perhaps should be there though.Class Features:
Lockbreaker - competence bonus should be to Disable Device now instead of Open Locks.
Great Sunder - +2 morale bonus to Combat Maneuver attack to sunder (instead of opposed attack roll).
Quick Pick - Disable Device checks as a move action instead of Open Locks - probably restricted to opening locks.
Grrr... hopefully I'll be able to look at this monday or tuesday.
It's interesting the change in the skills system seriously affects the way you qualify for prestige classes. For example "6 ranks in Disable Device", under Core means either a 3 levels of a class with DD as a class skill or 12 levels in a class without it. So how do you make the prereq reflect this under PRPG. Using 3 ranks as you suggested means that it's just as easy for a fighter to qualify for this PrC as it is for a rogue.
I would think a more appropriate prereq would be
- Either Disable Device as a class skill or Skill Focus Disable Device
- 3 ranks of Disable Device
Classes that don't have DD as a class skill have an additional feat tax.
Eh... I'll look it over when I get it and then I can probably say something more meaningful.
Requirements:
Skills - Open Locks 6 ranks --> Disable Device 3 ranks. Escape Artist 6 ranks --> Escape Artist 3 ranks.
Feats - Possibly remove Power Attack as a prerequisite (as it is no longer a prerequisite for Improved Sunder). Perhaps should be there though.Class Features:
Lockbreaker - competence bonus should be to Disable Device now instead of Open Locks.
Great Sunder - +2 morale bonus to Combat Maneuver attack to sunder (instead of opposed attack roll).
Quick Pick - Disable Device checks as a move action instead of Open Locks - probably restricted to opening locks.
Grrr... hopefully I'll be able to look at this monday or tuesday.
It's interesting the change in the skills system seriously affects the way you qualify for prestige classes. For example "6 ranks in Disable Device", under Core means either a 3 levels of a class with DD as a class skill or 12 levels in a class without it. So how do you make the prereq reflect this under PRPG. Using 3 ranks as you suggested means that it's just as easy for a fighter to qualify for this PrC as it is for a rogue.
I would think a more appropriate prereq would be
- Either Disable Device as a class skill or Skill Focus Disable Device
- 3 ranks of Disable Device
Isn't there a sidebar near the beginning of the skills section saying that when qualifying for prestige classes, if you don't have a skill prerequisite as a class skill you have to have double the necessary number of ranks?
Isn't there a sidebar near the beginning of the skills section saying that when qualifying for prestige classes, if you don't have a skill prerequisite as a class skill you have to have double the necessary number of ranks?
Indeed it does... I was thinking that was referring to a guide to converting existing classes. Thus it would be 3 ranks or 6 ranks if the character does not have that skill as a class skill.
Designating a target for the liberator is indeed a free action.
So what would limit the Liberator from designating a target before each and every attack? I suppose technically DM's can bar actions, even free actions, in the middle of a full attack action, but enforcing that is a bit rare.
It's interesting the change in the skills system seriously affects the way you qualify for prestige classes. For example "6 ranks in Disable Device", under Core means either a 3 levels of a class with DD as a class skill or 12 levels in a class without it. So how do you make the prereq reflect this under PRPG. Using 3 ranks as you suggested means that it's just as easy for a fighter to qualify for this PrC as it is for a rogue.
I would think a more appropriate prereq would be
- Either Disable Device as a class skill or Skill Focus Disable Device
- 3 ranks of Disable Device
Regarding the skill points pre-req: I like your idea, though I think the original 6 ranks should qualify as well. How can that be phrased easier though?
Perhaps:
Skills: Disable Device 3 ranks + [3 ranks or class skill or skill focus].
Long but fairly clear. Or just make all skill prereqs have that as default.
And FWIW, it was 9 levels of a class without it as a class skill (9+3, /2 = 6).
Skills: Disable Device 3 ranks + [3 ranks or class skill or skill focus].
I know where you are coming from but I don't usually see PrC qualifications this complex. Of course it's not like it's published, sounds fine for a house ruled fix.
Personally I think the non-class skill double the number of ranks thing is a little awkward. Hopefully when they start publishing PrCs they will be written with this in mind.