[Dragon Disciple] Bloodline Expansion

[quest-master]

Rather than adding new bloodline classes, why not just convert the Dragon Disciple class into the Bloodline Disciple class, expanded with class features catering to all the different bloodlines?

[Baquies]

I think a separate PRC for each bloodline would allow those PRCs to have more flavor included in them. If all the abilities for such a class had to fit into the description of a generic "base" PRC, it might limit what is possible.

[Epic Meepo]

I would imagine you could probably lump bloodlines into a few thematic groups, each getting its own prestige class. And those would be perfect dumping grounds for all of the really gonzo, X-Men-style physical mutations that are getting attached to bloodlines (claws and fangs and wings and stretchy arms).

That sort of grouping of abilities into base sorcerer abilities and "bloodline prestige class only" abilities is really necessary to give the dragon disciple its own niche. If "dragon disciple" just becomes "dragon sorcerer plus" with a few minor abilities thrown in for good measure, then the entire sorcerer class is just a speed-bump.

If, on the other hand, a straight sorcerer can get one set of subtle, spell-related abilities by advancing to 20th level in the base class, or a different, thematically-similar set of crazy transformational abilities by prestige classing, then the base class and prestige class each has a distinct niche.

[TreeLynx]

The big problem with this is that while you might be able to certainly port at least some features of the two claw bloodlines into a similar prestige class, doing the same with the Fae, Destined, Aberrant, Infernal, or Undead bloodlines is not going to work. The flavor and strengths of the different bloodlines really split in a way that will make a single prestige class play aggressively against the different strengths of the bloodlines.

[Baquies]

Yes I like that idea, the base sorcerer class for spell enhancing related bloodline abilities, and PRCs for crazy mutations and the like.

[Sir Hexen Ineptus]

Baquies wrote:

I think a separate PRC for each bloodline would allow those PRCs to have more flavor included in them. If all the abilities for such a class had to fit into the description of a generic "base" PRC, it might limit what is possible.

+1, this is a PrC not a core class. I don't think every PrC off of a bloodline should be a d12 hit die.