Converting some Non-Core Classes to Pathfinder

[Paris Crenshaw]

Hi, All.

In another thread, I discussed some changes to the spirit shaman class from "Complete Divine" and mentioned that I was working on conversions of other classes. I've done my first pass at converting the classes listed below to Pathfinder RPG rules. Much of the text is the same as what is in the original entry in their respective books, but I've added some flavor text to bring the classes into the Pathfinder setting.

For example, duskblades were elite warriors of Kyonin who may have earned their name when they were charged with protecting the Sovyrian stone in the coming Age of Darkness. I also think it likely that many duskblades would venerate Findeladlara, the elven goddess of twilight (among other things).

If you would like to take a look at the classes and provide me with feedback, I'd appreciate it. I'm looking for anything from corrections on campaign setting consistency (keeping in mind that I'm adding some elements for my own use) to math errors and typos. I'm sure I've made some mistakes.

Otherwise, feel free to make use of these classes, if you like. You can find them here: Pathfinder Non-Core Classes
Currently converted classes (C3?):
- Duskblade
- Hexblade
- Scout
- Spirit Shaman
- Warmage

Since you have to be a registered user of the site to post under the documents, you can go ahead and make any comments here...just make sure to tell me what class you're referring to. ;-)

Cheers!

[mdt]

Paris Crenshaw wrote:

Hi, All.

<snip>

Otherwise, feel free to make use of these classes, if you like. You can find them here: Pathfinder Non-Core Classes
Currently converted classes (C3?):
- Duskblade
- Hexblade
- Scout
- Spirit Shaman
- Warmage

Since you have to be a registered user of the site to post under the documents, you can go ahead and make any comments here...just make sure to tell me what class you're referring to. ;-)

Cheers!

Well,

I only looked at Scout and Warmage, as those are the only two I'm familiar enough with to comment.

Scout seems to be a direct copy from Complete Arcane, word for word, with just the class skills modified for Pathfinder. So not a lot to comment on there. Seems a fair conversion.

Warmage seems ok. Although, I've never liked the 'familiar' for the warmage. Honestly, I think it could be done away with (as Paizo did for the Sorcerer). Instead, I'd enhance their spell list. IMHO WoTC sadly neglected this class. Every expansion and splat book that came out had new Invocations for Warlocks, new Duskblade spells, new blackguard and assassin spells. But the poor Warmages never got a boost ever.

Honestly, they need some more spells added to their repetoire. There have been some quite nice combat oriented spells added to the lists through the years, but nothing added to the Warmage.

The Healer (Miniatures) has the same problem. A decent base class that was neglected. Marshall as well (although it's not a spell caster, they got neglected aura wise).

[Maxxx]

I only looked briefly at them, but were there any big changes made to the Duskblade, Hexblade and Scout except for the skills?
I would change the following things:

Duskblade: d10 like the new ranger. Deciding if the Duskblade is on par with the core classes or not, is up to you. I had a game where a Duskblade was next to useless compared to the Barbarian in the group and another one, where it nearly seemed overpowered. To see if it balanced to the Pathfinder classes, would probably need some work.

Scout: For me, I got rid of the scout and converted a lot of its class abilities to rogue talents and made the alternative class feature skirmish, that just removes sneak attack and substitutes it for skirmish.

Hexblade: I would seriously increase the number of hexes they gain per day and perhaps add a number of bonus feats (there were some hex feats in Dragon mag. at some point). Since the paladins smite also got better, I would also improve the hexblades hex, since its quite parallel to the smite from its progression. Hexblades were pretty useless in 3.5 (even weaker than a paladin), unless you seriously boosted their hex curse. Perhaps also add some ability that is on par with lay on hands (not the flavor, just an ability with a similar power level) to make the class more equivalent to the new paladin.

Don't have anything to say for the other two, never used a Spirit Shaman and the Warmage is redundant in my opinion.

[Paris Crenshaw]

Thanks for the quick feedback.

I should have specified that in all cases, I tried to go with the premise that the non-core classes from the "Complete" series and PHB2 were already at a good power level to match up with the core Pathfinder classes. As such, I tried not to change the power level of the classes and instead focused on making them direct translations from 3.5e rules to Pathfinder Beta rules. If the effects or abilities seemed like they would work the same in both systems, I didn't change anything. The initial premise may not be accurate, but that's why you don't see much change in the actual abilities.

For example, the only thing I did with the Scout was change the class skills, remove "track" as a special ability, and changed the special abilities to match their Pathfinder Beta equivalents from other classes. (I also had to change some of the Complete Adventurer feats to conform with Pathfinder skill prerequisites and effects...although I just realized that I forgot to update some skill names in some of the descriptions. It's fixed, now.)

While a agree that the Warmage probably doesn't need the familiar and could use some other ability that is perhaps more warfare-focuse, I kept that the same (though I did change it to the Arcane Bond ability) based on the stated goal of doing direct translations. Still I think a Warmage using a staff, rod, wand or weapon as a bonded object could work quite well. This is especially true of a bonded staff, since a warmage can apply his warmage edge to spells cast from a staff.

Thanks for the comments on the duskblade and the hexblade, too. I had seen some other discussion about the duskblade's HD and decided to leave it as is. I may change it to d10 after I've seen it in play a bit.

As for the hexblade, I did change the spells per day to match the progression for paladins and druids. I'll give the class a playtest and see how the class fares in comparison to its allies. Fortunately, I've got a good number of core classes in my games with which to compare the performance the non-core classes.

I realize that most people probably don't pay much attention to the descriptive text above the GAME RULE INFORMATION header, but I wouldn't mind hearing some feedback on that, as well. In many cases the information is pretty much the same (the scout's only real changes are in the "Religion" section), but other classes have changes in the "Background" and "Characteristics" sections, as well.

Thanks again, guys!

[Jhonn007]

honestly, I think the scout could be improved, especially on the speed movement, how about 10 moore ft., for a total of 30ft. something like this:
at 3rd level. 10 ft.
at 9th level. 20 ft.
at 15th level. 30 ft.
it will boost a litle bit the mecanic of the class.