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The summoner (work title) sounds like an interesting concept.
While it seems that the character himself will not be in the spotlight, remember that his "pet" is all him. It's not some critter he found and is proud like a daddy. He made the thing.
It's an interesting concept. In fact, you could say that the real character is the pet, and the summoner is just a familiar. We don't have that yet in D&D/PF.
The comparison to WoW doesn't hold here. (Remember, Pathfinder already has several classes with powerful single pets! The druid has one animal companion and one only).
The real comparison to be made here is with Pokemon! I'm not a Pokemon buff or anything, and I haven't played the Pokemon games themselves, but the concept reminds me of the Pokemon Trainer character from Super Smash Bros.
It is remarkably similar: While you "play" the trainer, you really control whatever he has summoned, and he's on the sidelines.
I was thinking more Johnny Thunder, but I think we're on the same page here.
And put me down for another one who likes "exemplar" better.
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What I'm also excited about is that if we play our cards right, this can be our Demon Summoner, Angel Binder, Fey Caller, Corpse Stitcher, Dream Shaper, Spirit Tamer, etc, etc, etc, all in one.
I think this is awesome, and love to see this variety of concept, but it makes nailing a one-word name rather challenging.
I was thinking of the word: Menagerie - a collection of wild animals kept in captivity. Menagerie has connotations of wild animals being tamed, perfect for our class. So how about something like Menagarist or Menagiere? Being a derived word, we can give our own spin to it's meaning: a Menagarist or Menagiere being some form of Beast-collector/tamer/binder, and it has that pseudo-real yet mythical D&D ring to the name.
Too soon.
I have no objection to this book in the least, particular as a more one-time occurrence than has been the case in the past.
But release at Gen Con 2010 means playtesting *right now*, and frankly I want some time to play the Core Rules that I've just gotten and am still reading.
I don't think I will take part in the playtesting, and will likely put this book away upon arrival for quite some time.
Comment on Oracle name:
I like the name Oracle. I don't understand why so many are dissing on it.The most famous oracle in western culture is the oracle at Delphi - a woman who would advise upon the success of plans and ambitions by conferring with Apollo, the god of knowledge.
So, for me, and I'm guessing for many others, oracle is a word that actually connotes both an intense relationship with a god and a passive role in the wider world.
This suits neither an adventurer nor a god-free divine caster.
I really like the name Oracle, but I think this is a good point - the name doesn't match the class well enough - Avatar and Exemplar both do the job better.
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1) Love the idea of new things to do with existing classes - fighter > swashbuckler, ranger > urban ranger, etc.
2) Exemplar or paragon sounds better to me than oracle. But what about spontaneous casting as a variant for regular clerics?
3) FOr a great example of the summoner as it's being described, there is a great example in the 5th book of the Belgariad by David Eddings. Two "warlocks" summon demons and use them to fight. Each tries to make his demon more terrible than the other. But no one sees the demons' true forms; they are morphed and cloaked in illusion by the warlocks. The battle is won by the most convincingly terrible demon. In the end, one of the demons has a chunk of flesh torn off in the battle and his master doesn't have the presence of mind to make the illusion blled. He realizes his error, loses concentration, and his own demon turns around and drags him to Hell. Pretty cool. And WAY before Pakemon!
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Cavalier :
- Concept is so-so, but why not
- Name is a big NO-NO. Cavalier in French means horserider. Absolutely no way around it
Knight, chevalier, cavalier, cavaliere, caballero, cavaleiro, ritter, ridder, etc. all refer to same thing--a mounted warrior and later social class of the middle ages (much in the same way as the samurai of Japan). Of all these different words from their different languages, "knight" is unique in that it doesn't derive from a word meaning of "horseman" or "rider". Still, that doesn't make the English knight any less of a horseman or rider than a Spanish caballero or a German ritter.
All that said, "cavalier" is perfectly acceptable name for the class that's being described.
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I really liked the sounds of all the new classes, especially the oracle and the cavalier.
My players are disappointed that they didn't get a re-invisioning of their favorite class - the scout, but otherwise we are all stoked. I have been hoping to see a good anti-paladin build that feels like the very first build in the Dragon magazine in days of yore, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that there is a blackguard/Anti-P class in the APH. The oracle sounds immensely fun, especially for those who want to play a divine class that does not have to answer to a particular god, but rather a concept. It also might make for some interesting religious debates/conflicts if for example, a powerful oracle of glory were to be at cross purposes to the church of Iomedae or Sarenrae for example.
As far as variants, I would like to see paladin options for more combat oriented auras a la the marshal class from 3.5 in place of some of their current choices. Perhaps especially if the paladin in question were of Iomedae or Gorum, or another warlike, crusading god(dess). I loved the idea of the marshal in principle and the concept of a battlefield commander type class, but in play, the class fell short of being balanced and playable imho.
I've noticed a couple of people saying they would like an anti-paladin so I figure I would throw this out there, but Jason Bulhman has essentially guaranteed this of happening in this book already. Look on the second or third page where he makes five or six points about APH. He says in the last point that he is adding an evil class that is essentially the "ANTIpathy" of a pre-existing class . . .
To me this screams Blackguard/Anti-paladin so you should have your prayers answered this time next year
I think the "summoner" should be called "Maestro." It's the master of a particular entity, whether it is one that he called down from heaven, met in the woods and befriended, built out of the corpses of his slaughtered family, or pulled out of his very own dreams.
So far, I like Aspect much better than Oracle, since it sounds like a divine champion of a specific domain, and not a seer or voice of a particular deity.
I like Dragoon better than Cavalier, unless they are going to have very strong mounted combat features as part of the class.
I like the alchemist idea.
Alchemists brew and imbibe strange elixirs to alter their physiology. Their expertise with alchemical items is unparalleled. Constant contact with toxic substances grants them resistance to poisons and venoms, and the ability to shrug off the harmful effects that would normally effect their physiologies. Eventually, all alchemists learn the secret to eternal youth.
BAB: +3/4
Good Saves: Fortitude and Will
Hit Dice: 1d8
Class Skills: Appraise, Craft, Disable Device, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (all), Linguistics, Perception, Profession, Use Magic Device.
Skill Ranks per level: 4 + Int modifier.
Alchemists are proficient with all Simple Weapons and Light Armor.
LEVEL ELIXIR ABILITY
1. 1 Brew Elixir, Imbibe Single Elixir
2. 1 Alchemical Mastery, Positive Side Effects +1
3. 2 Brew Potion, Poison Resistance 1
4. 2 Alchemical Focus
5. 2 Positive Side Effects +2
6. 3 Poison Resistance 2
7. 3 Imbibe Two Elixirs
8. 4 Enlarge Alchemy
9. 4 Poison Resistance 3
10. 4 Positive Side Effects +3
11. 5 Improved Alchemical Mastery
12. 5 Widen Alchemy, Poison Resistance 4
13. 6 Imbibe Three Elixirs
14. 6 Hearty Constitution
15. 6 Positive Side Effexts +4, Poison Resistance 5
16. 7 Maximize Alchemy
17. 7 Timeless Body
18. 8 Poison Resistance 6
19. 8 Imbibe Four Elixirs
20. 8 Greater Alchemical Mastery, Positive Side Effects +5
Brew Elixir (Ex). Alchemists can brew elixirs. Elixirs are quasi-magical infusions that can alter the physiology of the Alchemist. There are 8 levels of Elixir that the Alchemist can brew. Each type of elixir has its own cost and Fortitude Save DC. The effects of an elixir persist for 24 hours.
Imbibe Elixir (Ex). At 1st level, Alchemists can imbibe 1st level elixirs. When they do so, they must make a successful Fortitude save or suffer the negative side effect of the elixir. As alchemists grow more powerful, they can imbibe higher level elixirs. An alchemist that imbibes an elixir that exceeds the level they can safely consume risks death, as does a non-alchemist that consumes any kind of elixir. At 7th level, an alchemist can benefit from consuming 2 elixirs at once; at 13th he can benefit from 3; and at 19th he can benefit from 4.
Alchemical Mastery (Ex). Beginning at 2nd level, when an Alchemist uses an alchemical item that causes damage, he adds 1/2 his class level to the damage caused by the alchemical item.
Positive Side Effects (Ex). Beginning at 2nd level, when an Alchemist imbibes an elixir and makes a successful Fortitude save, he gains the benefits of a Positive Side Effect. He gains an alchemical bonus of +1 to one of the following: Attack Rolls, Weapon Damage Rolls, Saving Throws, DR 1/-, +5 hit points, +1 AC, or acid, cold, electrical, fire, or sonic resistance 5. At levels 5, 10, 15, and 20, this bonus increases, and the alchemist can mix and match the various benefits each time he imbibes an elixir.
Brew Potion. At 3rd level, the alchemist gains brew potion as a bonus feat. He can make a Craft alchemy check with a DC of 15 + the spell level to create a potion that duplicates as an arcane spell or 25 + the spell level to create a potion that duplicates a divine spell.
Poison Resistance (Ex). At 3rd level, the alchemist is less affected by poisons than regular folk. He reduces the amount of ability damage he suffers from poison by 1. At 6th level, and every 3 levels thereafter, he increases the amount of ability damage that he can shrug off.
Alchemical Focus (Ex). At 4th level, the alchemist adds half his class level to the Save DC, if any, of any alchemical item he uses.
Mettle (Ex). At 6th level, whenever the alchemist makes a successful Fortitude or Will save against an effect that normally would have a lesser effect on a successful save, he instead completely negates the effect.
Enlarge Alchemy (Ex). At 8th level, the alchemist doubles the range of any alchemical item he uses.
Improved Alchemical Mastery (Ex). Beginning at 11th level, when an Alchemist uses an alchemical item that causes damage, he adds his class level to the damage caused by the alchemical item. This ability supercedes Alchemical Mastery.
Widen Alchemy (Ex). At 12th level, the alchemist doubles the area of effect of any alchemical item he uses.
Hearty Consitution (Ex). At 14th level, whenever the alchemist fails a Fortitude save, the following round he gets to make a single second Fortitude save to resist and negate the effects of the initial failed Fortitude save.
Maximize Alchemy (Ex). At 16th level, instead of rolling for damage when using an alchemical item, the alchemist causes maximum damage when using any alchemical item.
Timeless Body (Ex). At 17th level, the alchemist learns to create a special concoction that arrests his physical age. He ceases to gain ability penalties for aging, but he still gains ability increases for aging. In addition, his natural lifespan doubles.
Greater Alchemical Mastery (Ex). At 20th level, the alchemist adds double his class level to the damage he causes with alchemical items. This replaces and supercedes Improved Alchemical Mastery.
Sample Elixirs
1. Snapping Turtle Soup.
Craft alchemy DC 15.
Fortitude DC 15.
Benefit: You grow a heavy shell and flipper-like appendages. You gain an armor bonus equal to your Constitution bonus + 1/2 your alchemist level. You gain a swim speed equal to your land speed and a +8 alchemical bonus to Swim skill checks. You gain a +8 alchemical bonus on Constitution checks to hold your breath. Once every 5 rounds, you can make a sonic snap attack with a range of 30 feet. The target must make a Fortitude save with a DC of 10 + 1/2 your alchemist level + your Charisma modifier or take 1d6 + your alchemist level points of sonic damage and be stunned for 1 round
Negative Side Effect: Your speed is reduced to half your normal speed for the duration of the elixir.
2. Eye of Newt
Craft alchemy DC 19.
Fortitude DC 20.
Benefit: Your eyes become large and bulbous. You can see in normal and magical darkness and gain the benefits of a See Invisiblity spell. A number of times per day equal to you Constitution bonus you can use Clairvoyance.
Negative Side Effect: You take a -4 alchemical penalty to all Intelligence based skill checks for the duration of the elixir.
3. Wing of Bat
Craft alchemy DC 23.
Fortitude DC 22.
Benefit: Your ears grow and look like batwings. You gain blindsense with a range equal to 10 feet multiplied by your Consitution bonus and you gain the benefits of the Blindfighting feat. You can use Swift Fly once every 5 rounds. Once every 5 rounds, you can use Scare with a save DC of 10 + 1/2 your alchemist level + your Charisma modifier.
Negative Side Effect: You are blinded for the duration of the elixir.
4. Sewer Gas
Craft alchemy DC 25.
Fortitude DC 25.
Benefit: You become insubstantial, as if the subject of a Gaseous Form spell, but your Fly speed is equal to your normal land speed. You gain a deflection bonus to AC equal to your Charisma bonus. By entering an opponent's space, you can make touch attack that simulates the Ghouls Touch spell with a DC of 10 + 1/2 you alchemist level + your Charisma modifier. Once every 5 rounds, you may create a Stinking Cloud effect with a DC of 10 + 1/2 your alchemist level + you Charisma modifier.
Negative Side Effect: You take double damage from area effects.
5. Invisible Man
Craft alchemy DC 27.
Fortitude DC 26.
Benefit: You gain the benefits of Greater Invisiblity, which you cannot dispel for the duration of the elixir. You gain the ability to use Sudden Strike for +3d6, +1d6 for every 3 levels of alchemist you gain above 11th level (4d6 at 14th, 5d6 at 17th, and 6d6 at 20th). At will, you can use Sanctuary on yourself, with a Save DC of 10 + 1/2 your alchemist level + your Charisma modifier.
Negative Side Effect: Your gear does not gain the benefits of Greater Invisiblity. Also, you become partially insubstantial, causing all attacks on you to automatically be critical hits.
6. Your Dark Side
Craft alchemy DC 30.
Fortitude DC 28.
Benefit: You gain the benefits of Righteous Might. You gain the Improved Unarmed Strike ability and damage of a monk equal to your alchemist level, adjusted for your increased size. Your alignment shifts to evil along its morality axis.
Negative Side Effect: You suffer a -8 alchemical penalty to Intelligence and Wisdom, and your alignment shifts to Chaotic Evil.
7. Spring-heeled Jack
Craft alchemy DC 32
Fortitude DC 29.
Benefit: You gain a +30 alchemical bonus to Acrobatics checks to Jump and you benefit from the effects of a Haste spell. Once every 5 rounds, you can exhale a line of fire 10 feet long per alchemist level that causes 1d6 points of damage per alchemist level that you have, with a Reflex save of 10 + 1/2 you alchemist level + your Constitution modifier for half damage. As a move action, you can teleport 5 feet per alchemist level.
Negative Side Effect: You lose your ability to speak, read, or write.
8. Colossus
Craft alchemy DC 40
Fortitude DC 30
Benefit: Your body becomes covered in adamantine, granting you a natural armor bonus equal to your alchemist level. You gain DR 10/adamantine and SR 10 + your alchemist level. You gain a +8 alchemist bonus to your Strength and Constitution scores. You gain the Improved Unarmed Strike of a monk equal to your alchemist level and your unarmed strikes overcome DR as if they were adamantine. You gain the benefits of the Improved Sunder feat even if you don't meet the requirements. You are vulnerable to Rusting Grasp and similar effects.
Negative Side Effect: Your speed is reduced to 5 feet, you take a -8 alchemical penalty to Dexterity, and you suffer double damage from Rusting Grasp and similar effects.
New Feats.
Purge Elixir
Requirements: 3 ranks in Craft Alchemy
Benefit: Once per day as a full round action, you may purge a single elixir from your system.
Consume Elixir
Requirements: 1 rank in Craft Alchemy or base Fortitude bonus of +2
Benefit: Choose a single 1st level elixir. You gain the ability to imbibe that elixir as if you were an Alchemist with a class level equal to 1/2 your character level (minimum 1).
How 'bout some new ranger combat styles, other than archery and two-weapon? Non-lethal combat. Mounted. Thrown weapons. Etc.I'm sure this will be in there.
I was just thinking today that a Ranger with an Unarmed fighting style would make a perfect Tarzan type. You can't do it with a barbarian (not easily), same for fighter or monk. Basically, none of the types fit it, but if you could do unarmed with ranger, and then swap out his armor proficiency for a monk's wis bonus to ac, you'd have a good Tarzan type class.
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I was just thinking today that a Ranger with an Unarmed fighting style would make a perfect Tarzan type. You can't do it with a barbarian (not easily), same for fighter or monk. Basically, none of the types fit it, but if you could do unarmed with ranger, and then swap out his armor proficiency for a monk's wis bonus to ac, you'd have a good Tarzan type class.How 'bout some new ranger combat styles, other than archery and two-weapon? Non-lethal combat. Mounted. Thrown weapons. Etc.I'm sure this will be in there.
Add in an Ape Animal Companion at level 4, and you totally have a very good plan.
I was just thinking today that a Ranger with an Unarmed fighting style would make a perfect Tarzan type. You can't do it with a barbarian (not easily), same for fighter or monk. Basically, none of the types fit it, but if you could do unarmed with ranger, and then swap out his armor proficiency for a monk's wis bonus to ac, you'd have a good Tarzan type class.How 'bout some new ranger combat styles, other than archery and two-weapon? Non-lethal combat. Mounted. Thrown weapons. Etc.I'm sure this will be in there.
Interesting choice in light of the upcoming Mwangi AP.
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I was just thinking today that a Ranger with an Unarmed fighting style would make a perfect Tarzan type. You can't do it with a barbarian (not easily), same for fighter or monk. Basically, none of the types fit it, but if you could do unarmed with ranger, and then swap out his armor proficiency for a monk's wis bonus to ac, you'd have a good Tarzan type class.Add in an Ape Animal Companion at level 4, and you totally have a very good plan.
I was just thinking today, with all the talk around the Summoner, that the base classes really don't provide a classic Beastmaster build. I was thinking Barbarian type with panther, or Tarzan type with ape, or Rogue type with ferret. The classes with animal companions don't really strike me as Beastmaster types, or they have spellcasting, which doesn't really fit the classic Beastmaster role. I think there's room in the game for a Beastmaster base class, no spellcasting, which grants an animal companion at 1st level.
Maybe it could be an alternate class feature build of the Ranger, though I'm hard-pressed to think of something he could swap out at 1st level to compensate, a Beatmaster would definitely require track and wild empathy .. maybe sacrifice favoured enemy - while not crucial to a Beastmaster, they don't strike me as vengeful, favoured enemy wouldn't be out-of-place - and does that seem enough of a swap? I didn't think so.
Interesting choice in light of the upcoming Mwangi AP.
Definitely!
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32
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Shaper?
That's what I thought too :)
I'm not so keen on Oracle either - I like the idea of giving it another meaning but Oracle of Strength just doesn't sit right with me. If it didn't already have an established meaning in the D&D world I'd say avatar. Or maybe epitome but then there's pronunciation wars! Embodiment of Strength? Naaa, bit clunky.
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Shaper?That's what I thought too :)
Shaper doesn't really fit many of the concepts Wes described in his earlier post.
I'm not so keen on Oracle either - I like the idea of giving it another meaning but Oracle of Strength just doesn't sit right with me. If it didn't already have an established meaning in the D&D world I'd say avatar. Or maybe epitome but then there's pronunciation wars! Embodiment of Strength? Naaa, bit clunky.
I know it's Jason's baby, but I really think he's struggling to sell "Oracle" to the masses. Everyone seems to be overwhelmingly favouring descriptors such as avatar, embodiment, epitome, paragon. It's not even a 50/50 debate.
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Cavalier is probably not going to change names. There will be some mounted stuff for the class, we're just not going to pin everything to that concept.
Feel free to suggest alternate names, but please note that not a single class in the core list has a name that includes more than one word, and I'd like to keep it that way for every single base class in the game.
You could name it
...just kidding
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I was just thinking today that a Ranger with an Unarmed fighting style would make a perfect Tarzan type. You can't do it with a barbarian (not easily), same for fighter or monk. Basically, none of the types fit it, but if you could do unarmed with ranger, and then swap out his armor proficiency for a monk's wis bonus to ac, you'd have a good Tarzan type class.How 'bout some new ranger combat styles, other than archery and two-weapon? Non-lethal combat. Mounted. Thrown weapons. Etc.I'm sure this will be in there.
Tarzan used hugenormous knife.
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I am going to play a 'Summoner' for two reasons(both of which stem from nostalgia).
1)'Summoner' = Pokemon Trainer.
2)'Summoner' = Digidestined.Nostalgia FTW!
For some reason, the 'summoner' makes me think of the demon-based magic in Stormbringer of old, which was just perfect, at least for flavor : IIRC, you would choose the demon's type based on your current need and then allocate points for characteristics and special abilities with a budget based on how well you succeeded the invocation check (or was it based on the demon's power, I am not sure).
The idea of summoning a swarm also sound very attractive to me. It reminds me of the Darkness comic character which I really enjoyed, especially because of the demonlings' acerbic comments and twisted humor.
Playing a 'summoner' feels really enticing.
For some reason, the 'summoner' makes me think of the demon-based magic in Stormbringer of old, which was just perfect, at least for flavor : IIRC, you would choose the demon's type based on your current need and then allocate points for characteristics and special abilities with a budget based on how well you succeeded the invocation check (or was it based on the demon's power, I am not sure).
I think it was based on your degree of success in summoning the creature. But these demons could make you overly powerful, if I think of demon-infused weapon and armor - even the weakest of those practically guaranteed that a hit with this weapon was deadly, whereas the armor was invincible without a demonic weapon. While this was ok in the Stormbringer context, a mechanic like this would spell trouble for Pathfinder. That said, some mechanic similar to this might be quite interesting.
Stefan
Summoner and Alchemist sound great. Oracle is a software company. We already have a cavalier, it's called a paladin.
Hey there folks,
Couple of notes here this morning.
1. The Oracle name is one that I really like. Oracle does not always mean the agent of a god specifically. It can mean someone who is the authority on a specific topic or sphere of influence, which is what we are going for here. The hercules example is a really good one. As the oracle of strength, he would be beholden to no particular god, but he would draw his power from the divine and would have relationships with all of the gods that carry the Strength domain. This can make for some very interesting rp opportunities in game. This, of course, is also my way of working a certain level of polytheism into the game, which I think is a good thing.
Firstly, i really like the name Oracle for this class, so i hope that stays. Having read this, I now very much want to play an oracle of war, based around the Grimm Ferris and Artesia from the artesia comics.
2. That said, the names are not, by any means, set in stone. We like some of them, and some of them will probably stay, but others will change. You can count on that. We are still working on a better name for the Summoner. I am open to suggestions.
To me, the name that most sticks out as appropreate to me is Demiurge, especially as the summoner can just as easily be a golem smith or a necromancer.
3. The playtest will begin as soon as we are ready. I would expect a bit later this year. I hope to release some material from other parts of the book earlier through the blog for playtest and review, but this will be a less formal process. The new base classes will be getting the lionshare of the playtest time.
I cant wait.
5. I am still working out a few different ways that we might include a certain evil-doer class into the book... some might even say it is the ANTIpathy of another class.Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
My god....they are going to include an antibard...*panics.*
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I was just thinking today that a Ranger with an Unarmed fighting style would make a perfect Tarzan type. You can't do it with a barbarian (not easily), same for fighter or monk. Basically, none of the types fit it, but if you could do unarmed with ranger, and then swap out his armor proficiency for a monk's wis bonus to ac, you'd have a good Tarzan type class.How 'bout some new ranger combat styles, other than archery and two-weapon? Non-lethal combat. Mounted. Thrown weapons. Etc.I'm sure this will be in there.
Add on something like the Superior Unarmed Strike feat from Tome of Battle. Pre-reqs Improved Unarmed Strike and BAB +3. Ups your unarmed damage to 1d4 at BAB +3, 1d6 at BAB +4, 1d8 at BAB +8, 1d10 at BAB +12, and 2d6 at BAB +16.
Oracle doesn't bother me, if there is some kind of "communion with the gods" but I do get that it does have some divination like feel to it. On the other hand, I really don't like Avatar, because while it may be descriptive, the term has a specific meaning in several editions of D&D, and while Pathfinder is its own thing, its is its own thing owing to old traditions, so I'd rather go a different route.
How about Paraclete? Aside from the obvious NT references, it derives from Koine Greek, which means 'one who consoles, one who intercedes on our behalf, a comforter, or an advocate.'
How 'bout some new ranger combat styles, other than archery and two-weapon? Non-lethal combat. Mounted. Thrown weapons. Etc.I'm sure this will be in there.
Crossbow mastery from the CS? My husband has a deep dwarf "caver" he wanted to go non-2-weapon-fighting with, but we couldn't come up with enough crossbow feats to switch out with archery ones.
Tarzan used hugenormous knife.I was just thinking today that a Ranger with an Unarmed fighting style would make a perfect Tarzan type. You can't do it with a barbarian (not easily), same for fighter or monk. Basically, none of the types fit it, but if you could do unarmed with ranger, and then swap out his armor proficiency for a monk's wis bonus to ac, you'd have a good Tarzan type class.How 'bout some new ranger combat styles, other than archery and two-weapon? Non-lethal combat. Mounted. Thrown weapons. Etc.I'm sure this will be in there.
Or spear. But both are simple weapons. Mostly he grappled and wrestled. And was a beastmaster. As someone said above, there's no real beastmaster class (druid kinda is, but not really). I think it could be handled relatively easily with alternate builds though, especially with the Ranger. Give up spells for a new class ability to form bonds with multiple animal companions (effective druid level = ranger level for first animal companion, every 5 levels he can add another animal at -3 levels). So, at 5th level he has an animal companion based off druid level = 5, and a second based off level = 2. And then at higher levels he can gain unusual companions in place of his highest, or they gain special abilities. Then take unarmed combat path for a ranger instead of ranged/two-weapon, then you have tarzan.
Crossbow mastery from the CS? My husband has a deep dwarf "caver" he wanted to go non-2-weapon-fighting with, but we couldn't come up with enough crossbow feats to switch out with archery ones.How 'bout some new ranger combat styles, other than archery and two-weapon? Non-lethal combat. Mounted. Thrown weapons. Etc.I'm sure this will be in there.
Don't most of the existing archery feats work just fine with crossbows?
Rapid Shot and Manyshot don't, but Point-blank Shot, Precise Shot etc. do.
Replace Rapid Shot with Rapid Reload and Manyshot with...
Huh. I guess there's only one crossbow feat, isn't there?
Okay, this is pilfered from the "Rapid Reload" feat chain in Iron Heroes.
Your excellent reflexes allow you to attack the second a foe appears.
Prerequisite: Improved Initiative, Rapid Reload (any), Base attack bonus +6
Benefit: If you have a crossbow of any type loaded and held at ready, you may make an attack as a free action at the beginning of your first turn, firing reflexively on your foes.
This feat even allows you to attack during a surprise round in which you were surprised. Roll initiative to see when your free attack is made. This does not count as an action, so your character is still considered flat-footed.
Hydro's quick-and-dirty "crossbow path":
If the ranger selects crossbow archery, he can choose from the following list whenever he gains a combat style feat: Far Shot, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, and Rapid Reload. At 6th level, he adds Improved Precise Shot and Itchy Trigger-Finger to the list. At 10th level, he adds Pinpoint Targeting and Shot on the Run to the list.
I was actually hoping for less alignment restrictions in Pathfinder. I'm all for new Paladin classes for each alignment or an option to work under different alignments even ...
One other niche that doesn't seem to have been filled yet is that previously filled by the "Paladins of other alignments" variants. Melee combat focused holy warriors of a wide range of alignments.
I do, however, wish that the APG would include more races. Maybe some that are more unique or more stylistic? I think One Bad Egg made an Ape Lord race for 4e. Something like that was really interesting for me.
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I do, however, wish that the APG would include more races. Maybe some that are more unique or more stylistic? I think One Bad Egg made an Ape Lord race for 4e. Something like that was really interesting for me.
My players and I really enjoy varied races too. But I think you'll find the races you're looking for in the Pathfinder Bestiary. Check out the Goblin, Tengu and Tiefling in the free Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary Free Preview PDF as examples.
I really like the concept behind the Oracle. I like the Favored Soul in 3.5 (Divine Spontaneous Caster), it had issues, but it got me what I wanted.
I'd love to see the Paizo DSC, but I cannot stress exactly how much I want a different name for it. A really quick and poor thesaurus search found plenty of other words that evoke a similar divine connection but stopped short of Oracle of Delphi imagery that comes with the 'Oracle'.
I like Meister because the prefix can tell people your speciality:Doctor Victor Frankenstein - Fleshmeister (Novel)
Dar - Beastmeister (Television)
Ash Ketchum - Monstermeister (Animation)
Overlord - Minionmeister (X-Box 360)
Nah. You could be a 1st-level Meister. At 1st-level, you're Lehrling. Maybe Geselle.
We don't have an Archmage base class, either.
But release at Gen Con 2010 means playtesting *right now*
Not necessarily. You don't need as much time for a supplemental book, or even just parts of that book.
Oracle is a software company.
What isn't these days?
I do, however, wish that the APG would include more races.
I think there will be a book for that sort of thing. The Big Book Of Playing All Sorts of Freaks As PF Characters.
That will open up goblinoids, tieflings (and other planetouched), orcs, and lots and lots of other concepts (up to stuff like angels and demons or maybe even some really funky aberrations)
I see alot of people are excited over the Alchemist class. I have one question though. He sounds exciting and cool with all the abilities he can do with is potions and salves and unguents, however Im thinking practicality here. How will he be able to carry around beakers and ingredients and measuring instruments and a whole mini lab. He will have to spend time over a fire brewing strange elixirs and what not. I think it could get somewhat cumbersome. What happens when he runs out of beakers or his equipment breaks because someone was careless. Such things are quite delicate. The alchemist I can picture staying in the comfort of his own home brewing his strange concoctions, and maybe venturing forth to procure some rare ingredient. Personally I think it might work better as an NPC class.
The other three classes sound fine to me. Oracle though is more appropiate to a prophet seer type. The word Oracle brings Pythia to mind.
Well, all classes need weaknesses, I suppose. Honestly, I think a way around it can be found by most clever adventurers.
That is of course assuming Paizo's Alchemist is similar to what you said and not FMA.
The description given doesn't sound like FMA...thankfully. Jason described Jekyll and Hyde. Though, I'm hoping it has elements of the final fantasy tactics chemist and a grenadier. Really, there's so much you can do with it, it's pretty exciting.
You could just call the summoner the "master." And then when you choose a type, add it to the name: Dead Master, Construct master, fey master.
Or maybe caller. Fey-caller has a nice ring.
Oracle is a software company.What isn't these days?
Alright, Oracle is a software company with a helicopter pad for its CEO.