Following this, here is my take on an oriental mix of abilities.
New class: the Zodiac Samurai
Version 0.00, March 2010
Overly cliché, I know. And it can be played as a Cavalier, a Fighter, even a Ranger. However, I wanted to give him an oriental feel, and took ideas from several sources. Here is the result.
Version 0.01 (in progress)
Note: The Samurai's Zodiacal Alignment ability (previously Art of War) gives feats without need for their prerequisites. It's reasonable for most of them because of the level at which he gets them. I might change the list a bit, though, like putting other tree feats (Weapon Specialization and Point-Blank Shot come to mind, as well as several other Critical feats).
HD: d10
BAB: good
Saves: good Fortitude and Will, bad Reflex
Skills: 2 points per level
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Armor proficiency: all armors, no shield
Weapon proficiency: special
Abilities: Weapon of Choice, Zodiacal Alignment, Code of Honour
Weapon of Choice
To enter this class, a character has spent long hours training with a master (a higher-level Samurai). This training has been extremely focused on one weapon of your choice, making the character proficient with the weapon (even if it is Exotic) but not the other weapons: if he had a blanket Martial Weapon Proficiency from another class, he loses it. However, he has learnt that a secondary weapon can be useful, as well as a distance weapon. He thus chooses two such weapons (not Exotic unless he has the feat) that he can also use.
When the training ends, the character is given a masterwork version of his weapon of choice, with which he is taught to bond. A Samurai cherishes his bonded weapon sometimes more than his own life: if he loses it, he also loses all benefits from the Zodiacal Alignment ability until he finds his weapon again. If there is proof or sufficient information to deem the weapon irremediably lost, the Samurai can craft himself a new one from scratch. Through his training, he gains +5 in any craft skill check related to making his own weapon of choice.
However, it is especially difficult to divest a Samurai from his weapon:
- at first level, the Samurai gets a bonus to his CMD to resist being Disarmed or his weapon of choice being Sundered, this bonus being equal to his class level.
- at 5th level, a Samurai always knows where his weapon of choice is in relation to his own position.
- at 10th level, a Samurai can Call his weapon of choice from wherever it is, provided he can see it. If it’s held by another creature, it must make a Strength check to keep it, the DC being equal to the Samurai’s class level. The weapon flies in a straight line to the Samurai’s hand, tip first: any creature in between is subject to an Overrun maneuver by the weapon as though the Samurai was doing it.
- at 15th level, a Samurai can Summon his weapon from wherever it is. It simply disappears from its place and reappears in his hand. This is a Supernatural ability.
- at 20th level, a Samurai can instantly re-create his weapon of choice if it has been destroyed. This works like the 15th level ability: whatever remains from the weapon disappears and it comes back brand new in the Samurai’s hand.
Zodiacal Alignment
The Samurai’s training with his Weapon of Choice has been both physical and spiritual. As a result, he can add his Wisdom modifier to all his attack rolls.
The Samurai continues to train as he advances in life. At second level, and every four levels afterwards, the Samurai can learn or re-learn new ways of using his weaponry. These ways require intense devotion, and a Samurai can only keep two of these styles in memory at any given level, and only use one per round. Starting at level 10, he can memorize three styles. At level 15, he can mix the benefits of two styles per round. At level 20, he can use any style he has learnt in his life.
There are one skill and five feats listed for each way of fighting. As long as the Samurai fights with the given way, the skill gets the benefit of the Skill Focus feat, and the listed feats’ benefits (but not the feats themselves) are acquired by the Samurai if he’s at least level 5, 10, 15, and 20 (for instance, a 6th-level Samurai fighting the Cat’s way is considered to have taken Skill Focus(Stealth) and Fleet).
- the way of the Tiger: Perception; gives Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Defense, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, and Greater Two-Weapon Fighting.
- the way of the Cat: Stealth; gives Fleet, Mobility, Wind Stance, and Blinding Critical.
- the way of the Dragon: Intimidate; gives Dazzling Display, Cleave, Great Cleave, and Shatter Defenses.
- the way of the Snake: Heal; gives Lunge, Vital Strike, Improved Vital Strike, and Greater Vital Strike.
- the way of the Horse: Ride; gives Mounted Combat, Ride-by Attack, Trample, and Spirited Charge.
- the way of the Ram: Climb; gives Run, Improved Overrun, Greater Overrun, Toughness.
- the way of the Monkey: Acrobatics; gives Quick Draw, Step Up, Acrobatic Steps, and Spring Attack.
- the way of the Chicken: Sense Motive; gives Blind Fight, Combat Expertise, Nimble Moves, Whirlwind Attack.
- the way of the Hound: Survival; gives Stand Still, Improved Sunder, Greater Sunder, Disruptive.
- the way of the Boar: Handle Animal; gives Endurance, Diehard, Weapon Specialization, and Strike Back.
- the way of the Rat: Bluff; gives Snatch Arrows, Deadly Aim, Shot on the Run, Mounted Archery.
- the way of the Buffalo: Swim; gives Improved Initiative, Improved Bull’s Rush, Greater Bull’s Rush, Improved Critical.
Code of Honor
This one is tricky. The Samurai is in some nobleman’s service. If he’s not, he loses access to his Zodiacal Alignment ability until he pledges himself to one. If the Samurai causes his lord’s death unknowingly, he has to Atone before he can gain a new level. If he causes his lord’s demise knowingly, he can’t progress in this class anymore. A Samurai’s employer can free him when he wants.
A Samurai doesn’t work except by doing what his lord asks. His lord provides for his food and lodging, in exchange for immediate and complete servitude. If the Samurai is required to go on a mission, he is given funds and a horse. If the Samurai is required to defend his lord’s castle, he is given armor. These exchanges should be discussed out of the game, between the Samurai’s player and the GM.
When going to battle, the Samurai’s armor can be fitted with a flagpole displaying his lord’s crest. As long as he has this flag on him, the Samurai gains a Morale bonus to attack and damage. This bonus is +1 at level 1, +2 at level 4, and raises by one every four levels afterwards. This flag can be repaired when damaged, but not made from scratch or it won’t work. The Samurai can go on a quest with no more genuine copies of his lord’s flag than he has levels.
very cool, but i might make the alignment any lawful
It's a bit weak. It's essentially a fighter who shouldn't dump wisdom but loses out on a grotesque number of feats - right until level 20, where he might as well just get every feat in the game. I'd say add some other cool abilities or widgets to it that either build off more of the zodiac stuff, or are completely disconnected from it.
I'll second the alignment comment - lawful is more in-line with both the concept, and how other classes work out.
Weapon of choice is neat ... but odd. You highly restrict what is available for use, and give a (potentially) HUGE bonus for that. Adding wis to hit and damage outright is a pretty big boon, IMO! I like the flavor of it, and it should probably be something progressive (ie: lower levels, nothing, low-mid = add wis to hit, and mid-high = add it to dmg, too).
I'm also not exactly a fan of the 1-weapon thing. It's neat, but should maybe (going on some info from other sources here) have options - say the 'zodiac' starts with weapon choice and selection maybe? The 1 weapon bothers me because of the katana and wakizashi combo - it's iconic with them and there's nothing that really allows that if you're 1-weapon in focus, PERIOD! I *think* the solution might well be to opt for a more "bloodline" approach to the class overall - really detail out the different options there for them. Traditional samurai weapons (off the top of my head) Nodachi {2-handed sword I think), Katana and Wakizashi (dual-wielded), Katana alone (probably your default list), Daiku (japanese short-bow), and a long-spear/slashing type weapon (can't remember the name). These are kind of the specialty areas from what I remember when I was all into studying it.
I'd say scrap the zodiac framework you have already - it's very ... odd. Instead, focus on the fighting style type from above list (as a suggestion) and beef that up.
Code of honor is ... very clunky right now. Not much mechanically to say about it other than more or less a sort of lack of mechanics, but even Paladin's share this. If anything, I'd just restate things in more definite terms and language vs. the vague "maybe" sort of tone it now carries to clarify it a bit.
So ... yeah. My strongest suggestion is give it the "bloodline" type of treatment. Maybe even open up Weapon Focus and Specialization for them? {steps on Fighter's toes, but whatever - IMO a "Samurai" is really just a Fighter with some serious personal honor codes in the end - maybe some skill adjustments, and then that's it.}