Following this, here is my take on the Temple Guardian.
New class: the Temple Guardian
Version 0.00, March 2010
On a roll, I wanted to see what I could produce for an oriental paladin. Or something like that.
Version 0.01
The Temple Guardian has a relatively stationary job and doesn't need the Speed increase either.
HD: d10
BAB: full
Saves: good (all)
Skills: 2 points per level
Alignment: Lawful
Armor proficiency: no armors, no shield
Weapon proficiency: none
Abilities: Spellcasting, Defending, Attacking
Spellcasting
The Temple Guardian isn’t a full caster. He uses the same spell list and progression as a Paladin. His casting stat is Wisdom. The can also use the Lay of Hands ability, like a Paladin.
Defending
The Temple Guardian isn’t a full caster, but his presence protecting the earthly belongings of their deity gives them some divine power to back their work. Added to a healthy discipline, that gives characters with a tough skin. Like a monk, a Temple Guardian gets his Wisdom modifier added to his AC and +1 to his AC for every 5 levels, but he also gets a +1 bonus to his natural armor for every 5 levels. At level 5, this hardened skin can take the appearance of stone, and the character can stay immobile (Constitution checks), giving the illusion of a statue (Will saves). At level 10, this hardened skin provides a DR 1/- and take the appearance of marble. This damage reduction increases to 2/- at level 15, and 5/- at level 20.
The magical energies of the temple flow around the Temple Guardians, even when they are on missions abroad. This gives them Evasion at level 5 and Improved Evasion at level 10.
Attacking
The Temple Guardian gets the Monk’s unarmed attack damage progression, the free Improved Unarmed Attack feat, the bonus feats, Ki Strike, and the Stunning Fist ability (he doesn’t get Flurry of Blows and Maneuver Training).
Once per day per class level, he can encase his limbs in holy flames for one round. He then deals 1d6 additional holy damage, and 1d6 fire damage.
- Thoughts, ideas, criticism?
I think this would make more sense as a watered down Paladin.
Like the 'Warrior' for the Fighter, the Temple Guardian would primarily be an NPC class because most players want to get out and adventure.
Done that way, I think it would be useful.
Sigurd
I think this would make more sense as a watered down Paladin.
Like the 'Warrior' for the Fighter, the Temple Guardian would primarily be an NPC class because most players want to get out and adventure.
Adventuring isn't forbidden, I even included a bit about "missions." And it's not that much different from any class that has a similar employment indication (like the Samurai).
Personally, I would be interested in playing this, with a gaming style based on a mix betweeon Monk and Paladin, which this class is based on.
Thanks to your input, perhaps I'll add some more oomph to make it more interesting at first glance. Although it already has several good abilities already: d10 HD, full BAB, good saves, paladin's Lay on Hands (with Mercies, which I didn't explicitly say), the monk's unarmed training (barring Flurry), and an additional AC increase through natural armor (and the stone aspect too - might be good for hiding in plain sight).