OK, I'm nearing final development stage of Kaidan RPG next month, and some new ideas about the ninja is stirring - a completely different direction than I've previously planned and developed, but seems very intriguing. I need your critiques and comments.
Prerequisites: ki pool, ranks in acrobatics: 8, ranks in disguise: 5, ranks in stealth: 8
In Kaidan, I have a Budoka to represent the standard PF monk in my setting, however, I am thinking of adding Shinobi as another standard monk, though one that is born and trained in a Ninja House.
At 5th level or higher, the Shinobi monk may choose to take the ninja prestige class, which grants him access to 10 selections of ki powers unique to ninja, though from a large pool of ki powers to choose from.
Also a Shinobi, must choose one class to multi-class in (up to 10 levels, as the this second class is integrated into the Prestige class.) The shinobi must choose to multi-class as: fighter, rogue or sorcerer.
In Kaidan all ninja houses are based on ninja bloodlines, thus all have a possible sorcerer bloodline connection (five available ninja sorcerer bloodlines...)
So taking this prestige class is a different kind of multi-classing.
Is that even practical? I'm looking for a jack-of-all trades type ninja that offers a different mechanic to multi-class, built into a prestige class...?
GP
What about this. Instead of multi-classing with standard classes, they multiclass as NPC classes? NPC classes basically don't get class features, so your ninja ki power selection might fill that part. So this would kind of be like adding NPC classes to racial equivalent levels.
If you go this route you might want to adjust the adept spell list accordingly.
Ninja (prestige class)
Requirements: ki pool, ranks in acrobatics: 8, ranks in disguise: 5, ranks in stealth: 8
HD/BAB/Saves/Skill points: varies, same skills as Monk class, plus class skills of selected ninja path (fighter, rogue, or sorcerer)
Choose one of three ninja paths:
Weapon Master Ninja
Proficient with all simple and martial weapons of the ninja weapon list, and proficient in light armor, no shields.
HD: d10, BAB: Full, Saves as Fighter, 2 + INT modifier for skills, Skills as Monk. Add fighter class skills to skill list.
1st: Combat Expertise and Dodge (bonus feats)
2nd: Ki power, Improved Combat Maneuver of choice (bonus feat)
3rd: Defensive training 1
4th: Ki power
5th: Ninja weapon training 1
6th: Ki power, Greater Combat Maneuver (bonus feat)
7th: Defensive training 2
8th: Ki power, advanced ki power
9th: Ninja weapon training 2
10th: Ki power, Whirlwind Attack (bonus feat),
Defensive Training 1 - add your WIS bonus to AC, and DR 1/-
Defensive Training 2 - add half your Ninja levels as a dodge bonus to AC, and DR 2/-
Ninja Weapon Training 1 & 2 - as Fighter Weapon Training, but applies to Ninja Weapons list:
Blades: bastard sword (katana), long sword (ninja-to), short sword (wakizashi), scimitar, siangham, and kukri.
Monk weapons: chain-staff, kama, nunchaku, sai, tetsubo (iron club).
Ninja ranged weapons: blow gun, mouth darts, short bow (hankyu), shuriken, grenades.
Stealth Master Ninja
Proficient with all simple weapons of the ninja weapon list, proficient in light armor, no shields
gains HD: d8, BAB: 3/4, Saves: good Reflex, Skills: 8 + INT modifier. Add Rogue class skills to skill list.
1st: Sneak attack 1d6, trapfinding
2nd: Improved evasion, rogue talent
3rd: Sneak attack 2d6, trapsense 1
4th: Rogue talent, uncanny dodge
5th: Sneak attack 3d6
6th: Rogue talent, trapsense 2
7th: Sneak attack 4d6
8th: Improved uncanny dodge, rogue talent, advanced ki power
9th: Sneak attack 5d6
10th: Rogue talent, advanced talent
Rogue Talent: as per available rogue talents, may opt to take any ki power instead of a rogue talent at any time.
Sorcery Master Ninja
Proficient with all simple weapons of the ninja weapon list, not proficient with any armor or shields.
gains HD: d6, BAB 1/2, Saves: good Will, Skills: 2 + INT modifier, same skills as Sorcerer. Add sorcery class skills to skill list.
1st: Bloodline power, cantrips, eschew materials, spell
2nd: Ki power
3rd: Bloodline power, bloodline spell
4th: Ki power
5th: Bloodline spell
6th: Ki power
7th: Bloodline feat, bloodline spell
8th: Ki power, advanced ki power
9th: Bloodline power, bloodline spell
10th: Ki power
The sorcery master ninja would have a limited ninja spell list, smaller than the sorceror/wizard list, plus might have five ninja bloodlines that are different from current sorceror bloodlines, perhaps based on mythical creatures: Kami (heavenly spirits), Kirin, Oni (ogre mage), Ryu (sea dragon), Tengu (nature oni)
Prestige Class Requirements assume the character is a Monk, or Shinobi (ninja house monk) at least 5th level of experience for minimum prerequisites.
Ki Powers:
Still building a list of Ki Powers - will post later.
Ninja Weapon List: (martial) bastard sword (katana), longsword (ninja-to), glaive (naginata), chain staff, iron club (tetsubo); (simple) scimitar, kukri, sai, kama, nunchaku, siangham, quarterstaff (bo); (ranged) blow gun, mouth darts, short bow (hankyu), and shuriken.
Equipment:
As an aside all Ninja will have access to a wide variety of specialized equipment: including climbing claws and climbing slippers, smoke grenades, eggshell grenades, portable traps, silk climbing cord and grappling hooks, poisons, thieves tools and more.
GP