Hi all
I wont say this is perfect, but it might help for those of us practicing round 2.
These are the things I was trying to think about during my initial drafts - with the aim that the theme suggested by the arcetype name is maintained throughout.
Archetype Name (Original Class Name)
The following text goes in the main text box of your submission:
a) is my class a base class?
b) is my archetype found elsewhere?
c) does the name fit the theme?
Archetype Name (Original Class Name)
Your text goes here. This first paragraph is your descriptive introductory paragraph about the archetype. No game mechanics appear in this part of your submission.
a) no rules in the description
b) short snappy and to the point?
c) dont word bloat it
d) does it portray the theme - is it tight.
e) does it make me want to play one
Class Skills: Your text goes here. This should be a complete listing of the class's class skills, not a "add this and remove these" sort of statement. It should include "These replace the standard [class] class skills." If your archetype does not alter the original class's class skills, omit this line.
a) Do I really need to change the skills?
b) are the skill selections appropriate
c) is the skill set of the same ordinal strength of the replaced skill set, i.e did I replace 6 class skills with 5-7 class skills or 26 class skills (latter is bad)?
d) are the replacement class skills appropriate to the archetype theme
e) did I replace a class skill that invalidates/depowers an ability that I am keeping rather than replacing?
Skill Ranks Per Level: Your text goes here. If your archetype does not alter the original class's skill ranks per level, omit this line.
a) Again, do I really need to change this?
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Your text goes here. If your archetype does not alter the original class's weapon or armor proficiencies, omit this line.
a) does the archetype use a particular tool set?
b) are any of the base class weapons and armor inappropriate?
c) is the selection thematically tight?
Ability Name (Ex, Sp, or Su): Your text goes here. Every new or altered ability your archetype has should have a bold entry like this one. Make sure you identify whether this ability is extraordinary (Ex), spell-like (Sp), or supernatural (Su) in the bold header. If this ability replaces an existing ability from the original class, you should include a sentence that says "This ability replaces OriginalAbilityName."
a) The new ability - is it really needed?
b) is it themeatically tight with the concept?
c) is it of the same power/balanced? (if I replace an item with bonus, do I grant a new bonus)
d) ensure the text matches the level - i.e. if an ability replaces a 3rd level ability, make sure the text refers to "At 3rd level" and not some other level unless its refering to scaling factors, e.g. "At nth level, increase by x and increase every y levels thereafter"
e) when replacing an ability of a given level, is the replacement also suitable to be defined at that level, is the balance of power the same or close to the same?
f) are the abilities not replaced coherent as a whole when paired with the new abilities (list all abilities on a separate piece of paper - does it make a coherent whole or are their abilities referring to abilities that have been replaced?)
g) is everything consistent and tightly themed
Only once I had this drafted did I then look at
a) formatting
b) word count
c) spelling
d) spit and polish revision
Anyways, hope it helps some.
This puts into words pretty much what I've been thinking while planning out my stuff. Nice post!
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Names are always the hardest part. I mean I think Wizard in a Hoody is a great class name, but no one else agrees with me. And Dark Mysterious Hood Shadow is a great ability...
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Names are always the hardest part. I mean I think Wizard in a Hoody is a great class name, but no one else agrees with me. And Dark Mysterious Hood Shadow is a great ability...
Name is everything. I'll tell you my first idea for an Archtype since I am not going to use it. The idea was awesome in my head until I came up with a name: Humming Bard. Humming bird? Really? rofl I laughed for hours at that one. :P
Name is everything. I'll tell you my first idea for an Archtype since I am not going to use it. The idea was awesome in my head until I came up with a name: Humming Bard. Humming bird? Really? rofl I laughed for hours at that one. :P
"They" don't like pun names - that much I can tell you from experience. So, while punny names may be a humorous staple of your home brew game, and be a source of delight and mirth for all... No. Refrain.
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Name is everything. I'll tell you my first idea for an Archtype since I am not going to use it. The idea was awesome in my head until I came up with a name: Humming Bard. Humming bird? Really? rofl I laughed for hours at that one. :P"They" don't like pun names - that much I can tell you from experience. So, while punny names may be a humorous staple of your home brew game, and be a source of delight and mirth for all... No. Refrain.
Oh I know that. That's why I am not using it. I didn't create the name and then the Archtype. I had come up with a total Archtype concept and then when I went to create the name, that name came to mind. That's when I dropped it.
My name could be boring BUT it says what it does, exactly what it is and no more, i.e. what's on the tin.
You know right from the off what you are getting should my entry be going forth.
Yet, I still think it's a worthy name, so mebbe, just mebbe...
Not long now folks.
"Wizard In A Hoodie" AKA "Bill Belichick"?