I just had a flash of inspiration, and i wanted to see what you thought of this, please give critique.
Binder (Summoner Arch-Type)
The Binders are a group of mages that practice the weird and somewhat strange art of Wyrdbinding.
They force strange energies into their own bodies, warping them into weird, gruesome and otherworldly forms to defeat their foes, from simple things like claws and another set of limps, to twisted flying maws surrounded by tentacles.
Wyrdbinding(Su): As a full-round action, the Binder can force weird energies into his body, changing it into a weird monstrous wonder. The Binder chooses a number of evolutions from the Summoners eidolon evolution list equal to or less than his evolution pool. The Binder then gains these evolutions and can change them again as a full-round action. The Binders evolution points are equal to those of an eidolon of same level. The Binder also counts as an Outsider (Native) while under the effect of Wyrdbinding. Wyrdbinding lasts for one hour per use, but can be suppressed by the binder as a full-round action, removing the evolutions, but keeping the Outsider (Native) Template and the evolutions can be recalled again as full-round action.
A Binder can use Wyrdbinding once at first level and gains another use at second level and then at every other level after (4th, 6th, 8th etc.)
This ability replaces Eidolon, lifelink, Bond senses, Shield Ally, Makers Call, Transposition, Aspect, Greater Shield Ally, Life Bond, Merge Forms, Greater Aspect and Twin Eidolon.
So, what do you think? Balanced? OP? Weak?
At first glance, it's a huge nerf, IMO, which may or may not be a good thing in some people's eyes. I have not yet seen the eidolon in play, so I can't say with any certainty.
You're losing a second set of actions every round, and a bunch of class features that depend on that second entity, just to gain the morphic qualities of the eidolon in the PC itself. Seems weak to me, even if it's fun the first few times.
Well, here i went and thought i had made it too powerful :)
Suppose i gave him the ability to give another some evolution points to spend, in lieu with aspect?
I think that would sweeten the deal.
Now, how does this look?
Binder (Summoner Arch-Type)
The Binders are a group of mages that practice the weird and somewhat strange art of Wyrdbinding.
They force strange energies into their own bodies, warping them into weird, gruesome and otherworldly forms to defeat their foes, from simple things like claws and another set of limps, to twisted flying maws surrounded by tentacles.
Wyrdbinding(Su): As a full-round action, the Binder can force weird energies into his body, changing it into a weird monstrous wonder. The Binder chooses a number of evolutions from the Summoners eidolon evolution list equal to or less than his evolution pool. The Binder then gains these evolutions and can change them again as a full-round action. The Binders evolution points are equal to those of an eidolon of same level. The Binder also counts as an Outsider (Native) while under the effect of Wyrdbinding. Wyrdbinding lasts for one hour per use, but can be suppressed by the binder as a full-round action, removing the evolutions, but keeping the Outsider (Native) Template and the evolutions can be recalled again as a full-round action.
A Binder can use Wyrdbinding once at first level and gains another use at second level and then at every other level after (4th, 6th, 8th etc.)
This ability replaces Eidolon, lifelink, Bond senses, Shield Ally, Makers Call, Transposition, Greater Shield Ally, Life Bond, Merge Forms, and Twin Eidolon.
Warp Other (Su): At 10th level, a binder can divert up to 4 points from his evolution pool to add evolutions to another. He cannot select any evolution that he could not possess, and the target must be able to meet the requirements as well. The binder cannot select the ability increase evolution through this ability. Any points spent in this way are taken from his evolution pool (reducing the total number available to the binder). Warp Other uses a full-round action to use, where the binder must touch the target.
This ability replaces Aspect.
Greater Warp Other(Su): at 18th level when the binder uses Warp Other, he can still only divert 4 evolution points of his own, but each point he diverts counts for 2.
Replaces Greater Aspect.
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Placing evolution points on the summoner eems to be popular.
I like the way you've done this class though. "Wyrdbinding" makes me think of a Wordcaster scribing spells into his flesh like tattoos though.
Thanks, Dragonborn3.
It seems Serpent did a somewhat more thorough build than i came up with, i think i will work a bit more on this, to diffrientiate it a bit more from his, and maybe change a word or nine, to change the fluff.
I would have the binder choose a form and automatically gain the speed, free evolutions, maybe some stat changes. Make it more in line with wildshape, this way the summoner has a little more variety and doesn't loose too much that their pet normally has.
Or just write out the three different forms, what benefits they gain when the summoner chooses them. You apply evolution points after that. Otherwise a summoner needs to spend points on something as simple as a claw attack. And do they technically have limbs(arms)? Clarify this up and you won't get people questioning this. Also stating that equipment gets absorbed into the character, except wielded weapons, and that they provide their inherent bonuses (to a degree; boots may not work in serpent form, swords can't be wielded if you don't have hands). This fixes the fact the summoner and pet share slots: you end up now giving up additional actions for the ability to better boost your abilities through magic items.
Also, how does spellcasting work if you don't have the proper equipment to cast with?
Just some thoughts to think on.
Form ideas:
Biped:
+4 Str, +1 Natural Armor
Free Evolutions: claws (2 attacks), limbs (arms), limbs (legs)
Quadruped:
+2 Str, +2 Dex, +1 Natural Armor, +10' Speed
Free Evolutions: bite, limbs (legs) (2)
Special: You have no arms w/o choosing limbs (arms) as one of your evolutions. You cannot use any magic items associated with those limbs.
Serpentine:
+4 Dex, +1 Natural Armor, -10' Speed (-5' for small size), climb speed equal to base speed
Free Evolutions: bite, climb, reach (bite), tail, tail slap
Special: You have no limbs w/o choosing the appropriate evolutions. You cannot use any magic items associated with those limbs.
Okay, i lowered the level for the Warp other abilities a bit, made some changes to Wyrdbinding, changeing its name to Warpbinding instead + some more fluff and crunch.
Also added a new ability, that i´m unsure of.
Binder (Summoner Arch-Type)
The Binders are a group of mages that practice the weird and somewhat strange art of Warpbinding.
They force strange energies into their own bodies, warping them into weird, gruesome and otherworldly forms to defeat their foes, from simple things like claws and another set of limps, to twisted flying maws surrounded by tentacles.
Warpbinding (Su): As a full-round action, the Binder can force weird energies into his body, changing it into a weird monstrous wonder. The Binder chooses a number of evolutions from the Summoners eidolon evolution list equal to or less than his evolution pool. The binder is considered a bipedal (or other, depending on what fits the binders base form the best) eidolon of his size for free evolutions. The Binder then gains these evolutions and can change them again as a full-round action. The Binders evolution points are equal to those of an eidolon of same level. The Binder also counts as an Outsider (Native) while under the effect of Warpbinding. Warpbinding lasts for one hour per use, but can be suppressed by the binder as a full-round action, removing the evolutions, but keeping the Outsider (Native) Template and the evolutions can be recalled again as a full-round action.
The Binders equipment warps with his body, changing with him, therefore continues to be useable, armor continues to protect and accommodates new limps and weapons change to fit new alien appendages. Should the binder drop, lose, thow or in any way become separated from his equipment, the item will warp and twist for 2d6 rounds before returning to their original shape/form/color.
How the binder looks when he changes is up to the players’ narrative.
When Warpbinding ends the binder must make a fortitude save (DC 20) or become nauseated for 2 rounds from the strain of the changes.
A Binder can use Warpbinding once at first level and gains another use at second level and then at every other level after (4th, 6th, 8th etc.) A binder can alternatively use one of his Summon monster special ability uses to Warpbind for 10 minutes.
This ability replaces Eidolon, lifelink, Bond Senses, Shield Ally, Transposition, Greater Shield Ally, Life Bond, Merge Forms, and Twin Eidolon.
Warped Body (Su): At 4th level, the binders anatomy becomes so distorted that when he uses his Warpbinding, he receives a 5% chance to ignore precision damage equal to half his level of binder, capping at 50% at level 20.
This ability replaces Makers Call.
Warp Other (Su): At 7th level, a binder can divert up to 4 points from his evolution pool to add evolutions to another. He cannot select any evolution that he could not possess, and the target must be able to meet the requirements as well. The binder cannot select the ability increase evolution through this ability. Any points spent in this way are taken from his evolution pool (reducing the total number available to the binder). Warp Other uses a full-round action to use, where the binder must touch the target. Warp Other lasts for 1 day or until the binder dismisses it. Dismissing Warp Other is a move action
This ability replaces Aspect.
Greater Warp Other (Su): at 13th level when the binder uses Warp Other, he can still only divert 4 evolution points of his own, but each point he diverts counts for 2.
Replaces Greater Aspect.
A longer, more rules-y write up, but clearer in what happens. I like it, probably going to use it, sort of like an incarnum user or pact maker.
I think i will change the Nauseated effect into this:
When Warpbinding ends, the binder must make a fortitude save (DC = 15 +1 for each additional time the binder has used Warpbinding that day) or become changed in some way. This change can be anything superficial such as extra hairy forearms, one eye changing color, spontaneously sprouting 5 feet long nails, or changing gender. This change is up to GM discretion. The Binder can try to will one preexisting change away by succeeding a DC 25 will save the next time he comes out of a Warpbind.
What do you think?
I like it, got a game to playtest it in. Will let you know if I find any changes needed.