I'm not looking to change the archetype, I'm looking to brainstorm balanced ideas, feats mostly, that work to enhance the archetype. I've found the concept both silly and pretty awesome and am building one for an upcoming Jade Regent campaign, though I would really like the scroll blade and scroll shield to have a bit more... longevity. I'm toying with the idea of feats to increase the effective hit points of the scrolls when using them as a weapon and shield as well as enhancing the scroll blade so it can, oh I don't know, maybe deal slashing damage and such, or perhaps one that allows you to 2 weapon fight with them (giving you an added bonus of some kind as well). I'm just trying to figure out where would be a good start and what would be balanced.
If the person/s responsible for the archetype have any ideas based on what their vision of the archetype was, presuming it has changed, that'd be much appreciate too!
If I was to revise it myself..
You are the School of the paper, so you lose two or so schools, like the UC archtypes do.. However, you are able to cast anyspell that is on a scroll regardless of what school it is.
You gain UMD as a class skill, and add half your wizard level to UMD checks for scrolls.
Arcane discovery
Harden Paper - When using scrolls with your scroll master power, you add your Int modifier to their hp. In addition, you can sacrifice spells to empower items made. This basically allows you to heal the scroll +x depending on what level is sacked.
Paper Tool - You can create a tool out of a scroll. So like a crowbar out of one scroll, lock picks out of another. Some rules would be applied here of course but the basic jest of it, is your ability at the anchint art of origami allows you to make almost anything tool related
Paper Weapon - Choose another Martial or Simple weapon. You can create that weapon out of scrolls as well. If you choose a range weapon with ammunition you may also use scrolls to create the ammo. (Scroll bow is able to shoot scroll arrows.)
That's about the basic jest I'd do. More heavy focus on scrolls, allowing a person to use any and all of them, even repair the scrolls they have. (possibly as a full round action for the repair or something you can't really use in combat easily. )
what do you want boosted?
if it's casting, you could heighten a spell to the level of the highes spell on the scroll, however reducing the hp of the scroll by 1 and this damage can't be repaired.
or if you go with better melee, perhaps you could directly try to apply the scrollmaster to the magus.
I'm looking to make the option to hack things up with the scroll blade useable on a scaling level without having to cast true strike or something similar. Obviously it doesn't have to be even remotely as useful as a fighter in terms of combat, that'd be insane.
Mostly, the things I'm looking to try and boost is the HP of the scrolls, reduction of limitation of the scroll blade (slashing damage or piercing instead of just piercing, ability to wield two scroll blades at once, perhaps apply Int to attack rolls). Not really something that requires a dozen feats to accomplish, but at least enough to make the ability more than a distant secondary system. Even something that allows me to draw scrolls as a swift action that doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity.
I like some of Ævux's ideas. Reminds me of Read or Die.
Something like...
Scroll Blade Adept
Your skill with the scroll blade increases.
Prerequisites: Scroll blade class feature, wizard level 3rd
Benefits: Your scroll blade has hardness 0 and hit points equal to the highest-level wizard spell on the scroll plus 1/2 your wizard level (minimum 1). You can now use your Intelligence modifier on all attack rolls with the scroll blade instead of Strength. In addition, your scroll blade can now deal slashing or piercing damage.
Special: This feat can be taken as a wizard bonus feat.
Resilient Scroll Blade
Prerequisites: Scroll blade class feature, Scroll Blade Adept, wizard level 5th
Benefits: Your scroll blade only loses hit points while using it to attack when you score a critical hit. As a swift action, you can harden your scroll blade to the point where it is considered adamantine for the purpose of the scroll's hardness, overcoming damage reduction and overcoming hardness. This does not prevent hit point damage against the scroll blade when you use it as a weapon. This lasts until the start of your next turn. Every successful attack while this is in effect reduces your scroll blade's hit points by 1.
Special: This feat can be taken as a wizard bonus feat.
I was also toying with the idea of letting the scrollmaster use his wizard caster level (specifically) as his base attack bonus when fighting with a scroll blade. Perhaps with an 10th level version of the feat or something.
Such as...
Scroll Blade Mastery
Prerequisites: Scroll blade class feature, Resilient Scroll Blade, Scroll Blade Adept, wizard level 11th
Benefits: For the purpose of attacking, your base attack bonus is equal to your wizard level while wielding a scroll blade and you may treat scrolls as weapons for the purpose of drawing them (such as through movement or with the Quick Draw feat).
Special: This feat can be taken as a wizard bonus feat.
Version 2 of those feats.
Scrollmaster Adept
Your skill with using scrolls in unorthodox ways is more refined than other scrollmasters.
Prerequisites: Scroll blade and scroll shield class features, wizard level 3rd.
Benefits: In the hands of a scroll master, a scroll blade can deal piercing or slashing damage and has a critical threat range of 18-20. Your shield bonus with your scroll shield increases by 1. You can now use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Strength, or Dexterity with Weapon Finesse, on all attack rolls with the scroll blade.
Special: This feat can be taken as a wizard bonus feat.
Harden Scrolls
Through an ancient technique you are able to make your scrolls more resilient while using them as a weapon or shield.
Prerequisites: Scroll blade and scroll shield class feature, Scrollmaster Adept, wizard level 5th
Benefits: Your scroll blade and scroll shield has hardness 0 and hit points equal to the highest-level wizard spell on the scroll plus 1/2 your wizard level (minimum 1). As a swift action, you can harden your scroll blade or scroll shield to the point where it is considered adamantine for the purpose of the scroll's hardness, overcoming damage reduction and overcoming hardness. This does not prevent hit point damage against the scroll blade when you use it as a weapon or when you are hit while using a scroll shield. This effect lasts until the start of your next turn.
Special: This feat can be taken as a wizard bonus feat.
Scroll Blade Mastery
Your mastery of the scroll blade allows you to use your skill in magic to fight with it.
Prerequisites: Scroll blade and scroll shield class features, Harden Scrolls, Scrollmaster Adept, wizard level 11th
Benefits: For the purpose of attacking with your scroll blade your base attack bonus is equal to your wizard level and you may treat scrolls as weapons for the purpose of drawing them (such as through movement or with the Quick Draw feat).
Special: This feat can be taken as a wizard bonus feat.
Suggestions/comments from anyone?
RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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Version 2 of those feats.
Scrollmaster Adept
Your skill with using scrolls in unorthodox ways is more refined than other scrollmasters.
Prerequisites: Scroll blade and scroll shield class features, wizard level 3rd.
Benefits: In the hands of a scroll master, a scroll blade can deal piercing or slashing damage and has a critical threat range of 18-20. Your shield bonus with your scroll shield increases by 1. You can now use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Strength, or Dexterity with Weapon Finesse, on all attack rolls with the scroll blade.
Special: This feat can be taken as a wizard bonus feat.Harden Scrolls
Through an ancient technique you are able to make your scrolls more resilient while using them as a weapon or shield.
Prerequisites: Scroll blade and scroll shield class feature, Scrollmaster Adept, wizard level 5th
Benefits: Your scroll blade and scroll shield has hardness 0 and hit points equal to the highest-level wizard spell on the scroll plus 1/2 your wizard level (minimum 1). As a swift action, you can harden your scroll blade or scroll shield to the point where it is considered adamantine for the purpose of the scroll's hardness, overcoming damage reduction and overcoming hardness. This does not prevent hit point damage against the scroll blade when you use it as a weapon or when you are hit while using a scroll shield. This effect lasts until the start of your next turn.
Special: This feat can be taken as a wizard bonus feat.Scroll Blade Mastery
Your mastery of the scroll blade allows you to use your skill in magic to fight with it.
Prerequisites: Scroll blade and scroll shield class features, Harden Scrolls, Scrollmaster Adept, wizard level 11th
Benefits: For the purpose of attacking with your scroll blade your base attack bonus is equal to your wizard level and you may treat scrolls as weapons for the purpose of drawing them (such as through movement or with the...
The scrollmaster is one of the more ridiculous and seemingly useless archetypes Paizo has come up with, but with these feats it might actually be fun to play and not just plain sucky. Good job!