rough idea need help with gauging balance.
Archtype of Fighter
gain hex class feature
lose all fighter bonus feats replace with Hexes.
Hexes are CON based DC
too much? not enough ? need to be swapping armor and or weapon training instead ?
thanks
Anyone ?
Interesting idea. I'm not sure how powerful it would be though, or quite what kinda of feel or flavour you're aiming for. Seems like hexes are very good but don't really work together with the fighter's abilities.
I'd consider changing the archetype's class skills around a bit to make him more capable at understanding and dealing with magical/weird stuff. Maybe give him UMD and Knowledge (Arcana) in exchange for a few of his other skills.
It also might benefit from a new fighter only hex or two, such a hex that grants a bonus combat feat (and can only be taken once).
Some way of getting a familiar or perhaps an animal companion at -4 levels would be a nice addition.
Intelligence based hexes would probably make more sense. If you go that way, It might be a good idea to give him other features that make use of intelligence somehow.
Maybe don't let him have a hex at 1st level and give him the familiar or an Int feature instead? That way it's still compatible with pretty much any archetype.
There is one Hex feat which lends itself to idea and that's Hex Strike which allows you to deliver a Hex through an unarmed attack (gauntlet attack).
With the above in mind how would INT mod to shield AC sound ? functioning as a shield spell which improves with INT. I'm torn between an always on vs an activated Hex of some sort.
Another fighter only Hex idea would be an activated gain INT bonus to CON for 1 minute/level. functioning like rage so the bonus HP goes away when the Hex ends potentially incapacitating you. (limited to once per 24 hours, although potential usable on other creature)
Or
Immediate action when you take damage that would reduce you to 0 HP or lower gain some amount of HP tied into INT score
A familiar Hex would also solve the problem of no familiar although without spell casting a familiar is of limited value, a ranger animal companion might be more thematic perhaps at level -4.
Unless you allow the familiar to deliver a Hex attack if the fighter doesn't, with some limitations.
If a familiar is available, then it should get some sort of Deliver Touch Hex ability instead of Deliver Touch Spell, yeah.
I'm not sure about the shield ability. It means you can't expect to benefit from a shield (at least not without wasting the feature), and without it the archetype works with pretty much everything.
Here's an alternative idea to replace that 1st feat:
Disfiguring Smite (Su): Once per day, a hex fighter can focus his dark power into a single attack which leaves terrible scars.
When he does, he adds his Intelligence modifier to the next attack he roll he makes to attack wit ha melee or ranged weapon and a bonus to any damage inflicted damage equal to his fighter level. Any living creature damaged by such an attack develops a black scar which can only be removed by magic capable of restoring missing body parts.
I say take away Engineering and Survival, adding Use Magic Device and Arcana in their place.
New Hexes:
Dark Companion: This is identical to the Bonded Mount revelation from the Nature Oracle mystery, except that your effective druid level is your fighter level -4. You must be at least 4th level to select this hex.
Extra Disfiguring Smite: You gain an additional use/day of Disfiguring Smite. You must be at lest 6th level to select this hex. You may select it an additional time for every 6 additional fighter levels you have.
If a familiar is available, then it should get some sort of Deliver Touch Hex ability instead of Deliver Touch Spell, yeah.
I'm not sure about the shield ability. It means you can't expect to benefit from a shield (at least not without wasting the feature), and without it the archetype works with pretty much everything.Here's an alternative idea to replace that 1st feat:
Disfiguring Smite (Su): Once per day, a hex fighter can focus his dark power into a single attack which leaves terrible scars.
When he does, he adds his Intelligence modifier to the next attack he roll he makes to attack wit ha melee or ranged weapon and a bonus to any damage inflicted damage equal to his fighter level. Any living creature damaged by such an attack develops a black scar which can only be removed by magic capable of restoring missing body parts.I say take away Engineering and Survival, adding Use Magic Device and Arcana in their place.
New Hexes:
Dark Companion: This is identical to the Bonded Mount revelation from the Nature Oracle mystery, except that your effective druid level is your fighter level -4. You must be at least 4th level to select this hex.
Extra Disfiguring Smite: You gain an additional use/day of Disfiguring Smite. You must be at lest 6th level to select this hex. You may select it an additional time for every 6 additional fighter levels you have.
Now that's sparked an interesting idea about marking. If the Fighter literally marks the target with a hex scar which then forces them to attack the fighter or take penalties that could be interesting.
I'm hesitant to allow the familiar to hex without some level of restriction either a lower DC or action cost from the Hex Fighter, maybe a swift.