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Hey guys, so I am invited to a ninja based campaign using the Pathfinder system and setting. I have considered playing a Puppeteer similar to Kankurou from the Naruto series and the DM has allowed me some time to try out some home-brew ninja tricks. I am keen to find what people think about my ninja tricks.
Puppeteer : Ninja Tricks
-Ki Strings : With Ki strings, a ninja is able to use ki to connect invisible strings to inanimate objects to be able to manipulate them at will as the Mage Hand spell. Cost 1 Ki.
In addition a ninja with this ninja trick can grant a Puppet (equipment) a temporary ki pool, animating it and allowing it to be used as an ally. The ki given to the puppet can’t be restored or regenerated while stored in the puppet and must be lower than the character’s ninja levels. The puppet can be controlled as long as the ninja is within a close range to the puppet (25ft + 5ft/lvl). While animated either the ninja or the puppet remain staggered for the duration of the round. The trick lasts as long as both the puppet and the ninja have at least 1 ki in their ki pools. Cost X ki, where X is however much ki you place into the puppet’s ki pool.
-Equipped Puppet : As a puppeteer any equipment or weapons you are proficient with, your puppet is also proficient.
-Puppet Precise Strike : A puppet you control can deliver precise strikes using the same value as the sneak attack of the ninja controlling it. Puppet Cost 1 Ki declared before the attack is delivered.
-Puppet Substitution : A ninja can swap position with a puppet they control within 30ft. Cost 1 ki to perform as a swift action, Cost 2 ki to perform as an immediate action.
-Evasion (Puppet) : As an immediate action, a single puppet the ninja controls gains Evasion. Puppet Cost 1 ki, must be declared prior to rolling the reflex save.
Disguise Self(Puppet): As a standard action a puppet may disguise themselves as the Disguise Self spell. Puppet Cost X ki, where X is the caster level of the
spell.
Ventriloquism (Puppet): A ninja can throw their voice to make it appear as though the voice originates from the puppet they control.
Hidden Kunai (Puppet) – As a standard action a puppet opens up several hidden compartments and fires throwing knives at a single target. Each kunai deals 1d4 damage, crit range 19-20 and has a range of 20ft. Puppet Cost 1 ki per kunai
Ninja Trick (Puppet) – The ninja can select a ninja trick, but rather than them being able to perform the trick, a puppet the ninja controls can use them. Puppet Cost is the same as the trick.
Puppeteer : Master Ninja Tricks
Self Destruct (Puppet) – As a full round action, a puppet can expend the rest of it’s ki pool to detonate itself. This destroys the puppet and deals 2d6 fire damage per ki point used on creatures within a range based on the puppet’s size (Large 30ft radius, Medium 20ft radius, Small 10ft radius, any puppet smaller will only deal 1d6 points of damage per ki in the square it occupies). Puppet Cost all remaining Ki
Puppet Mind Trap – As Magic Jar Spell, the magic jar in the spell’s descriptor is the puppet itself. The caster level is equal to ½ the ninja’s level, Will save DC 10 + ½ ninja level + CHA. Cost 3 ki
Ki transference – As a swift action a ninja can transfer ki to and from a puppet they control. This ability must be used before or after any other abilities used by the ninja or his puppet in the round.
Multiple Puppets – A ninja can control any number of puppets it places ki into, while controlling multiple puppet the ninja must use a full round action to control more than one puppet in the same round.
Puppeteering Feats
-Agile Puppetteering – Puppets you control gain +4 Dexterity
-Offensive Puppet – Puppets you control gain +4 Strength
-Defensive Puppet – Puppets you control gain +2 Natural Armor
-Improved Agile Puppetteering – Puppets you control gain +8 Dexterity
-Improved Offensive Puppet – Puppets you control gain +8 Strength
-Improved Defensive Puppet – Puppets you control gain +4 Natural Armor
Equipment : Puppet
The puppet is a ninja tool, by attaching ki strings to the puppet is can become animate and be used for various purposes. The puppet gains construct traits with Hit Die equal to the amount of Ki stored in it. They can use STR and DEX based skills as though they had a score equal to ½ of the ninja’s. While controlled the user of the puppet can sense the surroundings of the puppet from the puppet’s perspective.
Base Puppet : Cost 110gp
A wooden bipedal humanoid puppet.
Puppet Ki pool = X.
Ninja tricks with Puppet cost, pay the ki from the puppet's ki pool.
HP 10 + 5X (HD d10) Speed: 30ft, size : medium AC: 12 (10 + 2 natural AC)
STR: 10 DEX: 10 CON: -- INT: -- WIS: -- CHA: --
BAB : X Saves: As controller
Attacks : Slam 1d6
*Obviously there will be different types of Puppets with varying stats armor and attacks, but this will be the cheap base puppet available for a player to purchase at level 1 or 2.
I am keen to hear your thoughts and suggestions, if you play test this it'd be even better to hear any balancing issues with a puppeteer.
Funny, as I was reading this, Master of Puppets started playing on my computer (the Van Canto cover of course!). I kinda like the idea, but I'm not sure about any balance issues.
I agree. Good idea, but way over-powered compared to other tricks.
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- I managed a bit of a play test and I have the following changes, thus far.
Errata : PUPPETEER
*Puppet Equipment : Whenever a puppet expends any amount from it's ki pool it also loses 5hp per ki point used (equivalent to losing a hit die).
When a puppet takes damage it loses 1 ki point for ever 5hp lost until it is drained of ki and becomes inanimate. If the puppet loses in excess of 10hp beyond 0 it is considered destroyed.
*Disguise Self Puppet ninja trick will be removed entirely
*Ventriloquism [puppet] will function as the ninja trick but will only be produced from the puppet. There will still be no cost mostly because the spell itself can create sound from various sources where as this would only have 1 source. To use it effectively one must be creative with the puppet
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Also there was a mention of the tricks being overpowered, care to elaborate perhaps further balancing can be done. That is of course if my aforementioned changes don't balance it out.
Any thoughts on the base puppet stat block? or even ideas for other puppet equipment?
Seach google for the Naruto D20 system its extermely well done IMHO and could give you some Ideas.
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I had a look at the Naruto system. Seems pretty interesting, though using d20 modern as a base there appeared to be little cost to puppeteer as it were. That said it did give me a few interesting ideas
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Puppet Ninja Trick : Flying Puppet : Puppet gains a perfect fly speed equal to half it's land speed, when required to the puppeteer makes the fly check on behalf of the puppet. Cost 1 ki per minute of flight.
Puppet Ninja Trick : Ki shield : Puppet gains a +1 force shield for 1 round, activating this ability is a swift action and only stacks with itself. Puppet Cost 1 ki.
Errata
-Balancing-
If the puppeteer is struck while controlling a puppet, they must make a concentration check DC 10 + Damage taken. If the puppeteer fails the concentration check both he and the puppet are staggered for 1 round. (Does not stack)
-Feat : Master Puppeteer
Gain +4 to concentration checks made to continue using puppet as normal, when attacked.
It seems to work alright, though could it possibly overshadow something like a summoner?