Caricaturist
Some train and strengthen themselves to become the best they can be. Either practicing with the blade to perfect the art of killing a creature with a single swipe or studying the Arcana arts, learning from ancient tomes of undiscovered knowledge to cast amazing spells. The Caricaturist does neither and both in an instant. They are a extremely rare type of melee fighter who mimics their enemies styles and turns what they have against them. Some experienced Caricaturists can even take knowledge from Arcana users and channel the energy through them. Typically physically weaker than most but quick on their feet, the Caricaturist is the master of all while being the master of none.
ROLE
The Caricaturists can take on the role of his targets. Either matching the forms of marital fighters or stealing the very magic from spellcasters, if he can get to them first.
Alignment: Any Chaotic
Hit Dice: d8
Caricaturist's Chart
(Unfinished)
BAB: 15/10/5
Fort sv: low
Ref sv: high
Will sv: low
STARTING WEALTH
3d6 Average 90GP
CLASS SKILLS
Acrobatics (dex), Bluff (cha), Diplomacy (cha), Disguise (cha), Intimidate (cha), Knowledge (local) (int), Knowledge (history) (int), Perform (cha), Slight of Hand (dex)
SKILL RANKS PER LEVEL
8 + Int
WEAPON AND ARMOR PROFICIENCY
The Caricaturists is proficient with all simple weapons and light martial weapons and can wear light armor and medium armor.
Special:
Mimicry:
The Caricaturist may mimic one target that they can visually see within 60 ft. By copying their style the Caricaturist gains a +2 AC dodge bonus towards the target, a +3 CMB circumstance bonus towards the target, a +2 to confirm a critical circumstance bonus towards the target and you may make 1 additional attack of opportunity towards the target. The Caricaturist may do this 3 + (WIS mod) times per day. You may do this 1 more time per day every 3 levels. (Max 9 at 20th). Once a target is being mimiced, the Caricaturists remains mimicing them until them choose to stop as a free action, mimic another target, if he / the target dies or goes out of the 60ft range.
Spell Channelling:
The Caricaturist may absorb some knowledge from a creature or person with Arcane power and can then channel it through themselves. By grabbing the casters head, the Caricaturist drains some magic and knowledge from their mind and body. The Caricaturist must make a successful grapple for this to be activated. If you successfully grapple a caster, you may absorb 1 spell they prepared at random and 1 use is stolen from their pool and given to you. (Example: If level 1 -6 spells are known, roll a d6.) For every turn they are grappled you absorb 1 more use of the spell you have stolen. The spell and the absorbed uses are stored in your mind and body for up to an hour. After that they are forgotten and you lose all uses.
Dissipating Absorption:
If a ray spell is used against you, you may take a Reflex Save (DC 10 + Spell Level + Their Caster Level) to try and counter the spell. If the spell is countered this way, it is redirected at any target within the spells range. Because of the time it channels through the body, it loses some energy. A spell countered this way is halved in terms of damage and range
I still don't really know what else to give this class at the moment. But that's why I posted all these haha, for help.
Hmm. Ok - ideas:
* Ability to copy opponents teamwork or combat feats, though they would have to be extant/operating to copy them.
* Bonus to CMD as well as CMB for Mimicry ability.
* Spell Channeling is really a spell stealing right? It needs more rigorous mechanics I feel - possibly a limit on the level of spell able to be stolen (either by Caricaturist level or Int modifier or similar), and perhaps think about not limiting the Caricaturist to grappling only the head. I see the reasoning kinda, but surely contact would be enough. What if the caster has no recognisable head or head at all?
- Perhaps later the Caricaturist can use this ability through weapon touch...
* What casting does the caricaturist have - spontaneous and Bard progression? None?How does this interact with spell use "gained" through the Spell Channeling class feature?
* Dissipating Absorption does not feel thematic to this class at all.
Final Thoughts:
I don't see enough here to warrant a full Base Class. It feels like a Magus archetype. I suggest brainstorming every crazy steal/mimic/copy trope you can think of and then apply some sort of filter to those you don't think capable of mechanics. Or just present them all and ask folk for ideas on how to make mechanics for them all.
Again, there are classes out there that steal other classes abilities and spells/spell-like abilities. Kobold Press' Savant Base class springs to mind.
Good thoughts on all of it. But I'm feeling really discouraged haha. Its like everything has already been made.
Look, it's easy to get discouraged, but don't let parallel design get you down. If you have a different take or tweak by all means keep going.
Caricaturist, is a craft. They can make a charcoal drawing based on what they see or a description. They can ink it in for a more permanent art. Although cartoony, the drawings are recognizable and can expose a conspiracy.
With a different name and some changes you could have a decent class.
Noun
S: (n) caricaturist (someone who parodies in an exaggerated manner)
Thats what definition I was going off of.
There are three kinds of people in this world: People who cast, people who stab, and targets.
The Caricaturist doesn't cast, and he sucks at stabbing. Guess what that makes him?
Also, for f&%~s sake, why are people still posting abilities without defining activation and duration?
Because it's a rough draw up of ideas that have yet to take form in a finalized decision.
The whole point was to be OK at melee and play off your opponents for power.