Eh, I don't normally do classes in Google Docs, but since this site doesn't allow editing after an hour so this is probably the best method...
This is part of my attempts of remaking some of Pathfinder in the style of Pathfinder Unchained... As in, make fixes and improvements but make sure it's still the same product rather than something like Mythos or initiating where the class ends up different in themes or flavour. Also, the results are not necessarily aiming for tier 3 when it comes to classes. This barbarian for example might still only be high tier 4, despite the increased agency from social abilities, class skills, customization, ability to manipulate the landscape, potential for nearly any ability in the game from limited magic access and tweaks to little things here and there, but I'll leave that to others to judge.
First, stop thinking in tiers.
Second, this seems like massive overkill. Good Will saves, bonus to Strength checks AND Superstition, Will save bonus from Rage and Strength stance, all in one?
Will saves are not a problem for Barbs.
If the UnBarb needs one fix, it is to allow them to apply rage to STR checks. Period.
First, stop thinking in tiers.
.... I specifically wasn't thinking in tiers. I specifically say "Also, the results are not necessarily aiming for tier 3 when it comes to classes." Regardless, if I was thinking in tiers that would not be a bad thing. I've been homebrewing for years, I'm not going to pretend that tiers aren't a thing.
Second, this seems like massive overkill. Good Will saves, bonus to Strength checks AND Superstition, Will save bonus from Rage and Strength stance, all in one?
You realize I actually made it so strength stance Only affects CMB and CMD (since, well at high levels it is basically useless since all the creatures are giant making it near impossible to use manoeuvres on them), and I removed Indomitable Will.... I'm really not sure why you mention the bonus to strength checks in this section. I will admit I wasn't 100% sure whether to remove superstitious.
Will saves are not a problem for Barbs.
*Shrug* I never make a non-full caster with only 1 good save. Could move it to reflex I suppose.
If the UnBarb needs one fix, it is to allow them to apply rage to STR checks. Period.
I disagree. The unchained barbarian still cannot really do anything outside of "I stab thing", so this fix is intended to increase it's agency.
This is pretty good, and hopefully the beginning of a series.
I love the intimidation and strenght lines you added.
Traditions is good too, except for Lightfoot. Immunity to tracking is bad, unless unhinged rogues can get it too and unhinged rangers can beat it without magic. I would suggest instead a increase in DC to track the barbarian amd a small bonus to stealth.
Accurate Stance, I liked better the unchained version that only works with melee and thrown. I think throwing barbarians should be more vable than archer barbarians. Or at least give the AC penalty from Reckless Stance. There is no need to be two different stances that add attack bonuses. Also: "This does not apply to damage rolls for spells, spell-like abilities or supernatural abilities." Course it doesn't it's a bonus to attack. If I gueess your meaning, change it to "This does not apply to touch attack and ranged touch attacks".
Superstition, you forgot to add "supernatural abilities" back to the wording. The unchained wording is an unnecessary downgrade from the original Rage Power. If anyone needs a hit it's the human FCB not the Rage Power.
Unexpected Strike, remove "The barbarian can use this ability only when there are no other foes in a square threatened by the barbarian.", this makes the power nearly useless. Add a number of times per day it can be used like Mighty Swing.
I'll have to give this a more thorough reading later, but after a brief look through it, I would just like to second that I feel like the good Will save is off. If you absolutely want to it to have two good saves, I'd definitely say go Fort + Ref like a ranger (the barbarian's closest cousin among the core classes, flavorwise, I've always felt), but I honestly think both a regular barbarian, the unchained version and your version are none of them classes that have a problem making saves, even if the only "good" one from their chassis is Fort.
Also, not that you need to be told this, Milo, but keep thinking in tiers. They're an elegant, highly useful framework for delineating and thinking about a whole bunch of issues regarding inter-class balance and are an absolute boon to PF game design.
Cheers,
- Gears
Traditions is good too, except for Lightfoot. Immunity to tracking is bad, unless unhinged rogues can get it too and unhinged rangers can beat it without magic. I would suggest instead a increase in DC to track the barbarian amd a small bonus to stealth.
While it is powerful, it is something that a level one druid can do for hours. And yeah, I was planning on letting unhinged rogues get it and unhinged rangers able to track creatures affected by things like pass without a trace.... though to save wording I might alter Lightfoot to say it works like pass without a trace.
Intimidating Prowess and a bunch of ranks in Intimidate are practically must-haves for Barbarians who wish to use that intimidation ability. Perhaps you include it as part of the class?
Intimidating prowess bonus feat is already included as part of the class as a 1st level ability. Free ranks feels abit unnecessary though.
Also, this Barbarian doesn't have the Unchained-like anti rage death mechanism. Perhaps you could wind that back in? Death by raging is somewhat disappointing and feels wrong.
hmm... I was sure I modified rage so it didn't do that, but it doesn't seem to be in the google doc. Should be fixed now.
I like the idea of traditions and it would be cool to see them go further, but Tribal Weapons makes Barbarian an extremely effective dip, much more so than any Fighter or Monk. Perhaps you get Weapon Focus at a later level (4th, perhaps?), or sacrifice some martial weapon proficiencies? Also, maybe a way to get multiple traditions? Or perhaps your traditions scale by level and have other benefits?
I was considering have them scale, but I was worried it might add unnecessary complexity.
Intimidating Glare is now 50% redundant. Perhaps it could allow Barbarians to ignore CHA penalties to intimidate, or give a boost equal to 1/2 class level or something? (like an inquisitor/cavalier order of the flame)
How it is redundant at all?
I'm not a big fan of it. I feel like it doesn't solve some of the problems with the barbarian. Also, I support giving them more skills or better saves, but I'm not crazy about giving both of them since the barbarian gets a d12 hit die.
Also, the tribal weapons tradition is too good. The other options give you either fast movement, a cantrip, or a situational benefit. Tribal Weapons gives you two bonus feats.
I'm not a big fan of it. I feel like it doesn't solve some of the problems with the barbarian.
What issues do you see with the barbarian that are current unresolved?
Also, I support giving them more skills or better saves, but I'm not crazy about giving both of them since the barbarian gets a d12 hit die.
I might remove the reflex save I guess.. I didn't really modify skills much though.
Also, the tribal weapons tradition is too good. The other options give you either fast movement, a cantrip, or a situational benefit. Tribal Weapons gives you two bonus feats.
Okay, weakened.
Intimidating Prowess adds your STR in addition to CHA. Intimidating Glare adds your STR in place of CHA.
So it should end up "Str + Str + Ranks + Modifiers".
Normal stacking rules say that this is impossible. Maybe you add an exception to specifically say that it stacks?
Oh... yeah... Forgot about that FAQ. Fixed.
SKILLS
I'm looking at the list, and bits of it just feels kind of silly (Religion, Perform). The original list doesn't have as many great skills as other classes, but it felt cohesive. My suggestion is that you pull a couple of these skills from the list and then allow the barbarian to gain some extra class skills based on the Tradition he chooses.
INTIMIDATING PROWESS
I would prefer that this feat remain a feat that can be chosen, not just handed out. Maybe instead, the barbarian gains a scaling bonus to Intimidate checks while he is raging.
TRADITION
I really like the addition of this feature as a replacement for Fast Movement. Thematically, it's my favorite part of your rewrite. However, I think you could take it another step or two. First, come up with one or two more traditions. Second, add a couple class skills to each one. Thirdly, I think you should have one or two higher level tradition abilities, or you should write some tradition-specific rage powers.
LINGERING FEAR, INSPIRE DREAD, ETC
I don't generally like class features that require you to invest in certain skills. But I'm not saying it's always wrong to do either. What happens if the barbarian just doesn't invest in this skill? He ends up with a string of gimped class features. I think these could be rewritten as rage powers.
FETISH
I have mixes feelings about this. On the one hand it seems like a follow up to the Tradition feature. On the other, some campaigns just plain don't time for crafting magic items.
UNSTOPPABLE FORCE
A lesser version of this could easily be built into the Rage class feature, and then it could be improved with rage powers instead of making it a series of class features.
