This is a repost but I got no responses my first time so I hope this one gets seen!
I am pretty new to Pathfinder but am inspired to make an archetype by the Magic the Gathering Planeswalker Garruk. I haven't been able to find the exact class I was looking for so I want to brew one based on druid. The idea is a druid that reveres nature for its strength and worships predators. His purpose in life is to find the most indomitable predators in nature and fight them, making their strength his own. He then can summon those creatures as powerful allies to fight those who oppose him and who oppose nature. Deciding between Archetype name Primal Hunter of Apex Predator. Here's what I have (it needs a lot of work):
Predator's Form: This ability acts as Wild Shape, except for the following: Wild Shape allows the druid to transform into only one form, chosen at 1st level or upon taking a level in Primal Hunter. Number of forms available increase by +1 every 4 levels after 1st (5th, 9th, etc). Forms can re-selected upon taking a level in Primal Hunter. Forms can only be of animals the druid has successfully hunted and captured/defeated.
Strength of the Fallen: The Primal Hunter can use Summon Nature's Ally I as a spell-like ability a number of times per day equal to his Wis modifier + 1/(2 Primal Hunter levels). The Ally lasts 5 minutes/level. Can only have one active summon at a time. If Summon Nature's Ally is used while an Ally is already summoned, the first Ally is dismissed. Summon Nature's Ally progresses like the Summoner's Summon Monster spell (Summon Nature's Ally II at 3rd level, Summon Nature's Ally III at 5th level, etc). This ability replaces Nature's Bond.
Leader of the Pack: At level 5 (10?) the Primal Hunter can have two summons active.
Primal Hunters have Spell Focus: Conjuration.
Wild Call: At level 2 the Primal Hunter gets Augmented Summoning as a bonus feat.
That's what I have so far, but I am pretty sure I probably need to remove a little more to make it balanced, as well as tweak some numbers. Please give me your advice and feel free to tear this apart, as long as you have helpful suggestions for how to put it back together!
Thank you for taking the time to read this long post!
Predator Form (SU) - Shouldn't be available until level 4. Wild Shape is pretty strong. Alters Wild Shape.
Strength of the Fallen (SLA) - Should be 3 + Wisdom Mod looking at other classes. Also, should only be 1 minute / Level. 5 Minutes / Level is insane. Replaces Natures Bond
Leader of the pack (SU) - Have it start at 9 and scale every 3 levels after. 12 / 15 / 18. Eventually 5 active summons. Replaces Venom Immunity
Wild Call (EX) - Replaces Woodland Stride
Drop the free spell focus conjuration
Predator Form (SU) - Shouldn't be available until level 4. Wild Shape is pretty strong. Alters Wild Shape.
Strength of the Fallen (SLA) - Should be 3 + Wisdom Mod looking at other classes. Also, should only be 1 minute / Level. 5 Minutes / Level is insane. Replaces Natures Bond
Leader of the pack (SU) - Have it start at 9 and scale every 3 levels after. 12 / 15 / 18. Eventually 5 active summons. Replaces Venom Immunity
Wild Call (EX) - Replaces Woodland Stride
Drop the free spell focus conjuration
Thanks for the quick response and the great suggestions! You are totally right on the Wild Shape, I meant for it to be at 4 like Wild Shape but wrote it in a way that would suggest otherwise, nice catch.
For Leader of the Pack, I was afraid that allowing 5 summons, even at 20th level, might be too much. With feats that increase number of creatures summoned per spell we could be seeing quite the army. What do you think?
Good calls on all the things I should drop, thank you!
The 1 minute vs 5 minute summons I have a question about too. I realize 1 min/level is much more common, but I was hoping that allowing the longer summons would allow this archetype the same kind of flexibility that a more Wild Shape focused build would (making small animals to go scout or retrieve something, for example) and also kind of replace the Animal Companion lost from Nature's bond. Obviously wouldn't be permanent but the longer summon times would be for use outside of combat primarily. Would 2 min/level be more reasonable? Or is that just too strong? What do you think?
Master summoner can have unlimited creatures summoned as long as his Eidolon is dismissed with his ability. Having 5 isn't that much.
Also, 1min/level is still what I'd go with. With the amount of uses you're going to have even at 1min/level it should still be useful.
Master summoner can have unlimited creatures summoned as long as his Eidolon is dismissed with his ability. Having 5 isn't that much.
Also, 1min/level is still what I'd go with. With the amount of uses you're going to have even at 1min/level it should still be useful.
Okay, thank you for the help!