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View Full Version : [3.5 PrC] Diligent Lumberjack (P.E.A.C.H.)



Zyborg22
2010-03-05, 11:35 PM
For some reason, I felt like making a prestige class based somewhat on this Whose Line is it Anyway skit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoBNgO9RtPM). I had DracoDei look at it, since he's the best homebrewer that I know personally, but I thought it would be good to show it to the rest of you guys.

I may make a version of this without the feats, since handing out feats in a class doesn't seem to be too popular here.

I used to have an actual class ability for level 9, but Greater Weapon Specialization was apparently too much when given for all axes. I didn't outright get rid of that level because I felt it would be weird to give another use to "The Seeds Will Be Planted And New Trees Will Grow" the level after getting the ability in the first place.

I'm aware that there isn't much fluff for this class yet. I'm focusing on the cruchy bits until they're good to go.

Diligent Lumberjack
Hit Die: d8

Requirements:
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Skills: Profession (Lumberjack) 8 ranks, Knowledge (Nature) 8 ranks, Knowledge (Geography) 5 ranks, Survival 8 ranks
Feats: Weapon Focus (Any axe)

Class Skills (4+Int modifier per level): Craft (Int), Jump (Str), Knowledge (geography) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Tumble (Dex), and Use Rope (Dex).

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: A Diligent Lumberjack gains proficiency with all hand-axes, battle-axes, and two-handed axes.

Weapon Focus (All axes): At 1st level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Weapon Focus feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he instead gains Weapon Specialization for that type of axe.

Woodland Stride (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, The Diligent Lumberjack may move through any sort of undergrowth (such as natural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrain) at his normal speed and without taking damage or suffering any other impairment. However, thorns, briars, and overgrown areas that have been magically manipulated to impede motion still affect him.

Timber! (Su): At 2nd level, the Diligent Lumberjack may cause creatures with an Int of 3 or greater to flee a cone-shaped area. The range of this area is 10’ plus an additional 5’ per Diligent Lumberjack level. A successful Will save with a DC of 10 + Strength Modifier + Diligent Lumberjack Level negates this effect. If there are no plants or wooden objects around, the save DC decreases by 4. The Diligent Lumberjack can use this three times a day, but using it immediately after cutting down a tree neither counts against his use limit nor requires that he has any uses left.

The Tree That Grows Must Be Cut (Ex): At 3rd level, The Diligent Lumberjack can cut down trees more quickly than normally possible. Whenever he wields an axe, he ignores hardness for wooden objects as well as any DR for plant creatures. In addition, the Diligent Lumberjack can now deal critical hits and other such effects to plant creatures and wooden objects.

Fatigue Immunity (Ex): At 3rd level, the Diligent Lumberjack is able to work longer. He is now immune to fatigue.

Weapon Specialization (All axes): At 4th level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Weapon Specialization feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he instead gains Greater Weapon Focus for that type of axe.

Trees Fear Me Whether They Be Deciduous or Conifer (Su): At 5th level, Any axe the Diligent Lumberjack wields is treated as having the Bane (Plant) magical quality. This does not count toward the axe’s maximum modified bonus and is applied even if the axe already has the maximum modified bonus. If the axe already has the Bane (Plant) magical quality, the bonuses for that quality is treated as if they were doubled while the Diligent Lumberjack wields it.

Tree Sense (Su): At 5th level, the Diligent Lumberjack can touch a tree (living or dead) in order to instantly find out the location of all other trees of the same kind, as if he had moved into it using the Tree Stride spell. The Diligent Lumberjack can do this twice a day at 5th level, three times a day at 7th level, and four times a day at 10th level.

Carry The Trees! (Ex): At 6th level, the Diligent Lumberjack is able to carry entire tree trunks by himself without slowing his stride back to the cart that will take the lumber to the saw-mill. He counts as one size larger for calculating loads, and is not slowed or otherwise impeded in any way (such as losing the benefits of any class feature) by a medium or heavy load. Armor slows and otherwise impedes them as usual. (Special thanks to DracoDei for coming up with this ability)

Powerful Build (Ex): At 6th level, the Diligent Lumberjack has put in enough effort to make his body physically stronger. Whenever he is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), he is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him. He is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature's special attacks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect him. He can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, his space and reach remain those of a creature of his actual size. The benefits of this trait stack with racial traits, as well as the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject's size category. However, these benefits do not stack with Carry The Trees!

Greater Weapon Focus (All axes): At 7th level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Greater Weapon Focus feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he instead gains Greater Weapon Specialization for that type of axe.

The Seeds Will Be Planted And New Trees Will Grow (Sp): While anyone with an axe can cut down a tree given enough time, any lumberjack worth their salt knows the importance of replenishing the supply of trees. At 8th level, The Diligent Lumberjack may use Plant Growth (Enrichment) on trees at will. Additionally, he may use Plant Growth (Overgrowth) on trees four times a day. Both of these spells are treated as if the Diligent Lumberjack had a caster level equal to his Diligent Lumberjack level plus his caster level (if any).

Exhaustion Immunity (Ex): At 8th level, the Diligent Lumberjack is able to work all day. He is now immune to exhaustion.

Greater Weapon Specialization (All axes): At 9th level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Greater Weapon Specialization feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he may instead choose to double the effects of either Greater Weapon Focus or Greater Weapon Specialization for that type of axe.

Improved Timber! (Su): At 9th level, the Diligent Lumberjack is able to cut down a tree in a single, well aimed strike. While he wields an axe, any critical hit he makes against a plant creature or wooden object instantly destroys the creature or object. Additionally, he may use Timber! as a free action immediately after he destroys a plant creature or wooden object. This use of Timber! neither counts against his daily use limit nor requires that he has any uses left. He also now has five uses of Timber! a day instead of three.

People Don’t Kill People! Trees Kill People! (Sp): At 10th level, The Diligent Lumberjack is so experienced with moving wood that they can now do it with only sheer willpower. He may use Feather Fall and Mage Hand on wooden objects at will. Additionally, he may use Telekinesis on wooden objects four times a day. If the wooden object is supporting anything that weighs more than 1/10 what it itself does, it is not affected by these abilities. Feather Fall can affect objects up to 4000 pounds, while Telekinesis can affect objects up to 375 pounds. They are otherwise treated as if the Diligent Lumberjack had a caster level equal to his Diligent Lumberjack level plus his caster level (if any).

Diligent Lumberjack Ability Table
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Reflex Save|Will Save|Class Ability

1|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+0|
Weapon Focus (All Axes)

2|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+0|
Woodland Stride, Timber!

3|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+1|
The Tree That Grows Must Be Cut, Fatigue Immunity

4|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+1|
Weapon Specialization (All Axes)

5|
+5|
+4|
+4|
+1|
Trees Fear Me Whether They Be Deciduous or Conifer, Tree Sense

6|
+6|
+5|
+5|
+2|
Carry the Trees!, Powerful Build

7|
+7|
+5|
+5|
+2|
Greater Weapon Focus (All Axes)

8|
+8|
+6|
+6|
+2|
The Seeds Will Be Planted And New Trees Will Grow, Exhaustion Immunity

9|
+9|
+6|
+6|
+3|
Greater Weapon Specialization (All Axes), Improved Timber!

10|
+10|
+7|
+7|
+3|
People Don’t Kill People! Trees Kill People!
[/table]

Fluff for Diligent Lumberjacks:
PLAYING A DILIGENT LUMBERJACK
Combat: Most diligent lumberjacks abhor fighting, but they use brute force and axes to fight when they must. Experienced diligent lumberjacks may use some of their magic-like abilities to hinder opponents.
Advancement: Adventurous diligent lumberjacks tend to have ranger builds with two-weapon fighting specialization. NPC diligent lumberjacks don’t worry about other classes and just chop wood all day.
Resources: Diligent lumberjacks has access to all of the tools given to them by their lumberjack guild if they belong to one.

DILIGENT LUMBERJACKS IN THE WORLD
He hasn’t made any fuss or taken any unnecessary breaks since he started working. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him take a break at all, and I haven’t seen a tree that he couldn’t cut. I wish all of the lumberjacks were like him. –Pilas Worchesen, Lumberjack Guild Leader

Daily Life: Diligent lumberjacks are called diligent for a reason. They spend most of their time chopping down trees and bringing the logs in to be processed. There are a few that travel the world while chopping down trees, though.
Notables: Faykil Greenbane shows that even the profession of lumberjack can be used for evil. He, along with a group of Orcish axemen under his command, attempted to chop down every tree near the Elven homeland so it would be easier to conquer.

Jor Montford defended hard-working lumberjacks from those who would oppress them. He’s also famous for being able to take out a trained fighter with one punch.
Organizations: Diligent lumberjacks tend to join lumberjack guilds.

NPC Reaction
Some NPCs wonder how a person could possibly spend all of their waking time working, others are thankful for their hard work in wood gathering, and yet others just ignore them.

DILIGENT LUMBERJACKS IN THE GAME
Diligent lumberjacks has a lot of abilities that make carrying things and attacking plants easier, as well as some magic-like abilities that are somewhat useful generally but work best when dealing with plants. They also have some generally useful abilities, such as fatigue and exhaustion immunities, powerful build, and axe-related feats.

Adaptation: The Diligent Lumberjacks could work in a low-magic setting by removing their magic-like abilities.
Encounters: NPC diligent lumberjacks tend to be relatively peaceful. The few adventurous diligent lumberjacks can be allies or (more rarely) enemies.

8 Level Version:
Hit Die: d8

Requirements:
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Skills: Profession (Lumberjack) 8 ranks, Knowledge (Nature) 8 ranks, Knowledge (Geography) 5 ranks, Survival 8 ranks
Feats: Weapon Focus (Any axe)

Class Skills (4+Int modifier per level): Craft (Int), Jump (Str), Knowledge (geography) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Tumble (Dex), and Use Rope (Dex).

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: A Diligent Lumberjack gains proficiency with all hand-axes, battle-axes, and two-handed axes.

Weapon Focus (All axes): At 1st level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Weapon Focus feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he instead gains Weapon Specialization for that type of axe.

Timber! (Su): At 1st level, the Diligent Lumberjack may cause creatures with an Int of 3 or greater to flee a cone-shaped area. The range of this area is 20’ plus an additional 5’ per Diligent Lumberjack level. A successful Will save with a DC of 10 + Strength Modifier + Diligent Lumberjack Level negates this effect. If there are no plants or wooden objects around, the save DC decreases by 4. The Diligent Lumberjack can use this three times a day, but using it immediately after cutting down a tree neither counts against his use limit nor requires that he has any uses left.

Woodland Stride (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, The Diligent Lumberjack may move through any sort of undergrowth (such as natural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrain) at his normal speed and without taking damage or suffering any other impairment. However, thorns, briars, and overgrown areas that have been magically manipulated to impede motion still affect him.

The Tree That Grows Must Be Cut (Ex): At 2nd level, The Diligent Lumberjack can cut down trees more quickly than normally possible. Whenever he wields an axe, he ignores hardness for wooden objects as well as any DR for plant creatures. In addition, the Diligent Lumberjack can now deal critical hits and other such effects to plant creatures and wooden objects.

Weapon Specialization (All axes): At 3th level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Weapon Specialization feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he instead gains Greater Weapon Focus for that type of axe.

Fatigue Immunity (Ex): At 3rd level, the Diligent Lumberjack is able to work longer. He is now immune to fatigue.

Trees Fear Me Whether They Be Deciduous or Conifer (Su): At 4th level, Any axe the Diligent Lumberjack wields is treated as having the Bane (Plant) magical quality. This does not count toward the axe’s maximum modified bonus and is applied even if the axe already has the maximum modified bonus. If the axe already has the Bane (Plant) magical quality, the bonuses for that quality is treated as if they were doubled while the Diligent Lumberjack wields it.

Tree Sense (Su): At 4th level, the Diligent Lumberjack can touch a tree (living or dead) in order to instantly find out the location of all other trees of the same kind, as if he had moved into it using the Tree Stride spell. The Diligent Lumberjack can do this twice a day at 4th level, three times a day at 6th level, and four times a day at 8th level.

Carry The Trees! (Ex): At 5th level, the Diligent Lumberjack is able to carry entire tree trunks by himself without slowing his stride back to the cart that will take the lumber to the saw-mill. He counts as one size larger for calculating loads, and is not slowed or otherwise impeded in any way (such as losing the benefits of any class feature) by a medium or heavy load. Armor slows and otherwise impedes them as usual. (Special thanks to DracoDei for coming up with this ability)

Powerful Build (Ex): At 5th level, the Diligent Lumberjack has put in enough effort to make his body physically stronger. Whenever he is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), he is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him. He is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature's special attacks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect him. He can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, his space and reach remain those of a creature of his actual size. The benefits of this trait stack with racial traits, as well as the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject's size category. However, these benefits do not stack with Carry The Trees!

Greater Weapon Focus (All axes): At 6th level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Greater Weapon Focus feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he instead gains Greater Weapon Specialization for that type of axe.

The Seeds Will Be Planted And New Trees Will Grow (Sp): While anyone with an axe can cut down a tree given enough time, any lumberjack worth their salt knows the importance of replenishing the supply of trees. At 6th level, The Diligent Lumberjack may use Plant Growth (Enrichment) on trees at will. Additionally, he may use Plant Growth (Overgrowth) on trees four times a day. Both of these spells are treated as if the Diligent Lumberjack had a caster level equal to his Diligent Lumberjack level plus his caster level (if any).

Improved Timber! (Su): At 7th level, the Diligent Lumberjack is able to cut down a tree in a single, well aimed strike. While he wields an axe, any critical hit he makes against a plant creature or wooden object instantly destroys the creature or object. Additionally, he may use Timber! as a free action immediately after he destroys a plant creature or wooden object. This use of Timber! neither counts against his daily use limit nor requires that he has any uses left. He also now has five uses of Timber! a day instead of three.

Exhaustion Immunity (Ex): At 7th level, the Diligent Lumberjack is able to work all day. He is now immune to exhaustion.

Greater Weapon Specialization (All axes): At 8th level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Greater Weapon Specialization feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he may instead choose to double the effects of either Greater Weapon Focus or Greater Weapon Specialization for that type of axe.

People Don’t Kill People! Trees Kill People! (Sp): At 8th level, The Diligent Lumberjack is so experienced with moving wood that they can now do it with only sheer willpower. He may use Feather Fall and Mage Hand on wooden objects at will. Additionally, he may use Telekinesis on wooden objects four times a day. If the wooden object is supporting anything that weighs more than 1/10 what it itself does, it is not affected by these abilities. Feather Fall can affect objects up to 4000 pounds, while Telekinesis can affect objects up to 375 pounds. They are otherwise treated as if the Diligent Lumberjack had a caster level equal to his Diligent Lumberjack level plus his caster level (if any).

Diligent Lumberjack Ability Table
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Reflex Save|Will Save|Class Ability

1|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+0|
Weapon Focus (All Axes), Timber!

2|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+0|
Woodland Stride, The Tree That Grows Must Be Cut

3|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+1|
Weapon Specialization (All Axes), Fatigue Immunity

4|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+1|
Trees Fear Me Whether They Be Deciduous or Conifer, Tree Sense

5|
+5|
+4|
+4|
+1|
Carry the Trees!, Powerful Build

6|
+6|
+5|
+5|
+2|
Greater Weapon Focus (All Axes), The Seeds Will Be Planted And New Trees Will Grow

7|
+7|
+5|
+5|
+2|
Improved Timber!, Exhaustion Immunity

8|
+8|
+6|
+6|
+2|
Greater Weapon Specialization (All Axes), People Don’t Kill People! Trees Kill People!
[/table]

Previous Version:
Hit Die: d8

Requirements:
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Skills: Profession (Lumberjack) 8 ranks, Knowledge (Nature) 8 ranks, Knowledge (Geography) 5 ranks, Survival 8 ranks
Feats: Weapon Focus (Any axe)

Class Skills (4+Int modifier per level): Craft (Int), Jump (Str), Knowledge (geography) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Tumble (Dex), and Use Rope (Dex).

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: A Diligent Lumberjack gains proficiency with all hand-axes, battle-axes, and two-handed axes.

Weapon Focus (All axes): At 1st level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Weapon Focus feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he instead gains Weapon Specialization for that type of axe.

Woodland Stride (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, The Diligent Lumberjack may move through any sort of undergrowth (such as natural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrain) at his normal speed and without taking damage or suffering any other impairment. However, thorns, briars, and overgrown areas that have been magically manipulated to impede motion still affect him.

The Tree That Grows Must Be Cut (Ex): At 3rd level, The Diligent Lumberjack can cut down trees more quickly than normally possible. Whenever he wields an axe, he ignores hardness for wooden objects as well as any DR for plant creatures.

Weapon Specialization (All axes): At 4th level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Weapon Specialization feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he instead gains Greater Weapon Focus for that type of axe.

Trees Fear Me Whether They Be Deciduous or Conifer (Su): At 5th level, Any axe the Diligent Lumberjack wields is treated as having the Bane (Plant) magical quality. This does not count toward the axe’s maximum modified bonus and is applied even if the axe already has the maximum modified bonus. If the axe already has the Bane (Plant) magical quality, the bonuses for that quality is treated as if they were doubled while the Diligent Lumberjack wields it.

Carry The Trees! (Ex): At 6th level, the Diligent Lumberjack is able to carry entire tree trunks by himself without slowing his stride back to the cart that will take the lumber to the saw-mill. He counts as one size larger for calculating loads, and is not slowed or otherwise impeded in any way (such as losing the benefits of any class feature) by a medium or heavy load. Armor slows and otherwise impedes them as usual. (Special thanks to DracoDei for coming up with this ability)

Greater Weapon Focus (All axes): At 7th level, The Diligent Lumberjack gains the Greater Weapon Focus feat for all axe types, even if he doesn’t meet the other prerequisites for it. If the Diligent Lumberjack already has this feat for a type of axe, he instead gains Greater Weapon Specialization for that type of axe.

The Seeds Will Be Planted And New Trees Will Grow (Sp): While anyone with an axe can cut down a tree given enough time, any lumberjack worth their salt knows the importance of replenishing the supply of trees. At 8th level, The Diligent Lumberjack may use Plant Growth (Enrichment) on trees at will. Additionally, he may use Plant Growth (Overgrowth) on trees two times a day at 8th level and three times a day at 10th level. Both of these spells are treated as if the Diligent Lumberjack had a caster level equal to his Diligent Lumberjack level plus his caster level (if any).

People Don’t Kill People! Trees Kill People! (Sp): At 10th level, The Diligent Lumberjack is so experienced with moving wood that they can now do it with only sheer willpower. He may use Feather Fall on wooden objects at will. Additionally, he may use Telekinesis on wooden objects twice a day. If the wooden object is supporting anything that weighs more than 1/10 what it itself does, it is not affected by these abilities. Feather Fall can affect objects up to 4000 pounds, while Telekinesis can affect objects up to 375 pounds. They are otherwise treated as if the Diligent Lumberjack had a caster level equal to his Diligent Lumberjack level plus his caster level (if any).

Diligent Lumberjack Ability Table
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Reflex Save|Will Save|Class Ability

1|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+0|
Weapon Focus (All Axes)

2|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+0|
Woodland Stride

3|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+1|
The Tree That Grows Must Be Cut

4|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+1|
Weapon Specialization (All Axes)

5|
+5|
+4|
+4|
+1|
Trees Fear Me Whether They Be Deciduous or Conifer

6|
+6|
+5|
+5|
+2|
Carry the Trees!

7|
+7|
+5|
+5|
+2|
Greater Weapon Focus (All Axes)

8|
+8|
+6|
+6|
+2|
The Seeds Will Be Planted And New Trees Will Grow

9|
+9|
+6|
+6|
+3|

10|
+10|
+7|
+7|
+3|
People Don’t Kill People! Trees Kill People!
[/table]

Geiger Counter
2010-03-06, 12:18 AM
he's OK. He needs the class feature "sleep all night and work all day".

TabletopNuke
2010-03-06, 12:32 AM
I'm going to take the high road and not make any Monty Python jokes.

During one of my crazier games, we somehow cape up with the idea of a lumberjack class, though we didn't actually stat it. I got very excited as soon as I saw the title of this thread, and it didn't disappoint. Good job!

Milskidasith
2010-03-06, 01:38 AM
It's rather weak if you are entering this from any class that has class features. Hell, even the fighter is better just because you can spend your fighter feats on more relevant things, and the SLAs you get aren't amazing.

Very flavorful, though.

DracoDei
2010-03-06, 02:31 AM
It's rather weak if you are entering this from any class that has class features. Hell, even the fighter is better just because you can spend your fighter feats on more relevant things, and the SLAs you get aren't amazing.

Very flavorful, though.
How many levels would you say he should he compress the class features down into to make it better balanced mechanically?
Seven?
Nine?
Six?
The easiest entry BTW is Ranger... if you go the TWF route, this gets you a bunch of feats for your hand-axe and battle-axe... (don't know if the conventional wisdom says that TWF, if don't at all, should be with two Light Weapons to conserve feats...).

Agi Hammerthief
2010-03-06, 03:22 AM
9th level looks sadly empty :smalleek:

Mulletmanalive
2010-03-06, 05:34 AM
where is Timber!!!! the ability to instant kill plant creatures and make line shaped attacks as they drop on folks with pinpoint accuracy?

Immunity to fatigue would also make a certain sense.

I also get the feeling that they should gain Powerful Build for that real Paul Bunyan feel...

Agi Hammerthief
2010-03-06, 05:46 AM
as it is, it looks like a good 10 level NPC class too

for TIMBER!! I'd rather go for a compulsion effect that makes any creature with INT > 3 flee a cone shaped area
start at 2nd level with 20' and increase the range by 10' every second level
(total of 60' at 10th level)


Will negates (at own peril)
DC: 10 + Strength Modifier ** + Class Level (- 2 for each 5' outside the central line of the cone?)

** loudness of the shout

Edivad
2010-03-06, 06:47 AM
Cool idea, got a small suggestion for an ability, maybe put it at level 9 since it's empty right now...
What about being able to deal critical hits to Plant-type creatures and maybe wood objects too...possibly only when using an axe though?
Plants are by default crit-immune I think. This wouldn't be particularly powerful - I don't think there are many Plant foes in most campaigns, but it would fit.

Debihuman
2010-03-06, 02:58 PM
he's OK. He needs the class feature "sleep all night and work all day".

Well, I think that's fodder for another thread. But this prestige class looks okay--just needs a 9th level special ability.

I'm not sure what fits. I originally thought talking to plants, but that doesn't have the right feel for this class.

FYI, if you've ever looked at Northern Crown, Paul Bunyan is there. I'm at a loss at to what would be a really good class feature. Must be something out there.

Debby

Agi Hammerthief
2010-03-06, 03:16 PM
how about Tree Stride as spell like ability for level 9

is also a great means of detection of the type of wood you might want to harvest


By moving into an oak tree (for example), you instantly know the location of all other oak trees within transport range

Zyborg22
2010-03-06, 05:30 PM
I like most of these suggestions. The only two I think wouldn't fit are Talk to Plants and Tree Stride, since I think it's weird for a class whose main purpose is to cut down trees to have abilities that require the trees to be alive. An ability that lets you know the location of other trees similar to a kind you touch might be good, though.

I've taken the liberty of putting in most of the suggested abilities. Is this too much? Are there any abilities that would be better off at a different level? Are any of the abilities too powerful (probably not, but I'm slightly unsure about giving Timber! 5 uses a day at level 9)?

Edit: I decided to follow tradition and put the new version in the first post.

DracoDei
2010-03-06, 05:41 PM
how about Tree Stride as spell like ability for level 9

is also a great means of detection of the type of wood you might want to harvest

If he doesn't feel like that (for instance if he is inserting a bunch of these suggestions and doesn't want to overshoot into overpowering it), he could always say they can touch a tree and get the locations of all trees of that type within the same range. That keeps the flavor, and loses the power, which COULD be useful (I also think the class is probably underpowered, but I would rather see it cut to something more than 5 but less than 10... partially just to see someone break out of that mold without some particular numerical theme behind it).


EDIT: Ninja-ed by Zyborg himself...

EDIT^2: It is also traditional to edit the original post so that everything on the current status can be found in one place. If you are concerned about being able to backtrack if the edits turn out to make things worse, then archive the old copy below the new one in [Spoiler] tags.

Zyborg22
2010-03-08, 12:33 AM
(I also think the class is probably underpowered, but I would rather see it cut to something more than 5 but less than 10... partially just to see someone break out of that mold without some particular numerical theme behind it).

There's now an 8-level version of the class in the main post, though it's spoilered. I also increased the use limits of The Seeds Will Be Planted And New Trees Will Grow and People Don’t Kill People! Trees Kill People! to 4/day. If it's still underpowered, I could probably throw in Greater Weapon Specialization at level 8 of the shorter version.

DracoDei
2010-03-08, 03:16 AM
Eh... they are losing out on Ranger Spellcasting... granted they get some SLA's... but go ahead and give them greater weapon focus... also, you sorta need to say that they now CAN do crits on wooden objects and Plant creatures... unless I am missing something... otherwise Improved Timber! technically requires a seperate spell or effect or something that lets you crit Plants and objects to get it to actually do anything...

Zyborg22
2010-03-08, 11:36 AM
The Tree That Grows Must Be Cut now gives them the ability to crit plants and wooden objects, so they don't need anything else to use Improved Timber!. Also, the free Timber! that comes from killing a plant or wooden object can be activated regardless of whether the finishing strike was a critical hit, in case that wasn't clear.

DracoDei
2010-03-08, 12:30 PM
... I need to read more carefully in future... sorry.

Zyborg22
2010-03-08, 11:41 PM
That's alright. We all misread stuff now and again.

Well anyway, back on topic. Would the save DC for Timber! be better off being based on Constitution (since that's what deals with breath attacks and the like), or is it fine the way it is?

Also, I went ahead and added the Greater Weapon Specialization to both current versions.

If it's still underpowered, I have a couple of ideas to boost it even more:
1. Add At Will Mage Hand for wooden objects to "People Don't Kill People! Trees Kill People!". I don't think that would help much, though.

2. Let the "Instant Kill on Critical" effect from Improved Timber! work on everything the Diligent Lumberjack can crit. I'm not really sure how much I like that idea, though.