NineThePuma
2010-11-09, 03:13 PM
I'm planning to do an entire series of these, first updating the current ones to be less... ridiculous. They make use of TG Oskar's [MULTICLASS] feat tag, which is quoted below. First up is the Swift Ambusher, which I find slightly retarded in its current form. I'd like some feedback on its current form first though ^^
NEW FEAT: MULTICLASS FEAT
Feats with the [Multiclass] descriptor are meant to scale the bonuses of two specific classes, as intended in the feat’s description. Usually, the feat will provide various benefits: one, a set of benefits of each class will scale by gaining levels in the other class; second, a new ability may be acquired with the combination of both classes; third, some of the class skills from both classes are treated as class skills in both classes, even if normally it would be otherwise; fourth, some restrictions from each class may be waived.
To gain the benefit of this feat, a character must have multiclassed directly into both intended classes. Thus, the character must have actual levels in the class, which are indicated in the prerequisites section. Having levels in a prestige class that grants abilities similar to one of the two classes, or that increases the class abilities of one of the two classes, do not count for purposes of stacking any of the classes which may benefit from the feat. At the Dungeon Master’s discretion, this benefit may apply to specific classes and prestige classes, if the spirit of the multiclass permits it.
This part will require a bit of explanation.
Feats like Ascetic Hunter, Swift Hunter, Devoted Performer, Daring Outlaw and similar are classes that are meant to aid people that multiclass to get some of the benefits of both classes while dabbling between both classes. However, they don't have a distinctive tag, and they were used sparingly. This is an attempt to make them unique and different kinds of feats, but also to structure them into a similar feat system.
To everyone: these feats are the feats you pretty much love and hate, but with new goodies. First, you get some of the classes' benefits to stack between classes, so that the actual reason why you decided to multiclass isn't ruined (perhaps the Rogue's sneak attack, or the Monk's...unarmed strike damage and Wis to AC... The second is a unique benefit, which is meant to synergize with both classes: such as having two abilities activate at the same time, for example. The third new ability is basically allowing some skills to count as class skills for both multiclass options, meaning you get more bang for your skill points. The fourth is one that exists because of the unusual multiclass system of D&D, and specifically because of restrictions such as the Bard and the Barbarian being forcefully chaotic or lose their powers, Monks must be lawful or lose their abilities as well as the other multiclass restriction, and also the Paladin's code of conduct. This is meant to alleviate those troubles, to an extent.
To DMs: perhaps you are fine with the feats being general feats and not having a special tag, and you might not want to accept this standardization. That's fine, the idea is to take what you like from the 'brew and disregard what you don't. However, if the idea is good, then you might want to experiment with other feats in that way.
To homebrewers: I know there's a few people in the GitP forums that decided to standardize the multiclass feat system into a cohesive whole. This is an attempt to remain to the spirit of the feat while standardizing it even further (hence, the addition of class skills in-between multiclassing). This is in no way a disrespectful jab to your work or something along those lines, but rather a different way of dealing with these feats in a way that they work as they are meant to, making them standard and appropriate. If other homebrewers wish to use this standardized system for their own 'brew, welcome and thanks for your support. If not, then no hard feelings, and make sure you observe these other feat systems to see if they best fit your ideal.
Swift Outlaw [Multiclass, Scout]
Prerequisites: Skirmish +1d6 / +1 AC class feature, Sneak Attack +1d6
Benefit: You stack your levels in Rogue (or other Sneak Attack providing class) and Scout (or other Skirmish providing class) for determining your AC bonus from Skirmish. Any circumstance that would allow you to activate your Sneak Attack also activates Skirmish. Any circumstance that allows you to activate Skirmish allows you to activate Sneak Attack.
You treat class skills for either class as class skills whenever taking levels from any of the two classes. Skill points expended in any of these skills while taking levels in any of these two classes are treated as expended on class skills retroactively up to the point the feat was taken (thus, if the character spent 4 skill points on Martial Lore as a fighter, took a level in warblade, and then gained the feat, the character would have 4 ranks instead of 2 ranks in that skill).
If your favored class is any, rogue, or scout, you gain no XP penalties in any of both classes, but still take penalties with multiple classes more than one level apart.
Special: If you have Riposte, it may be used in place of Skirmish (which this then advances instead).
Swift Ambusher has been bugging me. This makes use of TG Oskar's [Multiclass] feat tag, corrects Swift ambusher to be 'in line' with the other Rogue [Multiclass] feats, and is something worth taking in my opinion.
This is a straight up port of the old one, adding in the features of the [Multiclass] tag, and the ability to have Skirmish or Sneak Attack both activate on any one trigger. So you can Sneak Attack off of moving 10 ft or Skirmish by flanking. I felt that the ability in question is pretty obvious in hind sight, which is why I added it. But that doesn't make me completely right, so feel free to yell at me.
NEW FEAT: MULTICLASS FEAT
Feats with the [Multiclass] descriptor are meant to scale the bonuses of two specific classes, as intended in the feat’s description. Usually, the feat will provide various benefits: one, a set of benefits of each class will scale by gaining levels in the other class; second, a new ability may be acquired with the combination of both classes; third, some of the class skills from both classes are treated as class skills in both classes, even if normally it would be otherwise; fourth, some restrictions from each class may be waived.
To gain the benefit of this feat, a character must have multiclassed directly into both intended classes. Thus, the character must have actual levels in the class, which are indicated in the prerequisites section. Having levels in a prestige class that grants abilities similar to one of the two classes, or that increases the class abilities of one of the two classes, do not count for purposes of stacking any of the classes which may benefit from the feat. At the Dungeon Master’s discretion, this benefit may apply to specific classes and prestige classes, if the spirit of the multiclass permits it.
This part will require a bit of explanation.
Feats like Ascetic Hunter, Swift Hunter, Devoted Performer, Daring Outlaw and similar are classes that are meant to aid people that multiclass to get some of the benefits of both classes while dabbling between both classes. However, they don't have a distinctive tag, and they were used sparingly. This is an attempt to make them unique and different kinds of feats, but also to structure them into a similar feat system.
To everyone: these feats are the feats you pretty much love and hate, but with new goodies. First, you get some of the classes' benefits to stack between classes, so that the actual reason why you decided to multiclass isn't ruined (perhaps the Rogue's sneak attack, or the Monk's...unarmed strike damage and Wis to AC... The second is a unique benefit, which is meant to synergize with both classes: such as having two abilities activate at the same time, for example. The third new ability is basically allowing some skills to count as class skills for both multiclass options, meaning you get more bang for your skill points. The fourth is one that exists because of the unusual multiclass system of D&D, and specifically because of restrictions such as the Bard and the Barbarian being forcefully chaotic or lose their powers, Monks must be lawful or lose their abilities as well as the other multiclass restriction, and also the Paladin's code of conduct. This is meant to alleviate those troubles, to an extent.
To DMs: perhaps you are fine with the feats being general feats and not having a special tag, and you might not want to accept this standardization. That's fine, the idea is to take what you like from the 'brew and disregard what you don't. However, if the idea is good, then you might want to experiment with other feats in that way.
To homebrewers: I know there's a few people in the GitP forums that decided to standardize the multiclass feat system into a cohesive whole. This is an attempt to remain to the spirit of the feat while standardizing it even further (hence, the addition of class skills in-between multiclassing). This is in no way a disrespectful jab to your work or something along those lines, but rather a different way of dealing with these feats in a way that they work as they are meant to, making them standard and appropriate. If other homebrewers wish to use this standardized system for their own 'brew, welcome and thanks for your support. If not, then no hard feelings, and make sure you observe these other feat systems to see if they best fit your ideal.
Swift Outlaw [Multiclass, Scout]
Prerequisites: Skirmish +1d6 / +1 AC class feature, Sneak Attack +1d6
Benefit: You stack your levels in Rogue (or other Sneak Attack providing class) and Scout (or other Skirmish providing class) for determining your AC bonus from Skirmish. Any circumstance that would allow you to activate your Sneak Attack also activates Skirmish. Any circumstance that allows you to activate Skirmish allows you to activate Sneak Attack.
You treat class skills for either class as class skills whenever taking levels from any of the two classes. Skill points expended in any of these skills while taking levels in any of these two classes are treated as expended on class skills retroactively up to the point the feat was taken (thus, if the character spent 4 skill points on Martial Lore as a fighter, took a level in warblade, and then gained the feat, the character would have 4 ranks instead of 2 ranks in that skill).
If your favored class is any, rogue, or scout, you gain no XP penalties in any of both classes, but still take penalties with multiple classes more than one level apart.
Special: If you have Riposte, it may be used in place of Skirmish (which this then advances instead).
Swift Ambusher has been bugging me. This makes use of TG Oskar's [Multiclass] feat tag, corrects Swift ambusher to be 'in line' with the other Rogue [Multiclass] feats, and is something worth taking in my opinion.
This is a straight up port of the old one, adding in the features of the [Multiclass] tag, and the ability to have Skirmish or Sneak Attack both activate on any one trigger. So you can Sneak Attack off of moving 10 ft or Skirmish by flanking. I felt that the ability in question is pretty obvious in hind sight, which is why I added it. But that doesn't make me completely right, so feel free to yell at me.