[3.PF] Homebrew idea: Tier 2-3, Flavorful Casters

[BlueInc]

Backstory: I'm going to be running a Pathfinder game on the OOTS forums, and a player asked me if they could use this (http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/pathfinder/pathfinderRPG/conversions/archives/myOwnPathfinderizedBeguiler&page=1&source=search#0) homebrew Beguiler conversion to Pathfinder. The player ended up making a Cleric, but the Beguiler looks really interesting to me.

Further Pondering: There are several tier 3 casters on the Tier System for Classes (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=1002.0) list, some of which (like the Dread Necromancer) use a similar progression to the Beguiler in terms of spellcasting: All of your spells, just very limited in scope + unique class abilities. Similarly, I feel that the Pathfinder Magus (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/magus) would fit nicely in tier 3.

Another thing to consider: One of the defining marks of tier 1 casters (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=4938.0) is their ability to access all of the spells on their (very large and constantly expanding) spell list. Much of the community (especially on this forum) laments the overpowered nature of the Druid and the Wizard in particular, wishing classes were more in the tier 2-4 range.

Classes like the Cleric, Druid, and Wizard are trying to do too much with one class. A Wizard is a character who can summon the powers of Necromancy, Transmutation, Conjuration, Enchantment, Illusion, Evocation and Abjuration; a druid forms a close bond with animals, plants, the elements, can turn into animals, etc.; a cleric is a healer, melee combatant, visionary, divine conduit, etc.

Concept: Picking one class for simplicity's sake, let's look at the Wizard. What if, instead of being one class that can do everything, he was 3-7 classes with a smaller amount of options.

For example: A transmutation Wizard could be replaced with an Alchemist (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/alchemist)-like class. An illusionist/enchanter could be replaced with a Beguiler-like class, a Necromancer could be replaced with...well...a Dread Necromancer-like class, the Conjurer with a Summoner (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/summoner)-like class, etc.

For a cleric, maybe they could get three or even four domains, but they could only cast spells from their domain list and the cure/inflict wounds line.

Druids could be cut into an elementalist spellcaster, a beast-master class, perhaps, or absorbed into the Cleric and the Ranger.

These could be accomplished through a series of base classes, archetypes, or a "bloodlines" like mechanic.

Thoughts?

[Steward]

I kind of like this idea. I think the reason these classes are often broken is because they really can do everything (a great example is from the Order of the Stick, where the Nale's Druid manage to easily fight off three of the Order members -- and both of their casters -- pretty much on his own).


Druids could be cut into an elementalist spellcaster, a beast-master class, perhaps, or absorbed into the Cleric and the Ranger.

That's a good idea. You could probably even beef up the Ranger by swapping its animal companion progression with the Druid and giving the Ranger at least some of the Druid's wildshaping ability.)