Kuulvheysoon
2013-04-08, 06:39 PM
The soulborn is an awesome concept – I love the idea of a warrior who uses incarnum to increase his natural melee prowess and to (minorly) support his party. Sadly, the class (as presented) fails in this concept completely. The “Share incarnum defense” ability kicks in way too late, and is far too limited to be of any use, and their meldshaping is pretty much useless as-is. Now, this will be my first homebrew, so opinions are gratefully accepted.
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/moi_gallery/91230.jpg
The Soulborn
Abilities: Soulborn rely heavily on Strength and Constitution as primary melee combatants. Their meldshaping is also based on Constitution (number of melds, as well as setting the save DCs), as is their Improved shaping abilities. Charisma is used for the Smite opposition ability.
Alignment: Soulborns are polarized in their alignments, hewing to strong convictions of morality and ethics. As such, they can only be Lawful Good, Chaotic Good, Lawful Evil or Chaotic Evil.
Starting Gold: As soulborn (MoI)
Starting Age: As Paladin
Hit Die: d10
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special|
Soulmelds|
Essentia|
Chakra Binds
1st|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+0|Aura, Smite opposition 1/day|
1|
0|
0
2nd|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+0|Incarnum Defense|
1|
0|
0
3rd|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+1| Bonus feat|
1|
1|
0
4th|
+4|
+4|
+1|
+1|Soul Protection (minor)|
1|
1|
0
5th|
+5|
+4|
+1|
+1|Smite opposition 2/day|
1|
2|
0
6th|
+6/+1|
+5|
+2|
+2|Share incarnum defense|
2|
2|
0
7th|
+7/+2|
+5|
+2|
+2|Chakra binds (crown, feet, hands)|
2|
3|
1
8th|
+8/+3|
+6|
+2|
+2|Bonus feat, combative shaping (crown, feet, hands)|
2|
3|
1
9th|
+9/+4|
+6|
+3|
+3|Expanded soulmeld capacity +1|
2|
4|
1
10th|
+10/+5|
+7|
+3|
+3|Smite opposition 3/day|
2|
5|
1
11th|
+11/+6/+1|
+7|
+3|
+3|Chakra Binds (arms, brow, shoulders)|
3|
6|
2
12th|
+12/+7/+2|
+8|
+4|
+4|Combative shaping (arms, brow, shoulders)|
3|
7|
2
13th|
+13/+8/+3|
+8|
+4|
+4|Bonus feat|
3|
8|
2
14th|
+14/+9/+4|
+9|
+4|
+4|Soul protection (full)|
3|
9|
2
15th|
+15/+10/+5|
+9|
+5|
+5|Chakra binds (throat, waist), smite opposition 3/day|
4|
10|
3
16th|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+10|
+5|
+5|Combative shaping (throat, waist)|
4|
11|
3
17th|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+10|
+5|
+5|Expanded soulmeld capacity +2|
4|
12|
3
18th|
+18/+13/+8/+3|
+11|
+6|
+6|Bonus feat|
4|
13|
3
19th|
+19/+14/+9/+4|
+11|
+6|
+6|Timeless body|
5|
14|
3
20th|
+20/+15/+10/+5|
+12|
+6|
+6|Chakra bind (heart), smite opposition 5/day|
5|
15|
4[/table]
Class Skills (4 + Intelligence modifier per level, x4 at 1st level): Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex).
A Lawful Good soulborn adds Diplomacy (Cha) to the class skills above, while a Chaotic Good soulborn adds Gather Information (Cha), a Lawful Evil soulborn adds Bluff (Cha) and a Chaotic Evil soulborn adds Intimidate (Cha).
Class Features
Weapon and Armour Proficiencies: As vanilla Soulborn
Aura (Ex): As vanilla Soulborn
Smite opposition (Su): As vanilla Soulborn, except that the Smite opposition feature can be used to qualify for any feat or prestige class that requires Smite (assuming that they fulfill the other requirements).
Meldshaping: As the vanilla Soulborn, except for three things.
Their meldshaper level is equal to their Soulborn level, not half as previous
I’ve made a new list for Soulborn soulmelds, removing some and adding others.
They gain the ability to shape a single soulmeld at first level
Incarnum defense (Su): As vanilla Soulborn
Bonus Feat: At 3rd, 8th, 13th and 18th levels, you gain a bonus feat from the following list: Bonus Essentia , Incarnum-fortified Body, Split Chakra, any feat that requires Smite as a prerequisite, or any feat.
Soul Protection (Su) : At 4th level, a Soulborn receives a bonus to their saving throws equal to half their Constitution bonus. Beginning at 14th level, they receive a bonus equal to their full Constitution bonus.
Share Incarnum Defense (Su): Every ally within a radius of 20ft whose alignment does not oppose your shares your Incarnum Defense class ability. You may invest additional essentia into this ability; for every point of essentia, your aura’s radius expands by 10ft (subject to normal limitations).
Chakra Binds: As vanilla Soulborn
Combative Shaping (Su): When you have a soulmeld shaped in certain body slots, you receive a bonus based on your level.
[i]Crown: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your crown chakra, you receive uncanny insight into battle. Beginning at 8th level, enemies do not receive the +2 bonus to attack while flanking you (although you are still considered flanked). At 12th level, you receive the Uncanny Dodge ability. At 16th level, you are never considered flanked unless you choose to be.
Feet: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your feet chakra, you can react more quickly to danger. Beginning at 8th level, you gain a +2 insight bonus to Initiative and are treated as if you had the Combat Reflexes feat. At 12th level, you can make attacks of opportunity even when flat-footed. At 16th level, your Dexterity is considered 4 points higher for determining the amount of attacks of opportunity that you can make.
Hands: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your hands chakra, your hands guide your attacks to where they’ll inflict the most damage. Beginning at 8th level, you receive an insight bonus to melee damage rolls equal to ¼ of your meldshaper level.
Arms: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your arms chakra, you can deal devastating blows in combat. Beginning at 12th level, you are treated as if you have the Power Critical feat for any melee weapon that you wield. At 16th level, you are also treated as if you have the Improved Critical feat. This ability stacks any existing quality that improves the critical range of your weapon.
Brow: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your brow chakra, you have an instinctual sense of where your foes are. Beginning at 12th level, you are treated as if you have the Blind-fight feat. Need a 16th level ability for this chakra.
Shoulders: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your shoulders chakra, you can feel Incarnum infusing your body, rendering you more resistant to physical blows. Beginning at 12th level, you have a 25% chance to negate sneak attacks and critical hits. At 16th level, this increases to 50%. This ability does not stack with the fortification armor enhancement, or any similar ability that grants it.
Throat: Not sure yet.
Waist: Any ideas?
Improved Soulmeld Capacity (Su): At 9th level and again at 17th level, the essentia cap of your soulmelds increases by 1, superseding the normal essentia cap. This applies only to your soulmelds, not any [incarnum] feats that you may have, nor your Share Incarnum Defense class feature.
Timeless Body (Ex): As vanilla Soulborn.
Soulborn Soulmelds (by Chakra)
Crown Crystal Helm
Diadem of Purelight
Hunter’s Circlet
Soulspeaker Circlet
Feet Cerulean Sandals
Impulse Boots
Thunderstep Boots
Hands Gloves of the Poisoned Soul
Lightning Gauntlets
Lucky Dice
Mauling Gauntlets
Rageclaws
Arms Armguards of Disruption
Bluesteel Bracers
Lammasu Mantle
Lifebond Vestments
Mauling Gauntlets
Riding Bracers
Sailor’s Bracers
Brow Fearsome Mask
Great Raptor Mask
Silvertongue Mask
Truthseeker Goggles
Shoulders Adamant Pauldrons
Lammasu Mantle
Pauldrons of Health
Therapeutic Mantle
Wind Cloak
Throat Ankeg Breastplate
Brass Mane
Silvertongue Mask
Soulspeaker Circlet
Winter Mask
Waist Flame Cincture
Lamia Belt
Strongheart Vest
Vitality Belt
Wormtail Belt
Heart Lifebond Vestments
Spellward Shirt
Strongheart Vest
*note: remove the [Evil] descriptor from the Lamia Belt soulmeld.
Thoughts?
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/moi_gallery/91230.jpg
The Soulborn
Abilities: Soulborn rely heavily on Strength and Constitution as primary melee combatants. Their meldshaping is also based on Constitution (number of melds, as well as setting the save DCs), as is their Improved shaping abilities. Charisma is used for the Smite opposition ability.
Alignment: Soulborns are polarized in their alignments, hewing to strong convictions of morality and ethics. As such, they can only be Lawful Good, Chaotic Good, Lawful Evil or Chaotic Evil.
Starting Gold: As soulborn (MoI)
Starting Age: As Paladin
Hit Die: d10
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special|
Soulmelds|
Essentia|
Chakra Binds
1st|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+0|Aura, Smite opposition 1/day|
1|
0|
0
2nd|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+0|Incarnum Defense|
1|
0|
0
3rd|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+1| Bonus feat|
1|
1|
0
4th|
+4|
+4|
+1|
+1|Soul Protection (minor)|
1|
1|
0
5th|
+5|
+4|
+1|
+1|Smite opposition 2/day|
1|
2|
0
6th|
+6/+1|
+5|
+2|
+2|Share incarnum defense|
2|
2|
0
7th|
+7/+2|
+5|
+2|
+2|Chakra binds (crown, feet, hands)|
2|
3|
1
8th|
+8/+3|
+6|
+2|
+2|Bonus feat, combative shaping (crown, feet, hands)|
2|
3|
1
9th|
+9/+4|
+6|
+3|
+3|Expanded soulmeld capacity +1|
2|
4|
1
10th|
+10/+5|
+7|
+3|
+3|Smite opposition 3/day|
2|
5|
1
11th|
+11/+6/+1|
+7|
+3|
+3|Chakra Binds (arms, brow, shoulders)|
3|
6|
2
12th|
+12/+7/+2|
+8|
+4|
+4|Combative shaping (arms, brow, shoulders)|
3|
7|
2
13th|
+13/+8/+3|
+8|
+4|
+4|Bonus feat|
3|
8|
2
14th|
+14/+9/+4|
+9|
+4|
+4|Soul protection (full)|
3|
9|
2
15th|
+15/+10/+5|
+9|
+5|
+5|Chakra binds (throat, waist), smite opposition 3/day|
4|
10|
3
16th|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+10|
+5|
+5|Combative shaping (throat, waist)|
4|
11|
3
17th|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+10|
+5|
+5|Expanded soulmeld capacity +2|
4|
12|
3
18th|
+18/+13/+8/+3|
+11|
+6|
+6|Bonus feat|
4|
13|
3
19th|
+19/+14/+9/+4|
+11|
+6|
+6|Timeless body|
5|
14|
3
20th|
+20/+15/+10/+5|
+12|
+6|
+6|Chakra bind (heart), smite opposition 5/day|
5|
15|
4[/table]
Class Skills (4 + Intelligence modifier per level, x4 at 1st level): Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex).
A Lawful Good soulborn adds Diplomacy (Cha) to the class skills above, while a Chaotic Good soulborn adds Gather Information (Cha), a Lawful Evil soulborn adds Bluff (Cha) and a Chaotic Evil soulborn adds Intimidate (Cha).
Class Features
Weapon and Armour Proficiencies: As vanilla Soulborn
Aura (Ex): As vanilla Soulborn
Smite opposition (Su): As vanilla Soulborn, except that the Smite opposition feature can be used to qualify for any feat or prestige class that requires Smite (assuming that they fulfill the other requirements).
Meldshaping: As the vanilla Soulborn, except for three things.
Their meldshaper level is equal to their Soulborn level, not half as previous
I’ve made a new list for Soulborn soulmelds, removing some and adding others.
They gain the ability to shape a single soulmeld at first level
Incarnum defense (Su): As vanilla Soulborn
Bonus Feat: At 3rd, 8th, 13th and 18th levels, you gain a bonus feat from the following list: Bonus Essentia , Incarnum-fortified Body, Split Chakra, any feat that requires Smite as a prerequisite, or any feat.
Soul Protection (Su) : At 4th level, a Soulborn receives a bonus to their saving throws equal to half their Constitution bonus. Beginning at 14th level, they receive a bonus equal to their full Constitution bonus.
Share Incarnum Defense (Su): Every ally within a radius of 20ft whose alignment does not oppose your shares your Incarnum Defense class ability. You may invest additional essentia into this ability; for every point of essentia, your aura’s radius expands by 10ft (subject to normal limitations).
Chakra Binds: As vanilla Soulborn
Combative Shaping (Su): When you have a soulmeld shaped in certain body slots, you receive a bonus based on your level.
[i]Crown: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your crown chakra, you receive uncanny insight into battle. Beginning at 8th level, enemies do not receive the +2 bonus to attack while flanking you (although you are still considered flanked). At 12th level, you receive the Uncanny Dodge ability. At 16th level, you are never considered flanked unless you choose to be.
Feet: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your feet chakra, you can react more quickly to danger. Beginning at 8th level, you gain a +2 insight bonus to Initiative and are treated as if you had the Combat Reflexes feat. At 12th level, you can make attacks of opportunity even when flat-footed. At 16th level, your Dexterity is considered 4 points higher for determining the amount of attacks of opportunity that you can make.
Hands: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your hands chakra, your hands guide your attacks to where they’ll inflict the most damage. Beginning at 8th level, you receive an insight bonus to melee damage rolls equal to ¼ of your meldshaper level.
Arms: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your arms chakra, you can deal devastating blows in combat. Beginning at 12th level, you are treated as if you have the Power Critical feat for any melee weapon that you wield. At 16th level, you are also treated as if you have the Improved Critical feat. This ability stacks any existing quality that improves the critical range of your weapon.
Brow: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your brow chakra, you have an instinctual sense of where your foes are. Beginning at 12th level, you are treated as if you have the Blind-fight feat. Need a 16th level ability for this chakra.
Shoulders: As long as a soulmeld is occupying your shoulders chakra, you can feel Incarnum infusing your body, rendering you more resistant to physical blows. Beginning at 12th level, you have a 25% chance to negate sneak attacks and critical hits. At 16th level, this increases to 50%. This ability does not stack with the fortification armor enhancement, or any similar ability that grants it.
Throat: Not sure yet.
Waist: Any ideas?
Improved Soulmeld Capacity (Su): At 9th level and again at 17th level, the essentia cap of your soulmelds increases by 1, superseding the normal essentia cap. This applies only to your soulmelds, not any [incarnum] feats that you may have, nor your Share Incarnum Defense class feature.
Timeless Body (Ex): As vanilla Soulborn.
Soulborn Soulmelds (by Chakra)
Crown Crystal Helm
Diadem of Purelight
Hunter’s Circlet
Soulspeaker Circlet
Feet Cerulean Sandals
Impulse Boots
Thunderstep Boots
Hands Gloves of the Poisoned Soul
Lightning Gauntlets
Lucky Dice
Mauling Gauntlets
Rageclaws
Arms Armguards of Disruption
Bluesteel Bracers
Lammasu Mantle
Lifebond Vestments
Mauling Gauntlets
Riding Bracers
Sailor’s Bracers
Brow Fearsome Mask
Great Raptor Mask
Silvertongue Mask
Truthseeker Goggles
Shoulders Adamant Pauldrons
Lammasu Mantle
Pauldrons of Health
Therapeutic Mantle
Wind Cloak
Throat Ankeg Breastplate
Brass Mane
Silvertongue Mask
Soulspeaker Circlet
Winter Mask
Waist Flame Cincture
Lamia Belt
Strongheart Vest
Vitality Belt
Wormtail Belt
Heart Lifebond Vestments
Spellward Shirt
Strongheart Vest
*note: remove the [Evil] descriptor from the Lamia Belt soulmeld.
Thoughts?