eftexar
2013-07-03, 10:06 PM
Scholar
Playing a Scholar
Abilities: Intelligence helps with skill points, Charisma boost save DCs for their spells, and, as always, constitution helps with survivability. Dexterity helps with defenses, but strength is pretty much a dump stat.
Organization: Scholars can be found in many an academia.
Alignment: A Scholar can be of any alignment. The pursuit of knowledge does lend itself better towards law than chaos though.
Religion: Like scientists in our world Scholars tend to lean more towards atheism than most other classes. Non-the-less many worship deities and, more often than not, these are gods of knowledge.
Background: While younger people are less likely to pursue this path, as the elderly are generally wiser and better learned, it isn't as uncommon as you would think. Either way their backgrounds vary more dramatically from here.
Races: Both Humans and Elves are the most likely to see value in the pursuit of information and magic. Orc don't usually have the brains and Dwarves prefer a more direct approach to their problems. Other races often just don't have the drive.
Other Classes: Wizards grudgingly respect them, while Clerics are usually confounded, sometimes reacting violently, at the idea of an arcane caster channeling positive energy.
Fighters and Rogues can get along fine as long as they aren't hotheads, while Sorcerers and Barbarians both think they are wasting their time being stuffy.
Role: A Scholar fills a similar role as the Wizard. They don't have nearly as much power to bear, but their wide utility, coupled with their animal companion, lends to a variety of secondary roles.
Hit Die: d6
Starting Gold: as Rogue
Skills: Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Info. (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (all, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Peform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points: 8 + Int mod (x 4 at first level)
{table=head]{colsp=6}Scholar|{colsp=4}
Spells per Day|{colsp=2}
Invocations
Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special|
1st|
2nd|
3rd|
4th|Known|Max. Rank
1st|+0|+0|+2|+2|Familiar, Lorekeeper, Analysis|
|
|
|
|
|
2nd|+1|+0|+3|+3|Sense Magic|
|
|
|
|
1|
Least
3rd|+1|+1|+3|+3|Area of Study, Mettle|
|
|
|
|
2|
4th|+2|+1|+4|+4||
2|
|
|
|
2|
5th|+2|+1|+4|+4|Identify|
3|
|
|
|
2|
6th|+3|+2|+5|+5|Allowance -1|
3|
|
|
|
3|
Lesser
7th|+3|+2|+5|+5|Reserve|
4|
|
|
|
3|
8th|+4|+2|+6|+6|Metamagic Feat|
4|
1|
|
|
4|
9th|+4|+3|+6|+6||
4|
2|
|
|
4|
10th|+5|+3|+7|+7|Reserve|
5|
3|
|
|
4|
11th|+5|+3|+7|+7||
5|
3|
1|
|
5|
Greater
12th|+6/+1|+4|+8|+8|Metamagic Feat, Allowance -2|
5|
4|
2|
|
5|
13th|+6/+1|+4|+8|+8|Reserve|
5|
4|
3|
|
6|
14th|+7/+2|+4|+9|+9||
6|
4|
3|
1|
6|
15th|+7/+2|+5|+9|+9|With a Glance|
6|
5|
4|
2|
6|
16th|+8/+3|+5|+10|+10|Metamagic Feat, Reserve|
6|
5|
4|
3|
7|
Dark
17th|+8/+3|+5|+10|+10||
6|
5|
4|
3|
7|
18th|+9/+4|+6|+11|+11|Allowance -3|
6|
5|
5|
4|
8|
19th|+9/+4|+6|+11|+11|Reserve|
6|
6|
5|
4|
8|
20th|+10/+5|+6|+12|+12|Metamagic Feat|
6|
6|
5|
4|
8|
[/table]
Proficiencies: The Scholar is proficient with all simple weapons, but he is not, however, proficient with any armor or shields of any kind.
Class Abilities
Spellcasting
The Scholar, as a spontaneous caster, can cast a limited number of arcane spells. Unlike other casters he can learn from any spell list arcane or divine. He learns a new spell, of any level that he can cast, at every level of Scholar starting his fourth.
He can only cast so many spells per day, as indicated, though he does gain bonus spells for a high intelligence. The Scholar may expend a higher level spell slot to cast a lower level spell.
The saving throw for any of his spells has a DC of 10 + 1/2 his caster level + his charisma modifier. If he expends a higher spell slot, than necessary to cast the spell, this DC increases by +2.
At his 6th level of Scholar, and every 4 after, he may trade one of his spells known for another spell. It needn't be of the same level and may very well be of a higher level than the one he has replaced.
Cantrips
The Scholar begins with 3 cantrips and 2 orisons. He can cast them a combined, limited, number of times, equal to 3 + his intelligence bonus (if any), per day.
Spell Book
Beyond his normal spells he has access to a spell book he can cast additional spells from. Spells learned, see spellcasting, are memorize not written in this book.
He can write any number of spells, for who's level he can normally cast, inside of a spell book, but must transcribe them from complex texts or learn them under the tutelage of another spellcaster.
To cast a spell from this book he must spend a move action looking for it and has a 1d4 x 10% chance of not being able to find it. He can leave it open, eliminating this round of searching, but still has a chance of not being able to find it.
Spells cast from his spell book are too difficult to use for him to apply metamagic feats to them. They otherwise, however, function as any other spells, including the need for spell slots.
Familiar
The Scholar may pick a familiar from the same list as the Sorcerer, likely from this list: Bat, Cat, Lizard, Owl, Rat, Raven, Snake, Toad, and Weasel. Other lists, which are outside the Player's Handbook, show more possibilities.
This familiar, instead of gaining levels of it's own, advances by bonus HD gained based on his Scholar level. See the table below for details on this advancement and the abilities garnered therein.
Should this companion die the Scholar can't replace it, but may resurrect it, as if with True Resurrection, with 4 hours of uninterrupted meditation. It is not subject to level loss from any source (even resurrection).
{table=head]Scholar Level|
Bonus HD|
Int/Cha Adj.|
Str/Dex Adj.|
Bonus Tricks|Special
1st-2nd|
+2|
+0|
+1|
3|Status, Share Spells
3rd-5th|
+4|
+1|
+1|
4|Evasion
6th-8th|
+6|
+2|
+2|
5|Spell-like Ability (1st)
9th-11th|
+8|
+3|
+2|
6|Size Increase
12th-14th|
+10|
+4|
+3|
7|
15th-17th|
+12|
+5|
+3|
8|Spell-like Ability (2nd)
18th-20th|
+14|
+6|
+4|
9|
[/table]
In addition to a bonus to their HD, and ability scores, a Familiar gains bonus tricks and some special abilities:
1. Status (Su)
The Scholar, and his Familiar, are always aware of one another as detailed within the Status spell. See the Player's Handbook for more information.
1. Share Spells (Su)
Anytime the Scholar affects himself with a spell, with a range of personal or touch, he may also choose to affect his familiar companion as well. His familiar must be within 60ft of himself to do this.
3. Evasion (Ex)
Whenever the Familiar succeeds on a reflex save to reduce the effects of an attack, or hazard, they still negate them. This doesn't affect other effects that wouldn't have been reduced or negated with a successful save.
6, 15. Spell-like Abilities
At each of the indicated levels the Familiar gains a spell, of a level no higher than that indicated, as a spell-like ability. The Familiar can cast each 3/day and the saving throw has a DC of 10 + their Bonus HD + their charisma modifier.
9. Size Increase (Ex)
The Familiar gains reach, and deals damage, as if one single size larger.
The Scholar's bond with this familiar also grant it special abilities. They stack with each other, and other abilities, unless noted otherwise. At every odd level, except for 3rd, of Scholar he may choose one from the following list for his familiar companion to benefit from:
+5 Hit points
Energy resistance 5 (pick two: acid, cold, electricity, fire)
+1 competence bonus on all damage rolls
+2 insight bonus on initiative checks
+4 ranks in any skill that is trained or can be used untrained
+1 resistance bonus on all saves
+1 dodge bonus to AC
+1 competence bonus on attack rolls
Damage reduction 1/
Gain a monstrous feat they qualify for
Gain a tag team feat they qualify for
Gain a fighter feat they qualify for
Gain extra use of spell-like ability gained through Scholar class
Lorekeeper (Ex)
The Scholar gains the Bardic Knowledge ability as a Bard level equal to his total Scholar levels.
Analysis (Ex)
The Scholar may, as a swift action, study a creature in his line of sight, within 60ft, by making an opposed intelligence check against them.
Upon success, he learns three of the most important weaknesses and strengths of his subject. He can make further attempts to discern additional information about the creature in question.
Lv2+ > Invocations
The Scholar learns new invocations, at the indicated levels, drawn from the Warlock list. These function as for the Warlock, except that the saving throw for any invocation has a DC of 10 + 1/2 his caster level + his charisma modifier.
Lv2 > Sense Magic (Su)
As a standard action the Scholar may become aware of all magic auras, and their locations, within 30ft of himself.
He can also focus upon a single such aura to learn it's strength, see Detect Magic, and can make a spellcraft check, at DC of 15 + the spell's level, to determine the school of magic it possesses.
Lv3 > Area of Study
Picking a single Cleric domain of his choice, the Scholar gains the indicated power and learns it's spells, when he would have access to their level, in addition to those normally chosen through leveling.
Lv3 > Mettle (Ex)
The Scholar can shed the effects of any ongoing, or permanent, mind affects with a successful will save. He loses his next standard action regardless of whether or not he succeeds on this saving throw.
Lv5 > Identify (Ex)
With 5 minutes of of study the Scholar can discover the properties of almost any magic item as if with the Identify spell.
Lv6+ > Metamagic Allowance (Su)
The Scholar ignores the indicated number of levels, from metamagic feats, for each spell that he casts. This is an overall reduction for all those applied to a single spell, so doesn't stack for multiple feats used.
Lv7, 10, 13, 16, 19 > Reserves
At each of the indicated levels the Scholar gains a new reserve feat, see Complete Mage, that he qualifies for.
As long as he meets the prerequisites needed to use a particular reserve feat he counts his highest level spell, or requisite type of spell, available as if it were equal to half his Scholar level (to maximum of 10th level spell; but only if it would be higher).
Lv8, 12, 16, 20 > Metamagic Feats
At each of the indicated levels the Scholar gains a new metamagic feat, that he qualifies for, of his choice.
Lv15 > With a Glance (Ex)
The Scholar can study any number of targets with his Analysis ability. He makes a single check against all of them.
Design Notes
The Wizard has never cut it for me, because, frankly, too much power is boring (at least in my opinion). So here I'm attempting to create one that isn't so, but still has the same incredible flexibility as the original casting class.
I took most of my inspiration from anime, but also a little from Novels and the Fire Emblem series. The Slayers series aside many of these spellcasters have mediocre power and rely on others, often a mascot, to back them up.
At the same time though I want a class that can be played in the same game as full spellcasters and still hold their own with a variety of unique options such classes generally lack.
Playing a Scholar
Abilities: Intelligence helps with skill points, Charisma boost save DCs for their spells, and, as always, constitution helps with survivability. Dexterity helps with defenses, but strength is pretty much a dump stat.
Organization: Scholars can be found in many an academia.
Alignment: A Scholar can be of any alignment. The pursuit of knowledge does lend itself better towards law than chaos though.
Religion: Like scientists in our world Scholars tend to lean more towards atheism than most other classes. Non-the-less many worship deities and, more often than not, these are gods of knowledge.
Background: While younger people are less likely to pursue this path, as the elderly are generally wiser and better learned, it isn't as uncommon as you would think. Either way their backgrounds vary more dramatically from here.
Races: Both Humans and Elves are the most likely to see value in the pursuit of information and magic. Orc don't usually have the brains and Dwarves prefer a more direct approach to their problems. Other races often just don't have the drive.
Other Classes: Wizards grudgingly respect them, while Clerics are usually confounded, sometimes reacting violently, at the idea of an arcane caster channeling positive energy.
Fighters and Rogues can get along fine as long as they aren't hotheads, while Sorcerers and Barbarians both think they are wasting their time being stuffy.
Role: A Scholar fills a similar role as the Wizard. They don't have nearly as much power to bear, but their wide utility, coupled with their animal companion, lends to a variety of secondary roles.
Hit Die: d6
Starting Gold: as Rogue
Skills: Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Info. (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (all, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Peform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points: 8 + Int mod (x 4 at first level)
{table=head]{colsp=6}Scholar|{colsp=4}
Spells per Day|{colsp=2}
Invocations
Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special|
1st|
2nd|
3rd|
4th|Known|Max. Rank
1st|+0|+0|+2|+2|Familiar, Lorekeeper, Analysis|
|
|
|
|
|
2nd|+1|+0|+3|+3|Sense Magic|
|
|
|
|
1|
Least
3rd|+1|+1|+3|+3|Area of Study, Mettle|
|
|
|
|
2|
4th|+2|+1|+4|+4||
2|
|
|
|
2|
5th|+2|+1|+4|+4|Identify|
3|
|
|
|
2|
6th|+3|+2|+5|+5|Allowance -1|
3|
|
|
|
3|
Lesser
7th|+3|+2|+5|+5|Reserve|
4|
|
|
|
3|
8th|+4|+2|+6|+6|Metamagic Feat|
4|
1|
|
|
4|
9th|+4|+3|+6|+6||
4|
2|
|
|
4|
10th|+5|+3|+7|+7|Reserve|
5|
3|
|
|
4|
11th|+5|+3|+7|+7||
5|
3|
1|
|
5|
Greater
12th|+6/+1|+4|+8|+8|Metamagic Feat, Allowance -2|
5|
4|
2|
|
5|
13th|+6/+1|+4|+8|+8|Reserve|
5|
4|
3|
|
6|
14th|+7/+2|+4|+9|+9||
6|
4|
3|
1|
6|
15th|+7/+2|+5|+9|+9|With a Glance|
6|
5|
4|
2|
6|
16th|+8/+3|+5|+10|+10|Metamagic Feat, Reserve|
6|
5|
4|
3|
7|
Dark
17th|+8/+3|+5|+10|+10||
6|
5|
4|
3|
7|
18th|+9/+4|+6|+11|+11|Allowance -3|
6|
5|
5|
4|
8|
19th|+9/+4|+6|+11|+11|Reserve|
6|
6|
5|
4|
8|
20th|+10/+5|+6|+12|+12|Metamagic Feat|
6|
6|
5|
4|
8|
[/table]
Proficiencies: The Scholar is proficient with all simple weapons, but he is not, however, proficient with any armor or shields of any kind.
Class Abilities
Spellcasting
The Scholar, as a spontaneous caster, can cast a limited number of arcane spells. Unlike other casters he can learn from any spell list arcane or divine. He learns a new spell, of any level that he can cast, at every level of Scholar starting his fourth.
He can only cast so many spells per day, as indicated, though he does gain bonus spells for a high intelligence. The Scholar may expend a higher level spell slot to cast a lower level spell.
The saving throw for any of his spells has a DC of 10 + 1/2 his caster level + his charisma modifier. If he expends a higher spell slot, than necessary to cast the spell, this DC increases by +2.
At his 6th level of Scholar, and every 4 after, he may trade one of his spells known for another spell. It needn't be of the same level and may very well be of a higher level than the one he has replaced.
Cantrips
The Scholar begins with 3 cantrips and 2 orisons. He can cast them a combined, limited, number of times, equal to 3 + his intelligence bonus (if any), per day.
Spell Book
Beyond his normal spells he has access to a spell book he can cast additional spells from. Spells learned, see spellcasting, are memorize not written in this book.
He can write any number of spells, for who's level he can normally cast, inside of a spell book, but must transcribe them from complex texts or learn them under the tutelage of another spellcaster.
To cast a spell from this book he must spend a move action looking for it and has a 1d4 x 10% chance of not being able to find it. He can leave it open, eliminating this round of searching, but still has a chance of not being able to find it.
Spells cast from his spell book are too difficult to use for him to apply metamagic feats to them. They otherwise, however, function as any other spells, including the need for spell slots.
Familiar
The Scholar may pick a familiar from the same list as the Sorcerer, likely from this list: Bat, Cat, Lizard, Owl, Rat, Raven, Snake, Toad, and Weasel. Other lists, which are outside the Player's Handbook, show more possibilities.
This familiar, instead of gaining levels of it's own, advances by bonus HD gained based on his Scholar level. See the table below for details on this advancement and the abilities garnered therein.
Should this companion die the Scholar can't replace it, but may resurrect it, as if with True Resurrection, with 4 hours of uninterrupted meditation. It is not subject to level loss from any source (even resurrection).
{table=head]Scholar Level|
Bonus HD|
Int/Cha Adj.|
Str/Dex Adj.|
Bonus Tricks|Special
1st-2nd|
+2|
+0|
+1|
3|Status, Share Spells
3rd-5th|
+4|
+1|
+1|
4|Evasion
6th-8th|
+6|
+2|
+2|
5|Spell-like Ability (1st)
9th-11th|
+8|
+3|
+2|
6|Size Increase
12th-14th|
+10|
+4|
+3|
7|
15th-17th|
+12|
+5|
+3|
8|Spell-like Ability (2nd)
18th-20th|
+14|
+6|
+4|
9|
[/table]
In addition to a bonus to their HD, and ability scores, a Familiar gains bonus tricks and some special abilities:
1. Status (Su)
The Scholar, and his Familiar, are always aware of one another as detailed within the Status spell. See the Player's Handbook for more information.
1. Share Spells (Su)
Anytime the Scholar affects himself with a spell, with a range of personal or touch, he may also choose to affect his familiar companion as well. His familiar must be within 60ft of himself to do this.
3. Evasion (Ex)
Whenever the Familiar succeeds on a reflex save to reduce the effects of an attack, or hazard, they still negate them. This doesn't affect other effects that wouldn't have been reduced or negated with a successful save.
6, 15. Spell-like Abilities
At each of the indicated levels the Familiar gains a spell, of a level no higher than that indicated, as a spell-like ability. The Familiar can cast each 3/day and the saving throw has a DC of 10 + their Bonus HD + their charisma modifier.
9. Size Increase (Ex)
The Familiar gains reach, and deals damage, as if one single size larger.
The Scholar's bond with this familiar also grant it special abilities. They stack with each other, and other abilities, unless noted otherwise. At every odd level, except for 3rd, of Scholar he may choose one from the following list for his familiar companion to benefit from:
+5 Hit points
Energy resistance 5 (pick two: acid, cold, electricity, fire)
+1 competence bonus on all damage rolls
+2 insight bonus on initiative checks
+4 ranks in any skill that is trained or can be used untrained
+1 resistance bonus on all saves
+1 dodge bonus to AC
+1 competence bonus on attack rolls
Damage reduction 1/
Gain a monstrous feat they qualify for
Gain a tag team feat they qualify for
Gain a fighter feat they qualify for
Gain extra use of spell-like ability gained through Scholar class
Lorekeeper (Ex)
The Scholar gains the Bardic Knowledge ability as a Bard level equal to his total Scholar levels.
Analysis (Ex)
The Scholar may, as a swift action, study a creature in his line of sight, within 60ft, by making an opposed intelligence check against them.
Upon success, he learns three of the most important weaknesses and strengths of his subject. He can make further attempts to discern additional information about the creature in question.
Lv2+ > Invocations
The Scholar learns new invocations, at the indicated levels, drawn from the Warlock list. These function as for the Warlock, except that the saving throw for any invocation has a DC of 10 + 1/2 his caster level + his charisma modifier.
Lv2 > Sense Magic (Su)
As a standard action the Scholar may become aware of all magic auras, and their locations, within 30ft of himself.
He can also focus upon a single such aura to learn it's strength, see Detect Magic, and can make a spellcraft check, at DC of 15 + the spell's level, to determine the school of magic it possesses.
Lv3 > Area of Study
Picking a single Cleric domain of his choice, the Scholar gains the indicated power and learns it's spells, when he would have access to their level, in addition to those normally chosen through leveling.
Lv3 > Mettle (Ex)
The Scholar can shed the effects of any ongoing, or permanent, mind affects with a successful will save. He loses his next standard action regardless of whether or not he succeeds on this saving throw.
Lv5 > Identify (Ex)
With 5 minutes of of study the Scholar can discover the properties of almost any magic item as if with the Identify spell.
Lv6+ > Metamagic Allowance (Su)
The Scholar ignores the indicated number of levels, from metamagic feats, for each spell that he casts. This is an overall reduction for all those applied to a single spell, so doesn't stack for multiple feats used.
Lv7, 10, 13, 16, 19 > Reserves
At each of the indicated levels the Scholar gains a new reserve feat, see Complete Mage, that he qualifies for.
As long as he meets the prerequisites needed to use a particular reserve feat he counts his highest level spell, or requisite type of spell, available as if it were equal to half his Scholar level (to maximum of 10th level spell; but only if it would be higher).
Lv8, 12, 16, 20 > Metamagic Feats
At each of the indicated levels the Scholar gains a new metamagic feat, that he qualifies for, of his choice.
Lv15 > With a Glance (Ex)
The Scholar can study any number of targets with his Analysis ability. He makes a single check against all of them.
Design Notes
The Wizard has never cut it for me, because, frankly, too much power is boring (at least in my opinion). So here I'm attempting to create one that isn't so, but still has the same incredible flexibility as the original casting class.
I took most of my inspiration from anime, but also a little from Novels and the Fire Emblem series. The Slayers series aside many of these spellcasters have mediocre power and rely on others, often a mascot, to back them up.
At the same time though I want a class that can be played in the same game as full spellcasters and still hold their own with a variety of unique options such classes generally lack.