GreatDane
2013-07-15, 06:23 PM
Hello, all. This is my first post on the Playground forums, although I've been reading OoTS for a bit under a year. I'm posting in hopes of getting some critique for a monk prestige class I've created.
Some background: my group is currently playing a core 3.5 campaign. This has been my first time DMing and second overall D&D campaign. So far I've taken the four-person party - a rogue, a monk, a cleric, and a wizard - from level 1 to level 5. None of us are really powergamers, and only two of us have ever cracked a non-core book. I've introduced some non-core content like skill tricks from CS, but otherwise it's a very tame game. The monk has expressed some interest in a prestige class, but of course there isn't one in core, so I decided to homebrew a campaign-specific class.
My main concern for the class is that it might overshadow some of the other party members' roles. I also wanted to check the balance of the various ki powers against each other (particularly Alacrity, Attenuation, and Tenacity) and make sure there are no abusable combinations (or individual powers!).
Ki Warrior
A typical monk seeks metaphysical enlightenment, pursuing it through rigorous training and an ascetic lifestyle. A ki warrior focuses on a particular aspect of this enlightenment - the manipulation of ki, the flow of energy through living creatures.
Alignment
Any lawful.
Hit Die
d8.
Requirements
To qualify to become a ki warrior, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Abilities
Wis 14.
Class
Monk.
Base Attack Bonus
+5
Class Skills
A resonance warrior’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Str), Concentration (Con), Escape Artist (Dex), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level
4 + Int modifier.
The Ki Warrior
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1st|+0|+2|+2|+2|First ki power
2nd|+1|+3|+3|+3|Blind-fight
3rd|+2|+3|+3|+3|Second ki power
4th|+3|+4|+4|+4|Ki strike
5th|+3|+4|+4|+4|Third ki power, path to enlightenment
6th|+4|+5|+5|+5|
7th|+5|+5|+5|+5|Fourth ki power
8th|+6|+6|+6|+6|Ki strike
9th|+6|+6|+6|+6|Fifth ki power
10th|+7|+7|+7|+7|Blindsight 30ft, path to enlightenment
[/table]
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the ki warrior.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
Ki Warriors gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.
Monk Abilities
A ki warrior continues to increase his unarmed strike damage, AC bonus, and unarmored speed bonus as if he were also gaining monk levels. His other monk abilities (such as flurry of blows and slow fall) do not improve as he gains ki warrior levels.
Blind-Fight
At 2nd level, a ki warrior is able to augment his fighting with a vague sense of ki auras around him. He gains the benefit of the Blind-Fight feat against all enemies except constructs, elementals, oozes, and undead.
Ki Strike (Su)
At 4th level, a ki warrior’s unarmed attacks are empowered with ki. For the purpose of dealing damage to creatures with damage reduction, you may select one property for your unarmed strikes to possess: adamantine, alchemical silver, cold iron, or lawful. At 8th level, you may select one additional property from the list for your unarmed strikes to possess for the purpose of dealing damage to creatures with damage reduction.
Path to Enlightenment (Ex)
At 5th level, a ki warrior may select either Improved Evasion or Quivering Palm as a class feature. At 10th level, he may select either Diamond Body or Tongue of the Sun and Moon as a class feature. These abilities represent a ki warrior’s continued (albeit slower) path to metaphysical enlightenment.
Ki Trace (Su)
When a ki warrior reaches 6th level, he can attune himself to the ki of other creatures once per week. This ability functions as the Status spell with a caster level equal to your total level, except the casting time is 1 minute and the duration is 24 hours.
Blindsight (Ex)
At 10th level, a ki warrior can detect ki auras within 30 feet of himself, gaining the benefit of the Blindsight special ability with regards to all creatures except constructs, elementals, oozes, and undead.
Ki Powers (Su)
At 1st level, and every two ki warrior levels thereafter, a ki warrior learns a new way to manipulate the ki his own body and that of creatures around him. Manipulating ki is a free action that may only be taken on your turn. A ki warrior may manipulate ki a number of times per day equal to twice his ki warrior level. All ki powers are supernatural abilities that derive from the warrior’s control over ki energy, not magical abilities.
Alacrity
A ki warrior can quicken the movements of his body, doubling his unarmored movement speed bonus for a single round. If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Alacrity.
Attenuation
A ki warrior can cripple his opponents by sowing discord in their bodies. All creatures you have struck with an unarmed attack this round must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + one half your total level rounded down + your Wisdom modifier) or become staggered for one round. This ability does not affect constructs, elementals, oozes, or undead. If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Attenuation.
Charge
A ki warrior can manifest his ki as arcing lightning that dances along his skin. While this ability is active, your unarmed strikes deal an additional 1d4 points of electricity damage. Additionally, if you have the Stunning Fist feat, you gain a +2 bonus to the DC of any Stunning Fist attacks you make while this ability is active. You may maintain this ability for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level.
Determination
A ki warrior can focus his ki to create an icy cold that emanates from his body. While this ability is active, your unarmed strikes deal an additional 1d4 points of cold damage. Additionally, if you have the Improved Grapple feat, you gain a +2 bonus to the all grapple checks you make while this ability is active. You may maintain this ability for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level.
Energy
A ki warrior can channel his ki to such extremes that his limbs burst into flame. While this ability is active, your unarmed strikes deal an additional 1d6 points of fire damage. You may maintain this ability for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level.
Focus
A ki warrior can focus his ki on different attributes of himself. You may add your Wisdom modifier to the modifier of any of your other ability scores for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level. If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Focus.
Force
A ki warrior can strike with incredible force as a full-round action. To do this, you must first make an unarmed attack roll at a -4 penalty. If you succeed, the defender makes a Fortitude or Reflex save (whichever is better) against your attack roll. Unless the save succeeds, the defender is pushed back 5 feet, plus an additional 5 feet for each 5 points by which your check result is greater than the defender’s check result. The blow deals your normal unarmed damage, plus 1d4 for each five feet he is pushed back. If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Force.
Fury
A ki warrior can briefly agitate the ki within his own body, gaining a burst of energy. As a full-round action, you can give up your regular attacks and instead make two unarmed attacks at your full base attack bonus. When you use this ability, you also forfeit any bonus or extra attacks granted by other feats, spells, or abilities. If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Fury.
Projection
A ki warrior may project his ki beyond the reach of his physical body. All unarmed attacks you make this round may be treated as though you have an additional 5 feet of reach. These attacks loose sonic bolts that deal your unarmed damage as sonic damage. They do not possess any properties that your unarmed strikes normally have (such as ki strike). If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Projection.
Tenacity
A ki warrior can strengthen the defenses of his own body. You gain damage reduction 3/magic and spell resistance equal to 10 + your total level for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level. If you learned this ability before 5th level, then at 5th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Tenacity.
Greater Alacrity
A ki warrior can accelerate his movements to become almost a blur, tripling his unarmored movement speed bonus for a single round and granting him concealment (20% miss chance) against attacks of opportunity and ranged attacks made against him while using this ability. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Alacrity.
Greater Attenuation
A ki warrior can jar his opponents beyond action. All creatures you have struck with an unarmed attack this round must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + one half your total level rounded down + your Wisdom modifier) or become stunned for one round. This ability does not affect constructs, elementals, oozes, or undead. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Attenuation.
Greater Focus
A ki warrior’s focus on his abilities is unmatched. You may add twice your Wisdom modifier to the modifier of any of your other ability scores for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Focus.
Greater Force
A ki warrior can channel all of his body’s might into a single mighty attack. This ability works just like Force, except a successful attack roll automatically scores a critical hit. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Force.
Greater Fury
A ki warrior can energize his body to produce an incredible burst of action. As a standard action, you can give up your regular attacks and instead make two melee attacks at your full base attack bonus. When you use this ability, you also forfeit any bonus or extra attacks granted by other feats, spells, or abilities. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Fury.
Greater Projection
A ki warrior may attack and manipulate enemies without actually touching them. This ability works just like Projection, except the sonic bolts possess all properties your normal unarmed strikes do. You may also use this ability to initiate special attacks (such as grappling, disarming, or Stunning Fist). If you successfully grapple an opponent with this ability, you must immediately 5-foot step adjacent to that opponent. (You cannot initiate a grapple with this ability if you cannot 5-foot step this round.) To learn this ability, you must have already learned Projection.
Greater Tenacity
A ki warrior can make his body partially impenetrable. You gain damage reduction 6/- and spell resistance equal to 10 + your total level for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Tenacity.
Ex-Ki Warriors
A ki warrior who becomes nonlawful cannot gain new levels as a ki warrior and loses all ki abilities.
I discovered the Tattooed Monk class partway through developing the Ki Warrior, and decided to use it as inspiration rather than just handing it to the player. Feedback of all kinds is greatly appreciated; I wanted to create a fun, thematic class for the player. Thanks for your help!
Some background: my group is currently playing a core 3.5 campaign. This has been my first time DMing and second overall D&D campaign. So far I've taken the four-person party - a rogue, a monk, a cleric, and a wizard - from level 1 to level 5. None of us are really powergamers, and only two of us have ever cracked a non-core book. I've introduced some non-core content like skill tricks from CS, but otherwise it's a very tame game. The monk has expressed some interest in a prestige class, but of course there isn't one in core, so I decided to homebrew a campaign-specific class.
My main concern for the class is that it might overshadow some of the other party members' roles. I also wanted to check the balance of the various ki powers against each other (particularly Alacrity, Attenuation, and Tenacity) and make sure there are no abusable combinations (or individual powers!).
Ki Warrior
A typical monk seeks metaphysical enlightenment, pursuing it through rigorous training and an ascetic lifestyle. A ki warrior focuses on a particular aspect of this enlightenment - the manipulation of ki, the flow of energy through living creatures.
Alignment
Any lawful.
Hit Die
d8.
Requirements
To qualify to become a ki warrior, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Abilities
Wis 14.
Class
Monk.
Base Attack Bonus
+5
Class Skills
A resonance warrior’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Str), Concentration (Con), Escape Artist (Dex), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level
4 + Int modifier.
The Ki Warrior
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1st|+0|+2|+2|+2|First ki power
2nd|+1|+3|+3|+3|Blind-fight
3rd|+2|+3|+3|+3|Second ki power
4th|+3|+4|+4|+4|Ki strike
5th|+3|+4|+4|+4|Third ki power, path to enlightenment
6th|+4|+5|+5|+5|
7th|+5|+5|+5|+5|Fourth ki power
8th|+6|+6|+6|+6|Ki strike
9th|+6|+6|+6|+6|Fifth ki power
10th|+7|+7|+7|+7|Blindsight 30ft, path to enlightenment
[/table]
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the ki warrior.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
Ki Warriors gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.
Monk Abilities
A ki warrior continues to increase his unarmed strike damage, AC bonus, and unarmored speed bonus as if he were also gaining monk levels. His other monk abilities (such as flurry of blows and slow fall) do not improve as he gains ki warrior levels.
Blind-Fight
At 2nd level, a ki warrior is able to augment his fighting with a vague sense of ki auras around him. He gains the benefit of the Blind-Fight feat against all enemies except constructs, elementals, oozes, and undead.
Ki Strike (Su)
At 4th level, a ki warrior’s unarmed attacks are empowered with ki. For the purpose of dealing damage to creatures with damage reduction, you may select one property for your unarmed strikes to possess: adamantine, alchemical silver, cold iron, or lawful. At 8th level, you may select one additional property from the list for your unarmed strikes to possess for the purpose of dealing damage to creatures with damage reduction.
Path to Enlightenment (Ex)
At 5th level, a ki warrior may select either Improved Evasion or Quivering Palm as a class feature. At 10th level, he may select either Diamond Body or Tongue of the Sun and Moon as a class feature. These abilities represent a ki warrior’s continued (albeit slower) path to metaphysical enlightenment.
Ki Trace (Su)
When a ki warrior reaches 6th level, he can attune himself to the ki of other creatures once per week. This ability functions as the Status spell with a caster level equal to your total level, except the casting time is 1 minute and the duration is 24 hours.
Blindsight (Ex)
At 10th level, a ki warrior can detect ki auras within 30 feet of himself, gaining the benefit of the Blindsight special ability with regards to all creatures except constructs, elementals, oozes, and undead.
Ki Powers (Su)
At 1st level, and every two ki warrior levels thereafter, a ki warrior learns a new way to manipulate the ki his own body and that of creatures around him. Manipulating ki is a free action that may only be taken on your turn. A ki warrior may manipulate ki a number of times per day equal to twice his ki warrior level. All ki powers are supernatural abilities that derive from the warrior’s control over ki energy, not magical abilities.
Alacrity
A ki warrior can quicken the movements of his body, doubling his unarmored movement speed bonus for a single round. If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Alacrity.
Attenuation
A ki warrior can cripple his opponents by sowing discord in their bodies. All creatures you have struck with an unarmed attack this round must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + one half your total level rounded down + your Wisdom modifier) or become staggered for one round. This ability does not affect constructs, elementals, oozes, or undead. If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Attenuation.
Charge
A ki warrior can manifest his ki as arcing lightning that dances along his skin. While this ability is active, your unarmed strikes deal an additional 1d4 points of electricity damage. Additionally, if you have the Stunning Fist feat, you gain a +2 bonus to the DC of any Stunning Fist attacks you make while this ability is active. You may maintain this ability for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level.
Determination
A ki warrior can focus his ki to create an icy cold that emanates from his body. While this ability is active, your unarmed strikes deal an additional 1d4 points of cold damage. Additionally, if you have the Improved Grapple feat, you gain a +2 bonus to the all grapple checks you make while this ability is active. You may maintain this ability for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level.
Energy
A ki warrior can channel his ki to such extremes that his limbs burst into flame. While this ability is active, your unarmed strikes deal an additional 1d6 points of fire damage. You may maintain this ability for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level.
Focus
A ki warrior can focus his ki on different attributes of himself. You may add your Wisdom modifier to the modifier of any of your other ability scores for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level. If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Focus.
Force
A ki warrior can strike with incredible force as a full-round action. To do this, you must first make an unarmed attack roll at a -4 penalty. If you succeed, the defender makes a Fortitude or Reflex save (whichever is better) against your attack roll. Unless the save succeeds, the defender is pushed back 5 feet, plus an additional 5 feet for each 5 points by which your check result is greater than the defender’s check result. The blow deals your normal unarmed damage, plus 1d4 for each five feet he is pushed back. If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Force.
Fury
A ki warrior can briefly agitate the ki within his own body, gaining a burst of energy. As a full-round action, you can give up your regular attacks and instead make two unarmed attacks at your full base attack bonus. When you use this ability, you also forfeit any bonus or extra attacks granted by other feats, spells, or abilities. If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Fury.
Projection
A ki warrior may project his ki beyond the reach of his physical body. All unarmed attacks you make this round may be treated as though you have an additional 5 feet of reach. These attacks loose sonic bolts that deal your unarmed damage as sonic damage. They do not possess any properties that your unarmed strikes normally have (such as ki strike). If you learned this ability at 1st level, then at 10th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Projection.
Tenacity
A ki warrior can strengthen the defenses of his own body. You gain damage reduction 3/magic and spell resistance equal to 10 + your total level for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level. If you learned this ability before 5th level, then at 5th level the ability improves and you automatically learn Greater Tenacity.
Greater Alacrity
A ki warrior can accelerate his movements to become almost a blur, tripling his unarmored movement speed bonus for a single round and granting him concealment (20% miss chance) against attacks of opportunity and ranged attacks made against him while using this ability. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Alacrity.
Greater Attenuation
A ki warrior can jar his opponents beyond action. All creatures you have struck with an unarmed attack this round must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + one half your total level rounded down + your Wisdom modifier) or become stunned for one round. This ability does not affect constructs, elementals, oozes, or undead. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Attenuation.
Greater Focus
A ki warrior’s focus on his abilities is unmatched. You may add twice your Wisdom modifier to the modifier of any of your other ability scores for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Focus.
Greater Force
A ki warrior can channel all of his body’s might into a single mighty attack. This ability works just like Force, except a successful attack roll automatically scores a critical hit. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Force.
Greater Fury
A ki warrior can energize his body to produce an incredible burst of action. As a standard action, you can give up your regular attacks and instead make two melee attacks at your full base attack bonus. When you use this ability, you also forfeit any bonus or extra attacks granted by other feats, spells, or abilities. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Fury.
Greater Projection
A ki warrior may attack and manipulate enemies without actually touching them. This ability works just like Projection, except the sonic bolts possess all properties your normal unarmed strikes do. You may also use this ability to initiate special attacks (such as grappling, disarming, or Stunning Fist). If you successfully grapple an opponent with this ability, you must immediately 5-foot step adjacent to that opponent. (You cannot initiate a grapple with this ability if you cannot 5-foot step this round.) To learn this ability, you must have already learned Projection.
Greater Tenacity
A ki warrior can make his body partially impenetrable. You gain damage reduction 6/- and spell resistance equal to 10 + your total level for a number of rounds equal to your ki warrior level. To learn this ability, you must have already learned Tenacity.
Ex-Ki Warriors
A ki warrior who becomes nonlawful cannot gain new levels as a ki warrior and loses all ki abilities.
I discovered the Tattooed Monk class partway through developing the Ki Warrior, and decided to use it as inspiration rather than just handing it to the player. Feedback of all kinds is greatly appreciated; I wanted to create a fun, thematic class for the player. Thanks for your help!