Nifft's Binder [PEACH]

[Nifft]

(Do I actually need to write PEACH?)


Nifft's Binder

Class Features
As a Binder, you gain the following class features.

Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d8 per binder level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per binder level after 1st

Proficiencies
Armor: Light armor
Weapons: Simple weapons
Tools: None

Saving Throws: Constitution
Skills: Choose any two from Arcana, Deception, History, Intimidation, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Persuasion, and Religion

Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
* (a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) any simple weapon
* (a) a component pouch or (b) an arcane focus
* (a) a scholar's pack or (b) a dungeoneer's pack
* Leather armor, any simple weapon, and two daggers


Cantrips and Spells Known
The Binder base class does not provide any spells or cantrips directly. Instead, you gain access to cantrips and spells when you bind one or more vestiges, or when you gain a feature from a subclass. Spells provided by vestiges are considered known to you for as long as the vestige is bound.

When you finish a long rest, you can bind as many of your known vestiges as you have Vestige Slots. You can't bind the same vestige in two different slots, but you can leave a slot open if you wish.

When you finish a short rest, you can expel one of your current vestiges and bind another in its place.

If you leave a vestige slot unbound, you can take five minutes to bind any unbound vestige you know.

Spell Slots
The Binder table shows how many spell slots you have. The table also shows what the level of those slots is; all of your spell slots are the same level. To cast one of your known spells of 1st level or higher, you must expend a spell slot. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a short or long rest.

For example, when you are 5th level, you have three 3rd-level spell slots. To cast the 1st-level spell thunderwave, you must spend one of those slots, and you cast it as a 3rd-level spell.

Spellcasting Ability
Constitution is your spellcasting ability for your binder pact spells, since you channel your spells through your own body and soul. You use your Constitution whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability.

In addition, you use your Constitution modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a binder pact spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.

Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier


Arcane Archetype
Anima Magus - You are an academic type, delving deep into the secrets offered by vestiges.
Blood Bound - Your connection to the arcane realms is etched into your body.
Knight of the Sacred Seal - You are a puissant warrior-mage.


Expert Negotiator
Whenever you make a Charisma check or a Wisdom (Insight) check without proficiency, you can add half of your proficiency bonus.


Pact Tradition
Goetic - Your research expands your access to powers low and high: you may bind certain fiends and celestials.
Hermetic - The arcane vestiges you bind have taught you many arcane secrets, some of which you remember even when the vestiges leave.
Primal - Your research into the ancient magic of soul-binding gives you insight into the natural order, and you learn to bind certain natural entities to your will.


Pact Mastery
You can use your action to expel one of your bound vestiges and bind any other unbound vestige that you know. You can't expel a suppressed vestige. You can't use this ability again until you have completed a short rest or a long rest.
If you have no remaining spell slots when you roll initiative, then you immediately recover one expended spell slot.




Level
Proficiency Bonus
Features
Spell Slots
Spell Level
Vestige Slots
Vestiges Known


1st
+2
Arcane Archetype, Pact Magic
1
1st
1
2


2nd
+2
Expert Negotiator
2
1st
1
3


3rd
+2
Pact Tradition
2
2nd
1
3


4th
+2
Ability Score Improvement
2
2nd
1
3


5th
+3
Extra Attack
2
3rd
2
4


6th
+3
Pact Tradition Feature
2
3rd
2
4


7th
+3
—
2
4th
2
4


8th
+3
Ability Score Improvement
2
4th
2
5


9th
+4
—
2
5th
2
5


10th
+4
Pact Tradition Feature
2
5th
2
5


11th
+4
Archetype Aspect
3
5th
3
6


12th
+4
Ability Score Improvement
3
5th
3
6


13th
+5
Archetype Aspect
3
5th
3
6


14th
+5
Pact Tradition Feature
3
5th
3
7


15th
+5
Archetype Aspect
3
5th
3
7


16th
+5
Ability Score Improvement
3
5th
3
7


17th
+6
Archetype Aspect
4
5th
4
8


18th
+6
Pact Tradition Feature
4
5th
4
8


19th
+6
Ability Score Improvement
4
5th
4
8


20th
+6
Pact Master
4
5th
4
8

[Nifft]

Important Note
This is currently only mechanics. There is flavor for each Vestige, but typing them out is a lot of work, and right now I'm mostly interested in getting feedback on mechanics only.

Thanks!



Arcane Archetypes

Anima Magus
1 - You learn two Cantrips from the Wizard's list, which you cast as Binder spells.
1 - Book of Seals: You store your known pact seals in a tome, not unlike a Wizard's spell book. You can inscribe magical rituals in your Book of Seals. Choose two 1st-level spells that have the ritual tag from any class's spell list. The spells appear in the book and don't count against the number of spells you know. With your Book of Seals in hand, you can cast the chosen spells as rituals. You can't cast the spells except as rituals, unless you've learned them by some other means. You can also cast any binder spell you know as a ritual if it has the ritual tag.

On your adventures, you can add other ritual spells to your Book of Seals. When you find such a spell, you can add it to the book if the spell's level is equal to or less than half your binder level (rounded up) and if you can spare the time to transcribe the spell. For each level of the spell, the transcription process takes 2 hours and costs 50 gp for the rare inks needed to inscribe it.

11 - Exploit Vestige: As a bonus action, you can suppress all benefits of one of your bound vestiges in order to regain all your expended spell slots. You lose all benefits of the suppressed vestige, but it still occupies a vestige slot until you complete a long rest. You can't use this ability again until you have completed a long rest.
11 - Unlock the ultimate power of one Vestige you know.

13 - Unlock the ultimate power of one Vestige you know.
15 - Unlock the ultimate power of one Vestige you know.
17 - Unlock the ultimate power of one Vestige you know.



Blood Bound
1 - Scar Seal Soul Shield: You store your known pact seals as scars carved into your body. Whenever you use a spell slot to cast a spell provided by a bound vestige, that vestige's scar-seal pulses, and you gain temporary hit points equal to your Binder level plus your Constitution modifier.

1 - Bloodcasting: If your current hit points are above half of your maximum hit points, you can use a bonus action to reduce your current hit points to half your maximum hit points, and recover one of your expended Binder spell slots. You can't use this ability again until you've completed a short rest or a long rest.

11 - Blood Fury: You may add your Constitution modifier to the damage of any Binder cantrip you cast.
13 - When you use your Bloodcasting ability, you regain two expended spell slots instead of one.
15 - Armor of Scars: You gain a +1 bonus to armor class.
17 - Unlock the ultimate power of one Vestige you know.



Knight of the Sacred Seal
1 - You gain proficiency with medium armor, shields, and martial weapons. You etch your known pact seals into your arms and armor, stitch them into your garments and tabard — perhaps visibly, perhaps in places only you can find.
11 - Unlock the ultimate power of one Vestige you know.
13 - Your weapons attacks deal +1d4 extra Force damage.
15 - Combat Clarity: You can't be frightened. Additionally, your weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
17 - Magic Resistance: You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.



Pact Traditions

Tradition Spells:
Cantrips and spells learned through a Tradition are always considered prepared, and you cast these spells as Binder spells, just like any spells provided by a Vestige.


Goetic Tradition
3 - Spirits of Light and Dark: You learn one language from the following list: Celestial, Infernal, or Abyssal. You immediately learn one Celestial or Fiendish spirit. This spirit does not count against your limit of known vestiges. From now on, whenever you can learn a new vestige, you may choose instead to learn a new Celestial or Fiendish spirit. You can bind spirits that you know as though they were vestiges, and all of your class abilities which reference vestiges also apply to spirits.

6 - You learn the spell Magic Circle. You may either learn one new Celestial or Fiendish spirit, or gain an additional spell slot.

10 - You learn the spell Planar Binding. You have advantage on all Charisma checks targeting Celestials or Fiends.

14 - Outsider Wings: You gain the ability to sprout a pair of feathery or bat-like wings from your back, like those of a celestial or fiend, gaining a flying speed equal to your current speed. You can create these wings as a bonus action on your turn. They last until you dismiss them as a bonus action on your turn. You can’t manifest your wings while wearing armor unless the armor is made to accommodate them, and clothing not made to accommodate your wings might be destroyed when you manifest them.

18 - Unlock the ultimate power of one spirit you know, or learn one Celestial or Fiendish spirit.



Hermetic Tradition
3 - Learn one Cantrip and two spells of a level you can cast from the Wizard spell list.

6 - You gain an additional spell slot, and learn one more spell from the Wizard spell list of any level you can cast.

10 - You learn two more spells from the Wizard spell list of any level you can cast.

14 - You learn one spell from any spell list of any level you can cast.

18 - You gain an additional spell slot, and all of your spell slots are 6th level instead of 5th level. You learn one spell from any spell list of any level you can cast.



Primal Tradition
3 - Primal Spirits: You can speak, read, and write Sylvan and Primordial. You immediately learn one Elemental or Fey spirit. This spirit does not count against your limit of known vestiges. From now on, whenever you can learn a new vestige, you may choose instead to learn a new Elemental or Fey spirit. You can bind spirits that you know as though they were vestiges, and all of your class abilities which reference vestiges also apply to spirits.

6 - You learn one cantrip from the Bard or Druid lists. Whenever you make a Charisma check when interacting with Fey or Elementals, your proficiency bonus is doubled if it applies to the check.

10 - You learn the spells Conjure Woodland Beings and Conjure Minor Elementals.

14 - Primal Attendant: When you complete a short rest or a long rest, you can summon an Elemental or Fey of CR 1/2 or lower to serve you. You may attempt to lure a specific type of creature, but the DM decides what actually shows up based on the local environment. The attendant obeys your commands until you complete your next rest, or until you dismiss it, or until it is slain (its body disappears, including everything it's carrying).

18 - Unlock the ultimate power of one spirit you know, or learn one Elemental or Fey spirit.

[Nifft]

Vestiges

Note: When you gain "vestigial knowledge", that usually means you gain Proficiency in a skill. If you already had Proficiency in that skill, you instead gain Advantage on that skill's checks.


Andromalius
Inherent:
- You gain Sneak Attack +1d6, as the Rogue class feature.
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Wisdom (Insight) checks.
- Cantrip: Mage Hand
- Spell: Tasha's Hideous Laughter
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Locate Object, See Invisibility
* Binder level 5: Your Sneak Attack improves to +2d6.
* Binder level 7: You always know when a creature is lying to you. You automatically notice when a creature makes an opposed Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check against you.
* Binder level 9: Your Sneak Attack improves to +3d6.
Ultimate:
+ Your Sneak Attack improves to +5d6, and you always see invisible creatures and objects as if they were visible.


Buer
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Intelligence (Nature), Wisdom (Medicine), and Wisdom (Survival) checks, including checks to track a creature.
- Spell: Healing Word
- Fast Recovery: If you have less than half of your maximum hit points when you roll initiative, increase your hit points to half of your maximum.
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Hunter's Mark.
* Binder level 5: You and all allies within 30 ft. have advantage on saves against poison and disease. When you bind Buer during a short rest, you or any of your allies who are below half maximum hit points are healed to half maximum hit points. This healing occurs before you or your ally spend any hit dice.
* Binder level 7: Spell: Aura of Purity
* Binder level 9: Spell: Mass Cure Wounds
Ultimate:
+ Fast Healing: At the start of your turn, if you have at least 1 hit point, you are healed for 5 hit points.


Dantalion
Inherent:
- You gain advantage on all Intelligence skill checks, and proficiency on Intelligence saving throws.
- Spells: Comprehend Languages, Sanctuary
- Cantrip: Guidance
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Detect Thoughts, Misty Step
* Binder level 5: Spells: Sending, Tongues
* Binder level 7: Spells: Compulsion, Locate Creature
* Binder level 9: Spells: Modify Memory, Legend Lore
Ultimate:
+ You can cast any one of Dantalion's spells (as a 5th level spell) as a bonus action without spending a spell slot or any components. You can't use this ability again until you complete a short rest or a long rest.


Dhalver-Nar
Inherent:
- You gain proficiency on Wisdom saving throws.
- You gain resistance to bludgeoning damage.
- Spell: Dissonant Whispers
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Blindness / Deafness
* Binder level 5: Spell: Fear
* Binder level 7: You gain immunity to madness, insanity, and confusion effects.
* Binder level 9: Baleful Sympathy: As an action, you can spend a spell slot to designate one opponent you can see within 120 ft. as your sympathetic shield. If the target makes an Intelligence save, then the ability fails, and you can't target that creature with Baleful Sympathy until you've completed a long rest. If the target fails the save, then you take only half damage from all effects that deal hit point damage, and the target suffers the rest. This effect ends immediately if the target has no hit points or moves beyond range (120 ft.), or if you use Baleful Sympathy to designate a different target.
Ultimate:
+ You can activate Baleful Sympathy without spending a spell slot.


Eligor
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Wisdom (Animal Handling) checks. You gain advantage on any check made to ride or control a mount.
- You gain proficiency with medium and heavy armor, and on Strength saving throws.
- Spell: Chromatic Orb
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Branding Smite, Find Steed (note that the steed leaves when you unbind Eligor)
* Binder level 5: Spell: Elemental Weapon
* Binder level 7: Spell: Dimension Door
* Binder level 9: Spell: Dispel Good and Evil
Ultimate:
+ You gain a +1 bonus to your armor class.


Halphax
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Intelligence (Investigation) and Intelligence (History) checks.
- Cantrip: Mending
- Spells: Sanctuary, Unseen Servant
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Find Traps, Warding Bond
* Binder level 5: Spells: Leomund's Tiny Hut, Wind Wall
* Binder level 7: Spells: Stoneskin, Wall of Fire
* Binder level 9: Spells: Wall of Force, Wall of Stone
Ultimate:
+ You know Wall of Ice or Wall of Thorns. You can cast one of these spells without using a spell slot or any components. You can't use this ability until you've completed a short rest or a long rest.


Haures
Inherent:
- Inaccessible Mind: You can't be charmed, and you have resistance to Psychic damage.
- Cantrip: Minor Illusion
- Spell: Sleep
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Phantasmal Force; additionally, when you move, you become partially ethereal. You ignore difficult terrain, you can move through opponents as though they were difficult terrain, and attacks against you during your movement have disadvantage.
* Binder level 5: Spell: Major Image
* Binder level 7: Spell: Phantasmal Killer
* Binder level 9: Spell: Mislead; additionally, your thoughts can't be read.
Ultimate:
+ Inaccessible Mind: You gain the benefit of Mind Blank, which can't be dispelled.


Karsus
Inherent:
- You gain proficiency on Charisma saving throws.
- You can cast Detect Magic at will without using a spell slot or any components.
- Spells: Identify, False Life
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Silence
* Binder level 5: Spells: Counterspell, Dispel Magic
* Binder level 7: Heavy Magic: When you cast a spell from a magic item, increase the spell's save DC by +2.
* Binder level 9: Karsus's Will: If you are attuned to a magic item which can cast a spell, you can cast that spell using one of your spell slots, so long as the spell is 5th level or below. Spells cast in this way benefit from Heavy Magic, and may also gain some benefit from being cast using a 5th level spell slot.
Ultimate:
+ You can attune two additional magic items.


Focalor
Inherent:
- You can breathe underwater.
- You gain proficiency on Dexterity saving throws.
- Spell: Thunderwave
- Cantrip: Ray of Frost
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Aura of Sadness: Adjacent enemies can't use the Disengage action.
* Binder level 5: Spell: Call Lightning
* Binder level 7: Spell: Control Water
* Binder level 9: Aura of Sadness: Adjacent enemies also suffer disadvantage on attacks and skill checks.
Ultimate:
+ Aura of Sadness: Adjacent enemies also suffer disadvantage on all saving throws.


Marchosias
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
- You gain proficiency with poisoner's kits.
- Cantrip: Poison Spray
- Spell: Hellish Rebuke
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Invisibility
* Binder level 5: Spell: Gaseous Form
* Binder level 7: When an enemy fails its saving throw against your Poison Spray cantrip, it is poisoned until the end of your next turn.
* Binder level 9: You have advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn in the combat yet. In addition, any hit you score against a creature that is surprised is a critical hit.
Ultimate:
+ You can cast Gaseous Form at-will as a 5th level spell without expending a spell slot or any components.


Naberius
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Charisma (Persuasion) checks.
- You gain proficiency with disguise kits.
- Spell: Disguise Self
- Cantrip: Vicious Mockery
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Command
* Binder level 5: You gain vestigial knowledge on Charisma (Deception) checks.
* Binder level 7: Spell: Suggestion
* Binder level 9: You can cast the spell Disguise Self at-will as a 5th level spell without using a spell slot or any components.
Ultimate:
+ You can cast Suggestion at-will as a 5th level spell without using a spell slot or any components, but only against targets who are not already under one of your Suggestions. If a target saves against your Suggestion, you must pay a spell slot to make another attempt, or you must complete a long rest before you can try again without spending a spell slot.


Otiax
Inherent:
- Air Claws: You can use the air around yourself to make melee attacks up to 10 ft. away. You can use these air claws to make attacks of opportunity. Your air claws deal 2d6 damage.
- You gain proficiency with thieve's tools.
- Cantrip: Thaumaturgy
- Spells: Fog Cloud, Jump
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Gust of Wind, Knock
* Binder level 5: Misty Shield: You can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on any melee attack that occurs within 10 ft. of you.
* Binder level 7: Spells: Freedom of Movement, Dimension Door
* Binder level 9: Spell: Passwall; Also, your air claws deal 2d10 damage.
Ultimate:
+ You know the spells Teleport and Plane Shift. You can wrap the warped winds of Otiax around yourself and cast one of these spells without using a spell slot or any components. You can't use this ability again until you've completed a short rest or a long rest.


Orthos
Inherent:
- Cantrip: Message
- Displacement: Your image is displaced, and attack rolls against you have Disadvantage until you are hit by an attack, which ends your displacement. You can use an action to regain displacement.
- Whirlwind Breath: You can expend a spell slot to exhale a 30 foot cone of cutting wind. Each creature in the cone suffers 2d6/slot level magical slashing damage, or half on a successful Dexterity save. Additionally, each creature must make a Strength saving throw, or be pushed back 10 feet per spell slot level.
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Gust of Wind
* Binder level 5: Spell: Wind Wall
* Binder level 7: Spell: Greater Invisibility
* Binder level 9: You can regain displacement as a bonus action. Your Whirlwind Breath cone is 60 feet long.
Ultimate:
+ You gain Blindsight out to 30 feet, you automatically regain displacement at the start of your turn without using an action, and your Whirlwind Breath deals 2d10/spell slot level magical slashing damage.


Ronove
Inherent:
- Iron Fists: You gain proficiency on unarmed attacks, and your unarmed attacks deal 1d4 damage. You may use either your Strength or Dexterity for attack and damage.
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.
- Spells: Feather Fall, Longstrider
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: See Invisibility, Spider Climb
* Binder level 5: Deflect Missile: You can use your reaction to deflect or catch the missile when you are hit by a ranged weapon attack. When you do so, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by 1d10 + your Dexterity modifier + your binder level. If you reduce the damage to 0, you can catch the missile if it is small enough for you to hold in one hand and you have at least one hand free.
* Binder level 7: Spell: Dimension Door
* Binder level 9: Your unarmed attacks deal 1d6 damage, and your unarmed strikes count as a magical weapon.
Ultimate:
+ Your unarmed attacks deal 1d8 damage, and you can use your bonus action to make two extra unarmed attacks.


Savnok
Inherent:
- You gain proficiency with medium and heavy armor.
- Call Armor: You can use your action to summon a suit of half-plate or plate armor which appears on your body. The armor accommodates any anatomical oddities you may possess. If you become unconscious or use a bonus action to dismiss the armor, it disappears. If you try to take off the armor, it likewise disappears. If the armor is destroyed, all its pieces disappear. You can summon a new suit as an action.
- Spell: Shield
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Misty Step
* Binder level 5: Spell: Beacon of Hope
* Binder level 7: Move Ally: You can use your reaction or a bonus action to switch places with an ally you can see within 30 feet. This is a teleportation effect. You can't use this ability again until you hit an enemy in melee or roll initiative.
* Binder level 9: Spell: Circle of Power
Ultimate:
+ Fortification: While wearing your Called Armor, any critical hit against you becomes a normal hit.


Shax
Inherent:
- You gain resistance to lightning damage.
- Cantrip: Shocking Grasp
- Spell: Create or Destroy Water
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: You gain a swim speed equal to your base speed. You have proficiency and advantage on Athletics checks made to Swim. Also, when you hit with Shocking Grasp, you deal an additional +1d6 thunder damage.
* Binder level 5: Spell: Protection from Energy
* Binder level 7: Spell: Freedom of Movement
* Binder level 9: You gain resistance to thunder damage. Also, when you hit with Shocking Grasp, you deal an additional +1d6 thunder damage (for a total of +2d6 thunder damage).
Ultimate:
+ You gain immunity to lightning and thunder damage. All of your weapon attacks deal either +1d8 lighting damage or +1d8 thunder damage, as you choose when you attack.


Zagan
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Strength (Athletics) checks.
- Keen Senses: You can identify creatures by scent like a hound, and you have advantage on any Wisdom (Perception) checks which rely on hearing or smell.
- Snake Bane: You have advantage on all attack rolls targeting reptilian foes, including snakes, dragons, and yuan-ti.
- Spell: Animal Friendship
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Enlarge/Reduce
* Binder level 5: Spell: Fear
* Binder level 7: Spell: Compulsion
* Binder level 9: Snake Bane: When you hit a reptilian foe with a melee weapon attack, you deal +1d6 damage.
Ultimate:
+ You can expend a spell slot to Wild Shape into a tiny viper, a medium giant poisonous snake, a huge constrictor snake, or a large yuan-ti abomination. In the yuan-ti abomination form you cast spells. In all other ways, this functions as the Druid class feature.
+ Snake Bane: When you hit a reptilian foe with a melee weapon attack, you deal another +1d6 damage (total +2d6).

[Nifft]

Important Note
These are not Vestiges. Only some Binders can access these spirits.


Bright Spirits

Note: If you bind a Fiend, you cannot bind a Celestial, and vice-versa.


Amon, the Horned Void [Fiend]
Inherent:
- You gain resistance to fire damage.
- You gain darkvision 60 ft.
- You can use your action to grow horns. The horns last while Amon is bound, or until you use an action to dismiss them. You can use your horns as a melee weapon which deals 1d10 piercing damage.
- Spell: Hellish Rebuke
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spit Fire: You can exhale a 30 foot line of fire which deals 4d6 fire damage (Dexterity save for half). You can't use this ability again until you either hit a foe with your horns in melee, or roll initiative.
* Binder level 5: Spells: Fly, Tongues
* Binder level 7: Your Spit Fire deals 6d6 fire damage in a 60 foot line, and your melee attacks deal double damage to objects or structures.
* Binder level 9: Goring Charge: On your turn, if you move at least 15 feet in a straight line before making a melee attack, your first attack this turn with your horns deals double damage.
Ultimate:
+ Your horns deal 2d10 damage. Your Spit Fire deals 8d6 in a 60 foot line, and you can expend a spell slot when you use Spit Fire to increase the damage to 12d6 fire in a 120 foot line.


Ashardalon, Pyre of the Unborn [Fiend]
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Intelligence (History) checks.
- You gain resistance to fire damage.
- Ashardalon's Vigor: When you drop a foe with a melee attack, you gain a temporary spell slot at your highest spell slot level which you can only use to cast False Life. This temporary spell slot lasts until the end of your next turn.
- Spell: False Life, Identify
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Enhance Ability, Locate Object
* Binder level 5: Ashardalon's Presence: When you strike a foe with a melee attack, you can use a bonus action to make the target frightened (Charisma save negates).
* Binder level 7: When you strike a foe who is frightened with a melee weapon attack, you deal +1d8 fire damage.
* Binder level 9: Hoard Gullet: You gain access to a specialized bag of holding which is connected to your mouth. This extra dimensional space is roughly 2 feet in diameter and 4 feet deep, and can accommodate items which you can fit through your mouth. Your gullet can hold up to 500 pounds, not exceeding a volume of 64 cubic feet. If you suppress or expel Ashardalon, you immediately vomit forth your gullet's contents into your space.
Ultimate:
+ When you cast False Life, you gain double the usual temporary hit points. When you strike a foe who is frightened with a melee weapon attack, you deal +1d8 necrotic damage.


Astaroth, the Unjustly Fallen [Celestial]
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Charisma (Persuasion) and Charisma (Deception) checks.
- Spells: Bane, Detect Poison and Disease
- Cantrips: Guidance, Mending
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Suggestion
* Binder level 5: Spell: Stinking Cloud
* Binder level 7: Spell: Fabricate
* Binder level 9: Spell: Creation
Ultimate:
+ Unwholesome Stench: When you strike a foe in melee, you can use a bonus action to force that foe to make a Constitution save or be nauseated until the end of its next turn. When a foe strikes you in melee, you can use your reaction to force that foe to make a Constitution save or be nauseated until the end of its next turn. This ability has no effect on foes who are immune to poison.


Balam, the Bitter Angel [Celestial]
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Intelligence (Religion) checks.
- Icy Glare: You can use a bonus action to force one creature within 30 feet who can see you to make a Charisma save or suffer 2d6 cold damage.
- Spell: Guiding Bolt
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Moonbeam
* Binder level 5: Spell: Crusader's Mantle
* Binder level 7: Spell: Ice Storm
* Binder level 9: Your Icy Glare damage increases to 3d6.
Ultimate:
+ Your Icy Glare damage increases to 4d6, and the effect targets all enemies within 60 feet who can see you.


Bel, Door of the Pit [Fiend]
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Charisma (Intimidate) checks.
- Spells: Detect Magic, Heroism
- Cantrip: Thorn Whip
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Your Thorn Whip deals an additional +1d6 fire damage.
* Binder level 5: Spells: Fear, Fireball
* Binder level 7: Spells: Fire Shield, Wall of Fire
* Binder level 9: Spell: Hold Monster; Also, when you cast Thorn Whip, you can make a single melee weapon attack as a bonus action.
Ultimate:
+ You gain the effect of True Seeing, which can't be dispelled. Your Thorn Whip deals an additional +1d6 fire damage (total +2d6).


Geryon, the Twice-Betrayed [Fiend]
Inherent:
- Devil Sight: You can see perfectly well in normal or magical darkness.
- All-Around Vision: You gain vestigial knowledge on Wisdom (Perception) checks, but you suffer disadvantage against saving throws vs. gaze effects.
- Cantrip: Acid Splash
- Spell: Ray of Sickness
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Darkness, Ray of Enfeeblement
* Binder level 5: Uncanny Dodge: When an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to halve the attack's damage against you.
* Binder level 7: Spells: Blight, Ice Storm
* Binder level 9: Swift Flight: Immediately after you spend a spell slot to cast a spell, you can use a bonus action to fly 60 ft.
Ultimate:
+ Geryon's Gaze: You can use a bonus action to inflict 4d6 acid damage on every opponent within 30 ft. who can see you.



Primus, the One and the Prime [Celestial]
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Strength (Athletics) checks.
- Cantrips: Chill Touch, Sacred Flame
- Spells: Color Spray, Command
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Blind Justice: If a creature succeeds on a saving throw against a spell you cast, that creature can't see or hear you for 1d4 turns.
* Binder level 5: Primus's Order: When you bind Primus, roll a d20 and record the result. You can replace any attack roll, saving throw, or ability check made by you or a creature that you can see with this roll. You must choose to do so before the roll. Each roll can be used only once. If unused, a roll goes away when you begin a short rest or a long rest.
* Binder level 7: Spells: Compulsion, Otiluke's Resilient Sphere
* Binder level 9: Spells: Banishing Smite, Destructive Wave
Ultimate:
+ You gain the effect of True Seeing, which can't be dispelled. You can read and write any language.



Prospero, the Eldest Imp [Fiend]
Let your indulgence set me free.
Inherent:
- You gain proficiency on Dexterity saving throws.
- You gain resistance to poison damage and you can't be poisoned.
- Spells: Bane, Detect Magic
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Alter Self, Invisibility
* Binder level 5: When you hit with a melee attack on your turn, you can use a bonus action to poison your target. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. If the target fails the save, it takes 3d6 poison damage and is poisoned until the end of your next turn. If it succeeds, it takes half damage and is not poisoned.
* Binder level 7: Spell: Polymorph
* Binder level 9: Spell: Cloudkill
Ultimate:
+ You gain immunity to poison damage. You can cast Alter Self or Invisibility at-will without spending a spell slot or using any components.



Quezel-Couatl, the Argent Flame [Celestial]
Inherent:
- You are immune to scrying and to any effect that would sense your emotions, read your thoughts, or detect your location.
- Cantrip: Sacred Flame
- Spells: Bless, Detect Good and Evil
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Detect Thoughts, Lesser Restoration
* Binder level 5: Spells: Fly, Mass Healing Word
* Binder level 7: You gain resistance to radiant and psychic damage.
* Binder level 9: Spells: Greater Restoration, Scrying
Ultimate:
+ Argent Phoenix: You can use your reaction to discorporate in a burst of brilliant flame. All enemies within 30 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw. The enemies suffer 5d10 fire damage and 5d10 radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. You appear at the beginning of your next turn anywhere within 30 feet of your previous location. If you use this ability in reaction to an attack, the attack misses you. If you had less than half your maximum hit points, you are healed to half your maximum hit points when you reappear. You can't use this ability again until you've taken a short rest or a long rest.



Tenebrous, the Shadow Tyrant [Fiend]
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
- You gain darkvision 120 feet, and magical darkness does not impede your darkvision.
- Cantrip: Chill Touch
- Spells: Bane, Dissonant Whispers
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Darkness, Ray of Enfeeblement
* Binder level 5: Spells: Animate Dead, Speak with Dead
* Binder level 7: Flicker: You can use your reaction to teleport yourself up to 60 feet into an area of dim light or darkness. If you use this ability in reaction to an attack, the attack misses you. You can't use this ability again until you've taken a short rest or a long rest.
* Binder level 9: You gain immunity to necrotic damage.
Ultimate:
+ When you are in dim light or darkness, you can take the Hide action as a bonus action.
+ You can momentarily switch places with your own shadow. As a bonus action, you can end the Grappled, Prone, or Restrained condition on yourself.



Green Spirits


Aym, the Avaricious Azer [Elemental, Fire]
Inherent:
- You gain proficiency on Strength saving throws.
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Strength (Athletics) checks.
- Beard and Crown of Fire: As a bonus action, you can ring your face with flame. These flames don't harm you or your equipment. The flames provide illumination like a torch, and make stealth impossible. Any foe who strikes you in melee suffers 5 (1d10) fire damage as your beard lashes out in retaliation.
- Spell: Burning Hands
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Flame Blade, Flaming Sphere
* Binder level 5: You gain resistance to fire damage.
* Binder level 7: While your Beard and Crown of Fire is active, all of your melee attacks deal +1d4 fire damage.
* Binder level 9: Spells: Conjure Elemental, Flame Strike
Ultimate:
+ You gain immunity to fire damage. While your Beard and Crown of Fire is active, foes who strike you in melee suffer 15 (3d10) fire damage.



Agates, the Truth Betrayed [Elemental, Earth, Air]
Inherent:
- You cannot be frightened.
- Earthshaking Strike: If you move at least 10 feet before hitting an opponent, or if you score a critical melee weapon hit, then your opponent and all other foes within 10 feet of you who aren't flying must make a Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
- Spell: Thunderwave
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Gust of Wind, Shatter
* Binder level 5: Spells: Fly, Tongues
* Binder level 7: Spells: Conjure Minor Elementals, Stone Shape
* Binder level 9: Spells: Conjure Elemental, Wall of Stone
Ultimate:
+ Earth and Air Mastery: If you are touching the ground, all flying creatures suffer disadvantage when attacking you. If you are flying, all land-bound creatures suffer disadvantage when attacking you.



Chupoclops, the Phase Weaver [Fey]
Inherent:
- When you hit with a melee attack, you can use a bonus action to inflict the poisoned or frightened condition on the target until the end of your next turn. The target can make an Intelligence saving throw to avoid the condition.
- Spell: Jump
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Misty Step, Web
* Binder level 5: Spells: Blink, Fear
* Binder level 7: Aura of Dread: Whenever a frightened enemy starts its turn within 10 feet of you, that enemy takes 1d10 psychic damage.
* Binder level 9: Soulsense: You notice and locate living creatures within 10 feet of you, as though through Blindsight. You also sense each living creature's type and whether its current hit points are more or less than yours.
Ultimate:
+ You can see into the Ethereal Plane within 60 feet of you. Also, you can cast Blink at-will, without spending a spell slot or using any components. While you are under the effect of Blink, you can use a bonus action at the beginning of your turn to decide if you are corporeal or incorporeal, instead of rolling.



Desharis, the Sewer Spriggan [Fey]
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Intelligence (Investigation) checks. You can add your proficiency bonus on Charisma checks to fit into a crowd, discover key topics of conversation, and anything relating to gossip or rumors.
- Enemy of the Wild: Once per turn when you make a weapon attack on your turn against an animal, elemental, fey, or plant, you may add a +2 bonus to your attack or damage roll. You can decide to add the bonus after you know the result of the attack roll.
- Spells: Charm Person, Grease
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Calm Emotions, Enlarge/Reduce
* Binder level 5: Spells: Tongues
* Binder level 7: Infinite Doors: You gain the ability to step from one exterior doorway into another. When you are in or adjacent to an exterior doorway, as a bonus action you can teleport up to 100 feet to an unoccupied space you can see that is also in or adjacent to an exterior doorway. You then have advantage on the first melee attack you make before the end of the turn.
* Binder level 9: Spell: Animate Objects
Ultimate:
+ The once-per-turn bonus provided by Enemy of the Wild increases to +4.
+ The distance you can travel with Infinite Doors increases to 500 feet, and you don't need to be able to see your destination, but if you can't your destination, it must be a place you have previously visited.
+ You can turn an exterior doorway into a one-way gate which connects to any other exterior doorway you know for one minute. You and your allies can use the one-way gate to travel. You can't use this ability again until you've taken a short rest or a long rest.



Helios, the Fallen Sun [Elemental, Fire]
Inherent:
- You gain resistance to radiant damage.
- Cantrip: Fire Bolt
- Spell: Searing Smite
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spell: Heat Metal
* Binder level 5: Your Fire Bolt cantrip inflicts an additional +1d8 radiant damage.
* Binder level 7: Spell: Fire Shield
* Binder level 9: Fire Echo: Whenever you hit an enemy with a melee weapon attack, a different enemy adjacent to you suffers fire damage equal to your Constitution bonus.
Ultimate:
+ Your Fire Bolt cantrip inflicts an additional +1d8 radiant damage (total +2d8). You gain immunity to radiant damage.



Leraje, Herald of the Wild [Fey]
Inherent:
- You gain proficiency on Dexterity saving throws.
- You gain low-light vision.
- You gain proficiency with longbows.
- Spell: Ensnaring Strike
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Ricochet: When you hit with a ranged weapon attack using a longbow or shortbow, you can deal damage equal to your Dexterity modifier to one other enemy within 30 ft. of the original target.
* Binder level 5: Spells: Conjure Barrage, Lightning Arrow
* Binder level 7: Spells: Grasping Vine, Hallucinatory Terrain
* Binder level 9: Spells: Conjure Volley, Swift Quiver
Ultimate:
+ You gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls for ranged weapon attacks made with a longbow or shortbow, and a +2 bonus to Ricochet damage.



Melisseus, the Titan of Honey [Elemental, Plant]
Inherent:
- You gain vestigial knowledge on Charisma (Perform) checks, and you gain proficiency on any skill check to prepare food.
- Dance of the Bee: When you move on your turn, creatures making opportunity attacks against you have disadvantage.
- Spells: Cure Wounds, Purify Food and Drink
Advanced:
* Binder level 3: Spells: Enthrall, Lesser Restoration
* Binder level 5: Spells: Create Food and Water, Remove Curse
* Binder level 7: Honey Must Flow: You cannot be restrained or slowed by magic without your consent.
* Binder level 9: Spell: Insect Plague
Ultimate:
+ You can use your action to conjure a giant bee or a swarm of bees (as though you cast the Conjure Animals spell to conjure a swarm of wasps or a giant wasp, respectively) but you don't need to spend a spell slot or use any components. Just like the spell, if your concentration is broken, the swarm disperses.

[Nifft]

One last reserved post, I guess.

Done with the initial info-dump.

I'm very interested in hearing about mechanical issues, especially if I've made anything overpowered by accident.

Also, any blank ability lines mean I'm looking for ideas about that ability.

Thanks for reading!

[Ziegander]

Massive post, lots of great stuff here and smart design, but my first thought is: Isn't this just a Warlock+? It gets more spells per short rest invocation equivalencies through its Vestiges, its archetype, and its tradition, and it gets a "better" spell list, especially the Hermetic tradition (which might be way too open ended). I also find it too untraditional (and a little odd) that a player essentially chooses two subclasses with this class.

[Nifft]

Massive post, lots of great stuff here and smart design, but my first thought is: Isn't this just a Warlock+? I sure hope not!


It gets more spells per short rest invocation equivalencies through its Vestiges, its archetype, and its tradition, and it gets a "better" spell list, especially the Hermetic tradition (which might be way too open ended). I also find it too untraditional (and a little odd) that a player essentially chooses two subclasses with this class.

You get no Invocations, so your Vestiges and your Subclasses are your only source of customization.

Vestiges have fixed spell lists, so you don't get to mix & match unless you're level 5+ and mixing two whole packages.

No access to Eldritch Blast -- you have a lot of Cantrip options but not all at once, and none are as reliably good as Eldritch + Agonizing.

Your casting stat isn't shared by any other class, so Magical Initiate isn't very good for you. This is very different from a Warlock, whose casting stat is shared by Sorcerer and Bard.

I could cap the spell slots per short rest to Warlock levels. Maybe add a couple more recovery mechanics, instead of going up to 5. Hmm.

[Ziegander]

So how do you make a pact, then? How long does a Vestige remain bound? You "know" two Vestiges at 1st level, so I'd assume at least once per day you get to choose which you are bound to.

No invocations, sure, but between vestiges and two different subclass choices, I think customization is pretty well taken care of, and offering the Binder at least, if not much more, versatility than the Warlock. If the only real argument that the Binder isn't a better Warlock is because it doesn't get Eldritch Blast and Agonizing Blast, that's sort of a sad indictment of the Warlock class isn't it?

I'm not saying yours is a bad class. In fact, the argument could be made that the published Warlock is sort of a jumbled-together, mechanical mess on paper (one that many people happen to love thematically in-play). I just want to point out that my initial reaction is that this is more powerful and more versatile than the Warlock. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and in fact, I could see this Binder being used to form the foundation for a "Warlock" subclass or redesign quite well.

[Nifft]

So how do you make a pact, then? How long does a Vestige remain bound? You "know" two Vestiges at 1st level, so I'd assume at least once per day you get to choose which you are bound to. Ah, yeah, I should post that info. Heh.

Thanks!


No invocations, sure, but between vestiges and two different subclass choices, I think customization is pretty well taken care of, and offering the Binder at least, if not much more, versatility than the Warlock. If the only real argument that the Binder isn't a better Warlock is because it doesn't get Eldritch Blast and Agonizing Blast, that's sort of a sad indictment of the Warlock class isn't it? Well, I listed one thing because one thing is all that's necessary to disprove the idea that the Binder is strictly better than the Warlock, but it's not the only thing.

Invocations and high-level Mystic Arcanum are also kinda obvious things that Warlocks get which my Binder lacks, including access to a few spells of levels 7 through 9.

(Note that Warlocks do get a kinda-sorta second subclass, in that their Pact Boon can have a large impact on their overall build strategy.)


I'm not saying yours is a bad class. In fact, the argument could be made that the published Warlock is sort of a jumbled-together, mechanical mess on paper (one that many people happen to love thematically in-play). I just want to point out that my initial reaction is that this is more powerful and more versatile than the Warlock. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and in fact, I could see this Binder being used to form the foundation for a "Warlock" subclass or redesign quite well. This Binder is intended to be more versatile, so that's working as intended -- but hopefully it's not more powerful than a well-built Warlock.

[Ziegander]

Good point about Mystic Arcanum. I'll give you a full review tomorrow maybe, but I am liking a lot of what I'm seeing. Knight of the Sacred Seal looks amazing, and I love both the Goetic and Primal tradition.

[Nifft]

Good point about Mystic Arcanum. I'll give you a full review tomorrow maybe, but I am liking a lot of what I'm seeing. Knight of the Sacred Seal looks amazing, and I love both the Goetic and Primal tradition.

Cool.

Here's the binding mechanics:



Cantrips and Spells Known
The Binder base class does not provide any spells or cantrips directly. Instead, you gain access to cantrips and spells when you bind one or more vestiges, or when you gain a feature from a subclass. Spells provided by vestiges are considered known to you for as long as the vestige is bound.

When you finish a long rest, you can bind as many of your known vestiges as you have Vestige Slots. You can't bind the same vestige in two different slots, but you can leave a slot open if you wish.

When you finish a short rest, you can expel one of your current vestiges and bind another in its place.

If you leave a vestige slot unbound, you can take five minutes to bind any unbound vestige you know.

[Prince Zahn]

Wow, there's a ton to go through in this class from the get-go. :smalleek: I don't think I'll get all of my thoughts across the first time around, nevertheless I'll try:

Class Chassis:

Yes, you do, in fact, have to write PEACH. :smalltongue:
I am very much impressed by how you incorporated the binder into the confines of an arcane spellcaster. It's a very bold move given the class's roots.
Compared to other classes that get only 2 skills, your binder receives a rather generous selection. Most only get 5 or 6 at best, I think. Compare the selection with other classes in the PHB to find a goal number and handpick the essentials.
I advise great caution when playing with unconventional saving throw distribution. even though you offer 1 base save, and I saw you offer an additional saving throw via Arcane archetype. You also have vestiges to offer you a variety of saving throws. More information on how any this is problematic when I get to Vestiges.
Expert Negotiator is essentially an even better version of expertise, since it expands your list of skills known and/or doubles proficiency in what you do. With the right decisions the binder can know up to 7 skills by level 2, or know 4/5 and have expertise. This is dangerously comparable to the rogue, who is supposed to be the best at skills, and it's not done yet.
Ability Score Improvements and Extra Attack are placed in a timely manner, but they too deserve mention.
Pact Master looks like a very appropriate capstone feature though it might need playtesting to see if both parts of it are needed.


Arcane Archetypes

These archetypes make for 2 saving throws, and counting: CON + (STR/INT/CHA). This is somewhat an experimental move, but so far It's manageable.
(Anima Magus): You left the book of seals very vague. Just what is the mechanical point of keeping vestige seals in a tome, that should rightfully be exclusive to this archetype? Ritualist offers the book a purpose, but that does not explain archiving vestige seals.
(Anima Magus): Exploit vestige seems like a cool idea, feels like the 3.5 anima mage. Nice work.
(Anima Magus):I'll get to ultimate abilities when I talk about vestiges
(blood bound): by level 20, Your SSSS ability can easily provide you 25 free HP every time you cast a spell. Using it 5 or 6 times means 125/150 HP to recover for no effort in your part, +25 more every time you go into combat afterwards. This feels like quite a lot.:smalleek:
(blood bound): Bloodcasting, combined with SSSS, can be used in a way that you make little if any sacrifice for a free spell slot (or 2, if you're of high enough level), keep this in mind as you proceed.
(Knight Of Sacred Seal): similar to my question with the anima magus, is there any point to keeping your vestige seals on your armor?
(Knight Of Sacred Seal): the second extra attack is traditionally gained at around level 11, but I don't think it would be too critical.
(Knight Of Sacred Seal): This is my favorite archetype of the ones you made, judging by mechanics alone, as requested.


Pact Traditions

(Goetic) those are a lot of languages to hand out on the spot. I think offering a choice would be more reasonable.
(Goetic) level 6 means more skills the binder doubles his proficiency over. Tally for your average Binder à la Nifft stands at 2 saving throws, 4-7 skills, up to 2 of which are with Expertise, as well as doubling your proficiency bonus on all Charisma checks made over fiends and celestials, and I haven't even gotten to Vestiges yet!
(Goetic) I suspect that a spell like Planar Binding, while thematically appropriate for a binder, does not interact well with a warlock-like spellcasting mechanic.
(Goetic) Outsider wings are a nice touch in my opinion, though I don't know if it's any more relevant for the binder than it is for a sorcerer of the same level.
(Goetic) on top of the 8 vestiges/spirits you already know, you can also learn an extra 3 more (or 2+1 ultimate). This is a large number of ability packages to choose from. To tally the best case scenario for ultimate, an Anima Magus Goetic Binder learns the ultimate power knows 10/11 vestiges and/or spirits, nearly half of which have their ultimate ability. The potential of that needs to be measured much more thoroughly than I can at this time.
(Hermetic) I don't have much to say about this, positively not negatively. You reach 6th level spells, get 1 more spell slot, and variety of spells you can cast independently. I don't even know how to compare it to the rest of the class.
(Primal) Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran all fall under Primordial in 5e.
(Primal) Primal Attendant seems fine at first glance. Someone should compare those monsters Challenge Ratings to available in equivalent conjure X spell.
(Primal) I feel that Primal Arcana should be somewhat more limited in it's output. It seems very powerful.
(Primal) other than that, it shares similar principles of output to the Goetic Tradition.



I've been writing this very post for what seems to be 2.5-3 hours, so I'll save the individual vestige/spirit talk for another day and skip to Final Notes:
The class has an impractical amount of moving parts.
between choosing from Archetypes, traditions, spell/-slot management, vestiges and tradition-exclusive vestiges, you will likely be making more character creation decisions and have more variables than any other class before you even get past the first 3 levels. This goes against the spirit of 5e to simplify and streamline things. You have a lot of good ideas, but I fear that trying to implement them all into a single class might be working against the class rather than to it's merit.
This Binder is better than the rogue. without little effort on a player's part, you can learn more skills than a rogue can, and can potentially learn another 4 skills to boot by picking the right vestiges. You also get expertise on 2 skills, plus expertise all Charisma checks against certain creatures. Might I suggest that instead of all these skill proficiencies, you offer advantage to some skills, or let your binder use a skill for a new and attractive function? This is also the kind of thinking I'm trying to get for when my binder thread gets new vestiges, because when you get four or more slots that each could provide an extra skill or save proficiency, inflation happens, take it from me.
How will this class fare in the long run? Warlock get a large number of at will features to compensate for their small variety of spells and Cantrips. What will keep the binder going once he uses up his spell slots? This is true for most, if not all levels - that pact magic might be better spent gaining martial proficiencies as a safer bet.
Saving throws - This guy gets all of them. remember how I just mentioned inflation? Using 4 vestige slots, your binder can be proficient in all 6 saving throws (death saves not included, but I didn't check.) In General, normal classes get 2 saving throws throughout their career, and maybe 1 more if they need that kind of support, C'est tout. please be sure to adress this issue, you need not hesitate to be strict about it.
overall. At a glance, vestiges look pretty good, but not perfect, the concept is a good adaptation for 5e. You have a lot of cleaning up to do, inconsistencies to double check, and some refinement, and a little rewording perhaps, but nevertheless the potential is certainly there, and it is certainly an option for alternative pact magic!

Keep up the good work!:smallbiggrin:

P.S. while it is not a priority to you, I strongly suggest you take on flavoring your pact magic. Legends, fluff, and campaign-inspiring lore are an integral selling point for the binder, I'd hate not to have any of that built-in while I play.:smallsmile:

[Nifft]

Thanks for the feedback!


(Anima Magus): You left the book of seals very vague. Just what is the mechanical point of keeping vestige seals in a tome, that should rightfully be exclusive to this archetype? Ritualist offers the book a purpose, but that does not explain archiving vestige seals. That's flavor-text, just like the info on the other two about where they keep their seals.


(blood bound): by level 20, Your SSSS ability can easily provide you 25 free HP every time you cast a spell. Using it 5 or 6 times means 125/150 HP to recover for no effort in your part, +25 more every time you go into combat afterwards. This feels like quite a lot.:smalleek: Note that SSSS gives you TEMPORARY hit points. Not healing. Temporary HP don't stack.


(blood bound): Bloodcasting, combined with SSSS, can be used in a way that you make little if any sacrifice for a free spell slot (or 2, if you're of high enough level), keep this in mind as you proceed. Bloodcasting is intended to be a gamble, since losing HP in combat isn't entirely under your control. Obviously you want to take damage which is just 1 hp above your halfway mark, but the enemy won't always cooperate.


(Knight Of Sacred Seal): similar to my question with the anima magus, is there any point to keeping your vestige seals on your armor? Not really.


(Goetic) those are a lot of languages to hand out on the spot. I think offering a choice would be more reasonable. Hmm. Could be a choice, yeah.


(Goetic) level 6 means more skills the binder doubles his proficiency over. Tally for your average Binder à la Nifft stands at 2 saving throws, 4-7 skills, up to 2 of which are with Expertise, as well as doubling your proficiency bonus on all Charisma checks made over fiends and celestials, and I haven't even gotten to Vestiges yet! Yeah, if you're playing Foust, you've had some practice talking to Devils.


(Goetic) I suspect that a spell like Planar Binding, while thematically appropriate for a binder, does not interact well with a warlock-like spellcasting mechanic. It does interact well, it just means you're limited to the base effect (24 hours per 1,000 gp) rather than the game-breaking 9th level effect (1 year per 1,000 gp).

Note how many times a Wizard's spell slots will refresh in 1 year. Compare that to a Warlock over 24 hours. Yeah.


(Goetic) on top of the 8 vestiges/spirits you already know, you can also learn an extra 3 more (or 2+1 ultimate). This is a large number of ability packages to choose from. To tally the best case scenario for ultimate, an Anima Magus Goetic Binder learns the ultimate power knows 10/11 vestiges and/or spirits, nearly half of which have their ultimate ability. The potential of that needs to be measured much more thoroughly than I can at this time. Yeah. That's a large number of Ultimate Powers.


(Hermetic) I don't have much to say about this, positively not negatively. You reach 6th level spells, get 1 more spell slot, and variety of spells you can cast independently. I don't even know how to compare it to the rest of the class. Try to break it ...


(Primal) Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran all fall under Primordial in 5e. Ah, cool. I checked the entry for Elementals didn't see Primordial, but there it is in the PHB.


(Primal) Primal Attendant seems fine at first glance. Someone should compare those monsters Challenge Ratings to available in equivalent conjure X spell. Didn't want Pixies sneaking in.



This Binder is better than the rogue. without little effort on a player's part, you can learn more skills than a rogue can, and can potentially learn another 4 skills to boot by picking the right vestiges. You also get expertise on 2 skills, plus expertise all Charisma checks against certain creatures. Might I suggest that instead of all these skill proficiencies, you offer advantage to some skills, or let your binder use a skill for a new and attractive function? This is also the kind of thinking I'm trying to get for when my binder thread gets new vestiges, because when you get four or more slots that each could provide an extra skill or save proficiency, inflation happens, take it from me. Hmm, good thinking.


How will this class fare in the long run? Warlock get a large number of at will features to compensate for their small variety of spells and Cantrips. What will keep the binder going once he uses up his spell slots? This is true for most, if not all levels - that pact magic might be better spent gaining martial proficiencies as a safer bet. Cantrips and cantrip-like effects and melee. Most Vestiges grant something at-will or some melee benefit.


Saving throws - This guy gets all of them. remember how I just mentioned inflation? Using 4 vestige slots, your binder can be proficient in all 6 saving throws (death saves not included, but I didn't check.) In General, normal classes get 2 saving throws throughout their career, and maybe 1 more if they need that kind of support, C'est tout. please be sure to adress this issue, you need not hesitate to be strict about it. Well, yeah, but in order to get proficiency on a save, you generally have to bind a Vestige which gives nothing related to skills. Getting a save is intended to be a strategic decision.


P.S. while it is not a priority to you, I strongly suggest you take on flavoring your pact magic. Legends, fluff, and campaign-inspiring lore are an integral selling point for the binder, I'd hate not to have any of that built-in while I play.:smallsmile: Like I said above, the flavor text deliberately excluded at the moment. Once the mechanics are solid, I'll take the time to write out all the flavor.

Again, thanks!

[Nifft]

Hmm. Thinking about the saves, I'd rather drop the saves granted by the Arcane Archetypes and just let Vestige choice cover saves.

[Prince Zahn]

Thanks for the feedback!You're most welcome! Anyone who knows me knows I can't get enough pact magic! ^-^-b


That's flavor-text, just like the info on the other two about where they keep their seals. then I wouldn't mix it up with the level 1 features. It's not like it's a ribbon feature, but rather closer to the behind the curtain in the Warlock section that discusses the appearance or theme oF your pact boon


Note that SSSS gives you TEMPORARY hit points. Not healing. Temporary HP don't stack.
either I didn't see that before or it wasn't nevertheless, but it puts my mind more at ease this way so I don't mind.


Bloodcasting is intended to be a gamble, since losing HP in combat isn't entirely under your control. Obviously you want to take damage which is just 1 hp above your halfway mark, but the enemy won't always cooperate. that's true. Nevertheless I advise caution for moves that make you damage yourself. It needs more be checked if that is an appealing trade-off.


Yeah, if you're playing Foust, you've had some practice talking to Devils. the point of my tallying in the previous post was to bear in mind how all of these seemingly little things stack up together into something disproportionate. Why not try offering advantage instead of the double proficiencies and see if that works for you?


It does interact well, it just means you're limited to the base effect (24 hours per 1,000 gp) rather than the game-breaking 9th level effect (1 year per 1,000 gp). again, seek to test this. Indulge me.


Note how many times a Wizard's spell slots will refresh in 1 year. Compare that to a Warlock over 24 hours. Yeah. I meant it in the sense that such a spell costs far more for a warlock-esque caster than a full or even half caster because you have so few spell slots: using even one to summon will greatly hinder your own stamina throughout the day, not in the sense of a challenge but rather as an unwanted side effect.


Yeah. That's a large number of Ultimate Powers. I'm glad we see things eye to eye.:smallsmile:


Try to break it ... wut?:smallconfused: there's plenty of shenanigans to be had by picking any 6th level spells you might want in a Wizard. I'm not the right person to ask about high level play, though. I mainly crunch numbers and play low-level games.


Ah, cool. I checked the entry for Elementals didn't see Primordial, but there it is in the PHB.you're welcome!


Didn't want Pixies sneaking in. ask yourself: would that make a crucial difference in balance if somebody else did?



Hmm, good thinking. thanks! It was a hard lesson learned, though.


Cantrips and cantrip-like effects and melee. Most Vestiges grant something at-will or some melee benefit. nevertheless, plan this carefully so that the Binder isn't screwed without spell slots.


Well, yeah, but in order to get proficiency on a save, you generally have to bind a Vestige which gives nothing related to skills. Getting a save is intended to be a strategic decision.As a rule of thumb, any class that can theorhetically get all 6 saves on it's own is considered disfunctional, or a sign of poor design. No character should be allowed to be perfect, so why should a character class?


Like I said above, the flavor text deliberately excluded at the moment. Once the mechanics are solid, I'll take the time to write out all the flavor.

Again, thanks!
Fair enough, but bear in mind that perfecting your mechanics will take you a very long time and testing when you have this many moving parts. It'd be wise to get that done between updates, or get someone to help you with it.
I'm glad you made this, it's really food for thought :smallbiggrin:

[Ziegander]

As a rule of thumb, any class that can theorhetically get all 6 saves on it's own is considered disfunctional, or a sign of poor design. No character should be allowed to be perfect, so why should a character class?

It's literally a Monk class feature. :smallconfused:

(My review of specific Vestiges is going to have be postponed until... maybe Monday. But it's coming)

[Nifft]

either I didn't see that before or it wasn't nevertheless, but it puts my mind more at ease this way so I don't mind. Edit time is before your post. (Won't stay that way, but you can check it before I get around to editing again.)


I meant it in the sense that such a spell costs far more for a warlock-esque caster than a full or even half caster because you have so few spell slots: using even one to summon will greatly hinder your own stamina throughout the day, not in the sense of a challenge but rather as an unwanted side effect. Hmm. Not sure that's true. If you use it right before a short rest, you get a day-long helper for only the cost of the material component. That's a (small) leg up on a Wizard, even if it's not guaranteed to always happen.


ask yourself: would that make a crucial difference in balance if somebody else did? Yes. The difference between a Pixie and any other 1/4 Fey is ... huge. It's just not even a question.

Having a free Pixie is almost like having another bound Vestige.


nevertheless, plan this carefully so that the Binder isn't screwed without spell slots. I think I did. If you see any which are not viable without spell-slots, please let me know! Thanks!


As a rule of thumb, any class that can theorhetically get all 6 saves on it's own is considered disfunctional, or a sign of poor design. No character should be allowed to be perfect, so why should a character class? But in core th--

It's literally a Monk class feature. :smallconfused: --yeah. What he said.


(My review of specific Vestiges is going to have be postponed until... maybe Monday. But it's coming)
Don't feel like you need to do them all at once.

Thanks for the feedback, both of you!

[Prince Zahn]

Hmm. Not sure that's true. If you use it right before a short rest, you get a day-long helper for only the cost of the material component. That's a (small) leg up on a Wizard, even if it's not guaranteed to always happen. how is that a leg up if the wizard can do it too? Would you agree that a 5th level spell slot takes a smaller % of spell slot management for a wizard than it would for a Binder?


Yes. The difference between a Pixie and any other 1/4 Fey is ... huge. It's just not even a question. and the difference between a satyr and a sprite is not?


Having a free Pixie is almost like having another bound Vestige. I'm not gonna argue with you for not wanting a specific monster. CR 1/4 monsters are usually out of the player's reach, with the exception of the chain-pact Warlock and Beastmaster ranger. CR 1/2 monsters as companions is pushing it.


I think I did. If you see any which are not viable without spell-slots, please let me know! Thanks!
I'll keep an eye out.

But in core th--
--yeah. What he said. :smallsigh: *headache pulse* let me rephrase that - no character should exist without weaknesses. Giving one character all the saves proficiencies, or even the potential to have all the save proficiencies at once is too much and Is, as I said, unbalanced.


Thanks for the feedback, both of you!
thank you and goodnight.

[Nifft]

how is that a leg up if the wizard can do it too? Would you agree that a 5th level spell slot takes a smaller % of spell slot management for a wizard than it would for a Binder? Because for the Wizard, it's not a free slot.

Don't make me explain that Wizard slot recovery is limited and doesn't cover their full spells per day.

That ought to be obvious.


and the difference between a satyr and a sprite is not? Sprite is clearly better than Satyr, but not nearly as good as Pixie.

You did read them, right? I feel like this ought to be really obvious.



:smallsigh: *headache pulse* let me rephrase that - no character should exist without weaknesses. Giving one character all the saves proficiencies, or even the potential to have all the save proficiencies at once is too much and Is, as I said, unbalanced. You only get 4 vestiges at a time at level 17.

Using all 4 to cover your saves is ... probably not optimal use of resources.

You can do it, but not until the Wizard can POA into an Adult Gold Dragon for an hour -- and get save proficiency on Dex, Con, Wis and Cha in addition to being a huge dragon.

[Prince Zahn]

Because for the Wizard, it's not a free slot.

Don't make me explain that Wizard slot recovery is limited and doesn't cover their full spells per day.

That ought to be obvious. none of that necessarily makes planar binding a suitable binder spell beyond description. If you don't wish to take my word for it, nobody's pointing a gun to your head. Just don't dictate what is allegedly obvious, you are implementing a lot of experimental mechanics that have not been tested.


Sprite is clearly better than Satyr, but not nearly as good as Pixie.your opinion. A satyr is medium sized, has martial capabilities and a lot more HP in comparison. He is equivalent to having a fighting NPC ally.


You did read them, right? I feel like this ought to be really obvious.it is not. The DC 12 saves are very doable. You can equip a satyr with armor and weapons.


You only get 4 vestiges at a time at level 17.

Using all 4 to cover your saves is ... probably not optimal use of resources. more than you know. Even if it wasn't optimal, it's inherently flawed in it's design. I would not play a character that can have all the saves, nor as GM would I allow a player to try that.


You can do it, but not until the Wizard can POA into an Adult Gold Dragon for an hour -- and get save proficiency on Dex, Con, Wis and Cha in addition to being a huge dragon. wow... Just wow. You're comparing spending a wizard's high level spell slot to become an adult dragon for 1 hour to having all of those saves and 4 of your vestiges all day long? that's not a realistic comparison towards either side , since you get all the high level stuff from those vestiges too. Can still wield weapons and use your own class features.

[Nifft]

none of that necessarily makes planar binding a suitable binder spell beyond description. If you don't wish to take my word for it, nobody's pointing a gun to your head. Just don't dictate what is allegedly obvious, you are implementing a lot of experimental mechanics that have not been tested.
Look, I'm trying to understand what you are saying.

Wizard and Warlock casting are two things which are NOT experimental, and which I did NOT implement. They've got expected differences. Wizards can't throw away all their spell-slots before a short rest -- though doing so before a long rest is a viable idea. They're different, and I think the way they're different is really obvious.

If you have a counter-example, please tell me. I can't take your word for it if you don't actually tell me what you think the issue is.


your opinion. A satyr is medium sized, has martial capabilities and a lot more HP in comparison. He is equivalent to having a fighting NPC ally.

it is not. The DC 12 saves are very doable. You can equip a satyr with armor and weapons. So, the big thing with the Pixie is that she can cast Polymorph and maintain concentration on it. She's also got a bunch of other (low-DC) area-effect debuffs, and again she can do the concentration so even if she only Confuses or Entangles a few minions, that's enemies which the PCs don't need to spend Concentration to disable.

And, of course, Sleep has no saving throw.

Polymorph is the other big deal. The Pixie can turn herself into something, but much more importantly she can turn a PC into a high-CR monster. She can maintain Concentration while staying far away from the conflict, unlike a PC.


more than you know. Even if it wasn't optimal, it's inherently flawed in it's design. I would not play a character that can have all the saves, nor as GM would I allow a player to try that.
If you know "more than I know", then just tell me already. Lay it out.

Obviously I'm not seeing the problem. I think that Monks do exactly that in core, and other classes do get more than one "good" save, so yeah. You're going to have to explain the problem. Insulting my intelligence and/or design won't actually help anyone understand.


wow... Just wow. You're comparing spending a wizard's high level spell slot to become an adult dragon for 1 hour to having all of those saves and 4 of your vestiges all day long? that's not a realistic comparison towards either side , since you get all the high level stuff from those vestiges too. Can still wield weapons and use your own class features. Yes, I'm comparing ONE level 17 Wizard spell slot with FOUR level 17 Binder vestige slots.

After that hour goes by, the Wizard has a lot of spells left.

The Binder is stuck with those four Vestiges until he gets a short rest.

And... the Wizard gets up to +13 on some of his most important saves. That's more than the Binder could get (5 + 6 = 11).

Finally, if you don't think that a level 17 Wizard is an appropriate comparison for a level 17 Binder, then you need to tell me why not.

Thanks.

[MoutonRustique]

I don't have anything constructive to add - just wanted to say "Wow!" and that I will try and convince my DM to let me play this class.

I have no idea about the "balance" of it - but it looks really cool. So yeah, good show!

[Nifft]

I don't have anything constructive to add - just wanted to say "Wow!" and that I will try and convince my DM to let me play this class.

I have no idea about the "balance" of it - but it looks really cool. So yeah, good show!

Thanks! I hope you do get to play one. :)

Your post reminded me to edit in the updates I've accumulated so far.
- Changes to spells per day: Now I use the Warlock backbone so multi-classing ought to work better, and I put the extra spell slots per day into archetype & tradition features.
- Changes to archetype & tradition; hopefully somewhat more robust.

[Nifft]

- Updated some of the Spirits (Astaroth, Quezel-Couatl, and Melisseus).

[Nifft]

Okay, seems like nobody's found any mechanical issues. Yay. :biggrin:

Now, on to the flavor. Hopefully I'll get some done this weekend.

The flavor is going to be:
- Special binding conditions (which are optional and never prevent or restrict binding).
- The Vestige's sign.
- The Vestige's influence.

The mechanical teeth for the conditions and influence are going to be Inspiration -- if you RP the binding or influence well, then your DM might give you a cookie. But you don't have to do it, and if you forget, then your character probably had suppressed the Vestige at that time. It's not a big deal -- it's opt-in, and you might get a bonus if you do, rather than trying to put in restrictions or setting the flavor police on you.

Does that sound good?

[mrumsey]

If I read this correctly...is it possible to use Bloodcasting (Level 1 Blood bound archetype) and Dhalvar Net's Baleful Sympathy (Level 9 ability) to (optimally) deal 1/2 of your hp to an enemy and recover spell slot(s)?

They have to fail an Int save (one of the best to inflict on enemies) and then recover that spell slot by dealing 1/2 of your hp to them. The bloodcasting deals enough damage to take you to 1/2 hp (which if you are at full hp and taking 1/2 damage is 100% of you total hp) and makes the boss fight a lot easier since you will be pumping con.

I guess it's 1/day one trick nuke at level 9 that takes 1/2 of your hp, but it is still a big Int-based hp bomb.

[Nifft]

If I read this correctly...is it possible to use Bloodcasting (Level 1 Blood bound archetype) and Dhalvar Net's Baleful Sympathy (Level 9 ability) to (optimally) deal 1/2 of your hp to an enemy and recover spell slot(s)?

They have to fail an Int save (one of the best to inflict on enemies) and then recover that spell slot by dealing 1/2 of your hp to them. The bloodcasting deals enough damage to take you to 1/2 hp (which if you are at full hp and taking 1/2 damage is 100% of you total hp) and makes the boss fight a lot easier since you will be pumping con.

I guess it's 1/day one trick nuke at level 9 that takes 1/2 of your hp, but it is still a big Int-based hp bomb.
Ah, good catch!

Yeah, I don't want that. My intention is that the Bloodcasting feature should bypass all "take damage" mechanics and mitigation, and just set your HP to half.

What would be better wording to get that effect?

[mrumsey]

What would be better wording to get that effect?

You could go implicit like "reduce your hp to 1/2 of your total hp" (removed damage verb) or an explicit addendum like "this damage cannot be reduced or redirected." Either would work pretty well I think.

[Nifft]

You could go implicit like "reduce your hp to 1/2 of your total hp" (removed damage verb) or an explicit addendum like "this damage cannot be reduced or redirected." Either would work pretty well I think.

Perfect, thanks!

[Submortimer]

I'll weigh in on this guy:

I agree wholeheartedly with Zahn on the fact that this class has a TON going on. In fact, I kinda feel like it has too much going on.

Without a single vestige bound, your guy is pretty capable at most levels. That...really shouldn't be the case. In essence, I think he had too many class features, too many moving parts.

If you look at either the collaboration Binder that Zahn and myself (amongst others) are working on or the Warlock conversion I built (in my sig, Vestige Patron), they're fairly limited on base class abilities: some defenses, no extra attack, and not much else. My warlock uses his spell slots to bind his vestiges and can't cast spells while bound (except cantrips), and the Collaboration only has one subclass that can cast at ALL, and his spells are severely limited.

Also, WRT the Knight of the Sacred Seal, only the fighter gets more than one extra attack, and that is for good reason. I wouldn't buck that trend, there are certainly other routes you can go for class abilities.

It's a good effort, and it's obvious a LOT of work went into this, but it just has a little too much going on.


Edit: also, if you haven't already, come over to the 5e Binder thread and help us figure out how terribly OP and Broken the thing we're making is!

[Nifft]

I'll weigh in on this guy:

I agree wholeheartedly with Zahn on the fact that this class has a TON going on. In fact, I kinda feel like it has too much going on.

Without a single vestige bound, your guy is pretty capable at most levels. That...really shouldn't be the case. In essence, I think he had too many class features, too many moving parts. I don't think that it is the case.

It's got hardly any class features -- literally Expert Negotiator and Extra Attack, and that's all it gets until Pact Mastery.

The two Archetypes replace all the class features that you'd expect -- and they never overlap -- and it still has two dead levels, because 7 and 9 are really sweet levels for Vestige abilities.


If you look at either the collaboration Binder that Zahn and myself (amongst others) are working on or the Warlock conversion I built (in my sig, Vestige Patron), they're fairly limited on base class abilities: some defenses, no extra attack, and not much else. My warlock uses his spell slots to bind his vestiges and can't cast spells while bound (except cantrips), and the Collaboration only has one subclass that can cast at ALL, and his spells are severely limited. I looked at a few different implementations and nothing grabbed me as being both true to the flavor of the Binder and also true to 5e mechanical patterns. So, I did a bunch of work to create mine.


Also, WRT the Knight of the Sacred Seal, only the fighter gets more than one extra attack, and that is for good reason. I wouldn't buck that trend, there are certainly other routes you can go for class abilities. That's valid.

Any suggestions on a replacement ability?

Hmm, maybe...

Bonus Attack: You can use your Bonus action to make a weapon attack. If another ability would allow you to make a weapon attack as a Bonus action, you may instead use your Bonus action to make one more weapon attack than usual.

That would compete directly with a lot of the Bonus action Vestige powers, and would reward TWF and Greatweapon styles, plus also interact nicely with Ronove and Leraje.



It's a good effort, and it's obvious a LOT of work went into this, but it just has a little too much going on.

Edit: also, if you haven't already, come over to the 5e Binder thread and help us figure out how terribly OP and Broken the thing we're making is!

:nale: Heh, I love when the competition complains that I've put in too much effort, and that my work is too awesome.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback! :elan:

[Submortimer]

I mean, it's only competion when you bring something worthwhile to the table, so you're not really competing with us :smalltongue:

[Nifft]

I mean, it's only competion when you bring something worthwhile to the table, so you're not really competing with us :smalltongue:

I know we're not competing. :amused:

You'd need to have a finished product for that to happen. :biggrin:

- - -

Anyway, thoughts on the KotSS 3rd attack replacement mechanic?

[Submortimer]

I know we're not competing. :amused:

You'd need to have a finished product for that to happen. :biggrin:

- - -

Anyway, thoughts on the KotSS 3rd attack replacement mechanic?

Certainly: a flat bonus damage mechanic. On ours, it's +Cha psychic damage per strike. You could also do a bonus damage mechanic ala the paladin or the ranger.

[JNAProductions]

Okay, first things first-using Con as the main stat is... Well, not bad, but pretty powerful, since Con is so useful for other reasons. I wouldn't necessarily change it, but I would keep a close eye on it.

Scar Seal Soul Shield-really powerful. That's 4 THP at level one, but it's going to be 25 at level 20. Per spell. That's... Damn powerful. I might make it half Binder level plus Con modifier.

Bloodcasting-Say I have 30 HP, and I'm at 16. I use a bonus action and regain a spell slot at the cost of 1 HP. Combine with precision healing like Lay on Hands, and that's ripe for abuse. I'd make it deal a minimum damage amount.

Extra Attack (2)-Does this mean you get two attacks (which is fine) or three total? If it's three... Just make it two.

The rest of it, I'm not sure how much advice I can offer. I'm horrid with spells, so can't really tell.

Overall, though, seems pretty well put together. Only real piece of advice I could offer is this-put things in spoilers to make it a little easier to read.

[Nifft]

Scar Seal Soul Shield-really powerful. That's 4 THP at level one, but it's going to be 25 at level 20. Per spell. That's... Damn powerful. I might make it half Binder level plus Con modifier. It's limited by your spell slots, which are the same as a Warlock. Temporary hit points don't stack, so you can't get maximal benefit unless you refrain from casting any spells until you're sufficiently damaged.

That inability to control the benefit is what I hope makes it a balanced feature. It's not nearly as easy to control as the Wizard / Abjuration temporary hitpoint feature, and it can't be re-filled by spamming Rituals.


Bloodcasting-Say I have 30 HP, and I'm at 16. I use a bonus action and regain a spell slot at the cost of 1 HP. Combine with precision healing like Lay on Hands, and that's ripe for abuse. I'd make it deal a minimum damage amount. Gaming the system like that means it's working as intended -- that's not abuse, that's the intended use. :)

The balance feature is that such optimal use is not within the player's control.

So, you will want to wait to use your feature until you're wounded. I think that makes your optimal tactics a tiny bit more interesting.

Also, note that you can't make optimal use of Bloodcasting unless you've lost all your temporary hit points. They're both strong abilities, but they're in mechanical opposition to each other, which ought to temper their strength. :)


Extra Attack (2)-Does this mean you get two attacks (which is fine) or three total? If it's three... Just make it two. Oh, I was going to replace that with extra Force damage. Oops.

Thanks for the thoughtful review!