Rfkannen
2015-09-13, 09:56 AM
One of the things introduced in the dmg of 5e was the idea of modifying classes, making alternations to classes to change them while keeping all other features. This was expanded upon when the modifying class unearthed arcana came out, giving us rules for modifying classes and giving us an example of a modified class in the spelless ranger. It let you still use the ranger features and sub-classes but got rid of the spellcasting which some players did not like.
Now personally I think these are underused, we see a lot of new homebrew subclasses and classes, but not that many modifications to the main classes. So I decided to make a few of my own to fit to a few common themes that I thought were underrepresented. How do you think I did?
ps. Just to be clear, these are add ons to the normal classes, you use all the normal class features but replace what it says to replace.
pss. What class modifications have you done?
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variant monk; Ki warrior
The domains of ki are not just for monks, their exist warriors who are trained as normal fighters, with weapons and armors and all that, who use ki just like a monk. You may be a member of a monastery that advocated the use of weaponry instead of the body or you might be a fighter who figured out the use of ki by accident, but no matter what you are, you are a ki fighter.
Proficiency;
Weapon; A ki warrior is proficient in simple and martial weapons
armor; A ki warrior is proficient in light, medium, and heavy armor as well as shields
this feature alters proficiencies and replaces unarmored defense and martial arts.
Weapon Focus
you may use you weapon attacks for all features that require you use unarmed strikes
Ki flurry;
Immediately after you take the attack action on your turn you can spend 1 ki point to make an extra weapon attack as a bonus action. If you are dual weilding then this same feature lets you do two weapon attacks.
replaces flurry of blows
Unarmored movement;
now works while armored
Fighting style;
as phb, replaces ki-empowered strikes
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Variant paladin; Arcane knight
Not all magical knights use divine magic. Much like a paladin you have sworn an oath and are a fusion of martial and magical power, however the source of your power happens to be strict arcane lessons rather than divine magic.
Proficiencies
saving throws are wisdom and intelligence
religion is replaces with arcana
all class features that use charisma switch to intelligence
Arcane sense,
As an action you can use your magical ability to open yourself to seeing the magic that surrounds you. As an action, you can turn on your awareness to magic. Until your next turn you see a magical aura around any viable creature or object within 60 feet that bears magic, this ability can penetrate most barriers but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead or 3 feet of wood or dirt.
you can use this feature a number of times equal to 1+your int modifier. When you finish a long rest, you regain all expanded uses.
Weapon bond;
as phb feature, replaces lay on hands
Aura of metal strength.
as aura of devotion but protects against frightened
Aura of sense
as aura of courage but effects charmed instead of frightened
spellcasting; You have a spell book like the wizard feature, and can copy spells into like a wizard. You also cast spells from the wizard list. You share no other wizard spellcasting features (ei. You do not get the ritual casting feature.)
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Variant wizard; Book Priest.
You are a Book priest, a strange person much closer to the wizard than the cleric. Like a cleric you wield divine magic, yet the gods have not directly handed you any magic. Instead you are like a wizard, you have learned your magic from books and study. No matter what you think your magic comes from your understanding of divine magic instead of an actual gift from your god. Yet still you still manage to use divine magic just like a cleric.
Changed spell list Use the cleric spell list instead of the wizard
Expanded spell list; starting at second level when you pick your school, you may now treat any wizard spell of your chosen school as if it were a cleric spell.
rename schools as fit, examples;
abjuration as protection
conjuration as nature or matter
divination as prophecy
necromancy as death
Now personally I think these are underused, we see a lot of new homebrew subclasses and classes, but not that many modifications to the main classes. So I decided to make a few of my own to fit to a few common themes that I thought were underrepresented. How do you think I did?
ps. Just to be clear, these are add ons to the normal classes, you use all the normal class features but replace what it says to replace.
pss. What class modifications have you done?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
variant monk; Ki warrior
The domains of ki are not just for monks, their exist warriors who are trained as normal fighters, with weapons and armors and all that, who use ki just like a monk. You may be a member of a monastery that advocated the use of weaponry instead of the body or you might be a fighter who figured out the use of ki by accident, but no matter what you are, you are a ki fighter.
Proficiency;
Weapon; A ki warrior is proficient in simple and martial weapons
armor; A ki warrior is proficient in light, medium, and heavy armor as well as shields
this feature alters proficiencies and replaces unarmored defense and martial arts.
Weapon Focus
you may use you weapon attacks for all features that require you use unarmed strikes
Ki flurry;
Immediately after you take the attack action on your turn you can spend 1 ki point to make an extra weapon attack as a bonus action. If you are dual weilding then this same feature lets you do two weapon attacks.
replaces flurry of blows
Unarmored movement;
now works while armored
Fighting style;
as phb, replaces ki-empowered strikes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variant paladin; Arcane knight
Not all magical knights use divine magic. Much like a paladin you have sworn an oath and are a fusion of martial and magical power, however the source of your power happens to be strict arcane lessons rather than divine magic.
Proficiencies
saving throws are wisdom and intelligence
religion is replaces with arcana
all class features that use charisma switch to intelligence
Arcane sense,
As an action you can use your magical ability to open yourself to seeing the magic that surrounds you. As an action, you can turn on your awareness to magic. Until your next turn you see a magical aura around any viable creature or object within 60 feet that bears magic, this ability can penetrate most barriers but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead or 3 feet of wood or dirt.
you can use this feature a number of times equal to 1+your int modifier. When you finish a long rest, you regain all expanded uses.
Weapon bond;
as phb feature, replaces lay on hands
Aura of metal strength.
as aura of devotion but protects against frightened
Aura of sense
as aura of courage but effects charmed instead of frightened
spellcasting; You have a spell book like the wizard feature, and can copy spells into like a wizard. You also cast spells from the wizard list. You share no other wizard spellcasting features (ei. You do not get the ritual casting feature.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variant wizard; Book Priest.
You are a Book priest, a strange person much closer to the wizard than the cleric. Like a cleric you wield divine magic, yet the gods have not directly handed you any magic. Instead you are like a wizard, you have learned your magic from books and study. No matter what you think your magic comes from your understanding of divine magic instead of an actual gift from your god. Yet still you still manage to use divine magic just like a cleric.
Changed spell list Use the cleric spell list instead of the wizard
Expanded spell list; starting at second level when you pick your school, you may now treat any wizard spell of your chosen school as if it were a cleric spell.
rename schools as fit, examples;
abjuration as protection
conjuration as nature or matter
divination as prophecy
necromancy as death