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JoshR
2016-09-20, 10:59 PM
I'm working on a custom class variant with my DM to combine the concepts of a druid, ranger, and arcane archer into a single class, and I'm looking feedback on how balanced it is for play at a single table from levels 1 through 15. Some abilities come at levels that don't map onto the normal subclass progression, but that isn't a concern unless it's too weak or too powerful, or otherwise level-inappropriate from a balance perspective.

Using the Circle of the Land druid as a baseline, it would keep the following:

* Hit dice, Proficiencies
* Level 1: Druidic language, Spellcasting
* Level 2: Natural Recovery
* Level 4+: Ability Score Improvement
* Level 6: Land’s Stride
* Level 10: Nature’s Ward
* Level 14: Nature’s Sanctuary

And lose the following:

* Level 2: Wild Shape (1/4 CR)
* Level 2: Bonus Cantrip
* Level 3: Circle Spells (2nd level)
* Level 4: Wild Shape (1/2 CR, swimming)
* Level 5: Circle Spells (3rd level)
* Level 7: Circle Spells (4th level)
* Level 8: Wild Shape (1 CR, flying)
* Level 9: Circle Spells (5th level)

And then I'd gain the following abilities

* Level 1: Favored Enemy (from UA revised ranger)
* Level 2: Bonus spell: Find Familiar
* Level 3: Fighting Style (Archery)
* Level 5: Elemental Arrows I (+1d6 cold, fire, or lightning to every shot)
* Level 7: Elemental Arrows II (spend 3rd level spell slot to cast fireball or lightning bolt using the range of weapon)
* Level 8: Greater Favored Enemy (from UA revised ranger)
* Level 11: Elemental Arrows III (+2d6 cold, fire, or lightning to every shot)

Thanks for any advice.

The overall concept is to combine the spellcasting of a druid with a familiar to act as a non-combat animal companion, some ranger mechanics (fighting style and favoured enemy), and elemental-themed arcane archer abilities. The tentative name is the "Circle of the Primordial Hunter", and I'll be playing the character in Princes of the Apocalypse.

Does it look balanced at various levels? Do the added abilities overall balance closely enough with the loss of wild shape and the bonus spells?

As a note, the character is an elf and so will have longbow proficiency.