JellyPooga
2007-07-09, 09:41 PM
Prodded into this by somewhat negative responses to my "Warlock and Master Thrower" thread over in Gaming (d20 and General RPG), I give you the
Master Blaster
The Master Blaster is (not a dwarf strapped to the back of a barbarian) a spell-caster who craves more precision. It's all well and good blasting away at someone until they keel over from the barrage, but when your resources are as limited as a Wizards are, a more focused attack is highly more desirable. To this end, they forgo some of their magical training to perfect the direct application of their magic, whether that be improving their accuracy or some other trick that will improve their performance. Many Master Blasters are flamboyant and like to show off their greater skill in handling their magic whenever the chance presents itself. Master Blasters often outperform those who prefer a less subtle approach to the combat magics. Most Master Blasters are Sorcerers, but many come from the ranks of Evocation specialised Wizards and a good few Warlocks join the crowd too.
Requirements
B.A.B: +4
Skills: Sleight of Hand 4 ranks, Knowledge (Arcana) 8 ranks
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (Ranged Spells)
Arcane Caster Level: 5th
Spells or Spell-Like Abilities: Able to cast at least two 2nd level Weapon-Like Arcane Spells OR Eldritch Blast (2d6)
Hit Die: d8
Class Skills
Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Jump, Knowledge (Arcana), Perform, Profession, Sleight of Hand, Spot and Tumble
Skill Points each Level: 4 + Int mod.
{table]Level|B.A.B|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1|+1|+0|+2|+0|Ranged Spell Specialisation, Weapon-Spell Trick
2|+2|+0|+3|+0|Evasion
3|+3|+1|+3|+1|Weapon-Spell Trick
4|+4|+1|+4|+1|Uncanny Dodge
5|+5|+1|+4|+1|Improved Critical (Ranged Spell), Weapon-Spell Trick[/table]
Class Features
Weapon and Armour Proficiency: Master Blasters gain no new proficiency with weapons or armour.
Ranged Spell Specialisation: At 1st level a Master Blaster gains the benefit of the Ranged Spell Specialisation feat (Complete Arcane), except the benefit applies to his Eldritch Blast ability as well, if he has it.
Weapon-Spell Trick (Ex.): At 1st level and every two levels thereafter, a Master Blaster chooses one of the following Weapon-Spell Tricks. Once chosen, the trick is a permanent part of the Master Blasters repetoir and may not be exchanged. A Master Blaster cannot choose the same trick more than once.
Deadeye: The critical multiplier for any ranged weaponlike spell or spell-like ability cast by a Master Blaster with this Trick is increased from x2 to x3. This ability does not stack with any other effect that increases critical multipliers.
Trip Shot: A Master Blaster with this Trick has perfected the use of spells to to trip his opponents, allowing him to any ranged weaponlike spell or spell-like ability to make a trip attack against an opponent farther than 5 feet away. The Master Blaster casts the spell as normal. If the spell hits, in addition to its normal effect, the Master Blaster makes an Intelligence check with a +4 bonus opposed by the opponents Dexterity or Strength check (which-ever is higher). Other odifiers may apply to this check as per the normal tripping rules (see page 158 of the PHB). If the Master Blaster wins the opposed check, the opponent is tripped. The benefit of this ability does not stack with the benefit of the Improved Trip feat.
Spell Tumbler: When wearing light, medium or no armour, a Master Blaster with this ability can cast a single ranged weaponlike spell or spell-like ability with a casting time of "1 standard action" or less at any point during a tumbling attempt as a standard action. If the result of his Tumble check is 25 or higher, the Maser Blaster does not provoke as attack of opportunity for making this attack regardless of how many opponents threaten him.
Weak Spot: A Master Blaster with this ability may add 1 point of Intelligence bonus, up to a maximum of his class level, to the damage caused by ranged weaponlike spells or spell-like abilities that he casts from now on (e.g. a Warlock 5/Master Blaster 3 with an intelligence on 16 may add +3 to the damage of his Eldritch Blast every time he casts it. If he had an Intelligence of 18, he would still only add +3 to his damage roll until he reached Warlock 5/Master Blaster 4).
Sneaky Spellcaster: A Master Blaster can gain this ability only after reaching 5th level. Just before casting a ranged weaponlike spell or spell-like ability, a Master Blaster use a move action to make a Sleight of Hand check opposed by his target's Spot check. If he wins the opposed check, his opponent is denied his Dexterity bonus to Armour Class against the next use of the spell/spell-like ability.
Evasion (Ex.): They say that the best defence is a good offence, but they also say that turnabout is fair play. At 2nd level, a Master Blaster gains the Evasion ability (see the Rogue class feature). If he already has the Evasion ability from another source, then he gains the Improved Evasion ability (see the Rogue class feature).
Uncanny Dodge (Ex.): A Master Blaster doesn't like being caught with his pants down. As such he trains himself to react to danger before he even realises it himself. At 4th level, a Master Blaster gains the Uncanny dodge ability (see Rogue ability). If he already has the Uncanny dodge ability from another source, then he gains the Improved Uncanny Dodge ability instead (see Rogue class feature).
Improved Critical (Ranged Spell): At 5th level, a Master Blaster gains the Improved Critical (Ranged Spell) feat.
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As you can probably tell, this is almost literally ripped straight out of the Master Thrower PrC. What I'm after is opinions on balance and suggestions for Weapon-Spell Tricks (as I've only got 5 so far).
Master Blaster
The Master Blaster is (not a dwarf strapped to the back of a barbarian) a spell-caster who craves more precision. It's all well and good blasting away at someone until they keel over from the barrage, but when your resources are as limited as a Wizards are, a more focused attack is highly more desirable. To this end, they forgo some of their magical training to perfect the direct application of their magic, whether that be improving their accuracy or some other trick that will improve their performance. Many Master Blasters are flamboyant and like to show off their greater skill in handling their magic whenever the chance presents itself. Master Blasters often outperform those who prefer a less subtle approach to the combat magics. Most Master Blasters are Sorcerers, but many come from the ranks of Evocation specialised Wizards and a good few Warlocks join the crowd too.
Requirements
B.A.B: +4
Skills: Sleight of Hand 4 ranks, Knowledge (Arcana) 8 ranks
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (Ranged Spells)
Arcane Caster Level: 5th
Spells or Spell-Like Abilities: Able to cast at least two 2nd level Weapon-Like Arcane Spells OR Eldritch Blast (2d6)
Hit Die: d8
Class Skills
Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Jump, Knowledge (Arcana), Perform, Profession, Sleight of Hand, Spot and Tumble
Skill Points each Level: 4 + Int mod.
{table]Level|B.A.B|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1|+1|+0|+2|+0|Ranged Spell Specialisation, Weapon-Spell Trick
2|+2|+0|+3|+0|Evasion
3|+3|+1|+3|+1|Weapon-Spell Trick
4|+4|+1|+4|+1|Uncanny Dodge
5|+5|+1|+4|+1|Improved Critical (Ranged Spell), Weapon-Spell Trick[/table]
Class Features
Weapon and Armour Proficiency: Master Blasters gain no new proficiency with weapons or armour.
Ranged Spell Specialisation: At 1st level a Master Blaster gains the benefit of the Ranged Spell Specialisation feat (Complete Arcane), except the benefit applies to his Eldritch Blast ability as well, if he has it.
Weapon-Spell Trick (Ex.): At 1st level and every two levels thereafter, a Master Blaster chooses one of the following Weapon-Spell Tricks. Once chosen, the trick is a permanent part of the Master Blasters repetoir and may not be exchanged. A Master Blaster cannot choose the same trick more than once.
Deadeye: The critical multiplier for any ranged weaponlike spell or spell-like ability cast by a Master Blaster with this Trick is increased from x2 to x3. This ability does not stack with any other effect that increases critical multipliers.
Trip Shot: A Master Blaster with this Trick has perfected the use of spells to to trip his opponents, allowing him to any ranged weaponlike spell or spell-like ability to make a trip attack against an opponent farther than 5 feet away. The Master Blaster casts the spell as normal. If the spell hits, in addition to its normal effect, the Master Blaster makes an Intelligence check with a +4 bonus opposed by the opponents Dexterity or Strength check (which-ever is higher). Other odifiers may apply to this check as per the normal tripping rules (see page 158 of the PHB). If the Master Blaster wins the opposed check, the opponent is tripped. The benefit of this ability does not stack with the benefit of the Improved Trip feat.
Spell Tumbler: When wearing light, medium or no armour, a Master Blaster with this ability can cast a single ranged weaponlike spell or spell-like ability with a casting time of "1 standard action" or less at any point during a tumbling attempt as a standard action. If the result of his Tumble check is 25 or higher, the Maser Blaster does not provoke as attack of opportunity for making this attack regardless of how many opponents threaten him.
Weak Spot: A Master Blaster with this ability may add 1 point of Intelligence bonus, up to a maximum of his class level, to the damage caused by ranged weaponlike spells or spell-like abilities that he casts from now on (e.g. a Warlock 5/Master Blaster 3 with an intelligence on 16 may add +3 to the damage of his Eldritch Blast every time he casts it. If he had an Intelligence of 18, he would still only add +3 to his damage roll until he reached Warlock 5/Master Blaster 4).
Sneaky Spellcaster: A Master Blaster can gain this ability only after reaching 5th level. Just before casting a ranged weaponlike spell or spell-like ability, a Master Blaster use a move action to make a Sleight of Hand check opposed by his target's Spot check. If he wins the opposed check, his opponent is denied his Dexterity bonus to Armour Class against the next use of the spell/spell-like ability.
Evasion (Ex.): They say that the best defence is a good offence, but they also say that turnabout is fair play. At 2nd level, a Master Blaster gains the Evasion ability (see the Rogue class feature). If he already has the Evasion ability from another source, then he gains the Improved Evasion ability (see the Rogue class feature).
Uncanny Dodge (Ex.): A Master Blaster doesn't like being caught with his pants down. As such he trains himself to react to danger before he even realises it himself. At 4th level, a Master Blaster gains the Uncanny dodge ability (see Rogue ability). If he already has the Uncanny dodge ability from another source, then he gains the Improved Uncanny Dodge ability instead (see Rogue class feature).
Improved Critical (Ranged Spell): At 5th level, a Master Blaster gains the Improved Critical (Ranged Spell) feat.
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As you can probably tell, this is almost literally ripped straight out of the Master Thrower PrC. What I'm after is opinions on balance and suggestions for Weapon-Spell Tricks (as I've only got 5 so far).