PhoenixPhyre
2017-08-03, 09:31 AM
I'm trying to make an elemental-themed pet class with subclasses that have different play styles. Things that are the same between them:
A pet, using the UA Revised Ranger skeleton.
A focus on cantrips
4 elements monk style casting--small pool of points with limited choice of specific effects
Utility through a beefed-up ritual caster feature
The pets would be subclass specific, with customization coming through boons acquired at certain levels (like the 3.5/PF summoner's eidolon mutations, but more focused).
The subclasses should have focuses:
Straight up damage, mostly through cantrips and other spell-like abilities. Fire themed.
A defensive, melee-oriented focus. Mixing melee attacks with cantrips. Earth (acid/poison) themed.
A ranged, nimble type. Mixing ranged weapon attacks with cantrips. Air (lightning/thunder) themed.
A support/control focus. Cantrip and spell-like abilities dominate. Water (cold) themed.
My problem comes in trying to make this reasonably balanced compared to other classes, especially in constant DPR. I don't see this class as a nova damage class.
The questions:
One subclass should focus on combining cantrips with weapon attacks. What's the best way to make this work so it ends up ~90% of a standard fighter/barbarian type?
What about mixing ranged weapon attacks with cantrips? Same criteria.
And what about cantrips alone for resource-free damage?
A free variable is the pet's damage. How much of a range is there for this without either making it worthless or overshadowing other parts of the class?
I'm ok with a slightly reduced at-will DPR because of the increase in utility from the pet abilities and healing/support/control abilities that cost resources. I'd rather not be ~40% behind or ~20% ahead.
Thoughts? Ideas? Is this even possible without something clunky?
A pet, using the UA Revised Ranger skeleton.
A focus on cantrips
4 elements monk style casting--small pool of points with limited choice of specific effects
Utility through a beefed-up ritual caster feature
The pets would be subclass specific, with customization coming through boons acquired at certain levels (like the 3.5/PF summoner's eidolon mutations, but more focused).
The subclasses should have focuses:
Straight up damage, mostly through cantrips and other spell-like abilities. Fire themed.
A defensive, melee-oriented focus. Mixing melee attacks with cantrips. Earth (acid/poison) themed.
A ranged, nimble type. Mixing ranged weapon attacks with cantrips. Air (lightning/thunder) themed.
A support/control focus. Cantrip and spell-like abilities dominate. Water (cold) themed.
My problem comes in trying to make this reasonably balanced compared to other classes, especially in constant DPR. I don't see this class as a nova damage class.
The questions:
One subclass should focus on combining cantrips with weapon attacks. What's the best way to make this work so it ends up ~90% of a standard fighter/barbarian type?
What about mixing ranged weapon attacks with cantrips? Same criteria.
And what about cantrips alone for resource-free damage?
A free variable is the pet's damage. How much of a range is there for this without either making it worthless or overshadowing other parts of the class?
I'm ok with a slightly reduced at-will DPR because of the increase in utility from the pet abilities and healing/support/control abilities that cost resources. I'd rather not be ~40% behind or ~20% ahead.
Thoughts? Ideas? Is this even possible without something clunky?