nonsi
2017-11-25, 03:42 AM
.
http://www.azothalchemy.org/images/4-elements.jpg
I've seen my share of attempts to make an elementalist class (made some myself in the past… unsuccessfully I might add).
The main problems I've noticed are as follows:
If an attempt was made to create 4 separate classes, the result was very asymmetrical, leading to evident priority in level of power between them.
If an attempt was made to create a single class that had access to all 4 elements, the result was never versatile enough to make a decent class that stood on its own.
It is long overdue to create a class that dominates all elements and elemental powers and has the ability to play with the big boys.
Hit Dice: d8
Table: The Elementalist
SavesMax SLA Level
LevelBABFRWSpecial1st Element2nd Element3rd Element4th Element
1+0+2+2+2Elemental Body, Elemental Empathy, Elemental Powers, First Element Access
1
2+1+3+3+3Rebuke Elementals
1
3+2+3+3+3
2
4+3+4+4+4Second Element Access
2
1
5+3+4+4+4First Elemental Form
3
1
6+4+5+5+5Elemental Strike
3
2
7+5+5+5+5Third Element Access
4
2
1
8+6+6+6+6Second Elemental Form
4
3
1
9+6+6+6+6
5
3
2
10+7+7+7+7Fourth Element Access
5
4
2
1
11+8+7+7+7Third Elemental Form
6
4
3
1
12+9+8+8+8Elemental Travel
6
5
3
2
13+9+8+8+8Living Elemental
7
5
4
2
14+10+9+9+9Fourth Elemental Form
7
6
4
3
15+11+9+9+9
8
6
5
4
16+12+10+10+10Two-Elements Form
8
7
6
5
17+12+10+10+10
9
8
7
6
18+13+11+11+11Three-Elements Form
9
9
8
7
19+14+11+11+11
9
9
9
8
20+15+12+12+12Four-Elements Form
9
9
9
9
Class Features
Class Skills: Balance, Climb, Craft, Intimidate, Jump, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, Survival and Swim.
Skill Points per level: 4 + Int-mod.
Weapon and armor proficiency: elementalists are proficient with all simple weapons. They’re proficient with light armor but not with shields.
Elemental Body
As levels accumulate, an elementalist's body drifts, becoming tougher and hardier.
Armor: An elementalist gains natural armor bonus to AC equal to his Con-bonus + 1 / Elementalist class level.
Elemental Resistance: An elementalist gains elemental resistance equal to 5 / odd Elementalist class level involving his first accessible element. Resistance to additional elements trail those values by 3 / 6 / 9 levels respectively. Upon reaching Elemental Resistance 30, an elementalist instead gains immunity to the given element (i.e. gaining elemental immunity to his 4th element at level 20).
Elemental Empathy (Ex)
An elementalist starts play knowing the language associated with his primary element: Aquan (Water) / Auran (Air) / Ignan (Fire) / Terran (Earth).
An elementalist also gains the ability to influence the attitude of low-Int planar creatures with the Elemental type of his primary element, much like a druid of equal level can influence animals with Animal Empathy.
The character's class level counts as 3 / 6 / 9 levels below when dealing with creatures associated with his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively.
Elemental Powers (Sp)
An elementalist starts his career focused on a single element (First Element). With level progression, more elements become accessible (Second / Third / Fourth Element), as shown in the table above.
An elementalist gains spell-like abilities associated with his accessible elements. At each level an elementalist gains 2 SLAs for each element he has access to: 2 SLAs at levels 1-3, 4 SLAs at levels 4-6, 6 SLAs at levels 7-9 and 8 SLAs per level starting at 10th Elementalist level.
A SLA may emulate a spell from any fullcaster's list, as long as the emulated spell's primary effect is based on the element in question, and the spell is an Abjuration/Conjuration/Enchantment/Evocation/Transmutation spell.
For each element:
1. When a power level is gained, an elementalist may use powers from that level a total number of 3 times per day.
2. At the following Elementalist level, the character may use powers from the said SL 5 times per day and that's it.
* The above numbers are not influenced by the actual number of powers known of a given level.
The DC of all elemental powers is Cha-based.
For each element you have access to, you may retrain a single spell effect you have access to upon gaining a level at which you do not gain a new elemental power (e.g. 4th level end every even level thereafter for your primary element).
Every time an elementalist gains a new class level, he may retrain a single SLA per accessible element.
Rebuke Elementals (Su)
At 2nd level, an elementalist gains the ability rebuke and command planar creatures with the Elemental type, much like a cleric of equal level can influence undead with Rebuke Undead.
An elementalist may only rebuke elemental creatures associated with elements to which he has access. The character's class level counts as 3 / 6 / 9 levels lower when dealing with creatures associated with his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively.
Elemental Form (Su)
At 5th level, an elementalist gains the ability to assume the form of an elemental from his first accessible element.
An assumed elemental form's HD may not exceed twice the elementalist's class level.
When assuming Elemental Form, use all the rules given for Wild Shape.
The total number of daily minutes an elementalist may assume Elemental Form of a given element equals 1 / Elementalist class level.
An elementalist's class level counts as 3 / 6 / 9 levels lower for all applications that involve his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively.
Elemental Strike (Su)
At 6th level, an elementalist's melee attacks (unarmed strikes, natural weapons and wielded manufactured weapons) count as Flaming Burst weapons (with respect to his primary element). At levels 9 / 12 / 15, an elementalist may swap the damage to match his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively.
Elemental Travel (Su)
At 12th level, an elementalist may once per day Plane Shift to his primary element's plane. The elementalist and all companions gain elemental adaptation. The elementalist may return to the material prime as a move action at any time he so wishes. Only the ones that had accompanied him to the elemental plane may return with him, as detailed for Plane Shift. At levels 15 / 18 / 20, an elementalist may travel to the elemental plane of his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively.
Living Elemental (Ex)
At level 13, an elementalist becomes a living elemental, gaining Elemental Traits (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/typesSubtypes.htm#elementalType) even without assuming elemental form. The character also gains Damage Reduction 5/–.
Embodying the aspects of his primary element, an elementalist gains a +2 increase to his Str (Fire) / Dex (Air) / Con (Earth) / Wis (Water)
The elementalist also gains the special attacks and movement modes of elementals from his primary element (e.g. Drench / Earth Glide / etc.) even without assuming elemental form. At levels 16 / 18 / 20, he also gains the special attacks and movement modes of elementals from his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively, as well as the attribute increase of the corresponding element.
An elementalist is an over overlord of the elements, not someone bound by them. He does not lose his dual nature, which allows resurrection via normal means. Also, this change does not make the elementalist susceptible to Turn/Rebuke Elementals ability (regardless of where that ability comes from).
A living elemental's body is tied to the very fabric of the stuff that makes the world, thus he stops aging and becomes immune to any attack based on aging or dying of oldage.
Two-Elements Form (Su)
Upon gaining 16th level, when assuming Elemental Form, an elementalist enjoys all the benefits of 2 different elementals (a sort of gestalt elemental).
When assuming Two-Elements Form, the form's maximum HD is restricted to that of the inferior element of the two.
Three-Elements Form (Su)
Upon gaining 18th level, when assuming Elemental Form, an elementalist enjoys all the benefits of 3 different elementals.
When assuming Two-Elements Form, the form's maximum HD is restricted to that of the inferior element of the three.
Four-Elements Form (Su)
Upon gaining 20th level, when assuming Elemental Form, an elementalist enjoys all the benefits of all 4 elementals.
When assuming Two-Elements Form, the form's maximum HD is restricted to that of the inferior element of them all.
Elementalist Feats
Chosen Elemental Metamagic [General]
Prerequisites: At least one metamagic version feat of a SLA from one of your accessible elements.
Benefit: From this point and on, any metamagic version feat of a SLA from your chosen element applies to all relevant powers of your chosen element.
Extra Elemental Powers [General]
Prerequisites: Elementalist level 1.
Benefit: You gain an additional elemental power of each of the four elements to which you have access. You may choose any level of power, as long as it's at least one level below the highest level you have access to.
Extra elemental powers may be retrained to powers of equal level or lower.
Practiced Elementalist [General]
Prerequisites: Elementalist level 1.
Benefit: Your Elementalist level counts as up to 4 levels higher than it actually is for all intents and purposes other than gaining new class abilities or access to new SLAs (via Elemental Powers feature), capped by your character level.
Special: This calculation is done separately for each element you have access to. Your CL regarding your secondary element is capped by your Elementalist class level minus one - even if you don't gain the entire 4-levels increase (when your ECL is below your Elementalist class level +4).
Special: You may take this feat for the second time. In such case, your CL regarding your tertiary/quaternary element is capped by your Elementalist class level minus two/three (respectively).
http://www.azothalchemy.org/images/4-elements.jpg
I've seen my share of attempts to make an elementalist class (made some myself in the past… unsuccessfully I might add).
The main problems I've noticed are as follows:
If an attempt was made to create 4 separate classes, the result was very asymmetrical, leading to evident priority in level of power between them.
If an attempt was made to create a single class that had access to all 4 elements, the result was never versatile enough to make a decent class that stood on its own.
It is long overdue to create a class that dominates all elements and elemental powers and has the ability to play with the big boys.
Hit Dice: d8
Table: The Elementalist
SavesMax SLA Level
LevelBABFRWSpecial1st Element2nd Element3rd Element4th Element
1+0+2+2+2Elemental Body, Elemental Empathy, Elemental Powers, First Element Access
1
2+1+3+3+3Rebuke Elementals
1
3+2+3+3+3
2
4+3+4+4+4Second Element Access
2
1
5+3+4+4+4First Elemental Form
3
1
6+4+5+5+5Elemental Strike
3
2
7+5+5+5+5Third Element Access
4
2
1
8+6+6+6+6Second Elemental Form
4
3
1
9+6+6+6+6
5
3
2
10+7+7+7+7Fourth Element Access
5
4
2
1
11+8+7+7+7Third Elemental Form
6
4
3
1
12+9+8+8+8Elemental Travel
6
5
3
2
13+9+8+8+8Living Elemental
7
5
4
2
14+10+9+9+9Fourth Elemental Form
7
6
4
3
15+11+9+9+9
8
6
5
4
16+12+10+10+10Two-Elements Form
8
7
6
5
17+12+10+10+10
9
8
7
6
18+13+11+11+11Three-Elements Form
9
9
8
7
19+14+11+11+11
9
9
9
8
20+15+12+12+12Four-Elements Form
9
9
9
9
Class Features
Class Skills: Balance, Climb, Craft, Intimidate, Jump, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, Survival and Swim.
Skill Points per level: 4 + Int-mod.
Weapon and armor proficiency: elementalists are proficient with all simple weapons. They’re proficient with light armor but not with shields.
Elemental Body
As levels accumulate, an elementalist's body drifts, becoming tougher and hardier.
Armor: An elementalist gains natural armor bonus to AC equal to his Con-bonus + 1 / Elementalist class level.
Elemental Resistance: An elementalist gains elemental resistance equal to 5 / odd Elementalist class level involving his first accessible element. Resistance to additional elements trail those values by 3 / 6 / 9 levels respectively. Upon reaching Elemental Resistance 30, an elementalist instead gains immunity to the given element (i.e. gaining elemental immunity to his 4th element at level 20).
Elemental Empathy (Ex)
An elementalist starts play knowing the language associated with his primary element: Aquan (Water) / Auran (Air) / Ignan (Fire) / Terran (Earth).
An elementalist also gains the ability to influence the attitude of low-Int planar creatures with the Elemental type of his primary element, much like a druid of equal level can influence animals with Animal Empathy.
The character's class level counts as 3 / 6 / 9 levels below when dealing with creatures associated with his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively.
Elemental Powers (Sp)
An elementalist starts his career focused on a single element (First Element). With level progression, more elements become accessible (Second / Third / Fourth Element), as shown in the table above.
An elementalist gains spell-like abilities associated with his accessible elements. At each level an elementalist gains 2 SLAs for each element he has access to: 2 SLAs at levels 1-3, 4 SLAs at levels 4-6, 6 SLAs at levels 7-9 and 8 SLAs per level starting at 10th Elementalist level.
A SLA may emulate a spell from any fullcaster's list, as long as the emulated spell's primary effect is based on the element in question, and the spell is an Abjuration/Conjuration/Enchantment/Evocation/Transmutation spell.
For each element:
1. When a power level is gained, an elementalist may use powers from that level a total number of 3 times per day.
2. At the following Elementalist level, the character may use powers from the said SL 5 times per day and that's it.
* The above numbers are not influenced by the actual number of powers known of a given level.
The DC of all elemental powers is Cha-based.
For each element you have access to, you may retrain a single spell effect you have access to upon gaining a level at which you do not gain a new elemental power (e.g. 4th level end every even level thereafter for your primary element).
Every time an elementalist gains a new class level, he may retrain a single SLA per accessible element.
Rebuke Elementals (Su)
At 2nd level, an elementalist gains the ability rebuke and command planar creatures with the Elemental type, much like a cleric of equal level can influence undead with Rebuke Undead.
An elementalist may only rebuke elemental creatures associated with elements to which he has access. The character's class level counts as 3 / 6 / 9 levels lower when dealing with creatures associated with his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively.
Elemental Form (Su)
At 5th level, an elementalist gains the ability to assume the form of an elemental from his first accessible element.
An assumed elemental form's HD may not exceed twice the elementalist's class level.
When assuming Elemental Form, use all the rules given for Wild Shape.
The total number of daily minutes an elementalist may assume Elemental Form of a given element equals 1 / Elementalist class level.
An elementalist's class level counts as 3 / 6 / 9 levels lower for all applications that involve his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively.
Elemental Strike (Su)
At 6th level, an elementalist's melee attacks (unarmed strikes, natural weapons and wielded manufactured weapons) count as Flaming Burst weapons (with respect to his primary element). At levels 9 / 12 / 15, an elementalist may swap the damage to match his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively.
Elemental Travel (Su)
At 12th level, an elementalist may once per day Plane Shift to his primary element's plane. The elementalist and all companions gain elemental adaptation. The elementalist may return to the material prime as a move action at any time he so wishes. Only the ones that had accompanied him to the elemental plane may return with him, as detailed for Plane Shift. At levels 15 / 18 / 20, an elementalist may travel to the elemental plane of his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively.
Living Elemental (Ex)
At level 13, an elementalist becomes a living elemental, gaining Elemental Traits (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/typesSubtypes.htm#elementalType) even without assuming elemental form. The character also gains Damage Reduction 5/–.
Embodying the aspects of his primary element, an elementalist gains a +2 increase to his Str (Fire) / Dex (Air) / Con (Earth) / Wis (Water)
The elementalist also gains the special attacks and movement modes of elementals from his primary element (e.g. Drench / Earth Glide / etc.) even without assuming elemental form. At levels 16 / 18 / 20, he also gains the special attacks and movement modes of elementals from his secondary / tertiary / quaternary element respectively, as well as the attribute increase of the corresponding element.
An elementalist is an over overlord of the elements, not someone bound by them. He does not lose his dual nature, which allows resurrection via normal means. Also, this change does not make the elementalist susceptible to Turn/Rebuke Elementals ability (regardless of where that ability comes from).
A living elemental's body is tied to the very fabric of the stuff that makes the world, thus he stops aging and becomes immune to any attack based on aging or dying of oldage.
Two-Elements Form (Su)
Upon gaining 16th level, when assuming Elemental Form, an elementalist enjoys all the benefits of 2 different elementals (a sort of gestalt elemental).
When assuming Two-Elements Form, the form's maximum HD is restricted to that of the inferior element of the two.
Three-Elements Form (Su)
Upon gaining 18th level, when assuming Elemental Form, an elementalist enjoys all the benefits of 3 different elementals.
When assuming Two-Elements Form, the form's maximum HD is restricted to that of the inferior element of the three.
Four-Elements Form (Su)
Upon gaining 20th level, when assuming Elemental Form, an elementalist enjoys all the benefits of all 4 elementals.
When assuming Two-Elements Form, the form's maximum HD is restricted to that of the inferior element of them all.
Elementalist Feats
Chosen Elemental Metamagic [General]
Prerequisites: At least one metamagic version feat of a SLA from one of your accessible elements.
Benefit: From this point and on, any metamagic version feat of a SLA from your chosen element applies to all relevant powers of your chosen element.
Extra Elemental Powers [General]
Prerequisites: Elementalist level 1.
Benefit: You gain an additional elemental power of each of the four elements to which you have access. You may choose any level of power, as long as it's at least one level below the highest level you have access to.
Extra elemental powers may be retrained to powers of equal level or lower.
Practiced Elementalist [General]
Prerequisites: Elementalist level 1.
Benefit: Your Elementalist level counts as up to 4 levels higher than it actually is for all intents and purposes other than gaining new class abilities or access to new SLAs (via Elemental Powers feature), capped by your character level.
Special: This calculation is done separately for each element you have access to. Your CL regarding your secondary element is capped by your Elementalist class level minus one - even if you don't gain the entire 4-levels increase (when your ECL is below your Elementalist class level +4).
Special: You may take this feat for the second time. In such case, your CL regarding your tertiary/quaternary element is capped by your Elementalist class level minus two/three (respectively).