Beast Master [base class]

[TheGrimace]

I made this at first to test myself as to whether or not I could make a class that balanced well with the other classes. Then I ended up with a concept that is very difficult to balance. So, I would love to hear what you have to say (and actually see what this graph looks like).


BeastMaster
{table=head]Level|Base Attack<br>Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th

1st|
+0|
+2|
+0|
+2|Animal Companion |2

2nd|
+1|
+3|
+0|
+3|Greater Companion Flank |3|0

3rd|
+2|
+3|
+1|
+3|Animal Companion |3|1

4th|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+4|Tandem Strike 1d6 |3|2|0

5th|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+4|Augment Animal Companions|3|3|1

6th|
+4|
+5|
+2|
+5|Animal Guardian|3|3|2

7th|
+5|
+5|
+2|
+5| -|3|3|2|0

8th|
+6|
+6|
+2|
+6|Tandem Strike 2d6|3|3|3|1

9th|
+6|
+6|
+3|
+6|Animal Guardian|3|3|3|2

10th|
+7|
+7|
+3|
+7|Perfect Animal Companion |3|3|3|2|0

11th|
+8|
+7|
+3|
+7|Augment Animal Guardian|3|3|3|3|1

12th|
+9|
+8|
+4|
+8|Tandem Strike 3d6|3|3|3|3|2

13th|
+9|
+8|
+4|
+8|Animal Lieutenant|3|3|3|3|2|0

14th|
+10|
+9|
+4|
+9|-|4|3|3|3|3|1

15th|
+11|
+9|
+5|
+9|Animal Lieutenant|4|4|3|3|3|2

16th|
+12|
+10|
+5|
+10|Tandem Strike 4d6|4|4|4|3|3|2|0

17th|
+12|
+10|
+5|
+10|Perfect Animal Guardian|4|4|4|4|3|3|1

18th|
+13|
+11|
+6|
+11|Augment Animal Lieutenant|4|4|4|4|4|3|2

19th|
+14|
+11|
+6|
+11|-|4|4|4|4|4|4|3

20th|
+15|
+12|
+6|
+12|Tandem Strike 5d6|4|4|4|4|4|4|4[/table]

[TheGrimace]

Animal Companion: At 1st level, the Beast Master gains the friendship of any creature that can be summoned via Summon Nature's Ally I (Dire Rat, Eagle, Monkey, Octopus, Owl, Porpoise, Snake [small viper], or Wolf). The Bond between the Beast master and the animal is non-magical, and cannot be dispelled in any way. At 3rd level, the Beast Master gains the friendship of one additional animal from the same list.

Greater Companion Flanking: Do to the chemistry between you and your animal friends, you count as flanking any opponent that both you and your companion threaten.

Tandem Strike: Starting at fourth level a beast master and his animal friends can coordinate their attacks with deadly effectiveness. Anytime you successfully attack an opponent that you flank with one of your animals, you deal an extra 1d6 damage. This damage increases by an additional 1d6 for every four levels you gain.

Augment Animal Companions: At fifth level, your animal companions gain the permanent benefits of +4 str, +4 dex, +4 con, and +2 natural armor, as well as 2d8 extra hitpoints.

Animal Guardian: At Sixth Level, the Beast Master gains the friendship of any animal that can be summoned via Summon Nature's Ally III (Ape, Dire Weasel, Dire Wolf, Giant Eagle, Lion, Giant Owl, Large Shark, Snake (constrictor), or snake (large viper)). The Bond between the Beast master and the animal is non-magical, and cannot be dispelled in any way. At 9th level, the Beast Master gains the friendship of one additional animal from the same list.

Perfect Animal Companion: At 10th level, your animal companions increase by one size category. This also increases their strength by four. They also gain a damage reduction of 3/-

Augment Animal Guardian: At 11th level, your animal companions gain the permanent benefits of +4 str, +4 dex, +4 con, and +2 natural armor, as well as 2d8 extra hitpoints.

Animal Lieutenant: At 13th level, the Beast Master gains the friendship of any animal that can be summoned via Summon Nature's Ally VI (Dire Bear, Elephant, megaraptor, Giant octopus, or baleen whale). The Bond between the Beast master and the animal is non-magical, and cannot be dispelled in any way. At 15th level, the Beast Master gains the friendship of one additional animal from the same list.

Perfect Animal Guardian: At 17th level, your animal guardians increase by one size category. This also increases their strength by four. They also gain a damage reduction of 3/-

Augment Animal Lieutenant: At 18th level, your animal companions gain the permanent benefits of +4 str, +4 dex, +4 con, and +2 natural armor, as well as 2d8 extra hitpoints.

[TheGrimace]

HD D8
Starting gold 4d4x10
Skills: 4 + intelligence Modifier (x4 at first level)
Class skills: Climb, Craft, Handle Animal, Heal, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Move Silently, Survival, Swim. RIDE

A Beast Master is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and with light and medium armor, and with shields.

[TheGrimace]

A beast master prepares spells each day as a cleric.

0 level spells
create water
cure minor wounds (animals only)
guidance
light
resistance
know direction
message

1st level spells
Bless
Calm Animals
charm animal
cure light wounds (animals only)
Jump
Magic fang
speak with animals
Endure elements
Summon natures ally I

2nd Level
Barkskin
Bears endurance
Bulls Strength
Cats grace
Enlarge animal
hold animal
reduce animal
cure moderate wounds (animals only)
Summon Natures ally II
blur
invisibility

3rd level
Cure Serious Wounds (animals only)
Dominate animals
Greaer magic fang
Summon natures ally III
Haste
Rage

4th level spells
Cure critical wounds (animals only)
Summon Natures ally IV
Stoneskin
Enlarge animal, mass
Reduce animal, mass
greater invisibility

5th level
Summon Natures ally V
Rary's telepathic bond
insect plague
cure light wounds, mass (animals only)
spell resistance

6th level spells
Bulls strength, Mass
Bears endurance, mass
Cats grace, mass
Cure moderate wounds, mass (animals only)
Heal (animals only)
Summon natures ally VI

[de-trick]

Did you think of that cheesy movie beast master don't get me wrong it's a good movie, full of old movie effects and that

I like it but shouldn't they get ride as a class skill why would someone want a elephant if they can't ride it

[TheGrimace]

I don't think I've ever seen that movie...
I can't remember it, if I did.

yes, ride makes sense.
good call

[de-trick]

since It looks like a druid based class who cares for animal compainion I would say make hime where only non metal armor, but only my opinion

also Tandem strike should make you hit and your animal companions that flank too

[Caewil]

There's already a Beast Master PRC in CWar or CAdv. You could use that to get some more ideas or to balance against, perhaps.