Temp
2007-11-04, 08:40 PM
This has probably been done before, but I was wondering if this would be considered balanced with the ToB classes. There aren't any major differences as the class already provided the main features neccessary for a melee fighter's success (flight and Will saves in particular), just increases in the power of the abilities. Also, the capstone has been removed, as has the non-dragon entry requirement. The Half-Dragon bonuses have been spread through the class progression.
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The Dragon Disciple
Hit Die
d12
Requirements
To qualify to become a dragon disciple, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Skills
Knowledge (arcana) 8 ranks.
Languages
Draconic.
Spellcasting
Ability to cast arcane spells without preparation.
Class Skills
The dragon disciple’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), and Spot (Wis).
Skill Points at Each Level
2 + Int modifier.
The Dragon Disciple
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Breath Weapon|Nat Arm|Special|Spells
1st|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+2|
-|
+1|Ability Boost (Con +2)|-
2nd|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+3|
4d8|
+1|Ability Boost (Str +2), Claws and Bite|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
3rd|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+3|
4d8|
+2|Ability Boost (Cha +2)|-
4th|
+4|
+4|
+1|
+4|
6d8|
+2|Ability Boost (Str +2)|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
5th|
+5|
+4|
+1|
+4|
6d8|
+3|Ability Boost (Int +2), Blindsense 30 ft.|-
6th|
+6|
+5|
+2|
+5|
8d8|
+3|Ability Boost (Con +2, Str +2)|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
7th|
+7|
+5|
+2|
+5|
8d8|
+4|Ability Boost (Cha +2), Mettle|-
8th|
+8|
+6|
+2|
+6|
10d8|
+4|Ability Boost (Str +2)|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
9th|
+9|
+6|
+3|
+6|
10d8|
+5|Ability Boost (Int +2),Wings|-
10th|
+10|
+7|
+3|
+7|
12d8|
+5|Ability Boost (Str +4), Blindsense 60 ft., Dagon Apothesis|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class[/table]
Class Features:
Natural Armor Increase (Ex)
At every odd-numbered level, a dragon disciple gains an increase to the character’s existing natural armor (if any), as indicated on Table: The Dragon Disciple (the numbers represent the total increase gained to that point). As his skin thickens, a dragon disciple takes on more and more of his progenitor’s physical aspect.
Ability Boost (Ex)
As a dragon disciple gains levels in this prestige class, his ability scores increase as noted on Table: The Dragon Disciple.
These increases stack and are gained as if through level advancement
Breath Weapon (Su)
At 2nd level, a dragon disciple must choose a dragon type as in the DMG Dragon Disciple class. He gains a breath weapon whose type and range are dependant on the type of dragon selected. At second level, the breath weapon deals 4d8 damage with a Reflex save (DC=10+Class level+Con) for half. The damage increses at each consecutive even-numbered level until reaching 12d8 at level 10.
Once a dragon disciple uses his breath weapon,it can't be used again for 1d4 rounds.
Claws and Bite (Ex)
At 2nd level, a dragon disciple gains claw and bite attacks if he does not already have them. Values are equal to those of the Dragon Disciple class in the DMG.
A dragon disciple is considered proficient with these attacks. When making a full attack, a dragon disciple uses his full base attack bonus with his bite attack but takes a -5 penalty on claw attacks.
Blindsense (Ex)
At 5th level, the dragon disciple gains blindsense with a range of 30 feet. Using nonvisual senses the dragon disciple notices things it cannot see. He usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to notice and pinpoint the location of creatures within range of his blindsense ability, provided that he has line of effect to that creature.
At 10th level, the range of this ability increases to 60 feet.
Mettle (Ex)
At 7th level, if a dragon disciple succeeds on a Fortitude or Will save against an effect that would normally produce a lesser effect on a successful save, you instead negate the effect.
A dragon disciple does not gain this benefit while unconscious.
Wings (Ex)
At 9th level, a dragon disciple grows a set of draconic wings. He may now fly at a speed equal to his normal land speed, with average maneuverability.
Dragon Apothesis
At 10th level, a Dragon Disciple takes the Dragon Creature Type, Immunity to the Energy type associated with his breath weapon and all the traits intrinsic to the Dragon Creature Type
Adaption
The Dragon Disciple class may be modified to represent worshippers of other non-mindless creatures. The Breath Weapon could be adapted to an Energy Blast and the Claw and Bite attacks may be replaced with two Slam attacks with damage dice one size larger than the Claw attacks use. The 10th level ability would replace "Dragon" with the appropriate creature type. The Knowledge and Language prerequisites should be adjusted accordingly.
--------------------------------
I probably should accredit d20srd.org (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/prestigeClasses/dragonDisciple.htm) for information on the non-modified class features. I'm not sure of the legality of copying from that page without acknowledgement and I don't want anybody getting sued--even if it would be incredibly unlikely anyway.
--------------------------------
So the differences from the base PrC are:
-A more powerful breath weapon (The average damage at class level 10 is still only 54 with a Reflex save--not at all unreasonable for a level 15 character)
-...with a recharge mechanic so it might actually see some use. (The DMG DD does too little damage to have a time/day cap)
-Full Base attack (Why wouldn't it have this? It's a Tanking class anyway.)
-Half Spellcasting advancement (The class isn't without cost to full casters, but does provide handy, but not overpowering, bonuses to Fighter-types)
-Larger Ability Boosts (The class is worth taking if a player doesn't expect to make it to level 15 and is actually worth consideration even if he does. Also it's better focused toward Sorcerers--who the PrC seems to be aimed toward--instead of Int-types)
-Mettle (If a character isn't a full caster, they might as well have a couple defenses against full spellcasters)
-Poorly-written "Adaption" section (Because for some reason, some DMs aren't comfortable with the concept of using the Dragon Disciple class to emulate a follower of Fey or Celestials. This is a contributing reason for the tweaking of the Dragon Apothesis class feature)
So would this be balanced in a setting filled with Psychic Warriors and Crusaders?
I see no reason that it wouldn't be, yet classes weaker than this are constantly published and used. Am I missing something?
--------------------------------
The Dragon Disciple
Hit Die
d12
Requirements
To qualify to become a dragon disciple, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Skills
Knowledge (arcana) 8 ranks.
Languages
Draconic.
Spellcasting
Ability to cast arcane spells without preparation.
Class Skills
The dragon disciple’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), and Spot (Wis).
Skill Points at Each Level
2 + Int modifier.
The Dragon Disciple
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Breath Weapon|Nat Arm|Special|Spells
1st|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+2|
-|
+1|Ability Boost (Con +2)|-
2nd|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+3|
4d8|
+1|Ability Boost (Str +2), Claws and Bite|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
3rd|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+3|
4d8|
+2|Ability Boost (Cha +2)|-
4th|
+4|
+4|
+1|
+4|
6d8|
+2|Ability Boost (Str +2)|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
5th|
+5|
+4|
+1|
+4|
6d8|
+3|Ability Boost (Int +2), Blindsense 30 ft.|-
6th|
+6|
+5|
+2|
+5|
8d8|
+3|Ability Boost (Con +2, Str +2)|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
7th|
+7|
+5|
+2|
+5|
8d8|
+4|Ability Boost (Cha +2), Mettle|-
8th|
+8|
+6|
+2|
+6|
10d8|
+4|Ability Boost (Str +2)|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
9th|
+9|
+6|
+3|
+6|
10d8|
+5|Ability Boost (Int +2),Wings|-
10th|
+10|
+7|
+3|
+7|
12d8|
+5|Ability Boost (Str +4), Blindsense 60 ft., Dagon Apothesis|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class[/table]
Class Features:
Natural Armor Increase (Ex)
At every odd-numbered level, a dragon disciple gains an increase to the character’s existing natural armor (if any), as indicated on Table: The Dragon Disciple (the numbers represent the total increase gained to that point). As his skin thickens, a dragon disciple takes on more and more of his progenitor’s physical aspect.
Ability Boost (Ex)
As a dragon disciple gains levels in this prestige class, his ability scores increase as noted on Table: The Dragon Disciple.
These increases stack and are gained as if through level advancement
Breath Weapon (Su)
At 2nd level, a dragon disciple must choose a dragon type as in the DMG Dragon Disciple class. He gains a breath weapon whose type and range are dependant on the type of dragon selected. At second level, the breath weapon deals 4d8 damage with a Reflex save (DC=10+Class level+Con) for half. The damage increses at each consecutive even-numbered level until reaching 12d8 at level 10.
Once a dragon disciple uses his breath weapon,it can't be used again for 1d4 rounds.
Claws and Bite (Ex)
At 2nd level, a dragon disciple gains claw and bite attacks if he does not already have them. Values are equal to those of the Dragon Disciple class in the DMG.
A dragon disciple is considered proficient with these attacks. When making a full attack, a dragon disciple uses his full base attack bonus with his bite attack but takes a -5 penalty on claw attacks.
Blindsense (Ex)
At 5th level, the dragon disciple gains blindsense with a range of 30 feet. Using nonvisual senses the dragon disciple notices things it cannot see. He usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to notice and pinpoint the location of creatures within range of his blindsense ability, provided that he has line of effect to that creature.
At 10th level, the range of this ability increases to 60 feet.
Mettle (Ex)
At 7th level, if a dragon disciple succeeds on a Fortitude or Will save against an effect that would normally produce a lesser effect on a successful save, you instead negate the effect.
A dragon disciple does not gain this benefit while unconscious.
Wings (Ex)
At 9th level, a dragon disciple grows a set of draconic wings. He may now fly at a speed equal to his normal land speed, with average maneuverability.
Dragon Apothesis
At 10th level, a Dragon Disciple takes the Dragon Creature Type, Immunity to the Energy type associated with his breath weapon and all the traits intrinsic to the Dragon Creature Type
Adaption
The Dragon Disciple class may be modified to represent worshippers of other non-mindless creatures. The Breath Weapon could be adapted to an Energy Blast and the Claw and Bite attacks may be replaced with two Slam attacks with damage dice one size larger than the Claw attacks use. The 10th level ability would replace "Dragon" with the appropriate creature type. The Knowledge and Language prerequisites should be adjusted accordingly.
--------------------------------
I probably should accredit d20srd.org (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/prestigeClasses/dragonDisciple.htm) for information on the non-modified class features. I'm not sure of the legality of copying from that page without acknowledgement and I don't want anybody getting sued--even if it would be incredibly unlikely anyway.
--------------------------------
So the differences from the base PrC are:
-A more powerful breath weapon (The average damage at class level 10 is still only 54 with a Reflex save--not at all unreasonable for a level 15 character)
-...with a recharge mechanic so it might actually see some use. (The DMG DD does too little damage to have a time/day cap)
-Full Base attack (Why wouldn't it have this? It's a Tanking class anyway.)
-Half Spellcasting advancement (The class isn't without cost to full casters, but does provide handy, but not overpowering, bonuses to Fighter-types)
-Larger Ability Boosts (The class is worth taking if a player doesn't expect to make it to level 15 and is actually worth consideration even if he does. Also it's better focused toward Sorcerers--who the PrC seems to be aimed toward--instead of Int-types)
-Mettle (If a character isn't a full caster, they might as well have a couple defenses against full spellcasters)
-Poorly-written "Adaption" section (Because for some reason, some DMs aren't comfortable with the concept of using the Dragon Disciple class to emulate a follower of Fey or Celestials. This is a contributing reason for the tweaking of the Dragon Apothesis class feature)
So would this be balanced in a setting filled with Psychic Warriors and Crusaders?
I see no reason that it wouldn't be, yet classes weaker than this are constantly published and used. Am I missing something?