Classy Unicorns

[ChudoJogurt]

I am writing up a tribe of sentient unicorns. Some. Of them have character classess.

And obviously 4 racial hit die dont give them any favors here, mechanically speaking, but what character classess could make unicorns more... Interesting I suppose in 3-5 levels or so?

Something that would be both synergetic with their racial HD, compatible with them not having hands to hold weapons or use a lot of skills.
I'm a bit of a loss what cool thing can be done?

So far I have a Mystic Ranger, a (somewhat higher level) Druid, and a warlock with Horrendous Blow to be Channeled through the horn. Anything else?

[Glimbur]

Totemist! Bind the Unicorn meld to your Totem Chakra for double horn! Or get some claws or whatever.

[pabelfly]

You can try Psionics for casting that doesn't require hands. The psionic Unicorn could be a Psychic Warrior, which could be good for a gish flavoured psionic Unicorn. It has few psionic abilities but they're all well-focused for boosting combat ability.

There's also Truenaming for casting without hands, but that has the considerable downside of being Truenaming.

[ChudoJogurt]

I would generally allow unicorns to make somatic components.
There is a precedent with the celestial charger in the book.

[Jacoblveld]

Healer would mesh well with their spell like abilities already. 8 class levels would ironically get them a unicorn animal companion

[ShurikVch]

Celestial Charger (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/unicorn.htm) is Cleric 7
Light of the Morning Star (https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Light_of_the_Morning_Star) - Ranger 6

[Maat Mons]

Why did you specify "sentient unicorns?" All unicorns are sentient. Standard members of the race have Int 10. They're smarter than orcs.

Houyhnhnms (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houyhnhnm) and ponies (https://mlpforums.com/topic/138895-how-do-ponies-hold-things/) seem quite adept at manipulating objects despite the lack of hands.

[ChudoJogurt]

Well, I meant in a sense of having human-like intellect and civilisation.
Not all magical beasts, event those with Int score would necessarily have that - some can be smart, but not necessarily human-smart, if that makes sense

[Kitsuneymg]

Ponyfinder ( https://www.drivethrurpg.com/m/product/125583) is a bit uneven, but it’s races are about where assimar and tiefling are in Pathfinder. For 3.5, you may want to tweak the stat mods.

The base races are on the SRD ( https://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/3rd-party-races/silver-games/ponykind/)

[Dimers]

Swordsage. Have 'em tumbling, tactical-teleporting, shooting fire and climbing any surface by level 5.

[Thurbane]

I'm going to second Swordsage.

Oddly, Battle Dancer might also fit.

[vasilidor]

Spheres of magic.

have them all take the advanced magical training to add 1/2 their HD into their caster level.

or convert them into pure sphere casters, trading all spell like abilities for related sphere talents.

[liquidformat]

Assuming we are just talking 3.5 here swordsage, warblade, and crusader are all great choices for the more militant unicorns. I think focusing in on PRCs is probably worth while, you are already behind on spells so jumping into prcs that give you casting seems like a good choice. Here are some interesting ones of varying power:
Unicorn Crusader 3/Divine Crusader X
Unicorn Monk1/cloistered cleric 1/Apostle of Peace X
Unicorn Lion Spirit Totem Barbarian 1/Holy Liberator X
Unicorn Unarmed Swordsage 2/Fist of the Forest 3
Unicorn Lion Spirit Totem Wolf Totem Barbarian 2/Champion of Gwynharwyf
Unicorn Unarmed Swordsage 2/Pious Templar or Unicorn Monk 2/Pious Templar
Unicorn cloistered cleric 2/Knight of the Weave

[DigoDragon]

Bard unicorn, with shoes to go 'clip-clop' dancing and making music! How can that be anything but inspiring? :3