Fiery Diamond
2007-12-03, 09:33 PM
So, I came up with this idea about six months ago and wrote it out. I recently went back and revised it. It was originally crafted as a PrC for Rangers, maybe Druids, but I have a player in my campaign who has a Fighter/Cleric multiclass character, and this class fits conceptually for him. So, here it is - the Owl Knight.
Owl Knight
The mounted archer who feels at one with the air, far closer to nature than those who ride on horseback, the Owl Knight swoops across battlefields, raining arrows on his foes. His affinity for his Giant Owl mount goes beyond that of master and servant; the two become lifelong friends. The Owl Knight once sought out this companion, raised him, and trained him to accompany the fighter in battle. Most Owl Knights are nature-lovers, while some are simply dedicated animal specialists. Thus, Rangers often feel most suited to become Owl Knights, as does the occasional Druid archer, but Fighters also sometimes follow this path. Owl Knights are rarely evil, as the Owls are have an innate tendency to good.
Hit die: d8
Requirements
Base Attack: +6
Skills: Ride 8 ranks, Handle Animal 8 ranks
Languages: Sylvan
Feats: Any two archery-related feats (or class abilities giving such feat benefits)
Special: Rear and train a Giant Owl
Class Skills
The Owl Knight’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis), and Survival (Wis)
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Owl Knight is proficient with all bows and with light armor.
Animal Companion: If the Owl Knight has levels in Druid or Ranger, his animal companion continues to advance as if he had gained levels in his previous class.
Spellcasting: If the Owl Knight has levels in a divine spellcasting class, he gains new spells per day as if he had gained levels in his previous class. If he has more than one divine spellcasting class, he chooses which to advance at each level.
Owl Ally: For as long as the Owl Knight maintains a positive relationship with his Owl, that Owl gains certain bonuses, as described in the following table:
{table]Owl Knight Level|Bonus d10 HD|Natural Armor Adj.|Str/Dex Adj.|Special
1-3|+0|+2|+1|Empathic link, Share spells, Hover
4-6|+2|+4|+2|Improved evasion, Improved speed
7-9|+4|+6|+3|Improved maneuverability
10|+6|+8|+4|Spell resistance 20+[/table]
Empathic Link: As in PHB page 45
Share Spells: As in PHB page 45
Hover: As in MM, page 304
Improved Evasion: As in PHB, page 45
Improved Speed: As in PHB, page 45
Improved Maneuverability: The Owl’s maneuverability changes from average to good.
Spell Resistance: The Owl gains spell resistance 20, gaining an additional point of spell resistance for each class level gained after tenth.
Aerial Archery: At every odd-numbered level, the Owl Knight chooses a bonus feat relating to archery that he has the prerequisites for. For the sake of this ability, the Ranger’s combat style can be used to fulfill prerequisites.
Skyshot: At 10th level, the Owl Knight gains the Skyshot ability once per day. While flying at least 100 feet above your target, make a bow attack at your full base attack bonus as a full round action. If the attack hits, add ½ your Owl Knight level dice (of the same kind as the bow normally uses) to the damage roll. This attack bypasses all damage reduction.
Table: The Owl Knight
{table]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special|Spells per Day
1st|+1|+0|+2|+2|Owl Ally, Animal Companion, Aerial Archery|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
2nd|+2|+0|+3|+3| |+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
3rd|+3|+1|+3|+3|Aerial Archery|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
4th|+4|+1|+4|+4| |+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
5th|+5|+1|+4|+4|Aerial Archery|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
6th|+6|+2|+5|+5| |+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
7th|+7|+2|+5|+5|Aerial Archery|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
8th|+8|+2|+6|+6| |+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
9th|+9|+3|+6|+6|Aerial Archery|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
10th|+10|+3|+7|+7|Skyshot|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class[/table]
I'm not sure at all about my capstone; actually, I think it's pretty crappy. I'd love suggestions for a better capstone.
So, I want to know what you people think about this. Please respond in one of four ways:
1. Well balanced
2. Too weak (and suggestions for improvement)
3. Too strong (and suggestions for improvement)
4. Good concept + 1, 2, or 3
-Fiery Diamond
Owl Knight
The mounted archer who feels at one with the air, far closer to nature than those who ride on horseback, the Owl Knight swoops across battlefields, raining arrows on his foes. His affinity for his Giant Owl mount goes beyond that of master and servant; the two become lifelong friends. The Owl Knight once sought out this companion, raised him, and trained him to accompany the fighter in battle. Most Owl Knights are nature-lovers, while some are simply dedicated animal specialists. Thus, Rangers often feel most suited to become Owl Knights, as does the occasional Druid archer, but Fighters also sometimes follow this path. Owl Knights are rarely evil, as the Owls are have an innate tendency to good.
Hit die: d8
Requirements
Base Attack: +6
Skills: Ride 8 ranks, Handle Animal 8 ranks
Languages: Sylvan
Feats: Any two archery-related feats (or class abilities giving such feat benefits)
Special: Rear and train a Giant Owl
Class Skills
The Owl Knight’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis), and Survival (Wis)
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Owl Knight is proficient with all bows and with light armor.
Animal Companion: If the Owl Knight has levels in Druid or Ranger, his animal companion continues to advance as if he had gained levels in his previous class.
Spellcasting: If the Owl Knight has levels in a divine spellcasting class, he gains new spells per day as if he had gained levels in his previous class. If he has more than one divine spellcasting class, he chooses which to advance at each level.
Owl Ally: For as long as the Owl Knight maintains a positive relationship with his Owl, that Owl gains certain bonuses, as described in the following table:
{table]Owl Knight Level|Bonus d10 HD|Natural Armor Adj.|Str/Dex Adj.|Special
1-3|+0|+2|+1|Empathic link, Share spells, Hover
4-6|+2|+4|+2|Improved evasion, Improved speed
7-9|+4|+6|+3|Improved maneuverability
10|+6|+8|+4|Spell resistance 20+[/table]
Empathic Link: As in PHB page 45
Share Spells: As in PHB page 45
Hover: As in MM, page 304
Improved Evasion: As in PHB, page 45
Improved Speed: As in PHB, page 45
Improved Maneuverability: The Owl’s maneuverability changes from average to good.
Spell Resistance: The Owl gains spell resistance 20, gaining an additional point of spell resistance for each class level gained after tenth.
Aerial Archery: At every odd-numbered level, the Owl Knight chooses a bonus feat relating to archery that he has the prerequisites for. For the sake of this ability, the Ranger’s combat style can be used to fulfill prerequisites.
Skyshot: At 10th level, the Owl Knight gains the Skyshot ability once per day. While flying at least 100 feet above your target, make a bow attack at your full base attack bonus as a full round action. If the attack hits, add ½ your Owl Knight level dice (of the same kind as the bow normally uses) to the damage roll. This attack bypasses all damage reduction.
Table: The Owl Knight
{table]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special|Spells per Day
1st|+1|+0|+2|+2|Owl Ally, Animal Companion, Aerial Archery|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
2nd|+2|+0|+3|+3| |+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
3rd|+3|+1|+3|+3|Aerial Archery|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
4th|+4|+1|+4|+4| |+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
5th|+5|+1|+4|+4|Aerial Archery|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
6th|+6|+2|+5|+5| |+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
7th|+7|+2|+5|+5|Aerial Archery|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
8th|+8|+2|+6|+6| |+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
9th|+9|+3|+6|+6|Aerial Archery|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class
10th|+10|+3|+7|+7|Skyshot|+1 level of current divine spellcasting class[/table]
I'm not sure at all about my capstone; actually, I think it's pretty crappy. I'd love suggestions for a better capstone.
So, I want to know what you people think about this. Please respond in one of four ways:
1. Well balanced
2. Too weak (and suggestions for improvement)
3. Too strong (and suggestions for improvement)
4. Good concept + 1, 2, or 3
-Fiery Diamond