Tier 1 For Everyone (Challenge Exploded)

[Ziegander]

Many have come, few have risen, to the challenge of elevating, for example, the Fighter to the lofty status of "Tier 1." Often the power level doesn't go high enough. Often it goes, absurdly, too high. But nearly always the versatility doesn't hit the mark. This goes into a lengthy discussion. For those TL;DR people among us, skip straight to the second post if you prefer.

First, let's discuss what it means to be Tier 1, as first put forth by JaronK:

JaronK's Thoughts

Capable of doing absolutely everything, often better than classes that specialize in that thing. Often capable of solving encounters with a single mechanical ability and little thought from the player. Has world changing powers at high levels. These guys, if played with skill, can easily break a campaign and can be very hard to challenge without extreme DM fiat or plenty of house rules, especially if Tier 3s and below are in the party.

Examples: Wizard, Cleric, Druid, Archivist, Artificer, Erudite (Spell to Power Variant).

Breaking Down the Tier Discussion
Now, let's break that down. "Capable of doing absolutely everything, often better than classes that specialize in that thing." So, in order to be considered Tier 1, the first thing you need is the versatility to contribute to all types of encounters. It is very important to note that this does not necessarily mean that you should be able to do so ALL THE TIME, nor that you should be so powerful that you are always contributing the most powerful action in every encounter. But you need to have powers that can meaningfully effect, literally, any sort of encounter from juggling peanuts, to solving riddles, to battling ghost warlocks in the Far Plane.

At this time I also feel that it is of paramount importance that I clear something up about that pesky phrase, "often better than classes that specialize in that thing." JaronK almost certainly meant better than lower Tier classes that specialize in... whatever it is that the Tier 1 is better at. For example, a Tier 1 character is often better at finding and disabling traps and/or opening locked things than a Rogue with max skill ranks, even if that Rogue takes additional feats and gets special gear to specialize. What JaronK didn't mean is that a Tier 1 character must be capable of breaking the game with every power and action it employs. When attempting to make all the classes Tier 1, this phrase, "often better than classes that specialize in that thing," is more than worthless for our purposes because it can actively encourage us to design everything about the classes as intentionally broken.

Next up, "Often capable of solving encounters with a single mechanical ability and little thought from the player," is also problematic for me, but it does set the stage for the power level that must be achieved for these classes. The word "often," used here, seems to be a bit disingenuous. While it is true that Tier 1 classes have many extremely powerful options as their disposal, it is equally true that there are many, many other options in their vast plethora that are of a more reasonable power level, in fact, there are many that are downright weak to terrible. So that must also be kept in mind.

A Tier 1 class, "Has world changing powers at high levels," which is absolutely true and another aspect of the Tier that I would argue to be essential to such a class' proper design. And another important element is player skill; "these guys, if played with skill, can easily break a campaign and can be very hard to challenge." Again, the very important things to remember is that with skill these classes can easily break a campaign and/or be very difficult to challenge. Too often Tier 1 projects like this forget the importance of player skill or optimization in the design and come up with a class with a base competence level that is something more like a brokenly powerful Tier 3 or 4 even before player skill is taken into account. That should not be the goal. The base competence level of any Tier 1 class can and should be fairly low, from Tier 4, 5, or even 6, and up to its Tier 1 potential when played correctly.

Let's Talk Design
Okay, so with that bit of discussion out of the way, let's move on. Let's talk about the actual design work that must go into a Tier 1 class. And it's a LOT of work. Concentrating on just the Core Player's Handbook, we have the Cleric, the Druid, and the Wizard as our Tier 1 classes. Each of these three classes have the versatility to contribute to any sort of encounter, and each of them, even limited only to the Core PHB, are capable of easily wrecking campaigns when played to their full potential. And yet, each of them has a unique and easily recognizable identity with its own conceptual space and design space. They do all cast spells, be they arcane or divine they essentially work the same, and they do share a small number of spells, but for the most part they have unique spell lists and class features. These are powerful classes that are fun to play. Perhaps a shade too powerful in some cases, but that is almost entirely the fault of a handful of spells and not necessarily in the spirit of the class designs.

This uniqueness of each Tier 1 is important. They each have their own niche. They each do certain things better than the others, or have more ways of doing certain things than the others, or both. In this way, it is entirely possible to have a Tier 1 Fighter or Rogue that do not cover the full scope of mundane character expression, or at least do not do so in a way that makes other forms of mundane expression obsolete or irrelevant. And that is something we must keep in mind.

In my mind, I see one easy way to tackle the design of at least three new Tier 1 classes, which is to work from the three fundamental "pillars" of D&D: Combat, Exploration, and Social Interaction. We know a Tier 1 class needs to be able to contribute to all of these pillars in often powerful ways, but using these pillars we can arrive at three classes, each of which is especially useful in situations that revolve around one of the pillars. For example, a Tier 1 Fighter can have powers like Knightly Bearing to assist him in social situations or Watchful Sentry to apply to exploration, but it is in Combat where the Tier 1 Fighter really shines. I would suggest that it's fully reasonable then to derive a Tier 1 Fighter (with a bit taken from the Paladin), a Tier 1 Rogue (with plenty of stuff taken from the Bard and Factotum) specializing in Social Interaction, and a Tier 1 Ranger (with some powers taken from the Barbarian) specializing in Exploration. If that sounds kind of crazy, well, that's because something like this, as far as I know, has never been attempted before, at least at this scale. In the next post I will draw up the basic chassis and class features for each of these three Tier 1 classes, and in the posts that follow I will begin to drum up the lists of powers that each has access to.

[Ziegander]

The Fighter



Alignment: Any
Hit Die: 1d12

{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special |

Action Points

|

Deeds

1st|+1|+2|+2|+2|Bonus Feats, Weapon Mastery|

2

|

Great

2nd|+2|+3|+3|+3||

3

|

"

3rd|+3|+3|+3|+3|Mettle|

5

|

"

4th|+4|+4|+4|+4||

6 (1d2)

|

"

5th|+5|+4|+4|+4||

8 (1d2)

|

Masterful

6th|+6/+1|+5|+5|+5||

9 (1d2)

|

"

7th|+7/+2|+5|+5|+5||

11 (1d2)

|

"

8th|+8/+3|+6|+6|+6||

12 (1d4)

|

"

9th|+9/+4|+6|+6|+6||

14 (1d4)

|

Heroic

10th|+10/+5|+7|+7|+7||

15 (1d4)

|

"

11th|+11/+6/+1|+7|+7|+7||

17 (1d4)

|

"

12th|+12/+7/+2|+8|+8|+8||

18 (1d6)

|

"

13th|+13/+8/+3|+8|+8|+8||

20 (1d6)

|

Legendary

14th|+14/+9/+4|+9|+9|+9||

21 (1d6)

|

"

15th|+15/+10/+5|+9|+9|+9||

23 (1d6)

|

"

16th|+16/+11/+6/+1|+10|+10|+10||

24 (1d8)

|

"

17th|+17/+12/+7/+2|+10|+10|+10||

26 (1d8)

|

Impossible

18th|+18/+13/+8/+3|+11|+11|+11||

27 (1d8)

|

"

19th|+19/+14/+9/+4|+11|+11|+11||

29 (1d8)

|

"

20th|+20/+15/+10/+5|+12|+12|+12||

30 (1d10)

|

"

[/table]

Class Skills (4 + Int modifier): Appraise, Balance, Climb, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (Geography, History, Nobility & Royalty, or Religion; taken separately), Listen, Profession, Ride, Spot, and Swim.

Proficiencies: A Fighter is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all armors, and with all shields (including Tower Shields).

Deeds & Action Points
A Fighter employs great deeds, not spells, to overcome his obstacles, though once he reaches high level a commoner may be hard-pressed to tell the difference. Over the course of his life, he learns many of these special techniques and as he gains Fighter levels he accrues greater and greater Deeds.

Deeds come in five grades. At first level, a Fighter is only capable of learning and using Great Deeds. At 5th level he gains access to Masterful Deeds, at 9th he may use Heroic Deeds, at 13th he may learn Legendary Deeds, and at 17th level and higher he can shock the world with Impossible Deeds.

A Fighter begins play knowing just one Deed, and learns one additional Deed every time he gains another Fighter level. In addition, he may seek out and learn new Deeds, either from other Fighters, or from songs, stories, legends, and so on. Learning a new Deed in this manner costs experience— 50 xp to learn a new Great Deed, 200 to learn a new Masterful Deed, 500 to learn a new Heroic Deed, 1000 to learn a new Legendary Deed, and 2500 to learn a new Impossible Deed. Seeking out evidence of a Deed in song and story take time— 1d2 days for a Great Deed, 1d4 days for a Masterful Deed, 1d6 days for a Heroic Deed, 1d8 days for a Legendary Deed, and 1d10 days for an Impossible Deed.

To use a Deed, a Fighter must expend Action Points (or AP for short) — one AP for a Great Deed, 3 for a Masterful Deed, 6 for a Heroic Deed, 9 for a Legendary Deed, and 12 for an Impossible Deed. Fighters begin each day with a number of Action Points as given in the table above. After eight hours of rest, a Fighter regains all expended Action Points. Starting at 4th level, a Fighter is able to recover 1d2 expended AP during the course of an adventuring day at the beginning of any combat encounter. As a Fighter gains class levels the dice of AP he may recover via the above methods increases in size as indicated in the table above.

Bonus Feats
At 1st level, a Fighter gets a bonus combat-oriented feat in addition to the feat that any 1st-level character gets and the bonus feat granted to a human character. The Fighter gains an additional bonus feat at every even Fighter level thereafter (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 20th). These bonus feats must be drawn from the feats noted as Fighter bonus feats. A Fighter must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including ability score and base attack bonus minimums.

At any time, after 1d4 hours of practice a Fighter can choose to learn a new bonus feat in place of a bonus feat he has already learned. In effect, the Fighter loses the bonus feat in exchange for the new one. The old feat cannot be one that was used as a prerequisite for another feat, prestige class, or other ability.

Weapon Mastery (Ex): If the Fighter has any feats that are normally only applied to or used with a specific weapon or weapons (such as Weapon Focus or Lightning Maces), he may apply those feats to, or use them with, any weapons that he is proficient with.

Mettle (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, whenever the Fighter would be subject to a partial effect on a successful Fortitude or Will save, he instead suffers no effect whatsoever.

The Ranger


Alignment: Any
Hit Die: 1d10

{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special |

Action Points

|

Deeds

1st|+1|+2|+2|+0|Animal Companion, Track, Wild Empathy|

2

|

Great

2nd|+2|+3|+3|+0|Camouflage, Endurance|

3

|

"

3rd|+3|+3|+3|+1|Trackless Step, Uncanny Dodge|

5

|

"

4th|+4|+4|+4|+1|Evasion|

6

|

"

5th|+5|+4|+4|+1||

8

|

Masterful

6th|+6/+1|+5|+5|+2|Improved Uncanny Dodge|

9

|

"

7th|+7/+2|+5|+5|+2||

11 (1d2)

|

"

8th|+8/+3|+6|+6|+2|Swift Tracker|

12 (1d2)

|

"

9th|+9/+4|+6|+6|+3||

14 (1d2)

|

Heroic

10th|+10/+5|+7|+7|+3|Flawless Stride|

15 (1d2)

|

"

11th|+11/+6/+1|+7|+7|+3||

17 (1d4)

|

"

12th|+12/+7/+2|+8|+8|+4|Hide in Plain Sight|

18 (1d4)

|

"

13th|+13/+8/+3|+8|+8|+4||

20 (1d4)

|

Legendary

14th|+14/+9/+4|+9|+9|+4|Improved Evasion|

21 (1d4)

|

"

15th|+15/+10/+5|+9|+9|+5||

23 (1d6)

|

"

16th|+16/+11/+6/+1|+10|+10|+5|Freerunner|

24 (1d6)

|

"

17th|+17/+12/+7/+2|+10|+10|+5||

26 (1d6)

|

Impossible

18th|+18/+13/+8/+3|+11|+11|+6|Peerless Cunning|

27 (1d6)

|

"

19th|+19/+14/+9/+4|+11|+11|+6||

29 (1d8)

|

"

20th|+20/+15/+10/+5|+12|+12|+6|Terrain Mastery|

30 (1d8)

|

"

[/table]

Class Skills (6 + Int modifier): Balance, Climb, Concentration, Craft, Escape Artist, Handle Animal, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (Arcana, Dungeoneering, Geography, History, or Nature; all taken separately), Listen, Move Silently, Ride, Search, Speak Language, Spot, Survival, Swim, Tumble, and Use Rope.

Proficiencies: A Ranger is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with light and medium armors, and with shields (but not Tower Shields).

Deeds & Action Points
A Ranger employs great deeds, not spells, to overcome her obstacles, though once she reaches high level a commoner may be hard-pressed to tell the distance. Over the course of her life, she learns many of these special techniques and as she gains Ranger levels she accrues greater and greater Deeds.

Deeds come in five grades. At first level, a Ranger is only capable of learning and using Great Deeds. At 5th level she gains access to Masterful Deeds, at 9th she may use Heroic Deeds, at 13th she may learn Legendary Deeds, and at 17th level and higher she can shock the world with Impossible Deeds.

A Ranger begins play knowing just one Deed, and learns one additional Deed every time she gains another Ranger level. In addition, she may seek out and learn new Deeds, either from other Rangers, or from songs, stories, legends, and so on. Learning a new Deed in this manner costs experience— 50 xp to learn a new Great Deed, 200 to learn a new Masterful Deed, 500 to learn a new Heroic Deed, 1000 to learn a new Legendary Deed, and 2500 to learn a new Impossible Deed. Seeking out evidence of a Deed in song and story take time— 1d2 days for a Great Deed, 1d4 days for a Masterful Deed, 1d6 days for a Heroic Deed, 1d8 days for a Legendary Deed, and 1d10 days for an Impossible Deed.

To use a Deed, a Ranger must expend Action Points (or AP for short) — one AP for a Great Deed, 3 for a Masterful Deed, 6 for a Heroic Deed, 9 for a Legendary Deed, and 12 for an Impossible Deed. Rangers begin each day with a number of Action Points as given in the table above. After eight hours of rest, a Ranger regains all expended Action Points. Starting at 7th level, a Ranger is able to recover 1d2 expended AP during the course of an adventuring day at the beginning of any encounter involving a natural disaster or hazard (such as lava or a tornado) or whenever the party discovers a new, plot-relevant location (as determined by the DM). As a Ranger gains class levels the dice of AP she may recover via the above methods increases in size as indicated in the table above.

Animal Companion (Ex): A Ranger may begin play with an animal companion selected from the following list: badger, camel, dire rat, dog, riding dog, eagle, hawk, horse (light or heavy), owl, pony, snake (Small or Medium viper), or wolf. If the campaign takes place wholly or partly in an aquatic environment, the following creatures are also available: porpoise, Medium shark, and squid. This animal is a loyal companion that accompanies the druid on her adventures as appropriate for its kind.

A 1st-level Ranger’s companion is completely typical for its kind except as noted here. As a Ranger advances in level, the animal’s power increases as shown on the table. If a Ranger releases her companion from service, she may gain a new one by performing a ceremony requiring 24 uninterrupted hours of prayer. This ceremony can also replace an animal companion that has perished.

A Ranger of 4th level or higher may select from alternative lists of animals. Should she select an animal companion from one of these alternative lists, the creature gains abilities as if the character’s Ranger level were lower than it actually is. Subtract the value indicated in the appropriate list header from the character’s Ranger level and compare the result with the Ranger level entry on the table to determine the animal companion’s powers. (If this adjustment would reduce the Ranger’s effective level to 0 or lower, she can’t have that animal as a companion.)

Track: A Ranger begins play with the Track feat as a bonus feat.

Wild Empathy (Ex): A Ranger can improve the attitude of an animal. This ability functions just like a Diplomacy check made to improve the attitude of a person. The Ranger rolls 1d20 and adds her Ranger level and her Charisma modifier to determine the wild empathy check result.

The typical domestic animal has a starting attitude of indifferent, while wild animals are usually unfriendly.

To use wild empathy, the Ranger and the animal must be able to study each other, which means that they must be within 30 feet of one another under normal conditions. Generally, influencing an animal in this way takes 1 minute but, as with influencing people, it might take more or less time.

A Ranger can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but she takes a -4 penalty on the check.

Camouflage (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a Ranger can use the Hide skill in any sort of natural terrain, even if the terrain doesn’t grant cover or concealment.

Endurance: At 2nd level, the Ranger gains the Endurance feat as a bonus feat.

Trackless Step (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, a Ranger leaves no trail in natural surroundings and cannot be tracked. She may choose to leave a trail if so desired.

Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, a Ranger can react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She retains her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if she is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, she still loses her Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.

If the Ranger already has Uncanny Dodge from a different class she automatically gains Improved Uncanny Dodge instead.

Evasion (Ex): At 4th level and higher, a Ranger can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. The Ranger does not gain the benefit of evasion, if she is helpless, wearing heavy armor, or carrying a heavy load.

Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A Ranger of 6th level or higher can no longer be flanked, except by creatures with at least four more HD than she has.

This defense can deny Rogues and other creatures the ability to sneak attack the Ranger by flanking her.

If a character already has Uncanny Dodge from a second class, the character automatically gains Improved Uncanny Dodge instead, and the levels from the classes that grant Uncanny Dodge stack to determine the minimum HD required to flank the character.

Swift Tracker (Ex): Beginning at 8th level, a Ranger can move at her normal speed while following tracks without taking the normal -5 penalty, and she takes only a -10 penalty (instead of the normal -20) when moving at up to twice normal speed while tracking.

Flawless Stride (Ex): Starting at 10th level, a Ranger can move through any sort of terrain that slows movement (such as undergrowth, rubble, and similar terrain) at her normal speed and without taking damage or suffering any other impairment.

This ability does not let her move more quickly through terrain that requires a Climb or Swim check to navigate, nor can she move more quickly through terrain or undergrowth that has been magically manipulated to impede motion.

A Ranger loses this benefit when wearing heavy armor or when carrying a heavy load.

Hide in Plain Sight (Ex): While in any sort of natural terrain, a Ranger of 12th level or higher can use the Hide skill even while being observed.

Improved Evasion (Ex): Beginning at 14th level, while the Ranger still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks henceforth she takes only half damage even on a failed save. A helpless Ranger does not gain the benefit of Improved Evasion.

Freerunner (Ex): At 16th level and higher, a Ranger can slip out of bonds, grapples, and even the effects of confining spells easily. This ability duplicates the effect of a Freedom of Movement spell, except that it is always active. A Ranger loses this benefit when wearing heavy armor or when carrying a heavy load.

Peerless Cunning (Ex): Starting at 18th level, a Ranger is never caught flat-footed and cannot be surprised and, thus, always gets an action during a surprise round.

Terrain Mastery (Ex): At 20th level, a Ranger is able to use terrain to such great effect that as long as she is in any sort of natural terrain, whenever she makes an attack roll, a strength or dexterity based ability check, a strength or dexterity based skill check, or a Reflex saving throw, she rolls twice and takes the better result.

The Rogue


Alignment: Any
Hit Die: 1d8

{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special |

Action Points

|

Deeds

1st|+0|+0|+2|+2|Sneak Attack, Trapfinding|

2

|

Great

2nd|+1|+0|+3|+3|Information Broker, Spellcasting Dilettante (0-level)|

3

|

"

3rd|+2|+1|+3|+3|Confident Swagger|

5

|

"

4th|+3|+1|+4|+4|Guile|

6

|

"

5th|+3|+1|+4|+4|Spellcasting Dilettante (1st)|

8

|

Masterful

6th|+4|+2|+5|+5|Trap Sense (20ft)|

9

|

"

7th|+5|+2|+5|+5||

11 (1d2)

|

"

8th|+6/+1|+2|+6|+6|Spellcasting Dilettante (2nd)|

12 (1d2)

|

"

9th|+6/+1|+3|+6|+6||

14 (1d2)

|

Heroic

10th|+7/+2|+3|+7|+7|Reproachful Mien|

15 (1d2)

|

"

11th|+8/+3|+3|+7|+7|Spellcasting Dilettante (3rd)|

17 (1d4)

|

"

12th|+9/+4|+4|+8|+8|Slippery Mind|

18 (1d4)

|

"

13th|+9/+4|+4|+8|+8||

20 (1d4)

|

Legendary

14th|+10/+5|+4|+9|+9|Spellcasting Dilettante (4th)|

21 (1d4)

|

"

15th|+11/+6/+1|+5|+9|+9||

23 (1d6)

|

"

16th|+12/+7/+2|+5|+10|+10|Social Graces|

24 (1d6)

|

"

17th|+12/+7/+2|+5|+10|+10|Spellcasting Dilettante (5th)|

26 (1d6)

|

Impossible

18th|+13/+8/+3|+6|+11|+11|Trap Sense (30ft)|

27 (1d6)

|

"

19th|+14/+9/+4|+6|+11|+11||

29 (1d8)

|

"

20th|+15/+10/+5|+6|+12|+12|Spellcasting Dilettante (6th)|

30 (1d8)

|

"

[/table]

Class Skills (8 + Int modifier): All skills are considered class skills for a Rogue.

Proficiencies: A Rogue is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the hand crossbow, longbow, longsword, rapier, sap, short sword, shortbow, and whip. Rogues are proficient with light armor but not with shields.

Deeds & Action Points
A Rogue employs great deeds, not spells, to overcome his obstacles, though once he reaches high level a commoner may be hard-pressed to tell the difference. Over the course of his life, he learns many of these special techniques and as he gains Rogue levels he accrues greater and greater Deeds.

Deeds come in five grades. At first level, a Rogue is only capable of learning and using Great Deeds. At 5th level he gains access to Masterful Deeds, at 9th he may use Heroic Deeds, at 13th he may learn Legendary Deeds, and at 17th level and higher he can shock the world with Impossible Deeds.

A Rogue begins play knowing just one Deed, and learns one additional Deed every time he gains another Rogue level. In addition, he may seek out and learn new Deeds, either from other Rogues, or from songs, stories, legends, and so on. Learning a new Deed in this manner costs experience— 50 xp to learn a new Great Deed, 200 to learn a new Masterful Deed, 500 to learn a new Heroic Deed, 1000 to learn a new Legendary Deed, and 2500 to learn a new Impossible Deed. Seeking out evidence of a Deed in song and story take time— 1d2 days for a Great Deed, 1d4 days for a Masterful Deed, 1d6 days for a Heroic Deed, 1d8 days for a Legendary Deed, and 1d10 days for an Impossible Deed.

To use a Deed, a Rogue must expend Action Points (or AP for short) — one AP for a Great Deed, 3 for a Masterful Deed, 6 for a Heroic Deed, 9 for a Legendary Deed, and 12 for an Impossible Deed. Rogues begin each day with a number of Action Points as given in the table above. After eight hours of rest, a Rogue regains all expended Action Points. Starting at 7th level, a Rogue is able to recover 1d2 expended AP during the course of an adventuring day anytime at the beginning of any social encounter. As a Rogue gains class levels the dice of AP she may recover via the above methods increases in size as indicated in the table above.

Social Interaction Ability
Choose one of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma. Your chosen ability score is your Rogue's Social Interaction Ability and defines how he interacts with the world at large.

Sneak Attack (Ex): If a Rogue can catch an opponent when it is unable to defend itself effectively from his attack, he can strike a vital spot for extra damage.

The Rogue deals 1d6 extra damage any time his target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the Rogue flanks his target. This extra damage increases by 1d6 every two class levels thereafter. Should the Rogue score a critical hit with a Sneak Attack, this extra damage is not multiplied.

Ranged attacks can count as Sneak Attacks only if the target is within the first range increment of the Rogue's weapon.

With a sap (blackjack) or an unarmed strike, a Rogue can make a Sneak Attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. He cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a Sneak Attack, not even with the usual -4 penalty.

A Rogue can only Sneak Attack living creatures with discernible anatomies—undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures lack vital areas to attack. Any creature that is immune to critical hits is also immune to Sneak Attacks.

In order to successfully Sneak Attack his target, a Rogue must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A Rogue cannot Sneak Attack while striking a creature with concealment or striking the limbs of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach.

Trapfinding (Ex): Rogues (and only rogues) can use the Search skill to locate traps when the task has a Difficulty Class higher than 20. He is entitled to make a Search check when passing within 10ft of any trap as if he were actively looking for it, and gains a +2 bonus to AC and to saving throws against the attacks of any trap.

Finding a nonmagical trap has a DC of at least 20, or higher if it is well hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it.

Rogues (and only rogues) can use the Disable Device skill to disarm magic traps. A magic trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it.

A Rogue who beats a trap’s DC by 10 or more with a Disable Device check can study a trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with his party) without disarming it.

Information Broker (Ex): A 2nd-level Rogue may make a special check with a bonus equal to his class level + his Social Interaction Ability modifier to see whether he knows some relevant information about local notable people, legendary items, or noteworthy places. (If the Rogue has 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (history), he gains a +2 bonus on this check.)

A successful check will not reveal the powers of a magic item but may give a hint as to its general function. A Rogue may not take 10 or take 20 on this check; this sort of knowledge is essentially random.

{table=head]DC|Type of Knowledge

10|Common, known by at least a substantial minority of the local population.

20|Uncommon but available, possibly legend, known by only a few people.

25|Obscure, known by few, hard to come by.

30|Extremely obscure, known by very few, possibly forgotten by most who once knew it, possibly known only by those who don’t understand the significance of the knowledge.
[/table]

Spellcasting Dilettante (Sp): Starting at 2nd level, a Rogue may replicate the effects of spells through study and unusual resources. Once per day, after 8 hours of rest, the Rogue may spend 1 hour gathering resources and studying tomes and scrolls in order to prepare a number of spell-like abilities up to one per two class levels. These spell-like abilities are drawn from the Cleric, Druid, and/or Wizard spell lists. Later in the day, he may cast any of these spell-like abilities as a standard action by expending a number of action points equal to the spell's level + 1

At 2nd level, a Rogue may only prepare 0-level spells, cantrips and orisons, in this manner, but as he gains levels he may use this feature to prepare spell-like abilities of higher level as shown in the table above.

Confident Swagger (Ex): A 3rd-level Rogue adds his Social Interaction Ability modifier to all Strength and Dexterity-based skill and ability checks he makes.

Guile (Ex): Starting at 4th level, whenever the Rogue would be subject to half damage on a successful Reflex save or a partial effect on a successful Will save, he instead suffers no effect whatsoever.

Trap Sense (Ex): Starting at 6th level, a Rogue is entitled to make a Search check when passing within 20ft of any trap as if he were actively looking for it and gains a +4 bonus to AC and saving throws against the attacks of traps. At 18th level, the distance increases to 30ft and the bonus to AC and saving throws increases to +6.

Reproachful Mien (Ex): A 10th-level Rogue adds his Social Interaction Ability modifier to his AC against attacks made by intelligent creatures.

Slippery Mind (Ex): Starting at 12th level, even when a Rogue fails a Will save against a Mind-Afflicting effect that effect ends at the end of his next turn.

Social Graces (Ex): A 16th level Rogue adds his Social Interaction Ability modifier to all saving throws.

[Ziegander]

The Deeds

(Much, much more to come...)

Active & Passive Deeds
When a character uses an Active Deed, he or she expends action points as normal; however a Passive Deed works somewhat differently. Passive Deeds seldom require an action to use (though some do). When a character chooses to use a Passive Deed, he or she continues to benefit from that Deed's effects until it is dismissed. He or she expends the required action points to begin a Passive Deed's effects and until the Deed is dismissed his or her maximum AP value is reduced by the Deed's cost, prohibiting the recovery of AP beyond the new, reduced total. A character can reduce his or her maximum AP to 0 in this manner if he or she wishes, but not lower.

Deeds & Saving Throw DCs
The saving throw of a Deed is determined as 10 + 1/2 class level + relevant ability score modifier. The relevant ability score modifier can vary based on the exact Deed used as follows:

• Strength modifier for any Deed involving a melee attack or opposed Strength check.
• Constitution modifier for any Deed involving a Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity based skill check, or when specifically noted.
• Dexterity modifier for any Deed involving a ranged attack or opposed Dexterity check. You may also use your Dexterity modifier when using a Deed involving a melee attack if you possess the Weapon Finesse feat, or a similar ability.
• Intelligence modifier for any Deed involving an Intelligence based skill check, or for any Deed that doesn't involve any of the above if Intelligence is your highest ability score among Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
• Wisdom modifier for any Deed involving a Wisdom based skill check, or for any Deed that doesn't involve any of the above if Wisdom is your highest ability score among Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
• Charisma modifier for any Deed involving a Charisma based skill check, or for any Deed that doesn't involve any of the above if Charisma is your highest ability score among Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
• If a Deed involves more than one of the above, you may choose which of the appropriate ability score modifiers to use to determine the Deed's save DC.

Great Deeds
Combat
Animalistic Rage^Rgr: Fly into a rage.
Baffling Defense^Rog: Use Sense Motive in place of AC.
Bloodletting Strike^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Deal minor Con damage.
Bounding Assault^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Move and attack.
Clever Positioning^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Swap places with enemy.
Counterattack^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Attack a foe who attacks you.
Counter Charge^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Ruin enemy's charge attack.
Daunting Strike^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Cause struck foe to be Shaken.
Death from Above^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Leap onto foe for extra damage.
Defensive Rebuke^Ftr: Punish foe for attacking an ally.
Dirt Nap^{Ftr, Rgr}: Knock foe unconscious.
Disarming Strike^{Ftr, Rog}: Attack and disarm at once.
Douse the Flames^Ftr: Struck foe cannot act out of turn.
Feigned Opening^{Ftr, Rog}: Let your guard down. Or do you?
Fencer's Gamble^{Ftr, Rog}: Take a risk for extra damage.
Glittering Flourish^{Ftr, Rog}: Dazzle nearby foes.
Hamstring^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Deal Dex damage, slow foe.
Hold the Line^Ftr: Attack foes that get too close.
Iron Guard's Glare^Ftr: Discourage enemies from attacking your allies.
Karmic Strike^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Bonus to hit for you and for foes.
Leading the Charge^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Bonus to damage for you and allies while charging.
Lightning Recovery^Ftr: Reroll attack with bonus.
Martial Spirit^Ftr: Regain hit points on successful attacks.
Mighty Throw^{Ftr, Rgr}: Toss your opponent.
Minotaur Charge^{Ftr, Rgr}: Your attack pushes foe back.
Plunderer's Piety^Rog: Channel positive energy.
Punishing Stance^{Ftr, Rgr}: Sacrifice defense for killing power.
Quick Distraction^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Foe thinks it is flanked.
Shield Block^{Ftr, Rgr}: Use shield to protect ally.
Steel Wind^Rgr: Attack two enemies at range.
Stone Vise^{Ftr, Rgr}: Attack and grab opponent.
Sweeping Strike^Ftr: Attack two enemies in melee.
Tactical Strike^Ftr: Grant free 5ft steps with successful attack.
Tiring Strike^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Fatigue a struck foe.
Vanguard Strike^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Allies gain attack bonus against struck foe.
Victorious Blow^Ftr: Heal with successful attack.
Wall of Blades^Ftr: Use attack roll in place of AC.
Weakening Strike^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}: Successful attack inflicts Str penalty.
Weapon Expertise^{Ftr, Rgr}: Gain proficiency, bonuses, with touched weapon.
Wolf Fang Strike^{Ftr, Rgr}: Attack with two weapons.

, Quickness of Mind^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Roaring Avalanche^{Ftr, Rgr}, Weapon Tempering^{Ftr, Rgr}, Battle Lore^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Dust Up^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Acrobatic Charge^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Stand Tough^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Goad^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Grave Strike^Rog, Vine Strike^Rog, Arrow Mind^{Ftr, Rgr}, Golem Strike^Rog,

MASTERFUL DEEDS -
Backbreaker^{Ftr, Rgr}: Paralyze a human foe with brutal strike.
Blindstrike^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}:
Rapid Relocation^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}:

Foehammer^{Ftr, Rgr}, Find the Gap^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Insightful Strike^Rog, Exorcism of Steel^Ftr, Devastating Throw^{Ftr, Rgr}, Dungeoncrasher^{Ftr, Rgr}, Eviscerate^Rgr, Lion's Roar^{Ftr, Rgr}, Soaring Charge^{Ftr, Rgr}, Zealot's Blow^Ftr, Tanglesteel^Ftr, Improved Fencer's Gamble^{Ftr, Rog}, Whirlwind Assault^{Ftr, Rgr}, Shieldbreaking Strike^Ftr, Touch of Death^Rog, Fountain of Blood^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, White Raven Strike^Ftr, Disrupting Blow^{Ftr, Rog}, Full Counter^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Iron Focus^Ftr, Stupefying Strike^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Dancing Mongoose^{Rgr, Rog}, Pouncing Charge^{Rgr, Rog}, Flanking Maneuver^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Improved Victorious Blow^Ftr, Scorpion Parry^{Ftr, Rgr}, Wolf Climbs the Mountain^Rgr, Order from Chaos^Ftr, War Leader's Charge^Ftr, Shield Counter^{Ftr, Rgr}, Fool's Strike^Rog, Enervating Strike^Rog, Finishing Move^{Ftr, Rgr}, Mirrored Pursuit^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Greater Rage^Rgr, Greater Frenzy^Rgr, Bladetrap^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Sheltering Shield^{Ftr, Rgr}, Air Slash^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Improved Backbreaker^{Ftr, Rgr}, Witchhammer^{Ftr, Rgr}, Absolute Steel Stance^Ftr, Combat Superiority^Ftr, Staredown^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Defensive Roll^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Savage Grapple^Rgr, Deadly Strike^Rog, Throat Strike^Rog,

HEROIC DEEDS - Ingenious Tactics^Ftr, Hero's Charge^Ftr, Iron Heart Surge^Ftr, Ballista Throw^{Ftr, Rgr}, Rallying Strike^Ftr, Greater Insightful Strike^Rog, Moment of Alacrity^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Steely Endurance^{Ftr, Rgr}, Avalanche of Blades^{Ftr, Rgr}, Quicksilver Motion^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Hydra-Slaying Strike^{Ftr, Rgr}, Death in the Dark^Rog, Colossus Strike^{Ftr, Rgr}, Swooping Dragon Strike^{Rgr, Rog}, Clarion Call^{Ftr, Rgr}, Greater Zealot's Blow^Ftr, Diamond Defense^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Greater Fencer's Gamble^{Ftr, Rog}, Hurricane Slash^{Ftr, Rgr}, Lightning Throw^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Girallon's Wrath^Rgr, Tombstone Strike^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Mighty Rage^Rgr, Fleet Frenzy^Rgr, Meteoric Charge^{Ftr, Rgr}, Lightning Charge^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Ghost Strike^Rog,

LEGENDARY DEEDS - Godsblessed Blow^Ftr, Time Stands Still^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Strike of Perfect Clarity^Ftr, Tornado Throw^{Ftr, Rgr}, Earthshaking Blow^{Ftr, Rgr}, Full Moon Slash^{Ftr, Rgr}, Void Parry^Ftr, Indomitable Indignation^Ftr,

IMPOSSIBLE DEEDS -

Exploration Deeds
GREAT DEEDS - Step of the Wind^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Dune's Blessing^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Inner Warmth^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Child of Shadow^{Rgr, Rog}, Hunter's Sense^Rgr, Sudden Leap^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Trap Scouter^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Great Leap^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Speed Climb^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Spellgrace^Rog, Mark Creature^Rgr, Mark Location^Rgr, Speedy Stealth^{Rgr, Rog}, Steady Stance^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Adjust the Eyes^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Danger Sense^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Hunch^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Kip Up^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Slow Fall^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Quick Search^{Rgr, Rog}, Quick Diversion^{Rgr, Rog}, Brachiation^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Quick Swimming^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Reconnoiter^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Iron Silence^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Easy Trail^Rgr, Bloodhound^Rgr, Diversion^{Rgr, Rog},

MASTERFUL DEEDS - Dance of the Spider^{Rgr, Rog}, Roots of the Mountain^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Reading the Earth^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Ready and Waiting^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Hawksight^Rgr, Gazelle's Pace^{Rgr, Rog}, Improvisation^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog},

HEROIC DEEDS - Hearing the Air^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Follow Through^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Leap of the Heavens^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Greenshroud^Rgr,

LEGENDARY DEEDS - Step of the Dancing Moth^{Rgr, Rog}, Blazing Speed^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, After-Image Illusion^Rog, Ghost Sight^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Shadowform^{Rgr, Rog},

IMPOSSIBLE DEEDS - Balance on the Sky^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Foresight^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Hindsight^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog},

Social Interaction Deeds
GREAT DEEDS - Great Enlistment^{Ftr, Rog}, Analyze Equipment^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Action Before Thought^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Mind Over Body^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Moment of Perfect Mind^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Threatening Demand^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Steal Spell^Rog, Cover Identity^Rog,

MASTERFUL DEEDS - Masterful Enlistment^{Ftr, Rog}, Forge Lore^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Know Thy Enemy^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Quick Crafting^{Ftr, Rgr, Rog}, Discover Spells^Rog,

HEROIC DEEDS - Heroic Enlistment^{Ftr, Rog},

LEGENDARY DEEDS - Legendary Enlistment^{Ftr, Rog},

IMPOSSIBLE DEEDS - Impossible Enlistment^{Ftr, Rog},

[Ziegander]

Name
DEED ()
Cost:
Classes:
Action:
:
:
:

Analyze Equipment
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: 10 minutes
Target: One weapon, armor, or shield item
This Deed works like the Identify spell except that it works much faster but only on weapons, armors, and shields. Unlike the spell, this Deed does not require any material component.

Animalistic Rage
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Ranger only
Action: Swift
Target: Self
Duration: 3 + Con modifier rounds
Choose any two between Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. You gain a +4 bonus to each ability score as well as the following additional benefits and for the duration:

• Strength and Dexterity - You may make an additional attack each round during a full-attack action at your highest attack bonus. If you make an extra attack in this way, all of your attacks for the round suffer a -2 penalty to hit.
• Strength and Constitution - You gain a +2 bonus to Will saves and DR 1/--, but suffer a -2 penalty to AC. The DR you gain from this Deed improves by 1 every five class levels (max DR 5/--).
• Dexterity and Constitution - You gain a +10ft bonus to all speeds and ignore difficult terrain. Foes treat any squares you move through, and all squares you threaten at the end of your turn, as difficult terrain for 1 round.

For the duration of this Deed, you cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except for Balance, Escape Artist, Intimidate, and Ride), the Concentration skill, or any abilities that require patience or concentration, nor can you cast spells or activate magic items that require a command word, a spell trigger (such as a wand), or spell completion (such as a scroll) to function. You can use any feat you have except Combat Expertise, item creation feats, and metamagic feats.

You may prematurely dismiss this Deed at any time. After the Deed is dismissed or has expired, you lose the rage modifiers and restrictions and become Fatigued for the duration of the current encounter.

You may only use this Deed once per encounter.

Backbreaker
MASTERFUL DEED (Active)
Cost: 3 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger
Action: Standard
Target: One humanoid creature
Effect: Melee attack
Duration: 1 round/level (see text)
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
If your melee attack against the target is successful, you deal 4d6 extra damage and the target must succeed at a Fortitude save or become Paralyzed. This condition lasts for 1 round per level, or until the creature has regained hit points equal to the damage dealt by your attack, or until it has received the benefit of a successful DC 17 Heal check.

Baffling Defense
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Rogue
Action: Immediate
Target: Self
You cannot use this Deed if you are flat-footed. Against a single attack, in place of your AC, make a Sense Motive check. You must use the result of this check even if it would be worse than your normal AC.

Blindstrike
MASTERFUL DEED (Active)
Cost: 3 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Duration: See text
Saving Throw: Reflex negates
If your weapon attack against the target is successful, that creature must succeed on a Reflex saving throw or be Blinded. This condition lasts for 24 hours, until the creature has regained hit points equal to the damage dealt by your attack, or until it has received the benefit of a successful DC 15 Heal check.

Bloodletting Strike
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
If your weapon attack against the target is successful the attack deals 2 Constitution damage as well as normal weapon damage (Fort negates).

Bounding Assault
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Move up to your speed and make a weapon attack against the target. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity from your target, but it may from other creatures whose threatened areas you move through.

Clever Positioning
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Melee attack
Saving Throw: Reflex partial
If your melee attack against the target is successful you, or an ally that is adjacent to the target, may swap spaces with the target. If the target fails a Reflex saving throw it fails prone in its new space.

Counterattack
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Immediate
Use this Deed to make an attack of opportunity against a creature that is attacking you. Resolve your attack simultaneously with your opponent's.

Counter Charge
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Immediate
Target: Self
You gain a +4 bonus to AC against a single charge attack. If the attack misses, your attacker bounds past you 10ft in the direction of your choice.

Daunting Strike
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Duration: 1 minute
Saving Throw: Will negates
If your weapon attack against the target is successful, that creature must succeed on a Will saving throw or be Shaken for the duration.

Death from Above
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Full-round
Target: One creature
Effect: Charge attack
To use this Deed you must make a charge attack against the target by jumping from a height at least 10ft above that creature. For every 10ft higher you jump from you gain an additional +1 bonus to your attack roll and suffer an additional -1 to your AC for 1 round. If your charge attack against the target is successful you deal 1d6 extra damage per 10ft fallen (max 10d6, no more than 2d6/level) and take only half the normal fall damage (which can be mitigated further by Jump and/or Tumble checks). If your attack fails you take all normal fall damage.

Defensive Rebuke
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter only
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Will negates
If your weapon attack against the target is successful and the target attacked or cast a harmful spell on one of your allies last round, then the attack deals 1d6 extra damage, and the target must make a Will saving throw. If that save fails, then the target cannot attack that ally for 1 round per level.

Dirt Nap
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger
Action: Swift
Target: One tripped creature
Duration: 5 rounds
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
Use this Deed on any creature you threaten that was just tripped or knocked prone. That creature must succeed on a Fortitude save or fall unconscious as if effected by the Sleep spell. This Deed has no effect on creatures with more than 4 HD.

Disarming Strike
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
If your weapon attack against the target is successful you may make a free Disarm attempt against that creature. You get a +4 bonus to your attempt, and if you fail the target may not try to disarm you in response. You may use a ranged attack with this Deed, but you forgo the +4 bonus and the target must be within your weapon's first range increment.

Douse the Flames
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter only
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
Duration: 1 round
If your weapon attack against the target is successful, that creature must make a Fortitude saving throw. If this save fails, the target is effectively Dazed for 1 round but only during other creature's turns, unable to act or make attacks of opportunity. If the save is successful, then the target is still unable to make attacks of opportunity for the duration.

Feigned Opening
GREAT DEED (Passive)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Rogue
Action: Swift
Target: Self
Duration: Dismissal
For the duration of this Deed you are flat-footed. The first time a creature attacks you that creature provokes an attack of opportunity from you. Against your attack, if you take it, that creature is flat-footed, and if your attack hits, the creature's attack fails. However, if your attack fails and the enemy's attack succeeds, the Deed automatically ends.

Fencer's Gamble
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Melee attack
Roll your melee attack against the target twice. If only one attack roll beats the target's AC you hit and deal damage normally. If both attack rolls beat the target's AC you deal 1d6 extra damage. But if neither attack rolls beat the target's AC you suffer a -2 penalty to AC until the start of your next turn.

Forge Lore
MASTERFUL DEED (Passive)
Cost: 3 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: None
Duration: Dismissal
For the duration of this Deed you maintain the benefits of the Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat and can produce alchemical or magical items and equipment as a spellcaster with an Effective Caster Level equal to your ranks in any relevant Craft skill (examples given below). This allows you to create items without needing to cast any of the required spells, though you must still take item creation feats to craft items other than weapons or armor.

Examples:

Spoiler

Show

Craft (Armorsmithing) - Covers armors and shields as well as bracers, gauntlets, greaves, helmets, and other similar items.

Craft (Haberdashery) - Covers all cloth and leather articles of clothing such as boots, cloaks, gloves, pants, and shirts, as well as other related or similar items.

Craft (Metalwork) - Covers metal jewelry such as amulets, bracelets, or rings, and other simple metal tools and goods like spades or manacles and bells or chimes.

Craft (Weaponsmithing) - Covers all weapons, including arrows and bolts, and other related or similar items.

Glittering Flourish
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Rogue
Action: Swift
Area: 30ft burst (see text)
Duration: 1 minute
Saving Throw: Reflex (see text)
You may use this Deed after making a melee attack (successful or not) or after executing a harmless flourish with a melee weapon (standard action). Creatures in the area, centered on you, must succeed on a Reflex save to avoid being Dazzled for 1 minute. If you made a melee attack, and if that attack was a confirmed critical hit, then the victim of your attack automatically fails its saving throw.

Great Enlistment
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Rogue
Action: Standard
Duration: 1d4 hours
This Deed allows you to call on any 1st-level NPC class to serve you faithfully for 1d4 hours. In order to use this Deed you must be within a settlement of at least 100 people. Once you use it roll 1d6 and choose an NPC class. The DM has the right to state that the settlement does not have any NPCs of that class, especially in smaller settlements and for more unusual NPC classes. After 1d6×5 minutes the NPC appears, ready to work, and equipped with gear appropriate to its level. It has whatever feats and skills you choose (that it could normally qualify for or are normally on its skill list) and the following ability scores distributed as you see fit: 17, 16, 14, 13, 10, 8.

The NPC will serve faithfully, but not to the death. It will leave your service before the duration is up if it is Frightened or Panicked, if it drops below 50% of its maximum hp, or if you are knocked unconscious or killed.

Hamstring
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Duration: See text
Saving Throw: Reflex negates
If your weapon attack against the target is successful, that creature must succeed on a Reflex saving throw or suffer 1d4 Dexterity damage and have its speed reduced by 10ft. This speed reduction lasts for 24 hours, until the creature has recovered from the Dexterity damage, or until it has received the benefit of a successful DC 15 Heal check.

Hold the Line
MASTERFUL DEED (Active)
Cost: 3 AP
Classes: Fighter
Action: Immediate
Use this Deed to make an attack of opportunity against a creature that enters one of your threatened squares. If that creature was charge attacking you, you gain a +2 bonus to your attack roll, and if the attack of opportunity is successful you deal double damage.

Iron Guard's Glare
GREAT DEED (Passive)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter only
Action: None
Target: Self
For the duration of this Deed any enemy able to see you or hear you suffer a -4 penalty to attack rolls against allies within your speed.

Karmic Strike
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Make your weapon attack with a +4 bonus to hit against the target. Until the start of your next turn, all attacks made against you have a +4 bonus to hit.

Leading the Charge
GREAT DEED (Passive)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Swift
Area: 30ft burst
Range: Personal
Duration: Dismissal
For the duration of this Deed, you and each ally within 30ft deal +1 damage per character level (max +10) on charge attacks.

Lightning Recovery
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter
Action: Immediate
Target: Self
Reroll a missed attack roll with a +4 bonus.

Martial Spirit
GREAT DEED (Passive)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter
Action: None
Target: Self
Duration: Dismissal
For the duration of this Deed whenever you successfully hit an enemy creature with a weapon attack, if that enemy is one that you would gain XP from for defeating, you regain 2 hit points +2 per five class levels.

Mighty Throw
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Make a melee touch attack against your target. If you hit, then you and the target make an opposed check, each choosing either Strength or Dexterity for the contest. If you succeed, you hurl the target up to 10ft away from you in any direction. You choose where the target lands. The target and any other creatures or objects in the space suffer 1d6 damage.

A creature you throw with this Deed does not provoke attacks of opportunity for passing through threatened squares, but you can throw the target through occupied squares (even those occupied by its enemies).

Minotaur Charge
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger
Action: Full-round
Target: One creature
Effect: Charge attack
If your charge attack against the target is successful it deals 1d6 extra damage and you gain a free Bull Rush attempt against the target. You gain a +4 bonus to your roll. If successful you push the target 5ft back and you move into the space it previous occupied.

Plunderer's Piety
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Rogue only
Action: Standard
Area or Target: 30ft burst or One creature (see text)
Range: Personal or Touch
Presenting the holy symbol of a deity no more than one alignment step away from your own, you channel positive energy either to Turn Undead as a good-aligned Cleric would (only in a smaller area) or to heal the wounds of an ally. When you use this Deed to heal, you restore 1d6 hit points per level (max 5d6) to a touched ally whose alignment is no more than one step away from the deity whose holy symbol you are presenting.

This Deed may only be used once per day per deity whose holy symbol you present. The more holy symbols you can collect of deities that are compatible with your alignment, the more times you can use this Deed each day.

Punishing Stance
GREAT DEED (Passive)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger
Action: Swift
Target: Self
Duration: Dismissal
For the duration of this Deed you deal 1d6 extra damage but suffer a -2 penalty to AC.

Quick Distraction
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Swift
Target: One creature
Range: 30ft
Duration: 1 round
The target of this Deed temporarily believes itself to be in more danger than it really is, causing it to be considered flanked for 1 round even when only threatened by one creature.

Rapid Relocation
MASTERFUL DEED (Active)
Cost: 3 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Immediate
After an attack misses you or you succeed on a Reflex save to avoid damage you may use this Deed to move up to your speed as an immediate action.

Soaring Charge
MASTERFUL DEED (Active)
Cost: 3 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger
Action: Full-round
Target: One creature
Effect: Charge attack
For the purposes of movement during the charge attack you make when using this Deed you have a Fly speed with perfect maneuverability equal to double your land speed. If your charge attack against the target is successful you deal 1d6 extra damage for every 10ft you traveled before completing the charge (max 10d6). If you end your turn in mid-air, then at the start of your next turn you start to fall (or you can grab onto the target of your charge if possible).

Stone Vise
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Melee attack
If your melee attack against the target is successful you may automatically grab your opponent as if to start a grapple. This does not provoke an attack of opportunity from the target. If you choose to grab your target, make an opposed grapple check to hold the target with a +4 bonus. If this hold is successful you deal the target 1d6 lethal damage or your unarmed strike damage (whichever is higher) and you are now grappling the target.

Strike of Perfect Clarity
LEGENDARY DEED (Active)
Cost: 9 AP
Classes: Fighter only
Action: Standard (See text)
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
For this Deed and attack you do not need line of effect; however, you must at minimum be aware of a creature occupying the space into which you attack. To use this Deed with a ranged attack your target must be within your weapon's first range increment.

Your weapon attack against the target automatically hits regardless of cover or magical protection. Roll an attack roll anyway to see if it is a critical hit. The target is instantly destroyed/slain unless it succeeds on a Fortitude saving throw.

You may use Strike of Perfect Clarity in place of a normal attack whenever you make an attack of opportunity.

Shield Block
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger
Action: Immediate
Target: One ally within reach
The target adds your shield bonus + 4 to its AC against a single attack, even if that ally already carries a shield.

Steel Wind
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Ranger only
Action: Standard
Target: Up to two creatures
Effect: Ranged attack
Your ranged attack targets up to two creatures that are adjacent to each other. Roll separately for each creature.

Sweeping Strike
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter only
Action: Standard
Target: Up to two creatures
Effect: Melee attack
Your melee attack targets up to two creatures that are adjacent to each other. Roll separately for each creature.

Tactical Strike
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter only
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
If your weapon attack against the target is successful it deals 1d6 extra damage, and all allies able to see the target may take an immediate 5ft step.

Threatening Demand
GREAT DEED (Active) [Compulsion, Fear, Language-Dependent]
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Full-round action
Target: One or two creatures (see text)
Range: 30ft (see text)
Effect: Weapon attack (see text)
Saving Throw: Will partial (see text)
One way or another you communicate to your victim that either they do what you ask, "or else." The target must either be a creature you threaten or an ally of a creature you threaten that is within 30ft of you. The target is subject to a Command effect as the spell, and the threat is that you will hurt the target or the ally of that target if they do not comply. If the target's Will save is successful you may make a single melee attack against whichever creature you threaten if you wish.

The saving throw for this Deed is Charisma-based.

Tiring Strike
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
If your weapon attack against the target is successful, the target becomes Fatigued.

Vanguard Strike
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Standard or Full-round (see text)
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Duration: 1 round
If your weapon attack against the target is successful, allies that can see the target gain a +4 bonus to their own attack rolls against the target for 1 round. If you choose, you may use this Deed as a full-round action and make a charge attack against the target with a melee weapon as long as there is at least a 10ft straight line between you and the target.

Victorious Blow
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter only
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Duration: See text
If your weapon attack against the target is successful you, or an ally that can see you, gain 1d6 + 1/level temporary hit points (max 1d6+5) which last either until the end of the combat encounter or until the target is defeated or killed, whichever comes first.

If the target is defeated or killed and you (or the recipient ally) had any temporary hit points remaining, after you lose those temporary hit points you regain a number of actual hit points equal to the number of temporary hit points you lost.

In order to use this Deed, the target must be a creature that you would gain XP from for defeating.

Wall of Blades
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter only
Action: Immediate
Target: Self
You must wield a melee weapon with which you are proficient to use this Deed or else carry no weapon but possess the Improved Unarmed Strike feat. You cannot use this Deed if you are flat-footed. Make a melee attack roll. Against a single attack, if the result of your attack roll is higher than your AC, substitute your attack roll in place of your AC. Otherwise use your AC as normal.

Weakening Strike
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Action: Standard
Target: One creature
Effect: Weapon attack
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
If your weapon attack against the target is successful, the target suffers a penalty to its Strength score equal to 1d6 + 1/level (maximum 1d6+5) unless it succeeds on a Fortitude saving throw. This penalty cannot reduce the target's Strength below 1 and does not stack with other Strength penalties inflicted on the target.

Weapon Expertise
GREAT DEED (Passive)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger
Action: Swift
Target: Weapon touched
Duration: Dismissal
For the duration of this Deed you gain proficiency with the touched weapon and a +1 competence bonus to attack and damage rolls made when attacking with it.

Wolf Fang Strike
GREAT DEED (Active)
Cost: 1 AP
Classes: Fighter, Ranger
Action: Standard
Target: Up to two creatures
Effect: Melee attack
You must fight with two weapons to use this Deed. You may make one or both of these attacks as an unarmed strike if you wish as long as you carry nothing in a hand used to make such an attack. Make an attack with both of your weapons, reducing the penalty for fighting with two weapons by 2 for each attack. Your attacks may be made either against two different creatures within your reach or against the same creature, as you choose.

[bekeleven]

I feel it would be prudent to point out that while you are technically correct that there is high variability in tier 1 playability, and that they can have a very wide gulf in effectiveness based on build, that's largely because there is so much raw material available to tier 1s - mainly, spells. If attempting to create a class that's equally complicated to play - in other words, not just a similar optimization ceiling, but also a similar floor - you'll need to produce material on the same order of magnitude.

[unbeliever536]

For the social specialist, I think we should lean more towards the beguiler than the bard. We want Odysseus, not Homer.

Let's call that variation of the class the Trickster. It should have awesome ability to blend in to a crowd and stand out when needed, a solid but not unmatched stealth capability, with some mobility options; after all, combat is the largest pillar: the Trickster and the ...Explorer? no, that doesn't work...that other one will have some overlap. They can be more thoroughly differentiated by environmental and thematic differences (the Trickster is the urban expert, the other is the wilderness guru; wilderness gets a bunch of good Knowledges, etc).

The Trickster should to be able to steal both physical and metaphysical objects.

It should have abilities that help it manipulate its enemies into leaving the party alone, rather than focus on damage.

It will likely struggle against foes that are immune to mind-affecting effects, so it needs some effective way to deal with that. This might key off of being able to outsmart such a creature; maybe give the class some kind of Trick the Untrickable ability that would let it use its mind-affecting abilities (or a version of them) on such creatures in a limitted fashion.

I also don't think there is really going to be a standard chassis; saves, hit dice, and BAB are going to be an excellent way to differentiate these classes. Consider the other tier 1s: we have two d8 HDs with medium BAB and good fort and will saves. The wizard has a d4 HD, poor BAB, and a good will save.

In fact, I think we could do great differentiating the tier 1 mundanes by their saves:
-The explorer is tough and agile, but not particularly strong minded: good fort and ref, poor will.
-The warrior is tough and determined, but not especially nimble: good fort and will, poor ref.
-The trickster is supple and unruly, but frail: good ref and will, poor fort.

[Ziegander]

I feel it would be prudent to point out that while you are technically correct that there is high variability in tier 1 playability, and that they can have a very wide gulf in effectiveness based on build, that's largely because there is so much raw material available to tier 1s - mainly, spells. If attempting to create a class that's equally complicated to play - in other words, not just a similar optimization ceiling, but also a similar floor - you'll need to produce material on the same order of magnitude.

Absolutely, and much of the work has been done for us, when considering "up-tiering" the existing classes. But, yeah, it's going to be a massive, ridiculous amount of design work.

For the social specialist, I think we should lean more towards the beguiler than the bard. We want Odysseus, not Homer.

Let's call that variation of the class the Trickster.

You're right, Bard doesn't evoke the right meaning. I had thought it originally meant a man capable of a wide variety of skills, but it's basically always just meant poet or singer. So, rather than Beguiler or Trickster, I might as well stick with the name Rogue.

I also don't think there is really going to be a standard chassis; saves, hit dice, and BAB are going to be an excellent way to differentiate these classes. Consider the other tier 1s: we have two d8 HDs with medium BAB and good fort and will saves. The wizard has a d4 HD, poor BAB, and a good will save.

Oh, no worries, I don't mean to have one standard chassis between the three classes, not at all. I just don't want to try and come up with a plural form of chassis to use for that section (no matter what I think of, it sounds and looks silly).

[bekeleven]

You're right, Bard doesn't evoke the right meaning. I had thought it originally meant a man capable of a wide variety of skills, but it's basically always just meant poet or singer. So, rather than Beguiler or Trickster, I might as well stick with the name Rogue.

How about the Renaissance Man?

[Morph Bark]

One thing that also needs to be taken into account is the ability to switch from doing one thing very well to doing another thing very well at least on a daily basis (and possibly even faster).

[Ziegander]

One thing that also needs to be taken into account is the ability to switch from doing one thing very well to doing another thing very well at least on a daily basis (and possibly even faster).

Good point. One that I did not address in the above essay, but still one that I planned to account for in the design. I'll be sure to amend the essay.

[Ziegander]

Why not just call him a polymath?

Actually, BECMI had four paths to achieving immortality, which might be used as inspiration for tier 1 class concepts. The names were:

{table=head]Path | Sphere | Favoured Class | Element
Dynast | Time | Cleric | Water
Epic hero | Thought | Rogue | Air
Paragon | Energy | Wizard | Fire
Polymath | Matter | Fighter | Earth
[/table]

While I don't want to use the word Polymath for a class name, this is pretty interesting. I like the way it ties themes like Thought and Matter as well as elements to each of the classes. I might use this as inspiration.

To all: I've got the class chassis up for the Fighter, Ranger, and Rogue! The basic rules, extrapolated from Grod's work, for the Deed system have been laid down and now the bulk of the design work, the Deeds themselves, needs to be drawn up. I'll be looking to you all for feedback and suggestions!

[zlefin]

Looks plausible, though I have the same quibbles about interpretation of the tier system as always (the causation direction of definitions)
But trying to replicate a system that's proven to be unbalanced seems rather unnecessary. Making characters with a huge optimization height (difference between floor and ceiling) is what creates the problem in the first place; since it causes hard to control variance in actual play, as any balance point will leave a lot of room.

Making tier 1 mundanes seems more for fun than practicality; as tier 3 has better gameplay overall. If I make a tier 1 mundane, they're going to be more on the just plain powerful side :)

Good luck on your plan though.

[Ziegander]

But trying to replicate a system that's proven to be unbalanced seems rather unnecessary. [...] Making tier 1 mundanes seems more for fun than practicality; as tier 3 has better gameplay overall.

It's basically just an entertaining thought experiment.

Good luck on your plan though.

Thanks! I am hitting a hard writer's block at these Deeds. I can't think of anything...

[zlefin]

well, for deeds, how about just browsing through some myths and legends? that should provide some prospects at least.

[bekeleven]

Since most of the raw power appears to be coming from Deeds, this looks like it will be Tier 2. They're closer to Sorc spells than to Wizard or Cleric spells.

[toapat]

Since most of the raw power appears to be coming from Deeds, this looks like it will be Tier 2. They're closer to Sorc spells than to Wizard or Cleric spells.

actually, it will become T1 eventually with enough deeds added to the system, sorcerers are T2 because it is difficult to, within their limited spellpool, attain prefect flexibility

[Ziegander]

Since most of the raw power appears to be coming from Deeds, this looks like it will be Tier 2. They're closer to Sorc spells than to Wizard or Cleric spells.

The biggest differences being that each of these three classes has no cap on the number of Deeds they can learn, and they can also recover AP throughout the day for more longevity. I would hope that these mechanics are enough to push them to Tier 1, but if not, then we'll adjust later. Watching Lord of the Rings for inspiration!

For the Fighter: What we're looking for, when it comes to Deeds, is anything we can imagine a warrior feasibly doing in combat, exploration, and social interaction.

[Reality Glitch]

Are you eventually going to make a tier 1 Factotum?

[Ziegander]

Are you eventually going to make a tier 1 Factotum?

No, but only because the Tier 1 Rogue is going to be the same basic thing.

[Reality Glitch]

How so? It still seems very rouge-y to me and not "Missing a wizard? Ican do that! Missing a Rouge? I can do that! Missing a Psychic Warrior? I can do that!" etc., etc.

[Ziegander]

How so? It still seems very rouge-y to me and not "Missing a wizard? Ican do that! Missing a Rouge? I can do that! Missing a Psychic Warrior? I can do that!" etc., etc.

Well, I guess in its current state it might look like that, but it does have a fair number of abilities that are basically stolen directly from the Factotum already, and when I get around to designing the Deeds I can steal even more.

I almost threw Spellcasting Dilettante in there, but it felt a little wrong. Maybe I'll put it back in? What do others think of this? I could replace Danger Sense, seeing how it is pretty terrible, mechanically and thematically.

[Milo v3]

I think the regaining action points abilities should be their own abilities, rather than a small bit at the end of the deeds sections. It'd fill out the table more, remind people that they actually get something at that level aside from the deed system, and I would likely look abit better.

Also, did they have to be action points. It seems like theres already at least fifteen sub-systems with that name throughout d20 systems

[awa]

I had an idea for something similar you may want to consider to give them a look as ideas for deeds.

note these were unfinished ideas

spy network the pc attracts a spy network in most cities which would allow him to make knowledge checks with a big bonus and have a wealth pool he could use to acquire specialty gear. At higher level it would allow the pc to make a check of some kind to detect people plotting against him.

How predictable the pc may leave a readied action undeclared

body double if the pc was killed it turns out it was just one of his agents in disguise the "real" pc may then enter play.

just the tool for the job the pc has a wealth pool of undefined items. at any time the pc may draw an item deducting its value from the wealth pool. You may reset your wealth pool any time you enter a city. items lost or consumed from the wealth pool reduce its total value until you spend gold coins equal to the lost items value.

playing dead when the pc is killed he actually faked it and suffered minimum possible result he may now reenter play

[Quellian-dyrae]

I'm a little unsure on those recovery methods. A little wording to ensure the skill-based ones are on relevant checks would probably be good. The ranger survival one seems kinda...awkward as well (is walking through a burning bush for 1d6 damage "surviving an elemental hazard"?) The fighter crit one isn't quite as "bend the RAW to my benefit" exploitable, but can be overpowered in an entirely other way - TWF, high crit weapons, improved critical, go to town. Likewise, dropping an ECL - 4 or higher opponent seems like the sort of thing you would do...probably easily enough that you can have a good shot at recovering more AP than you'd spend. The rogue bypass one I think is reasonable, although I kinda feel it should make an allowance for stealth.

My thought would be more like:

Fighter - Recover upon succeeding an encounter through direct combat. During a combat encounter (but no more than once per round), recover upon rolling a natural 20 on an attack roll.

Ranger - Recover by surviving an encounter where your life was endangered. During a life-threatening encounter (but no more than once per round), recover upon rolling a natural 20 on a saving throw.

Rogue - Recover by succeeding or bypassing an encounter without recourse to violence. During a non-violent encounter (but no more than once per round), recover upon rolling a natural 20 on a skill check.

I'm also curious why you went with base damage die for Sneak Attack? That actively discourages archetypal rogue weapons like daggers.

[ben-zayb]

Would this, however, imply that a rogue no longer covers the archetype of the pure-athlete guy or the masterthief (who may or may not have social skills?) From this three classes, it would seem the athlete is more at home with either the Fighter or the Ranger class, while the masterthief is... I don't know. Rogues seem to be restricted in that they're always social animals, while some perceive rogues as more of skill-monkeys, plain and simple (which may include being socially competent)

I could also see three sub-archetypes (for each) that might give some ideas/foci in designing deeds. This division basically highlights three further distinctions/"flavors" that may be applied whether the deed is physical, mental, or social: finesse, power, and resistance (yeah, it's inspired by NWoD)

Spoiler

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Fighter

• Daredevil
• Warrior/Tactician/Berserker
• Defender/Knight-Paladin

Ranger

• Hunter/Detective
• Barbarian
• Survivalist

Rogue

• Chessmaster
• Cutthroat
• Diplomat

[toapat]

anything

Samurai Jack post training, where in he could jump several hundred feet in the air with a gentle push

hey, it can even let us deal with flight

[Ziegander]

I'm a little unsure on those recovery methods.

Indeed, as am I.

A little wording to ensure the skill-based ones are on relevant checks would probably be good.

Any suggestions for how to fix it? I agree, it needs to only be awarded for relevant checks, but I don't know how to encode that in the rules. The relevance of such a check depends so much on what is going on at the table as part of the plot, influenced by what the players are choosing to do and how the GM responds...

The ranger survival one seems kinda...awkward as well (is walking through a burning bush for 1d6 damage "surviving an elemental hazard"?)

Well, no, but I guess environmental hazards aren't as clearly defined by the rules as I was remembering. It is meant to only be stuff like cave-ins, avalanches, tornadoes, or even total immersion in acid/lava, or whirlpools. It would include magically altered or created weather/hazards.

The fighter crit one isn't quite as "bend the RAW to my benefit" exploitable, but can be overpowered in an entirely other way - TWF, high crit weapons, improved critical, go to town. Likewise, dropping an ECL - 4 or higher opponent seems like the sort of thing you would do...probably easily enough that you can have a good shot at recovering more AP than you'd spend.

Well, keeping in mind that it is by design that the Fighter has the "easiest" recovery methods (because I plan to have his exploration and social interaction options curtailed compared to the other two) I agree that they are a bit too easy perhaps. Of course, the Deed costs and the AP recovery amounts can be tweaked a little. The crit one should definitely be removed, though, you're right. Too exploitable.

The rogue bypass one I think is reasonable, although I kinda feel it should make an allowance for stealth.

It should, you're right, I'll amend the wording.

My thought would be more like:

Fighter - Recover upon succeeding an encounter through direct combat. During a combat encounter (but no more than once per round), recover upon rolling a natural 20 on an attack roll.

Ranger - Recover by surviving an encounter where your life was endangered. During a life-threatening encounter (but no more than once per round), recover upon rolling a natural 20 on a saving throw.

Rogue - Recover by succeeding or bypassing an encounter without recourse to violence. During a non-violent encounter (but no more than once per round), recover upon rolling a natural 20 on a skill check.

I will look into these. They are a bit vague, but still they have some merit over mine.

I'm also curious why you went with base damage die for Sneak Attack? That actively discourages archetypal rogue weapons like daggers.

Just a spur of the moment decision. Didn't put much thought into it. It was more experimental. I'll just go back to the simple d6s.

Would this, however, imply that a rogue no longer covers the archetype of the pure-athlete guy or the masterthief (who may or may not have social skills?) From this three classes, it would seem the athlete is more at home with either the Fighter or the Ranger class, while the masterthief is... I don't know. Rogues seem to be restricted in that they're always social animals, while some perceive rogues as more of skill-monkeys, plain and simple (which may include being socially competent).

Certainly not. Swagger ensures that the Rogue's base athletic skills are quite high, and he's a Tier 1 class. Now, he may not be exactly the athlete that the Ranger is, depending on Deed selection anyway, but he's absolutely no slouch in that department. While he is focused on social interaction he certainly isn't restricted in any meaningful way from pursuing a more athletic course.

I could also see three sub-archetypes (for each) that might give some ideas/foci in designing deeds. This division basically highlights three further distinctions/"flavors" that may be applied whether the deed is physical, mental, or social: finesse, power, and resistance (yeah, it's inspired by NWoD)

Spoiler

Show

Fighter

• Daredevil
• Warrior/Tactician/Berserker
• Defender/Knight-Paladin

Ranger

• Hunter/Detective
• Barbarian
• Survivalist

Rogue

• Chessmaster
• Cutthroat
• Diplomat

Certainly. Thanks, that does help some.

Samurai Jack post training, where in he could jump several hundred feet in the air with a gentle push

hey, it can even let us deal with flight

Yeah, I like it. Probably coming online somewhere around Heroic/Legendary.

[qwertyu63]

Here are some rules text for jumping flight, use it as you see fit:

Spoiler

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Jump Speed: As a move action you may jump up to your jump speed in any direction. As a double move action you may jump up to 2x your jump speed. The PC may also take the run action while jumping which is base speed x4 (x5 with run feat). Unlike most jumping, this does not require a running start. You may choose to jump less then the full distance allowed to you, if you wish.

You can make these jumps off of any surface (walls, floors, ceilings, trees, other creatures up there, etc). As a full round action, you may jump up to your jump speed in any direction without any support at all, but you take 1d6 points of non-lethal damage for doing this.

Furthermore, if you are in freefall, you may choose to fall half the speed you would fall. Making this choice is a free action, and lasts until you hit the ground or jump again. This slowdown, in addition to slowing your fall to control your location, cuts any falling damage you would take from that fall in half.

[Ziegander]

Here are some rules text for jumping flight, use it as you see fit:

Spoiler

Show

Jump Speed: As a move action you may jump up to your jump speed in any direction. As a double move action you may jump up to 2x your jump speed. The PC may also take the run action while jumping which is base speed x4 (x5 with run feat). Unlike most jumping, this does not require a running start. You may choose to jump less then the full distance allowed to you, if you wish.

You can make these jumps off of any surface (walls, floors, ceilings, trees, other creatures up there, etc). As a full round action, you may jump up to your jump speed in any direction without any support at all, but you take 1d6 points of non-lethal damage for doing this.

Furthermore, if you are in freefall, you may choose to fall half the speed you would fall. Making this choice is a free action, and lasts until you hit the ground or jump again. This slowdown, in addition to slowing your fall to control your location, cuts any falling damage you would take from that fall in half.

Jump speed. What an intriguing and useful idea. Thanks!

EDIT: So, I've got some idea of what Legendary Combat Deeds would look like, but what does an Impossible Combat Deed look like? For perspective, I'm imagining Strike of Perfect Clarity as a Legendary Deed.

[unbeliever536]

That looks more like an Impossibe deed to me (as do several others on the Legendary combat list, which sound like 9th level spells being approximately replicated). In any event, murder anyone at any range with the ability to recover the option seems a little crazy at any level.