Improving the Adept NPC class into a PC class

[Goblite]

I'm playing the above mentioned class in a 3.5 game and my DM approved some improvements to the class to make it on par with other PC classes. Basically I get a familiar at level 1, poor BAB, d6 hit die, the adept spell list and spells per day as a non-specialist wizard. Obviously there will eventually be some real homebrewing to be done when I hit level 11 and gain access to 6th level spells of which there are none on the adept spell list. My DM and I will have to improvise a very primal feeling spell list in line with the archetypes set forth by the 1st through 5th level spells.

So far I am going to include many incarnations of animal's stats, cure wounds, resurrection, lightning, fire, curses, diseases, light/darkness. I also have access to the expanded spell list detailed in masters of the wild. I would like to hear suggestions on what spells should make it into this improvised spell list.
Adept spell list



I'm also interested in hearing what builds you might like to play out of this base class.
I'll be a goblin with a worg pup familiar (cat stats but gives +3 to ride checks) and taking the following feats
1-Bonded Familiar
3-Ocular Spell
6-Improved Familiar: Worg
8-Prestige into Hexer (masters of the wild)
9-Ability Focus: Gaze
I took a custom flaw in exchange for Light Armor and Shield Proficiency
Traumatized: Automatically shaken when threatened in melee by foes at least one size category larger.
(it fit with his backstory and it kinda evens out with increased AC and not taking armor check penalties to attack.)

[Jormengand]

Is there not already such a thing as a PC version of the Adept, and is it not commonly known as the Cleric?

It seems that you'd be better off modding the Cleric than the Adept.

[Goblite]

Not really, adepts are to both wizards, clerics, and druids what the warrior is to fighters, paladins, and barbarians or the expert is to rogues and bards. If I started with cleric i'd have to weigh the power of the adept spell list against turning, domains, saves, proficiencies, and whatnot.. much easier to just give the adept faster progress through spell levels.

[Zireael]

Adepts are not clerics miniature. They have multiple arcane spells the clerics don't have. I think there's some druid and bard spells in the list, too.

[Goblite]

Correctamundo, and such is why I wanted to play one. It doesn't seem like there is much interest in what spells might make good additions to the adept list at 6th and beyond. :C

[the_david]

Adepts get one domain in Eberron.

[Zaydos]

I'd suggest Control Weather style spells being added for a "primal" feel.

Going into more detail I keep wanting Control Weather but it is a little out of line since they don't get Control Water or Control Winds. Shapechange is a good 9th level spell (Polymorph/Baleful Poly being on their list), healing spells and resurrection magic is also a natural. I'd suggest Meteor Storm as another high level spell, as well as Chain Lightning.

[johnbragg]

I guess I'd have to start with why you want a PC adept. That will tell us whether to raid the druid or arcane or cleric or bard list for high-level spells.

EDIT: what I mean is, you could easily have a goblin druid or a goblin sorceror. So what do you want to do that you couldn't with a druid or sorceror?

[toapat]

I guess I'd have to start with why you want a PC adept. That will tell us whether to raid the druid or arcane or cleric or bard list for high-level spells.

EDIT: what I mean is, you could easily have a goblin druid or a goblin sorceror. So what do you want to do that you couldn't with a druid or sorceror?

The Adept has access to spells in a way similar a sorcerer from the cleric, druid, and wizard lists, which no single other class can actually pull off other then an unbound "The Spellcaster" under generic classes.

[johnbragg]

The Adept has access to spells in a way similar a sorcerer from the cleric, druid, and wizard lists, which no single other class can actually pull off other then an unbound "The Spellcaster" under generic classes.

Not sure what you mean. The adept is a prepared caster. As for the mixed spell list, yes. That's what makes it hard to give advice.

Does OP want a nature-caster? Blaster wizard? Healbot/buffbot? Without knowing that, I don't know what sorts of spells to recommend.

[Draz74]

Seems to me like the spell list of the "Witch" (variant Sorcerer in the DMG) would be a good place to start; it has kind of a similar "primal" feeling. Needs fire & lightning added though.

[Goblite]

Been busy away from D&D for a few months, but now that the game is back up again i am looking forward to higher levels :D

I chose adept because the theme best fits the character and his background. Druids have a deep reverence for nature and almost worship it but a goblin character, if having a connection to nature, would see it as a tool rather than an ideal to be devoted to. A sorceror has a natural magical talent that manifests and sometimes it's a sign of draconic heritage or something, but this character is supposed to be more of a shaman/witchdoctor kinda guy- needs healing spells to fill that role and sorcerors lack those.

I've gotten a lot of flavor down for the guy already and some alternate perspectives to upset the other players with. I plan to use animate dead at some point to "resurrect" someone- when they are all like "wtf a zombie!?" i'll explain that the spirit world takes a great toll on those who visit and many will never be the same again. I will then proceed to treat the zombie as if it were the original creature. I might throw some necromancies in there but i wouldn't want to be making morghs or wraiths or anything.

Chain lightning is definitely in, thanks for the weather ideas- they are pretty primal.

I'm also looking to prestige into hexer and i already flavor any enchantment spells like sleep or command as if they were voodoo-gaze attacks as i describe the casting. Following that line, any nifty enchantments or necromancies that could be seen as curses or voodoo might be good additions to the later spell list.