Post/Author/DateTime	Post
thomasberg 06-05-07, 05:56 AM	I'm making custom classes for a non-magical world. I've managed to get most of these balanced, including martial and roguish classes. But I have an academic class that has a lot of skill points, but only one good save (will), poor attack bonus, poor hit die, poor attack bonus, poor weapon and armor selection and poor defense (d20 modern type defense bonus). I can't logically justify any increase in those areas, but I can give him special abilities, if I can think of any that are approriate for the academic lass. Any ideas how to balance such a class? Any ideas for special abilities, aside from bonus feats?
ServanWolf 06-05-07, 06:04 AM	look on the sciences and technologies...give him features then enables him to creat things *like bombs, machines,...* or features like chirugy or hypnotism and so on *even songs can be good feature..base on frequentie :p*
thomasberg 06-05-07, 06:25 AM	Yes, those are all good ideas. Although I already have a "techie" class that is more of a builder and tinker. The Academic would be the equivalent of a history professor, a scientist, a medical doctor or an archelogist in our modern era. Anything that will help increase his survivability in more practical way? Insight bonuses due to high intelligence maybe?
ServanWolf 06-05-07, 06:49 AM	mhmmh his knowledge in history and the aalways coming back of it....give him an insight bonus to AC and attack cause he knows what will come. His knowledge give him a big knowledge of each creature also and so he knowns the weak points of it. give him lots of more languages. Give him maybe also some healing feature...kind of chirugian also..so he can heal anyone more easely
flaiquiri 06-08-07, 05:09 PM	You could do some kind of sage who aids in others' training/advancement, or execution a la bard. Maybe they can gain some measure of control over people in exchange. Maybe they can do lore checks or research checks (q.v. Eberron or Black Company [Green Ronin]) to get boni against people or at certain tasks. You could also make up nonmagical items (i.e. difference engine, astrological equipment, whatever) that only they can make.
Drachasor 06-08-07, 05:22 PM	Is this guy worse than the Expert as you wrote him up? Sounds like you are designing an NPC class, rather than a semi-india-jones-type academic/explorer/adventurer. I mean, right now it sounds like you have a class that can't fight with weapons, and the only way to fight in this world is with weapons. This guy is just going to be nearly useless in all combats as written. In fact, he'll be a hindrance, since he can't defend himself worth crap either. Maybe you should take a look at the d20 Modern classes on the SRD. IMHO, the class should at least have a 3/4 BAB and d6 hit die. They're better than a commoner, aren't they? -Drachasor