Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Levism84 06-04-04, 03:03 AM	Hey, i wanted to check with others and make sure this class is balanced. I am running a game where the main fighting force of an entire continent is sort of like the army reserves. It is a take off of fighter, but with more skill point options. Reserve Soldier- Core Class Reserve soldiers are the main military force for the Island Continent of Sanctuary. Their presence is a reassurance to the people that order and freedom are ever present, and that any foe that dares to challenge Sanctuary has a force to be reckoned with. Akin to fighters, reserve soldiers specialize in a chosen weapon that allows them to maintain their freedom while at the same time keeping them in unified ranks and maximizing their offensive potential with a selected weapon. However, unlike true soldiers, the reserve soldiers of Sanctuary aren’t combat minded 24/7. In addition to their soldiering duties many reserve soldiers pursue other occupations, often serving a variety of jobs in a town in addition to their combative duties. In this respect they may be somewhat weaker than normal fighters because they lack the grueling regiment to be at constant readiness, but they also tend to be more educated. This also allows for there to be something to take up their time when there are days, weeks, or even months between battles. Hit Die: d8 Class Skills The Reserve soldier's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (each taken individually), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis), and Swim (Str). Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) x 4. Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier. BAB: Good (As fighter) SAVES: Good/Poor/Good Lv. Special 1 Prof. (Chosen Weapon), Weapon Focus (Chosen Weapon) 2 Bonus Feat 3 4 Bonus Feat, Weapon Spec. (Chosen Weapon) 5 6 Bonus Feat 7 8 Bonus Feat, Greater Weapon Focus (Chosen Weapon), 9 10 Bonus Feat 11 12 Bonus Feat, Greater Weapon Spec. (Chosen Weapon) 13 14 Bonus Feat 15 16 Bonus Feat 17 18 Bonus Feat 19 20 Bonus Feat Class Features All of the following are class features of the reserve soldier. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Reserve soldiers are proficient with all simple weapons and with light and medium armor, but not with shields. Prof. (Chosen Weapon): In addition to being familiar with all simple weapons, a reserve soldier may choose any single martial or exotic weapon to be proficient with. This is considered their chosen weapon. At first level, in addition to gaining proficiency with their chosen weapon (if they didn’t already have proficiency in it) a reserve soldier also gains the weapon focus feat for their chosen weapon. At forth level a reserve soldier gains the weapon specialization feat with their chosen weapon, at eighth level a reserve soldier gains the greater weapon focus feat with their chosen weapon, and at twelfth level a reserve soldier gains the greater weapon specialization feat with their chosen weapon. Bonus Feat: At second level and every other level after that, a soldier gains a combat oriented feat. This feat can be any feat a fighter could take for their bonus feats. A soldier can take any combat oriented feat so long as they meet all the prerequisites for the feat. I just want to see if this seems balanced enough to use for a large majority of the NPC soldiers on an island campaign i am running. Let me know. Thanks.
BlaineTog 06-04-04, 03:05 AM	It looks balanced (mabye even a bit underpowered) but is, without a doubt in my mind, a Prestige Class. Perhaps a 15-level PrC, but a PrC nonetheless.
Failut 06-04-04, 03:10 AM	I would just use the warrior NPC class from the DMG with some minor changes (AKA favored weapon per group) if you are going to use it for large numbers of NPCs. This leaves you the room for making the officers for that army standard fighters (and thus to show the better training that they receive). It does look balanced for the most part.. But almost looks like a week PC class then a strong NPC class.
Nick Soapdish 06-04-04, 04:25 AM	Hmmm. I would've said that it was actually overpowered - at least compared to the fighter (which isn't necessarily a good measuring stick). In the fighter's favor: 1) It gets a d10. 2) All weapon proficiencies. 3) Better armor proficiencies. In the reserve soldier's favor: 1) Two good saves. 2) Four skill points a level with a slightly better skill list (including Spot and Listen are the big thing there) 3) Three extra feats (although four are pre-chosen) A great multi-classing option would be a Fighter2/Soldier18. (Well, probably not as good as a Fighter2/Soldier8/PrC10, but I hope you get the point.
Levism84 06-04-04, 11:23 AM	Thanks for the feedback. Question though... they have 15 level Prestige Classes? Didn't know that one. If I was to change anything to make the class I have here more balanced (if indeed it is more powerful than the true fighter class) it would be to get rid of the bonus feats at the levels where it gets weapon focus, weapon spec., greater weapon focus, and greater weapon spec. In that way, the reserve soldier could just decide to pick up those feats using their bonus feat they get at that level anyway. If there is anything else, let me know. Thanks again.
Tony Vargas 06-04-04, 01:06 PM	Originally posted by Levism84 If I was to change anything to make the class I have here more balanced it would be to get rid of the bonus feats at the levels where it gets weapon focus, weapon spec., greater weapon focus, and greater weapon spec. That would be a good idea, effectively having some of thier bonus feats 'chosen for them' would make the class more defined /and/ better balanced. Also, you might consider that, if this is meant for NPCs, it might work as a PrC that NPC classes could take at low levels. For that matter, the concept could be fit by something as simple as a warrior/expert. For someone with just NPC class levels a 'prestige class' that even aproaches the power of the Fighter would be a real step up.