Barbarian Alternate Feature, Ape Totem? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Barbarian Alternate Feature, Ape Totem? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kratch
03-16-08, 02:13 AM In complete Champion, the alt class feature for barbs is animal totem, unfortunately, APE is not one of the ones offered, though it suggests other animal totems can be made. I'm looking for assistance in creating an ape totem, as it fits the concept I'm creating. I've looked at the others, and they seem to vary widely in power, so I'm really uncertain. Was thinking rend, along the same lines as pounce and improved grab, but regular apes don't get it, and not sure how i'd implement it. was thinking climb bonus, but seems a little tame, the other skill bonuses are for skills that are considered of greater value, not to mention 2 of them for each totem.

Any Assistance would be appreciated.
JulesCARV
03-16-08, 02:41 AM Ape Totem barbarian (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedCoreClass.html#barbarian) was already done in Unearthed Arcana (OGL material), so I guess that didn't feel the need to reprint it for Complete Champion.

APE TOTEM CLASS FEATURES
A barbarian dedicated to the ape totem does not gain the standard fast movement, uncanny dodge, trap sense, and improved uncanny dodge barbarian class features, and instead gains the following abilities.

* At 1st level, an ape-totem barbarian gains a climb speed equal to one-half his base land speed (round down to the nearest 5-foot interval). For instance, a human, elf, half-elf, or half-orc ape-totem barbarian has a climb speed of 15 feet, while a dwarf, gnome, or halfling ape-totem barbarian has a climb speed of 10 feet.
* At 2nd level, an ape-totem barbarian gains a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks.
* A 3rd level ape-totem barbarian gains Power Attack as a bonus feat.
* At 5th level, an ape-totem barbarian's climb speed equals his base land speed.
Kratch
03-16-08, 03:05 AM Thanks. I don't have Unearthed arcana, so wasn't aware of those, though they appear different then the ones in CC, it does work well for what I'm building. thanks
mogarth
03-16-08, 03:06 AM I would add improved grapple somewhere I think it would fit in well with ape-flavor...mmmm vanilla apecream
Sinfire Titan
03-16-08, 03:17 AM I would add improved grapple somewhere I think it would fit in well with ape-flavor...mmmm vanilla apecream

Don't you mean Weapon Proficiency: Handful of turds?

Seems a lot more flavor-filled for any primate to have that as a bonus feat.

On Topic: While the ability may not be the same as the ones presented in CC, the Dragon Totem feat from the Eberron Campaign Setting and the Ape Totem variant in the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm) tend to be a good basis for it. Look into Magic of Incarnum and Monster Manual 2 for some ape-related abilities (IIRC, there is a Soulmeld and a creature that are related to simians).
The_Shaman
03-16-08, 03:32 AM Thanks. I don't have Unearthed arcana, so wasn't aware of those, though they appear different then the ones in CC, it does work well for what I'm building. thanks

Most of the rules are in the OGL anyway. D20srd.org lists them... the barbie totems are at http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#barbarianVar iantTotemBarbarian . Ape is one of the better totems, I may add - power attack is pretty much a must-have feat for barbs, and climb speed can be useful.

Also, barbarian/totemists are darn cool, but I'm not really that impressed by the MoI hybrid PrC... Your choice, though.
Sinfire Titan
03-16-08, 03:39 AM Most of the rules are in the OGL anyway. D20srd.org lists them... the barbie totems are at http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#barbarianVar iantTotemBarbarian . Ape is one of the better totems, I may add - power attack is pretty much a must-have feat for barbs, and climb speed can be useful.

Also, barbarian/totemists are darn cool, but I'm not really that impressed by the MoI hybrid PrC... Your choice, though.

Looking at it, it is an ok PrC. Not that it compares to Bear Warrior or Frenzied Berserker, but it is good for what it does (which is make a Feral Death Machine). I'm working on a handbook for Magic of Incarnum, so I have had to take a good long look at the PrC to figure out what it is good for.
Kratch
03-16-08, 03:46 AM I wasn't planning on taking many levels (though I was planning on building the whole totem if needed, in case a player wants to use it later), the character I'm building is ranger4 going into Animal Lord(ape), and I was tossing up ether ranger5 or Barb1 (he's orc). I was thinking of going lion totem, but realized that doesn't make sense, and I really don't want him to be a cat lord, so was looking for the ape totem.

I also remember there being a war ape monster entry. The picture was of an ape with 2 Morningstar like gloves raised over it's head to pound something. anyuone know which book/s (if multiple, I don't have access to them all) it can be found in. Thankfully, I have MM2 and the warbeast template, but I was hoping to take a look at the actual monster listing.
The_Shaman
03-16-08, 03:53 AM Looking at it, it is an ok PrC. Not that it compares to Bear Warrior or Frenzied Berserker, but it is good for what it does (which is make a Feral Death Machine). I'm working on a handbook for Magic of Incarnum, so I have had to take a good long look at the PrC to figure out what it is good for.

I'm most bugged by the BAB progression, to be honest. 7/10 BAB is not something I'm overly fond of, and the abilities need to be good enough to make it preferable to taking only barbarian and totemist levels - which I'm not sure it is now.

Edit: Kratch, suit yourself. Ranger 4/barb 1,ranger 5, ranger 4/B2, or ranger 6 are imo all valid way to enter the PrC. Normally I'd say get 2 levels of barb for the UD, but if you're set on the totem thing you'll probably lose it. A pity - it can be a very useful feature.
Sinfire Titan
03-16-08, 02:28 PM I wasn't planning on taking many levels (though I was planning on building the whole totem if needed, in case a player wants to use it later), the character I'm building is ranger4 going into Animal Lord(ape), and I was tossing up ether ranger5 or Barb1 (he's orc). I was thinking of going lion totem, but realized that doesn't make sense, and I really don't want him to be a cat lord, so was looking for the ape totem.

I also remember there being a war ape monster entry. The picture was of an ape with 2 Morningstar like gloves raised over it's head to pound something. anyuone know which book/s (if multiple, I don't have access to them all) it can be found in. Thankfully, I have MM2 and the warbeast template, but I was hoping to take a look at the actual monster listing.

MM4/MM5. One of those two has this beast you seek.

I'm most bugged by the BAB progression, to be honest. 7/10 BAB is not something I'm overly fond of, and the abilities need to be good enough to make it preferable to taking only barbarian and totemist levels - which I'm not sure it is now.

Totemist 4/Barb 6/Totem Rager 10 doesn't lose out on much actually. 3 points of BAB are made up for by Soulmelds, Cobalt Charge, and Rage. Epic, take either Totemist or Totem Rager and snag the Epic Rage-based feat. Then you will be winning out instead of losing points.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kratch 03-16-08, 02:13 AM	In complete Champion, the alt class feature for barbs is animal totem, unfortunately, APE is not one of the ones offered, though it suggests other animal totems can be made. I'm looking for assistance in creating an ape totem, as it fits the concept I'm creating. I've looked at the others, and they seem to vary widely in power, so I'm really uncertain. Was thinking rend, along the same lines as pounce and improved grab, but regular apes don't get it, and not sure how i'd implement it. was thinking climb bonus, but seems a little tame, the other skill bonuses are for skills that are considered of greater value, not to mention 2 of them for each totem. Any Assistance would be appreciated.
JulesCARV 03-16-08, 02:41 AM	Ape Totem barbarian (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedCoreClass.html#barbarian) was already done in Unearthed Arcana (OGL material), so I guess that didn't feel the need to reprint it for Complete Champion. APE TOTEM CLASS FEATURES A barbarian dedicated to the ape totem does not gain the standard fast movement, uncanny dodge, trap sense, and improved uncanny dodge barbarian class features, and instead gains the following abilities. * At 1st level, an ape-totem barbarian gains a climb speed equal to one-half his base land speed (round down to the nearest 5-foot interval). For instance, a human, elf, half-elf, or half-orc ape-totem barbarian has a climb speed of 15 feet, while a dwarf, gnome, or halfling ape-totem barbarian has a climb speed of 10 feet. * At 2nd level, an ape-totem barbarian gains a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks. * A 3rd level ape-totem barbarian gains Power Attack as a bonus feat. * At 5th level, an ape-totem barbarian's climb speed equals his base land speed.
Kratch 03-16-08, 03:05 AM	Thanks. I don't have Unearthed arcana, so wasn't aware of those, though they appear different then the ones in CC, it does work well for what I'm building. thanks
mogarth 03-16-08, 03:06 AM	I would add improved grapple somewhere I think it would fit in well with ape-flavor...mmmm vanilla apecream
Sinfire Titan 03-16-08, 03:17 AM	I would add improved grapple somewhere I think it would fit in well with ape-flavor...mmmm vanilla apecream Don't you mean Weapon Proficiency: Handful of turds? Seems a lot more flavor-filled for any primate to have that as a bonus feat. On Topic: While the ability may not be the same as the ones presented in CC, the Dragon Totem feat from the Eberron Campaign Setting and the Ape Totem variant in the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm) tend to be a good basis for it. Look into Magic of Incarnum and Monster Manual 2 for some ape-related abilities (IIRC, there is a Soulmeld and a creature that are related to simians).
The_Shaman 03-16-08, 03:32 AM	Thanks. I don't have Unearthed arcana, so wasn't aware of those, though they appear different then the ones in CC, it does work well for what I'm building. thanks Most of the rules are in the OGL anyway. D20srd.org lists them... the barbie totems are at http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#barbarianVar iantTotemBarbarian . Ape is one of the better totems, I may add - power attack is pretty much a must-have feat for barbs, and climb speed can be useful. Also, barbarian/totemists are darn cool, but I'm not really that impressed by the MoI hybrid PrC... Your choice, though.
Sinfire Titan 03-16-08, 03:39 AM	Most of the rules are in the OGL anyway. D20srd.org lists them... the barbie totems are at http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#barbarianVar iantTotemBarbarian . Ape is one of the better totems, I may add - power attack is pretty much a must-have feat for barbs, and climb speed can be useful. Also, barbarian/totemists are darn cool, but I'm not really that impressed by the MoI hybrid PrC... Your choice, though. Looking at it, it is an ok PrC. Not that it compares to Bear Warrior or Frenzied Berserker, but it is good for what it does (which is make a Feral Death Machine). I'm working on a handbook for Magic of Incarnum, so I have had to take a good long look at the PrC to figure out what it is good for.
Kratch 03-16-08, 03:46 AM	I wasn't planning on taking many levels (though I was planning on building the whole totem if needed, in case a player wants to use it later), the character I'm building is ranger4 going into Animal Lord(ape), and I was tossing up ether ranger5 or Barb1 (he's orc). I was thinking of going lion totem, but realized that doesn't make sense, and I really don't want him to be a cat lord, so was looking for the ape totem. I also remember there being a war ape monster entry. The picture was of an ape with 2 Morningstar like gloves raised over it's head to pound something. anyuone know which book/s (if multiple, I don't have access to them all) it can be found in. Thankfully, I have MM2 and the warbeast template, but I was hoping to take a look at the actual monster listing.
The_Shaman 03-16-08, 03:53 AM	Looking at it, it is an ok PrC. Not that it compares to Bear Warrior or Frenzied Berserker, but it is good for what it does (which is make a Feral Death Machine). I'm working on a handbook for Magic of Incarnum, so I have had to take a good long look at the PrC to figure out what it is good for. I'm most bugged by the BAB progression, to be honest. 7/10 BAB is not something I'm overly fond of, and the abilities need to be good enough to make it preferable to taking only barbarian and totemist levels - which I'm not sure it is now. Edit: Kratch, suit yourself. Ranger 4/barb 1,ranger 5, ranger 4/B2, or ranger 6 are imo all valid way to enter the PrC. Normally I'd say get 2 levels of barb for the UD, but if you're set on the totem thing you'll probably lose it. A pity - it can be a very useful feature.
Sinfire Titan 03-16-08, 02:28 PM	I wasn't planning on taking many levels (though I was planning on building the whole totem if needed, in case a player wants to use it later), the character I'm building is ranger4 going into Animal Lord(ape), and I was tossing up ether ranger5 or Barb1 (he's orc). I was thinking of going lion totem, but realized that doesn't make sense, and I really don't want him to be a cat lord, so was looking for the ape totem. I also remember there being a war ape monster entry. The picture was of an ape with 2 Morningstar like gloves raised over it's head to pound something. anyuone know which book/s (if multiple, I don't have access to them all) it can be found in. Thankfully, I have MM2 and the warbeast template, but I was hoping to take a look at the actual monster listing. MM4/MM5. One of those two has this beast you seek. I'm most bugged by the BAB progression, to be honest. 7/10 BAB is not something I'm overly fond of, and the abilities need to be good enough to make it preferable to taking only barbarian and totemist levels - which I'm not sure it is now. Totemist 4/Barb 6/Totem Rager 10 doesn't lose out on much actually. 3 points of BAB are made up for by Soulmelds, Cobalt Charge, and Rage. Epic, take either Totemist or Totem Rager and snag the Epic Rage-based feat. Then you will be winning out instead of losing points.