Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Loki_Simkin 12-07-06, 01:14 AM	A girl in my group is planning on being a Bard/Chameleon in the next game. The premise of the class fits well wth the character she has in mind, but the mechanics seem to leave a bit to be desired. When I looked at the Chameleon class a few things came to mind though. It seems like it would be better to be a base class. As a prestige class it does nothing I can see to your base class. It basically gives you a bunch of base classes when you join. Fixed base classes no less. Has anyone retooled this as a base class? Or know any good reasons why it should remain a prestige class? Also, are there any variant or house rules when it comes to letting it emulate different classes then what it lists? Say one of those manuever using classes form the tome of battle rather than the base fighter class. Or maybe adding in psionic or incarnum classes. Maybe a mechanic to let you choose a certain number of classes to emulate when you take the class.... I don't want to make the class overpowered, but I do want it to be able to keep up with other characters as we level. As it is, it's almost like you start over at level 6.
Manyfist 12-07-06, 03:30 AM	Keep it as a PrC. Since it would be overpowered if it was a base class. Why play any other class when one class can just emulate your class and play it better than you? Chameleon PrC is fine, as a PrC. If you want a Jack of all Trades, you have it. It's called the Bard, just be a Changeling, and you can look like anyone.
Red Eyed Antipaladin 12-07-06, 04:17 AM	Personally, I find that Warlock transitions better into Chameleon than Bard (since it gives you a few infinite-use abilities and doesn't double you up on spell progression). Alternately, a Doppelganger can classify straight away (but that's ECL 8, plus it requires the DM allowing monstrous PCs). Also, remember that since Chameleon spellcasting uses a caster level of class level x2, it's pretty good at keeping up with the other PCs, even without additional abilities.
Loki_Simkin 12-07-06, 05:21 AM	Well then, PRC vs. base aside. What about any rulings on changing what classes it emulates? Seems to me a Chameleon should be able to emulate a set of classes they want. Or is is too powerful to switch fighter out for warblade and maybe another switch or addition of incarnum/psionic classes? Our group tends to use a lot of non phb classes. We use a lot of phb2 (beguiler, duskblade, etc) and classes form incarnum, tome of magic, and tome of battle classes, even a psionic or two. Is there a balanced way to set the class up to emulate any of these?
Manyfist 12-07-06, 05:32 AM	Well then, PRC vs. base aside. What about any rulings on changing what classes it emulates? Seems to me a Chameleon should be able to emulate a set of classes they want. Or is is too powerful to switch fighter out for warblade and maybe another switch or addition of incarnum/psionic classes? Our group tends to use a lot of non phb classes. We use a lot of phb2 (beguiler, duskblade, etc) and classes form incarnum, tome of magic, and tome of battle classes, even a psionic or two. Is there a balanced way to set the class up to emulate any of these? Chameleon only Barrows (Sp?) the powers he has. http://community.dicefreaks.com/viewtopic.php?t=134 Go down to the Redmage, and they give Psionics. The Sublime Way (ToB) has to be taught and learned a certin way, and its non magical so you can't really steal it. Incarnum is the same way, yet you use your soul energy to manifest stuff. Tome of Magic all that stuff (possiblitly of True-namer with the exception) can't be "stolen" no spell book/holy book. This is why Sorcerer, Beguiler, Dread Necro, Warlock, Hexblade, and w/e spontaneous casters can't be emulated for its part of them. The only way to learn these is to be a Mindflayer (ECL 15) with Illithid Savant (Savage Species), eat the peoples brain and gain their power. :D GL with that. edit: @Red Eyed Antipaladin: - In MMIII, ROE, ECS they have Changelings which are like mini Dopplegangers with Disguise self (no clothing) as a racial trait instead of Alter Self. Also w/o the Detect Thoughts, but Changelings are very good. Get a Rogue (RoE Sub lvls), Bard, or Psion (Egoist) (RoE Sub Lvls), Wizard (Illusion/Trans) (RoE Sub Lvls) and at level 5 become a Chameleon.
hiryuu 12-07-06, 08:48 AM	When I looked at the Chameleon class a few things came to mind though. It seems like it would be better to be a base class. As a prestige class it does nothing I can see to your base class. It basically gives you a bunch of base classes when you join. Fixed base classes no less. Has anyone retooled this as a base class? Or know any good reasons why it should remain a prestige class? Yes. Right here. (http://www.nazro.net/stuff/Chameleon.doc) From play experience, it acts like a fifth wheel than anything else; useful to have around, decent at going solo, and gives good support as whoever you don't have.