Developing a new base class (input please): Swordbreaker [Archive] - Wizards Community

Developing a new base class (input please): Swordbreaker [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Zyphria
09-01-05, 11:12 PM General feedback is welcome, please point me in the direction of classes/PrC that might fit the bill as well. If this sounds feasible, I'll give some more thought on specific Extraordinary abilities to flesh the class out.

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Any man can wield a sword, but it takes something more to catch the blade with notched bands secured along the forearm, then deftly snap it, or send it spinning from his hands. Each opponent fights with his or her weapon in a different manner, and it can take time to get the timing down, the way they move their body, but when the time is right, the swordbreaker strikes true.

A Swordbreaker goes through several phases over time as they hone their skills, and ultimately blends all of the abilities to master the battlefield.

1. (Level 1-4) Utilizing martial proficiency, they learn how to move faster than their enemies, and dodge their attacks.
2. (Level 5-8) Shift to exotic weapons that aid in disarming a foe, wait for the right moment, and move in gracefully.
3. (Level 8-11) Know the man, know the blade, know the way it breaks or send it flying, cripple him, and move to the next. A shield can be rendered useless (for a time) as well.
4. (Level 12-16) Keep the arrows away, craft your arm bands, each attack is another opportunity to know your enemy better. A breastplate out of position offers easier attacks. Two blades break as easily as one.
5. (Level 17-20) Master the armbands, know your enemies every weakness, move faster than the wind. Rings, gloves, necklaces, nothing is sacred when it lies in the mud at their feet.

Rogue like Attack Bonus build.
D8 HD.
Monk skill point build. (Int+4)

The Swordbreaker is a blend of the following classes:

Duelist (DMG): Canny Defense, Enhanced Mobility
Bloodhound (CA): Ready and Waiting, Crippling Strike
Swashbuckler: Dodge Bonus, Weapon Finesse

New Abilities (Ex):

Has an ability similar to an Assassin to study an opponent to do one of the following, each round (Max number of rounds to be balanced) spent studying gives a +2 comptence bonus to:

To disarm.
Sunder a bladed weapon.
Deliver crippling blows to tempoarily weaken.

Later on, a different build focusing on the number of consecutive rounds engaged with an enemy. A +1 competence bonus that builds for X number of rounds to do the same three mentioned above.
Zyphria
09-02-05, 04:32 PM No feedback?
akiir
09-02-05, 10:36 PM tell me what the abilities do and i could play test it for you.
Zyphria
09-04-05, 02:31 PM I'm looking to get some broad feedback on the concept first. Can a character like this work, and not appear overpowered. Any other comparable classes/prc's?
Ashianyl
09-04-05, 10:53 PM There is no difference in flavouring for the class that a combination of feats and dips in prestiege classes can't emulate.

Base classes should have something unique going for it, like a Marshall's ability to inspire in battle, like a ninja's ability to disappear without spells or like a spellthief's ability to steal spells.

You should have an ability that other classess do not have and improve on that ability as you level up.

:)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zyphria 09-01-05, 11:12 PM	General feedback is welcome, please point me in the direction of classes/PrC that might fit the bill as well. If this sounds feasible, I'll give some more thought on specific Extraordinary abilities to flesh the class out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Any man can wield a sword, but it takes something more to catch the blade with notched bands secured along the forearm, then deftly snap it, or send it spinning from his hands. Each opponent fights with his or her weapon in a different manner, and it can take time to get the timing down, the way they move their body, but when the time is right, the swordbreaker strikes true. A Swordbreaker goes through several phases over time as they hone their skills, and ultimately blends all of the abilities to master the battlefield. 1. (Level 1-4) Utilizing martial proficiency, they learn how to move faster than their enemies, and dodge their attacks. 2. (Level 5-8) Shift to exotic weapons that aid in disarming a foe, wait for the right moment, and move in gracefully. 3. (Level 8-11) Know the man, know the blade, know the way it breaks or send it flying, cripple him, and move to the next. A shield can be rendered useless (for a time) as well. 4. (Level 12-16) Keep the arrows away, craft your arm bands, each attack is another opportunity to know your enemy better. A breastplate out of position offers easier attacks. Two blades break as easily as one. 5. (Level 17-20) Master the armbands, know your enemies every weakness, move faster than the wind. Rings, gloves, necklaces, nothing is sacred when it lies in the mud at their feet. Rogue like Attack Bonus build. D8 HD. Monk skill point build. (Int+4) The Swordbreaker is a blend of the following classes: Duelist (DMG): Canny Defense, Enhanced Mobility Bloodhound (CA): Ready and Waiting, Crippling Strike Swashbuckler: Dodge Bonus, Weapon Finesse New Abilities (Ex): Has an ability similar to an Assassin to study an opponent to do one of the following, each round (Max number of rounds to be balanced) spent studying gives a +2 comptence bonus to: To disarm. Sunder a bladed weapon. Deliver crippling blows to tempoarily weaken. Later on, a different build focusing on the number of consecutive rounds engaged with an enemy. A +1 competence bonus that builds for X number of rounds to do the same three mentioned above.
Zyphria 09-02-05, 04:32 PM	No feedback?
akiir 09-02-05, 10:36 PM	tell me what the abilities do and i could play test it for you.
Zyphria 09-04-05, 02:31 PM	I'm looking to get some broad feedback on the concept first. Can a character like this work, and not appear overpowered. Any other comparable classes/prc's?
Ashianyl 09-04-05, 10:53 PM	There is no difference in flavouring for the class that a combination of feats and dips in prestiege classes can't emulate. Base classes should have something unique going for it, like a Marshall's ability to inspire in battle, like a ninja's ability to disappear without spells or like a spellthief's ability to steal spells. You should have an ability that other classess do not have and improve on that ability as you level up. :)