Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SambleBamble 01-08-08, 09:05 PM	Before I start, the caveat: I've got zero experience in playing epic levels, but an expectation that my character will eventually get there and I'm after some advice on making this idea balanced. Please don't blast me if it's wildly inappropriate: just help me fix it. Since it's a progression for my character, I expect I've potentially been generous! The character I'm building this for is a favoured soul/paladin/fist of raziel, and there's obvious influences. So, the concept is an epic prestige class that transforms the character into a hound archon. I want the class to also be a boon to smiting. I've not included all of the hound archon traits because they seem too much. Sorry I can't this thing to format nicely, so I can't put in a proper table. Champion of Raziel Prerequisites: alignment: lawful good skills: knowledge (religion) 25 ranks feats: great smiting spells: able to cast "holy transformation" special: holy martial strike class ability or holy strike feat 1 aura of menace, extra smite/day 2 smite chaos, + 1 level of existing divine class 3 extra smite/day 4 DR 10/evil, + 1 level of existing divine class 5 extra smite/day 6 zealous smite, + 1 level of existing divine class 7 extra smite/day 8 righteous smite, + 1 level of existing divine class 9 extra smite/day 10 archon transformation, + 1 level of existing divine class class skills: as paladin spells: advances spells per day and spells known at every even numbered levels, up to the maximum for that class. Therein caster level increases at even levels smite: levels stack with other relevant classes for smite damage aura of menace: as an archon (MM p16) 20 foot radius effect, DC 20 + champion class level + cha mod smite chaos: smite attack also applies to foes who are chaotic and his weapon is lawful good aligned when smiting zealous smite: levels from classes that provide divine casting progression are treated as paladin levels for the purposes of determining number of smites per day and smite damage righteous smite: smite damage is doubled against chaotic evil opponents (obeys the usual stacking rules for stacking with great smite: 2 doubles = triple) archon transformation: the character becomes a hound archon. He takes on the physical appearance, but not the physcial attributes of a hound archon (movement rate, ability modifiers or natural AC) or the spell-like abilities (including teleport and tongues) {They'd be nice, but I think that would be too good} His type changes to outsider and he gains the following qualities: darkvision 60ft immunity to electricity and petrification +4 to saves against poison SR 10+character level Thoughts?
Taeldrin Laesrash 01-08-08, 10:54 PM	I assume Holy Transformation can be cast by Paladins, since a full caster like a cleric can not give up caster levels at high levels. Other than that, I say ramp up the power a bit. You're turning the character into an archon, so give it more archon stuff (Like the spell-like abilities).
BigGus 01-09-08, 04:41 PM	In general, I like this. It seems appropriate and fairly well-balanced. The main thing that worries me is the extra smite every 2 levels; if you took enough levels of this class, you'd be able to smite pretty much at will (I'm assuming that like other epic PrCs this can be taken for unlimited levels; if it's intended to be 10 levels and no more, it shouldn't be a problem). The SR might be too much, as well; AFAIK, Hound Archons just get SR 16 regardless of HD. If you're keeping it, I'd change it to 20 + class level; that's what the epic dragon disciple was given http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ei/20021208a so I assume that's normal for epic transformational PrCs. Having said that, I agree with Taeldrin; you could get away with giving yourself some more abilities at level 10. Speed 40ft and tongues shouldn't be unbalancing. I'd add scent as well, just because it's so flavourful for a dog-type creature.
SambleBamble 01-09-08, 06:45 PM	"Holy Transformation" is a level 7 divine spell. I may try to convince the DM for full caster progression, but I didn't think it was critical, and would bump the power up a fair bit, I reckon. The smite progression is the same as for the "Fist of Raziel" prestige class. My feeling was that "at will" spell-like abilities was too powerful (well mainly teleport really), but I think I've found a nice solution. So add this: level 1 2 spontaneous spell (message[0]) 3 spontaneous spell (detect evil[1]) 4 5 spontaneous spell (aid[2]) 6 spontaneous spell (continual flame[3]) 7 8 spontaneous spell (tongues[4]) 9 spontaneous spell (teleport*[5]) 10 Spontaneous spell: The character gains the ability to cast the spells listed above as spontaneous spells. He may spend a prepared spell or an unused spell slot of the appropriate level (specified in square brackets) or higher to cast the spontaneous spell. As usual, he may not spontaneously convert a domain spell. All of these function as the spells named expect teleport, which functions as greater teleport but is limited to the champion and 50 pounds of objects (as the archon power). These spontaneous spells do not count against the champion's spells-known limitation if he has one. Also, my intention for continuing beyond 10 levels (or at early epic levels when I may not yet qualify for the class) would be a simpler direct extension of Fist of Raziel. The obvious way is: 11 +smite, +caster level 12 +caster level 13 +smite, +caster level 14 +caster level etc with bonus feats as appropriate.
SambleBamble 01-16-08, 04:48 PM	There's not been many responses here: is it perfect already, or just boring?