Holy Assassin [Archive] - Wizards Community

Holy Assassin [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mdag
06-03-07, 02:10 PM Holy Assassin

I shall destroy all that is evil in the world in the name of Heironeous and banish their filth to the deepest bowels of the underworld!
- Yorek, Holy Assassin of Heironeous

The Holy Assassin is the darker side of religion. Their role is to kill off enemies of the god and destroy all evil they encounter. Using special permission from their head of church they can take levels of rogue without having to atone. Most had these levels before then joined the ranks of the Paladins. All Holy Assassins have atoned at least once in their lives. Their job seems dark compared to the job of the churches of Law but every cloud has a dark side...

Pre-Requisites:
Smite Evil ability
Sneak Attack ability (? does this work, it fits but is it possible??)
Bab +6
Knowledge (Religion) 8 ranks
Move Silently 8 ranks
Alignment: LN or LG

Special: Must have atoned at least once.

- - -

HD: d8
Bab: 3/4 (as rogue)
Saves: Good Reflex and Will, poor fortitude.

- - -

Skills: ...
Skill Points per level: 6+int

- - -

Level
1 -- Trial of Atonement, Veiled Faith
2 -- Enemy of Evil, Opportunist Smite +1d6
3 -- Holy Smiting
4 -- Divine Grace, Opportunist Smite +2d6
5 -- Cleanising Fire
6 -- Divine SacrificeOpportunist Smite +3d6
7 -- Holy Retribution,
8 -- Scourge of Evil, Opportunist Smite +4d6
9 -- Strength of the Inner Light
10 - Godly Prowess, Opportunist Smite +5d6

Trial of Atonement:
At first level the Holy Assassin must gain favor with their chosen god and find the permission from an important religious figure to work as a Holy Assassin. They must first gain this favor before they are allowed to benefit from the class abilities of the PrC.

Veiled Faith:
Once the Holy Assassin is in their gods favor they gain more moral freedom. They no longer need to atone for their sins but should be careful that they do not lose favor with their deity. This is their god's way of turning a blind eye to their actions. They can take take any class as long as they are within one step of its required alignment but must continue to hold some of their traditional values.

Enemy of Evil:
The Holy Assassin gains bonus Smite Evil attacks each day equal to their Holy Assassin level. These bonus times per day stack with their other classes' use of the ability.

Opportunist Smite:
This ability can be used to deal bonus damage to evil foes. Whenever the Holy Assassin is flanking a foe or when the opponent is caught flat-footed, they can be taken advantage of my the Assassin's smite. The smite deals additional damage and also deals regular sneak attack damage. These attacks can be made by ranged weapons within 30 feet or with melee weapons. These attacks stack with the bonus damage from a rogue's sneak attack but do not affect undead until level 3, see below. The Paladin levels and Holy Assasin levels stack for determining the damage for smite attacks.

Holy Smiting:
The Holy Assassin's sneak attacks are infused with a holy aura allowing undead to be partially affected by the sneak attack damage. Because of the ability used in conjunction with sneak attack, the sneak attack deals half-damage to undead. This ability does not allow for critical hits on undead.

Divine Grace:
The Holy Assassin's agility and sneaking skills are made better by the grace of their deity. They gain a +2 on all reflex saves, and a +4 bonus to hide and move silently.

Cleansing Fire:
The Holy Assassin becmes quite adept at punishing evil foes.
2/day they can make a touch attack on an evil foe and purge them of evil. This ability functions as Turn Undead does. Use the player's level to determine how many hit-dice they can cleanse. Some foes may become panicked, some may be destroyed depending on their hit dice.

Divine Sacrifice:
At third level the Holy Assassin can sacrifice a certain amount of hit-points to deal double the amount of hit points drained as bonus damage. This ability is usable as a standard action but cannot bring the Holy Assassin to or under 0 hit-points. The use of this ability provokes an attack of opportunity from foes within reach.

Holy Retribution:
2/day the Holy Assassin can go into a stance that calls all their faith into power. Any evil foe that attacks the Holy Asssassin within the effects duration provokes an attack of opportunity and is counted as being flat-footed wehn the Holy Assassin attacks. This ability only works versus foes in melee. The stance lasts for 1 round per hit-dice of the Holy Assassin.

Scourge of Evil:
At level 7 the Holy Assassin is has learned to deal with evil foes. He knows where to hit them and how so that it will really hurt them. He gains a permanent +2 attack and damage on all evil foes. He also gains a +4 on all saves versus evil foes for being so used to their trickery.

Strength of the Inner Fire:
At level 9 the Holy Assassin has done great things for their Deity. As a reward, they gain immunity to negativ energy effects (negative levels, etc...)

Godly Prowess:
At 10'th level the Holy Assassin has been imparted with some of their Gods powers. They gain a bonus to their armor class equal to their charisma modifier and against the attacks of evil foes they gain DR 5/- (stacks with barbarian and other effects).

Note: I'm tempted to replace Opportunist Smite with a lawful version of Death Attack but make it more like the Cleansing Fire ability. Any advice?

I bet there are still some problems to iron out, help is appreciated.

Lets have some fun! :D
The_Shaman
06-03-07, 02:25 PM Okay, I may be biased, but since it's supposed to be an assassin, shouldn't it, well, require assassin-ish skills? Hide, MS, disguise, bluff, etc can be a lot more useful in its line of work than the equivalent of M.A. in theology. Anyway, except for my disagreeing with some concept issues, here are some questions:

- smite evil: do you mean a number of extra SE Attacks/day equal to their level, or they add their level to that of whatever class gets it normally?
- opportunist smite: is this when you specifically smite an evil creature, or is it a sneak attack vs undead?
- D. sacrifice: is this a swift spell-like or something? Does it provoke AoOs, etc?
- H. retribution: no duration, a bit overpowered, and darned if I understand the idea behind it. Is this a spell-like effect with no save, extraordinary, do ranged attacks count etc?
- scourge of evil: okay, please change the fluff text. As it is, you get bonuses to damage because others hate you more is a bit weird. Getting a bonuses to AC or attacks, okay, but damage?
- Strength of IF - please limit it. All negative effects is a bit broad and more than a bit strong. So you gain immunity to paralysis, ED, enchantments, stun, etc, etc... With even a conservative reading, that's one heck of a capstone ability.

IMO, you could just take the Black Flame Zealot or Slayer of Domiel and work from there,
mdag
06-03-07, 07:27 PM Thanks for the advice Shaman, I edited the original according to what you said, take a look.
Lotus Crane
06-03-07, 07:41 PM The table needs to be formatted properly, and the language of some abilities needs to be clarified and/or expanded, before you'll get more helpful feedback.

In particular, you need to explicitly spell out how opportunist smite functions, instead of referencing the rogue's sneak attack ability, since it's possible (no matter how ridiculous it seems) that somebody doesn't know how sneak attack works.
mdag
06-03-07, 08:51 PM I added some more descriptions and all.

I would format everything properly but... I don't know how :weep:
Help with this?
Lotus Crane
06-03-07, 09:16 PM Opportunist smite is still confusing:

1) Does it affect all creatures normally vulnerable to sneak attack (ie, anything with a normal, discernible anatomy), or does it only affect evil creatures?

2) Does it have limited uses per day, like a paladin's smite evil ability?

3) Do Holy Assassin levels stack with paladin (or similar class) levels for purposes of determining the smite damage of either class?

As for properly formatting your class, if you can't figure it out on your own, you can just go into any class thread with a formatted table, click "Quote" at the bottom of the (usually first) post, select/highlight their table (which will have bracketed "code" and "/code" tags, copy it, then paste it into your own thread, and replace all of their class info with your own. Change the BAB, save progression, special abilities, etc..
mdag
06-04-07, 10:28 PM Well...
1) Does it affect all creatures normally vulnerable to sneak attack (ie, anything with a normal, discernible anatomy), or does it only affect evil creatures?

It affects all evil foes. All it does is add +1d6 (and more at higher levels) to the smite attack. The bonus smite damage is added when the holy assassin sneak attacks an evil foes The sneak attack damage that goes along with this smiting attack does not affect undead (as usual for sneak attack) until level 3 where the sneak is embued with holy energy that allows for HALF of the sneak attack dmage to apply to the undead.

2) Does it have limited uses per day, like a paladin's smite evil ability?

The holy Assassin does not NEED to smite with their sneak attack but they can if they want. They can use the ability as long as they have a smite evil attack left to use. PLUS, they gain bonus smite evils each day because of their Enemy of Evil ability.

3) Do Holy Assassin levels stack with paladin (or similar class) levels for purposes of determining the smite damage of either class?

Good question. I would say yes. Add the paladin levels and Holy Assasin levels for determining the damage for smite attacks. (The opportunist smite damage adds to the base smite damage. Example: For an Opportunist smite attack a level 6 paladin, level 1 rogue, level 1 Holy assassin deals weapon damage plus 1d6 sneak attack plus 1d6 +7 smiting damage. For a longsword attack from a paladin, with the above levels, and a Strength 10 deals 1d8+1d6+1d6+7 damage for an opportunist smite attack versus an evil foe.

Capiche? Or does it need more explaining?
Lotus Crane
06-05-07, 01:57 AM Good question. I would say yes. Add the paladin levels and Holy Assasin levels for determining the damage for smite attacks.
Well then, edit the class ability entry to explicitly say that. Just because we can e-mail the Sage or CustServ with rules clarifications, doesn't mean that we wouldn't prefer rules that are writtenly clearly enough in the first place so as to not require any further clarification by outside sources.

Capiche? Or does it need more explaining?
I think I know what you mean for that ability to do, but it still isn't worded perfectly enough.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mdag 06-03-07, 02:10 PM	Holy Assassin I shall destroy all that is evil in the world in the name of Heironeous and banish their filth to the deepest bowels of the underworld! - Yorek, Holy Assassin of Heironeous The Holy Assassin is the darker side of religion. Their role is to kill off enemies of the god and destroy all evil they encounter. Using special permission from their head of church they can take levels of rogue without having to atone. Most had these levels before then joined the ranks of the Paladins. All Holy Assassins have atoned at least once in their lives. Their job seems dark compared to the job of the churches of Law but every cloud has a dark side... Pre-Requisites: Smite Evil ability Sneak Attack ability (? does this work, it fits but is it possible??) Bab +6 Knowledge (Religion) 8 ranks Move Silently 8 ranks Alignment: LN or LG Special: Must have atoned at least once. - - - HD: d8 Bab: 3/4 (as rogue) Saves: Good Reflex and Will, poor fortitude. - - - Skills: ... Skill Points per level: 6+int - - - Level 1 -- Trial of Atonement, Veiled Faith 2 -- Enemy of Evil, Opportunist Smite +1d6 3 -- Holy Smiting 4 -- Divine Grace, Opportunist Smite +2d6 5 -- Cleanising Fire 6 -- Divine SacrificeOpportunist Smite +3d6 7 -- Holy Retribution, 8 -- Scourge of Evil, Opportunist Smite +4d6 9 -- Strength of the Inner Light 10 - Godly Prowess, Opportunist Smite +5d6 Trial of Atonement: At first level the Holy Assassin must gain favor with their chosen god and find the permission from an important religious figure to work as a Holy Assassin. They must first gain this favor before they are allowed to benefit from the class abilities of the PrC. Veiled Faith: Once the Holy Assassin is in their gods favor they gain more moral freedom. They no longer need to atone for their sins but should be careful that they do not lose favor with their deity. This is their god's way of turning a blind eye to their actions. They can take take any class as long as they are within one step of its required alignment but must continue to hold some of their traditional values. Enemy of Evil: The Holy Assassin gains bonus Smite Evil attacks each day equal to their Holy Assassin level. These bonus times per day stack with their other classes' use of the ability. Opportunist Smite: This ability can be used to deal bonus damage to evil foes. Whenever the Holy Assassin is flanking a foe or when the opponent is caught flat-footed, they can be taken advantage of my the Assassin's smite. The smite deals additional damage and also deals regular sneak attack damage. These attacks can be made by ranged weapons within 30 feet or with melee weapons. These attacks stack with the bonus damage from a rogue's sneak attack but do not affect undead until level 3, see below. The Paladin levels and Holy Assasin levels stack for determining the damage for smite attacks. Holy Smiting: The Holy Assassin's sneak attacks are infused with a holy aura allowing undead to be partially affected by the sneak attack damage. Because of the ability used in conjunction with sneak attack, the sneak attack deals half-damage to undead. This ability does not allow for critical hits on undead. Divine Grace: The Holy Assassin's agility and sneaking skills are made better by the grace of their deity. They gain a +2 on all reflex saves, and a +4 bonus to hide and move silently. Cleansing Fire: The Holy Assassin becmes quite adept at punishing evil foes. 2/day they can make a touch attack on an evil foe and purge them of evil. This ability functions as Turn Undead does. Use the player's level to determine how many hit-dice they can cleanse. Some foes may become panicked, some may be destroyed depending on their hit dice. Divine Sacrifice: At third level the Holy Assassin can sacrifice a certain amount of hit-points to deal double the amount of hit points drained as bonus damage. This ability is usable as a standard action but cannot bring the Holy Assassin to or under 0 hit-points. The use of this ability provokes an attack of opportunity from foes within reach. Holy Retribution: 2/day the Holy Assassin can go into a stance that calls all their faith into power. Any evil foe that attacks the Holy Asssassin within the effects duration provokes an attack of opportunity and is counted as being flat-footed wehn the Holy Assassin attacks. This ability only works versus foes in melee. The stance lasts for 1 round per hit-dice of the Holy Assassin. Scourge of Evil: At level 7 the Holy Assassin is has learned to deal with evil foes. He knows where to hit them and how so that it will really hurt them. He gains a permanent +2 attack and damage on all evil foes. He also gains a +4 on all saves versus evil foes for being so used to their trickery. Strength of the Inner Fire: At level 9 the Holy Assassin has done great things for their Deity. As a reward, they gain immunity to negativ energy effects (negative levels, etc...) Godly Prowess: At 10'th level the Holy Assassin has been imparted with some of their Gods powers. They gain a bonus to their armor class equal to their charisma modifier and against the attacks of evil foes they gain DR 5/- (stacks with barbarian and other effects). Note: I'm tempted to replace Opportunist Smite with a lawful version of Death Attack but make it more like the Cleansing Fire ability. Any advice? I bet there are still some problems to iron out, help is appreciated. Lets have some fun! :D
The_Shaman 06-03-07, 02:25 PM	Okay, I may be biased, but since it's supposed to be an assassin, shouldn't it, well, require assassin-ish skills? Hide, MS, disguise, bluff, etc can be a lot more useful in its line of work than the equivalent of M.A. in theology. Anyway, except for my disagreeing with some concept issues, here are some questions: - smite evil: do you mean a number of extra SE Attacks/day equal to their level, or they add their level to that of whatever class gets it normally? - opportunist smite: is this when you specifically smite an evil creature, or is it a sneak attack vs undead? - D. sacrifice: is this a swift spell-like or something? Does it provoke AoOs, etc? - H. retribution: no duration, a bit overpowered, and darned if I understand the idea behind it. Is this a spell-like effect with no save, extraordinary, do ranged attacks count etc? - scourge of evil: okay, please change the fluff text. As it is, you get bonuses to damage because others hate you more is a bit weird. Getting a bonuses to AC or attacks, okay, but damage? - Strength of IF - please limit it. All negative effects is a bit broad and more than a bit strong. So you gain immunity to paralysis, ED, enchantments, stun, etc, etc... With even a conservative reading, that's one heck of a capstone ability. IMO, you could just take the Black Flame Zealot or Slayer of Domiel and work from there,
mdag 06-03-07, 07:27 PM	Thanks for the advice Shaman, I edited the original according to what you said, take a look.
Lotus Crane 06-03-07, 07:41 PM	The table needs to be formatted properly, and the language of some abilities needs to be clarified and/or expanded, before you'll get more helpful feedback. In particular, you need to explicitly spell out how opportunist smite functions, instead of referencing the rogue's sneak attack ability, since it's possible (no matter how ridiculous it seems) that somebody doesn't know how sneak attack works.
mdag 06-03-07, 08:51 PM	I added some more descriptions and all. I would format everything properly but... I don't know how :weep: Help with this?
Lotus Crane 06-03-07, 09:16 PM	Opportunist smite is still confusing: 1) Does it affect all creatures normally vulnerable to sneak attack (ie, anything with a normal, discernible anatomy), or does it only affect evil creatures? 2) Does it have limited uses per day, like a paladin's smite evil ability? 3) Do Holy Assassin levels stack with paladin (or similar class) levels for purposes of determining the smite damage of either class? As for properly formatting your class, if you can't figure it out on your own, you can just go into any class thread with a formatted table, click "Quote" at the bottom of the (usually first) post, select/highlight their table (which will have bracketed "code" and "/code" tags, copy it, then paste it into your own thread, and replace all of their class info with your own. Change the BAB, save progression, special abilities, etc..
mdag 06-04-07, 10:28 PM	Well... 1) Does it affect all creatures normally vulnerable to sneak attack (ie, anything with a normal, discernible anatomy), or does it only affect evil creatures? It affects all evil foes. All it does is add +1d6 (and more at higher levels) to the smite attack. The bonus smite damage is added when the holy assassin sneak attacks an evil foes The sneak attack damage that goes along with this smiting attack does not affect undead (as usual for sneak attack) until level 3 where the sneak is embued with holy energy that allows for HALF of the sneak attack dmage to apply to the undead. 2) Does it have limited uses per day, like a paladin's smite evil ability? The holy Assassin does not NEED to smite with their sneak attack but they can if they want. They can use the ability as long as they have a smite evil attack left to use. PLUS, they gain bonus smite evils each day because of their Enemy of Evil ability. 3) Do Holy Assassin levels stack with paladin (or similar class) levels for purposes of determining the smite damage of either class? Good question. I would say yes. Add the paladin levels and Holy Assasin levels for determining the damage for smite attacks. (The opportunist smite damage adds to the base smite damage. Example: For an Opportunist smite attack a level 6 paladin, level 1 rogue, level 1 Holy assassin deals weapon damage plus 1d6 sneak attack plus 1d6 +7 smiting damage. For a longsword attack from a paladin, with the above levels, and a Strength 10 deals 1d8+1d6+1d6+7 damage for an opportunist smite attack versus an evil foe. Capiche? Or does it need more explaining?
Lotus Crane 06-05-07, 01:57 AM	Good question. I would say yes. Add the paladin levels and Holy Assasin levels for determining the damage for smite attacks. Well then, edit the class ability entry to explicitly say that. Just because we can e-mail the Sage or CustServ with rules clarifications, doesn't mean that we wouldn't prefer rules that are writtenly clearly enough in the first place so as to not require any further clarification by outside sources. Capiche? Or does it need more explaining? I think I know what you mean for that ability to do, but it still isn't worded perfectly enough.