Need help refining Custodian of the d12 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Need help refining Custodian of the d12 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AtsuiShoto
02-25-08, 08:47 PM The Custodian of the Dodecahedron is based on the principle that the universe is composed of 4 physical elements, combined in endless variety upon an ether framework, like a canvas. The elements are Fire, Earth, Air, and Water, corresponding to the 4 Pythagorean solids: d4 tetrahedron, d6 cube, d8 octahedron, and d20 icosahedron (respectively). The missing 5th Pythagorean solid is the dodecahedron, the least-used of the 5 dice in D&D and the representative of the universe's ethereal canvas.

The Custodian exists in part because I think the Luck feats are an excellent idea worth further elaboration, and in part to rectify the infrequency of the d12's appearances in an average D&D adventure.

I have envisioned the Custodian as both a prestige class and a base class. Given the modern 3.5ed friendliness toward multiclassing, the 6-level prestige class may be appealing, so here it is:
Alignment: Any, but with a strong tendency toward Lawful
Hit Die: d12

Prerequisites:
Must have a pool of power points
Knowledge (psionics) 6 ranks
Skill Focus: Knowledge (psionics)

Class Skills:
The custodian's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Autohypnosis (Wis), Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (psionics) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Int), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).

Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.

Base
Attack Fort Ref Will Power
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Points
1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Bonus Luck Feat, Not Just Luck 2
2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 Subtle Tweak 2/day 4
3rd +2 +1 +1 +3 Bonus Luck Feat, It's Elementary 7
4th +3 +1 +1 +4 Subtle Tweak 4/day 10
5th +3 +1 +1 +4 Bonus Luck Feat, Time & Technique 14
6th +4 +2 +2 +5 Bonus Luck Feat, Unlimited Tweak 18

Weapon and Armor Proficiency:
A custodian gains no proficiency with any weapons or armor, and his class abilities are not restricted by armor or shield use.

Power Points:
The custodian's abilities spring from his unique understanding of the world and his unshaking belief in its solidly definable, if perhaps somewhat elastic, mechanics. These mental abilities are embodied in the custodian's pool of power points, which increases as he gains class levels. A custodian does not gain the ability to manifest psionic powers, but he may use psionic feats, may maintain or expend psionic focus, and may spend his power points to manifest powers he knows from gaining levels in any psionic manifesting class.

Bonus Luck Feats:
The custodian gains a bonus luck feat at 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th levels. These bonus feats must be luck feats only. The custodian must still meet all prerequisites for the bonus feat, including ability score and base attack bonus minimums as well as class requirements. These bonus feats are in addition to the feats that a character of any class gains every three levels. A custodian is not limited to luck feats when choosing these other feats.

Not Just Luck:
The custodian is mindful of the basic geometric underpinnings of reality, and even manages to manipulate them to his benefit. When making a luck re-roll, a custodian may use 2d12 instead of 1d20 for the re-roll. Any result rolled in this way is resolved exactly as it would be if rolled normally by a single d20, with the exception of 21, 22, 23, and 24. These four results are treated as results of 10, with a bonus untyped modifier of +11, +12, +13, or +14, respectively. Each use of this class ability consumes a single power point for each luck re-roll spent. The custodian is limited to spending no more power points than his class level per use of Not Just Luck. He may apply his Not Just Luck class ability to bonus luck feats gained through custodian class advancement as well as luck feats gained by any other means.

Subtle Tweak:
The custodian may reach out the the world around him, slightly adjusting the random variables of his environment. As a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity, the custodian may ready an action to apply one of 2 Subtle Tweak effects, as follows:
- He may hinder an enemy, who then rolls 1d12 in place of the first 1d20 roll made during its next turn. Any rolls the target makes out of its turn in reaction to another creature's turn (such as a save versus a spell's effects) are not affected by Subtle Tweak.
- He may aid an ally, who then rolls 2d12 in place of any one 1d20 roll of the custodian's choice made before the beginning of the custodian's next turn. The custodian need not choose exactly which of his target's actions will trigger the Subtle Tweak ability when he readies his action, but he must decide to apply Subtle Tweak before the target makes its roll. The results of this 2d12 roll follow the same rules as for the results of a 2d12 luck re-roll, as above.

At 2nd level a custodian may use a Subtle Tweak 2 times per day, increasing to 4 times at 4th level and an unlimited number of times each day at 6th level.

It's Elementary:
The custodian's generally heightened abilities expand to include almost every aspect of his life. He may attempt a skill check even with untrained skills.

Time & Technique:
With some concentration, a few custodian tricks, and a bit of luck, most any problem can be solved. When able to take 10 on a skill check, the custodian may choose to instead take 6 and gain a +1d12 untyped bonus. This ability may be combined with It's Elementary to take 6+1d12 on untrained skills.I would really appreciate any critiques this community could provide, as I know there are some discerning, intelligent folks out there who can help me whip this into a playable prestige class.

I've also got the base class version in the main Classes forum. HERE (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=15188758#post15188758) is the link to it.
DonThelonious
02-26-08, 12:01 AM This class both disturbs and excites me. I like the concept and would love to see the fluff elaborated upon. I only skimmed the class, and will take a closer look at it later. So far though, I like what I have seen. Good job, and if I may be the first to say:

UP THE D12!!!!!
AtsuiShoto
03-01-08, 02:36 PM So, what did you think, Don? Any suggestions about the power point pool (perhaps go to a unique pool of resources specific to the class, perhaps tie in much closer to the luck re-roll pool.... that sort of thing)?
DonThelonious
03-02-08, 12:13 PM The Subtle Tweak ability is neat, and doesn't seem top be overpowered.

The Not Just Luck ability seems a little... odd. The way it is written you don't really gain much. It seems to me that this class would do well to just replace the d20 on everything except attack rolls. So all saves are done with 2d12, all skill checks, ability checks, etc. This is not too overpowered and the best they might get is an additional +4 on the check.

You could even use the 2d12 in place of attack rolls, at the cost of 2 or so PP. This would guarantee that the character never had a critical failure. Critical hits would work as normal except that any rolls of over 20 would become a bonus on the roll to confirm.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AtsuiShoto 02-25-08, 08:47 PM	The Custodian of the Dodecahedron is based on the principle that the universe is composed of 4 physical elements, combined in endless variety upon an ether framework, like a canvas. The elements are Fire, Earth, Air, and Water, corresponding to the 4 Pythagorean solids: d4 tetrahedron, d6 cube, d8 octahedron, and d20 icosahedron (respectively). The missing 5th Pythagorean solid is the dodecahedron, the least-used of the 5 dice in D&D and the representative of the universe's ethereal canvas. The Custodian exists in part because I think the Luck feats are an excellent idea worth further elaboration, and in part to rectify the infrequency of the d12's appearances in an average D&D adventure. I have envisioned the Custodian as both a prestige class and a base class. Given the modern 3.5ed friendliness toward multiclassing, the 6-level prestige class may be appealing, so here it is: Alignment: Any, but with a strong tendency toward Lawful Hit Die: d12 Prerequisites: Must have a pool of power points Knowledge (psionics) 6 ranks Skill Focus: Knowledge (psionics) Class Skills: The custodian's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Autohypnosis (Wis), Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (psionics) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Int), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex). Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier. Base Attack Fort Ref Will Power Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Points 1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Bonus Luck Feat, Not Just Luck 2 2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 Subtle Tweak 2/day 4 3rd +2 +1 +1 +3 Bonus Luck Feat, It's Elementary 7 4th +3 +1 +1 +4 Subtle Tweak 4/day 10 5th +3 +1 +1 +4 Bonus Luck Feat, Time & Technique 14 6th +4 +2 +2 +5 Bonus Luck Feat, Unlimited Tweak 18 Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A custodian gains no proficiency with any weapons or armor, and his class abilities are not restricted by armor or shield use. Power Points: The custodian's abilities spring from his unique understanding of the world and his unshaking belief in its solidly definable, if perhaps somewhat elastic, mechanics. These mental abilities are embodied in the custodian's pool of power points, which increases as he gains class levels. A custodian does not gain the ability to manifest psionic powers, but he may use psionic feats, may maintain or expend psionic focus, and may spend his power points to manifest powers he knows from gaining levels in any psionic manifesting class. Bonus Luck Feats: The custodian gains a bonus luck feat at 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th levels. These bonus feats must be luck feats only. The custodian must still meet all prerequisites for the bonus feat, including ability score and base attack bonus minimums as well as class requirements. These bonus feats are in addition to the feats that a character of any class gains every three levels. A custodian is not limited to luck feats when choosing these other feats. Not Just Luck: The custodian is mindful of the basic geometric underpinnings of reality, and even manages to manipulate them to his benefit. When making a luck re-roll, a custodian may use 2d12 instead of 1d20 for the re-roll. Any result rolled in this way is resolved exactly as it would be if rolled normally by a single d20, with the exception of 21, 22, 23, and 24. These four results are treated as results of 10, with a bonus untyped modifier of +11, +12, +13, or +14, respectively. Each use of this class ability consumes a single power point for each luck re-roll spent. The custodian is limited to spending no more power points than his class level per use of Not Just Luck. He may apply his Not Just Luck class ability to bonus luck feats gained through custodian class advancement as well as luck feats gained by any other means. Subtle Tweak: The custodian may reach out the the world around him, slightly adjusting the random variables of his environment. As a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity, the custodian may ready an action to apply one of 2 Subtle Tweak effects, as follows: - He may hinder an enemy, who then rolls 1d12 in place of the first 1d20 roll made during its next turn. Any rolls the target makes out of its turn in reaction to another creature's turn (such as a save versus a spell's effects) are not affected by Subtle Tweak. - He may aid an ally, who then rolls 2d12 in place of any one 1d20 roll of the custodian's choice made before the beginning of the custodian's next turn. The custodian need not choose exactly which of his target's actions will trigger the Subtle Tweak ability when he readies his action, but he must decide to apply Subtle Tweak before the target makes its roll. The results of this 2d12 roll follow the same rules as for the results of a 2d12 luck re-roll, as above. At 2nd level a custodian may use a Subtle Tweak 2 times per day, increasing to 4 times at 4th level and an unlimited number of times each day at 6th level. It's Elementary: The custodian's generally heightened abilities expand to include almost every aspect of his life. He may attempt a skill check even with untrained skills. Time & Technique: With some concentration, a few custodian tricks, and a bit of luck, most any problem can be solved. When able to take 10 on a skill check, the custodian may choose to instead take 6 and gain a +1d12 untyped bonus. This ability may be combined with It's Elementary to take 6+1d12 on untrained skills.I would really appreciate any critiques this community could provide, as I know there are some discerning, intelligent folks out there who can help me whip this into a playable prestige class. I've also got the base class version in the main Classes forum. HERE (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=15188758#post15188758) is the link to it.
DonThelonious 02-26-08, 12:01 AM	This class both disturbs and excites me. I like the concept and would love to see the fluff elaborated upon. I only skimmed the class, and will take a closer look at it later. So far though, I like what I have seen. Good job, and if I may be the first to say: UP THE D12!!!!!
AtsuiShoto 03-01-08, 02:36 PM	So, what did you think, Don? Any suggestions about the power point pool (perhaps go to a unique pool of resources specific to the class, perhaps tie in much closer to the luck re-roll pool.... that sort of thing)?
DonThelonious 03-02-08, 12:13 PM	The Subtle Tweak ability is neat, and doesn't seem top be overpowered. The Not Just Luck ability seems a little... odd. The way it is written you don't really gain much. It seems to me that this class would do well to just replace the d20 on everything except attack rolls. So all saves are done with 2d12, all skill checks, ability checks, etc. This is not too overpowered and the best they might get is an additional +4 on the check. You could even use the 2d12 in place of attack rolls, at the cost of 2 or so PP. This would guarantee that the character never had a critical failure. Critical hits would work as normal except that any rolls of over 20 would become a bonus on the roll to confirm.