Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sulacu 11-12-07, 09:52 AM	The Arthroparch, portmanteau of Arthropod (the family of insects, arachnids, myriapoda, crustaceans, etc) and the suffix 'arch', meaning leader or authority, is a prestige class that combines the arcane or divine spellcasting ability of a character with the special power to control and bend to one's will the mindless droves of vermin that inhabit the entire world. This is the first draft of the class, and as such it may still be quite unbalanced. I am not a great hero when it comes to balancing, but I will have to try. For now, I would welcome and appreciate any criticism that people may deign to give me. To keep this thread from clotting, the information of the Arthroparch prestige class can be found HERE (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Arthroparch_%28DnD_Prestige_Class%29). Thank you. :)
Soel Griffin 11-13-07, 02:33 AM	Looks like a wonderful BBEG class. I love it! The Affect Vermin ability comes off as a little unclear. How does this work with an already in effect Summon Swarm, for instance? Maybe it could add to a casting's effects? I think you'd do well to change the Protective Swarm as follows: - raise the AC bonus to +2, or possibly even give the Arthroparch concealment when under the effects of Protective Swarm - eliminate the -10 penalty to Concentration. Such a class shouldn't be so gimped by its main abilities. I will probably use this for one of my villains (altering the pre-reqs a tad bit will make a Warlock qualify, and wouldn't that be an interesting BBEG?) Thanx!
Sulacu 11-14-07, 09:08 AM	The AC bonus that the swarm bestows grows as the swarm does. For every 5 ft. of the swarm's radius (5 ft at 2nd, 10 ft at 6th and 15 ft. at 10th level), there's an accumulative +1 to AC. By the way, the swarm already grants concealment. It should be there already. I do believe I agree with your idea to remove the gimping. Okay, I thought of Affect Vermin like the following. Vermin is as close as mindless as animals get. Insects and other families of arthropods survive and thrive on but the most basic of brain functions, which is why they are unaffected by spells from the schools of illusion and enchantment. Affect Vermin allows the Arthroparch to assume basic control over vermin in the area (including normal sized vermin in the area). He can call them to him as a standard action, and with the spells giant vermin and summon swarm, he can direct them with only the most basic of commands, like 'attack', and 'defend', and 'stop attacking'. The vermin is otherwise indiscriminate in its actions. Affect Vermin allows the arthroparch to issue more complex commands, like 'keep your distance from that particular target', 'try and deal subdual damage', 'bring these and those to me' or simply 'be a meatshield while I cast my spell'. Also, with round by round concentration checks, the Vermin can be directed to follow precise orders in movement from square to square.
Soel Griffin 11-15-07, 04:16 AM	Ohh. I need to read closer... Now I understand the Affect Vermin better. This is a great class.
Sulacu 11-15-07, 04:44 AM	On the whole, I agree with you, though. The class definitely needs better wording, and I need a better way to describe the swarm mechanic. :)
Windspear 11-15-07, 06:06 AM	OMFG that is such a cool class!!! I really need my DMs approval on this (which I think I'll get) and then I'm DEFINITELY TAKING THIS CLASS!! Excellent idea!