PEACH: Weathercaster [Archive] - Wizards Community

PEACH: Weathercaster [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
aarnott
04-24-07, 02:05 PM (Originally posted by me here (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Weathercaster_%28DnD_Prestige_Class%29))

Weathercaster

Qelgoth picked up pace, spurring his warhorse forward. After hurdling a fence at the top of a hill, he had made it to the main traveling path ahead. He noticed a halfling on the path stop for a moment, lick his finger, and put it up to find the direction of the wind.

Quelgoth chuckled. Another weak halfling likely to be loaded with gold. He would help the halfling lighten its pockets. He sent his warhorse barreling forward and the halfling turned looking rather annoyed.

In a moment Quelgoth was suddenly surrounded by thick fog that was eating away at his skin and armor. He tried to push his mount forward but it was no use, the fog was so thick, movement was like wading through water. Suddenly lightning struck him and soon he was pelted by more and more bolts.

A few merchants passing by saw the green fog vapors clear up and saw the notorious bandit Quelgoth and his horse dead. The halfling looked over at them and said: "You know, I wrote my thesis on a spell like that one. I just wish I didn't have to cloud up such a sunny day. The weather was just beautiful".

In high intellectual centers where there are mage universities, many wizards decide to specialize in a school of magic. Some of these wizards continue their education beyond apprenticeship, taking extra courses to boost their knowledge. Many look beyond traditional arcane magic toward the elements of the world that create arcane magic. These wizards believe that it is nature itself that is the source of all magic and begin to revere its strengths. Many such wizards write their thesis on a spell related to weather effects and nature in order to earn their master wizard's degree. These are the wizards with the knowledge and dedication to become a Weathercaster.

Weathercasters are an intellectual group of wizards that have learned to master the weather temporarily through arcane magic. These reclusive individuals often journey to study weather further. They get along well with druids and rangers, but tend to prefer the niceties that a warm meal and a cozy bed has to offer. They do however, highly respect a druid that displays mastery of weather, and often create strong alliances and friendships with such individuals.

Almost every Weathercaster is a wizard, but they often take a few levels in druid throughout the course of their adventuring career.

Prerequisites

Skills
Skills: Knowledge (nature) 9 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 9 ranks
Feats: Arcane Thesis in a spell on the Weathercaster list (see below)
Spellcasting: Able to prepare 3rd-level spells from a spellbook
Special: Specialization in either the Conjuration or Evocation schools, with neither as a prohibited class.

Table: Weathercaster

Lvl BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spells per Day
1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Expanded Spellbook ---
2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Extend Storm 1/day +1 spellcaster level
3 +1 +1 +1 +3 Spell Focus +1 spellcaster level
4 +2 +1 +1 +4 Call Lightning ---
5 +2 +1 +1 +4 Extend Storm 2/day, Storm Sight +1 spellcaster level
6 +3 +2 +2 +5 Distracting Weather +1 spellcaster level
7 +3 +2 +2 +5 Call Lightning Storm ---
8 +4 +2 +2 +6 Extend Storm 3/day +1 spellcaster level
9 +4 +3 +3 +6 Weather Shaping +1 spellcaster level
10 +5 +3 +3 +7 Weather Mastery ---

Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level)
Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Profession (Wis), Survival (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Weathercaster:

Caster level bonus: At most Weathercaster levels, the character gains an effective level in spellcasting in a single class that prepares spells from a spellbook (usually Wizard). The spells known, spells per day, and caster level increase as though the character had gained a level in the other class, though he gains no other benefits of that class.

Expanded Spellbook: The Weathercaster specializes in a specific set of spells. Upon taking the first level of the class, the Weathercaster immediately adds to his spellbook each spell on the following list that he can cast. Whenever another spell level becomes available, he automatically adds the spells on the list of that level to his spellbook. These new spells don't count against the usual 2 per level limit. In order to become

a Weathercaster, the character must choose the feat Arcane Thesis, which pertains to one of these spells. The spells are:

1st: Obscuring Mist, Shocking Grasp

2nd: Fog Cloud, Gust of Wind

3rd: Lightning Bolt, Sleet Storm, Wind Wall

4th: Ice Storm, Solid Fog

5th: Cloudkill, Cone of Cold

6th: Acid Fog, Control Water, Thunder Field (Player's Handbook II)

7th: Control Weather, Control Winds

8th: Incendiary Cloud, Sunburst

9th: Meteor Swarm, Storm of Vengeance, Whirlwind

Extend Storm (Sp): The Weathercaster has learned to extend his storm spells beyond their normal duration. At 2nd level, the Weathercaster can cast a spell from the list and have the duration last twice as long, as though it had Extend Spell applied to it. The spell must have a duration other than Instantaneous. The Weathercaster chooses whether or not to apply Extend Storm at the time of casting, not preparation. The spell doesn't use a higher-level spell slot (like an Extended Spell would), but Extend Storm does not stack with Extend Spell. The Weathercaster may apply Extend Storm once per day, but at 5th level this increases to twice per day and at 8th level this increases to three times per day.

Spell Focus: Though the Weathercaster focuses religiously on weather-controlling spells, his expertise extends to other spells that are similar. At 3rd level, the Weathercaster selects Spell Focus or Greater Spell Focus in either the Conjuration or Evocation schools. If the Weathercaster already has these feats, no benefit is gained. The weathercaster must still meet pre-requisites for Greater Spell Focus.

Call Lightning (Sp): The Weathercaster has learned to unleash the fury of the storms. The Weathercaster may cast Call Lightning as a Druid with caster level equal to his Weathercaster level. Any targets inside the area of one of his listed Conjuration spells are treated as in a stormy area and take extra damage as described in the Call Lightning spell. This ability may be used once per day for every three Weathercaster levels the character has earned.

Storm Sight (Ex): The Weathercaster is able to see through the fog of his weather spells. Any spell that obscures vision on the Weathercaster spell list no longer affects the Weathercaster. This ability can be used to grant him line of sight for his spells and abilities.

Distracting Weather (Ex): Whenever the Weathercaster casts an evocation spell, the DC of the spell's save (if any) is increased by 2 for any foes that are currently inside the area of one of his listed Conjuration spells. He also gets a +2 bonus to overcome the spell resistance of such creatures. This only applies to foes caught specifically in his spells, and by evocation spells cast by him. However, it doesn't matter whether such foes succeeded or failed on any saves of the conjuration spell, merely that they are in its area of effect. (Note that Control Weather is not a conjuration spell, so gains no benefit from this ability.)

Call Lightning Storm (Sp): The Weathercaster has improved his mastery of the storms. The Weathercaster may cast Call Lightning Storm as a Druid with caster level equal to his Weathercaster level. Any targets inside the area of one of his listed Conjuration spells are treated as in a stormy area and take extra damage as described in the Call Lightning Storm spell. This ability may be used once per day for every four Weathercaster levels the character has earned.

Weather Shaping (Sp): At 9th level, the Weathercaster has such precise control over his area spells that he may designate areas within his spells that are not affected by the spell. For example, he may cast Sleet Storm that encompasses his party and foes with its radius, but he can leave a hole where his party stands so that it is unaffected. He may only apply Weather Shaping to conjuration spells on the Weathercaster spell list. Any such holes must be at least 10 ft. x 10 ft. large, but otherwise there can be as many as desired. This ability may be used three times per day.

Weather Mastery (Ex): The Weathercaster has gained mastery over controlling the weather. Each round a creature spends inside an area spell on the Weathercaster spell list that has a duration, they get a cumulative -1 to saving throws against that effect (to a maximum to -4). Any damage taken while in the area is cumulatively increased by 1 each round (to a maximum of +4).

Secondly, the Weathercaster's listed spells that have a duration are now all dismissable. Dismissing such a spell is a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The spell lasts for 1 round after dismissal, at which point it completely dissipates.

-----

What I'm wondering is what might be imbalanced. Is anything too weak or too strong? Besides that let me know if there is any flavor related things I should change.

Basically any general constructive opinions are very welcome!

TIA,
aarnott
04-25-07, 05:55 PM No comments at all? :/
Tuhljin
04-26-07, 01:31 AM Interesting class. (I mean that in a positive way!) I'm not the best judge of balance, but I'd say it's not overpowering. If anything, it might be weak. You lose a lot of caster levels for what you gain.
aarnott
04-26-07, 02:01 PM Interesting class. (I mean that in a positive way!) I'm not the best judge of balance, but I'd say it's not overpowering. If anything, it might be weak. You lose a lot of caster levels for what you gain.

Well you do gain some Druid Spells to your spell list, you get to see through mist spells, and you can rain lightning bolts on people inside the mist.

I was sort of aiming this as a crowd control tactical class.

I'm really not sure if it is balanced. Out of the few comments I've got from friends, it has totaled to:

-this class is underpowered and needs a 9 level caster progression
-this class is well balanced
-this class is overpowered especially because of storm sight. Remove storm sight so it is less busted

I'm really not sure where it fits (which is why I ask).
RobbyPants
04-26-07, 03:04 PM Another cool feature you could add is flight, that only works during a storm (or perhaps if the wind speed is fast enough). I think the Stormlord PrC has this, and it's cool for flavor.

I don't think storm sight is that powerful. It has a great flavor to it, and it can be useful, but by the time you get it, it's not that hard to blind opponents or make yourself invisible with other classes/items.
Tuhljin
04-26-07, 05:43 PM I wouldn't remove Storm Sight if I were you! I like the idea very much. (In fact, I'm in the process of creating a Steam Mage PrC - fire specialist who works around/with water - and was planning on "borrowing" the idea if you don't mind, albeit a more limited version of it.) Like I said, I'm not the best judge of balance, but if I had to take what you've got here and make it balanced for immediate play today, I'd change it so you only lose 3 (instead of 4) caster levels, in this pattern:
1 -
2 +1
3 +1
4 +1
5 -
6 +1
7 +1
8 +1
9 -
10 +1
aarnott
04-27-07, 11:55 AM Thanks for the replies!

@RobbyPants

Flight would be a great idea! I will make it so that it is unaffected by the Weathercaster's own spells. What level slot would you put this in at. I'd also think 3/day would be fair.

@Tuhljin

Go ahead and borrow storm sight :). I'm honored to see my idea used (regardless of where it appears). I'm thinking I may switch to that spell progression since this class is a strong caster type.

My main qualm for balance is trying to compare to taking a level in wizard. At the moment the player who is planning on taking this class at next level is unsure if he will go WeatherCaster 1-10 right away or throw in wizard levels along the way for the spells. I think it is good to have players face this dilemma when picking a PrC. Otherwise PrCs should all be strictly better than base classes (which they are not).

Right now I'm thinking this class is definitely on a very close scale for balance, so it will either be the caster level or flight, but not both.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
aarnott 04-24-07, 02:05 PM	(Originally posted by me here (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Weathercaster_%28DnD_Prestige_Class%29)) Weathercaster Qelgoth picked up pace, spurring his warhorse forward. After hurdling a fence at the top of a hill, he had made it to the main traveling path ahead. He noticed a halfling on the path stop for a moment, lick his finger, and put it up to find the direction of the wind. Quelgoth chuckled. Another weak halfling likely to be loaded with gold. He would help the halfling lighten its pockets. He sent his warhorse barreling forward and the halfling turned looking rather annoyed. In a moment Quelgoth was suddenly surrounded by thick fog that was eating away at his skin and armor. He tried to push his mount forward but it was no use, the fog was so thick, movement was like wading through water. Suddenly lightning struck him and soon he was pelted by more and more bolts. A few merchants passing by saw the green fog vapors clear up and saw the notorious bandit Quelgoth and his horse dead. The halfling looked over at them and said: "You know, I wrote my thesis on a spell like that one. I just wish I didn't have to cloud up such a sunny day. The weather was just beautiful". In high intellectual centers where there are mage universities, many wizards decide to specialize in a school of magic. Some of these wizards continue their education beyond apprenticeship, taking extra courses to boost their knowledge. Many look beyond traditional arcane magic toward the elements of the world that create arcane magic. These wizards believe that it is nature itself that is the source of all magic and begin to revere its strengths. Many such wizards write their thesis on a spell related to weather effects and nature in order to earn their master wizard's degree. These are the wizards with the knowledge and dedication to become a Weathercaster. Weathercasters are an intellectual group of wizards that have learned to master the weather temporarily through arcane magic. These reclusive individuals often journey to study weather further. They get along well with druids and rangers, but tend to prefer the niceties that a warm meal and a cozy bed has to offer. They do however, highly respect a druid that displays mastery of weather, and often create strong alliances and friendships with such individuals. Almost every Weathercaster is a wizard, but they often take a few levels in druid throughout the course of their adventuring career. Prerequisites Skills Skills: Knowledge (nature) 9 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 9 ranks Feats: Arcane Thesis in a spell on the Weathercaster list (see below) Spellcasting: Able to prepare 3rd-level spells from a spellbook Special: Specialization in either the Conjuration or Evocation schools, with neither as a prohibited class. Table: Weathercaster Lvl BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spells per Day 1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Expanded Spellbook --- 2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Extend Storm 1/day +1 spellcaster level 3 +1 +1 +1 +3 Spell Focus +1 spellcaster level 4 +2 +1 +1 +4 Call Lightning --- 5 +2 +1 +1 +4 Extend Storm 2/day, Storm Sight +1 spellcaster level 6 +3 +2 +2 +5 Distracting Weather +1 spellcaster level 7 +3 +2 +2 +5 Call Lightning Storm --- 8 +4 +2 +2 +6 Extend Storm 3/day +1 spellcaster level 9 +4 +3 +3 +6 Weather Shaping +1 spellcaster level 10 +5 +3 +3 +7 Weather Mastery --- Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level) Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Profession (Wis), Survival (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int). Class Features All of the following are class features of the Weathercaster: Caster level bonus: At most Weathercaster levels, the character gains an effective level in spellcasting in a single class that prepares spells from a spellbook (usually Wizard). The spells known, spells per day, and caster level increase as though the character had gained a level in the other class, though he gains no other benefits of that class. Expanded Spellbook: The Weathercaster specializes in a specific set of spells. Upon taking the first level of the class, the Weathercaster immediately adds to his spellbook each spell on the following list that he can cast. Whenever another spell level becomes available, he automatically adds the spells on the list of that level to his spellbook. These new spells don't count against the usual 2 per level limit. In order to become a Weathercaster, the character must choose the feat Arcane Thesis, which pertains to one of these spells. The spells are: 1st: Obscuring Mist, Shocking Grasp 2nd: Fog Cloud, Gust of Wind 3rd: Lightning Bolt, Sleet Storm, Wind Wall 4th: Ice Storm, Solid Fog 5th: Cloudkill, Cone of Cold 6th: Acid Fog, Control Water, Thunder Field (Player's Handbook II) 7th: Control Weather, Control Winds 8th: Incendiary Cloud, Sunburst 9th: Meteor Swarm, Storm of Vengeance, Whirlwind Extend Storm (Sp): The Weathercaster has learned to extend his storm spells beyond their normal duration. At 2nd level, the Weathercaster can cast a spell from the list and have the duration last twice as long, as though it had Extend Spell applied to it. The spell must have a duration other than Instantaneous. The Weathercaster chooses whether or not to apply Extend Storm at the time of casting, not preparation. The spell doesn't use a higher-level spell slot (like an Extended Spell would), but Extend Storm does not stack with Extend Spell. The Weathercaster may apply Extend Storm once per day, but at 5th level this increases to twice per day and at 8th level this increases to three times per day. Spell Focus: Though the Weathercaster focuses religiously on weather-controlling spells, his expertise extends to other spells that are similar. At 3rd level, the Weathercaster selects Spell Focus or Greater Spell Focus in either the Conjuration or Evocation schools. If the Weathercaster already has these feats, no benefit is gained. The weathercaster must still meet pre-requisites for Greater Spell Focus. Call Lightning (Sp): The Weathercaster has learned to unleash the fury of the storms. The Weathercaster may cast Call Lightning as a Druid with caster level equal to his Weathercaster level. Any targets inside the area of one of his listed Conjuration spells are treated as in a stormy area and take extra damage as described in the Call Lightning spell. This ability may be used once per day for every three Weathercaster levels the character has earned. Storm Sight (Ex): The Weathercaster is able to see through the fog of his weather spells. Any spell that obscures vision on the Weathercaster spell list no longer affects the Weathercaster. This ability can be used to grant him line of sight for his spells and abilities. Distracting Weather (Ex): Whenever the Weathercaster casts an evocation spell, the DC of the spell's save (if any) is increased by 2 for any foes that are currently inside the area of one of his listed Conjuration spells. He also gets a +2 bonus to overcome the spell resistance of such creatures. This only applies to foes caught specifically in his spells, and by evocation spells cast by him. However, it doesn't matter whether such foes succeeded or failed on any saves of the conjuration spell, merely that they are in its area of effect. (Note that Control Weather is not a conjuration spell, so gains no benefit from this ability.) Call Lightning Storm (Sp): The Weathercaster has improved his mastery of the storms. The Weathercaster may cast Call Lightning Storm as a Druid with caster level equal to his Weathercaster level. Any targets inside the area of one of his listed Conjuration spells are treated as in a stormy area and take extra damage as described in the Call Lightning Storm spell. This ability may be used once per day for every four Weathercaster levels the character has earned. Weather Shaping (Sp): At 9th level, the Weathercaster has such precise control over his area spells that he may designate areas within his spells that are not affected by the spell. For example, he may cast Sleet Storm that encompasses his party and foes with its radius, but he can leave a hole where his party stands so that it is unaffected. He may only apply Weather Shaping to conjuration spells on the Weathercaster spell list. Any such holes must be at least 10 ft. x 10 ft. large, but otherwise there can be as many as desired. This ability may be used three times per day. Weather Mastery (Ex): The Weathercaster has gained mastery over controlling the weather. Each round a creature spends inside an area spell on the Weathercaster spell list that has a duration, they get a cumulative -1 to saving throws against that effect (to a maximum to -4). Any damage taken while in the area is cumulatively increased by 1 each round (to a maximum of +4). Secondly, the Weathercaster's listed spells that have a duration are now all dismissable. Dismissing such a spell is a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The spell lasts for 1 round after dismissal, at which point it completely dissipates. ----- What I'm wondering is what might be imbalanced. Is anything too weak or too strong? Besides that let me know if there is any flavor related things I should change. Basically any general constructive opinions are very welcome! TIA,
aarnott 04-25-07, 05:55 PM	No comments at all? :/
Tuhljin 04-26-07, 01:31 AM	Interesting class. (I mean that in a positive way!) I'm not the best judge of balance, but I'd say it's not overpowering. If anything, it might be weak. You lose a lot of caster levels for what you gain.
aarnott 04-26-07, 02:01 PM	Interesting class. (I mean that in a positive way!) I'm not the best judge of balance, but I'd say it's not overpowering. If anything, it might be weak. You lose a lot of caster levels for what you gain. Well you do gain some Druid Spells to your spell list, you get to see through mist spells, and you can rain lightning bolts on people inside the mist. I was sort of aiming this as a crowd control tactical class. I'm really not sure if it is balanced. Out of the few comments I've got from friends, it has totaled to: -this class is underpowered and needs a 9 level caster progression -this class is well balanced -this class is overpowered especially because of storm sight. Remove storm sight so it is less busted I'm really not sure where it fits (which is why I ask).
RobbyPants 04-26-07, 03:04 PM	Another cool feature you could add is flight, that only works during a storm (or perhaps if the wind speed is fast enough). I think the Stormlord PrC has this, and it's cool for flavor. I don't think storm sight is that powerful. It has a great flavor to it, and it can be useful, but by the time you get it, it's not that hard to blind opponents or make yourself invisible with other classes/items.
Tuhljin 04-26-07, 05:43 PM	I wouldn't remove Storm Sight if I were you! I like the idea very much. (In fact, I'm in the process of creating a Steam Mage PrC - fire specialist who works around/with water - and was planning on "borrowing" the idea if you don't mind, albeit a more limited version of it.) Like I said, I'm not the best judge of balance, but if I had to take what you've got here and make it balanced for immediate play today, I'd change it so you only lose 3 (instead of 4) caster levels, in this pattern: 1 - 2 +1 3 +1 4 +1 5 - 6 +1 7 +1 8 +1 9 - 10 +1
aarnott 04-27-07, 11:55 AM	Thanks for the replies! @RobbyPants Flight would be a great idea! I will make it so that it is unaffected by the Weathercaster's own spells. What level slot would you put this in at. I'd also think 3/day would be fair. @Tuhljin Go ahead and borrow storm sight :). I'm honored to see my idea used (regardless of where it appears). I'm thinking I may switch to that spell progression since this class is a strong caster type. My main qualm for balance is trying to compare to taking a level in wizard. At the moment the player who is planning on taking this class at next level is unsure if he will go WeatherCaster 1-10 right away or throw in wizard levels along the way for the spells. I think it is good to have players face this dilemma when picking a PrC. Otherwise PrCs should all be strictly better than base classes (which they are not). Right now I'm thinking this class is definitely on a very close scale for balance, so it will either be the caster level or flight, but not both.