PrCs for LOW level magic world [Archive] - Wizards Community

PrCs for LOW level magic world [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Eberik
05-04-07, 02:57 AM I am looking for some good ideas for PrCs for a world I am making that is very low magic, the only spell casting classes are wizard and cleric. The paladin has been replaced by the knight, and ranger has been replaced by scout and the bard no longer has spells.
It's a world made up of humans, the rest of the races passed on into legend in the last age, and now it's on the cusp of a new age, but magic has not yet faded entirely. Any clues as to ones that would fit such a setting?
Warforged Goblin
05-04-07, 06:33 AM Try this one.

LONGSTRIKER

Every army has an infantry unit, and almost every infantry has the “spear wall”; a bristling barrier of long spears and halberds meant to deter mounted combatants. They are most commonly thought of as nothing more than simple combat grunts. However, a dedicated spear-wielder drew up a rigorous training regimen designed to not only decimate a charging enemy, but to also be accessible to the stock solider and not just an elite fighter. Today longstrikers are defending border towns and wilderness settlements from monstrous humanoid incursions and ravening beasts.

Hit Die: d8

Requirements
To qualify to become a longstriker, a character must fulfill the following criteria.
Base Attack: +3
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Weapon Focus with any pole arm-type weapon.

CLASS SKILLS
The longstriker’s class skills (and the key ability for each) are Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str)
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier

TABLE 1-1: THE LONGSTRIKER
Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Hold the Line, ready regardless, shared focus
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Choke up on it, improved setting
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Extended reflexes, pole and shield style
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Grab the base, stop thrust
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Stand your ground

CLASS FEATURES
All of the following are class features for the longstriker prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Longstrikers are proficient with the following weapons: ankus, awl pike, bardiche, bec de-corbin, duom, glaive, goad, guisarme, greatspear, halberd, heavy poleaxe, lochaber axe, long spear, longstaff, lucerne hammer, naginata, partisan, pilum, quarterstaff, ranseur, ritik, short spear, spear, spetum, and volge. A longstriker does not gain any new armor proficiencies.

Hold the Line: At 1st level the longstriker gains Hold the Line as a bonus feat regardless of whether or not he meets the prerequisites.

Ready Regardless (Ex): At 1st level, no matter what pole arm weapon the longstriker uses, he may set it against a charge for double damage.

Shared Focus (Ex): At 2nd level a longstriker can apply any weapon specific feat (such as Weapon Focus) he has to any pole arm-type weapon he is proficient with.

Choke Up on It (Ex): To the dismay of his opponents, a longstriker can use a reach weapon to attack foes in adjacent squares. Any attack made in this manner takes a -2 penalty.

Improved Setting (Ex): At 2nd level a longstriker learns how to take full advantage of a charging foe. When setting his pole arm weapon against a charge attack, the longstriker gains a +2 to the attack and damage rolls.

Extended Reflexes (Ex): The longstriker learns how to make sure no enemy gets past his defenses. At 3rd level add your longstriker level to the number of attacks of opportunity you may make in a round.

Pole and Shield Style (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you may use a normally two-handed pole arm weapon (such as a long spear) in one hand as long as you wield a shield. You only add half your Strength modifier to attacks made in this manner.

Grab the Base (Ex): Longstrikers learn how to wield the full length of their weapon, attacking foes seemingly out of their reach. At 4th level a longstriker can add 5 ft to the reach of his pole arm weapon. Attacks made using this extra reach incur a -2 penalty.

Stop Thrust (Ex): At 4th level longstrikers can stop an opponent in their tracks. When an opponent moves through your threatened area and takes damage from your attack of opportunity, they must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + your class level + your Strength modifier) or stop movement in that square.

Stand Your Ground (Ex): At the end of his training, the longstriker becomes a bastion of defense. At 5th level, when a longstriker moves 5 ft or less in a round, he gains a +1 circumstance bonus to his Armor Class and attack rolls. In addition, he adds double his Strength modifier to his damage if wielding his pole arm weapon one-handed and triple his Strength modifier to his damage if wielding his pole arm weapon two-handed. If the longstriker set his pole arm weapon against a charge, he deals 1 multiplier higher than normal; double damage to triple damage, etc.

Duelist, Invisible Blade, Reaping Mauler, Exotic Weapon Master, ect all come to mind. For the wizard, I'd suggest only Archmage or Specialist Wizard (I think) from Complete Mage. and maybe Warpreist or Heirophant for the cleric.
Jaxgaret
05-04-07, 03:43 PM That sounds like the Cleric is going to seriously own every other class, by a large margin. Even the Wizard will fall behind, due to limited spell selection. Are you nerfing the Cleric to compensate?

I would suggest you use the Cloistered Cleric (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#clericVarian tCloisteredCleric) variant or Favored Soul.
Eberik
05-05-07, 05:49 AM Turn/Rebuke is being removed as well as a limited number of spheres are going to be available. Other then those, it's about it.
Eberik
05-05-07, 05:08 PM Or I might decide, after checking out my Iron Kingdoms book, use the Pain of Healing rules but I am definately using their rules about how raising the dead is HEAVILY frowned upon.
forsaken1111
05-05-07, 05:19 PM The paladin has been replaced by the knight, and ranger has been replaced by scout and the bard no longer has spells.

Aren't there non-spellcaster variants of these in Unearthed Arcana?
Khatoblepas
05-05-07, 06:08 PM For a very low magic world, may I suggest going the route of d20 modern's spellcasting system?

You have a prestige class that can be entered at 3-4th level, which gives up to 5th level spells, with less spells per day than a regular caster - but with slightly higher potential for other things (well, in D20 Modern at least your mage could shoot people with a pistol). In a low magic world, wizards and clerics would be the bomb. By making magic something you have to research for a while, it balances out with the melee classes somewhat.
The_Shaman
05-05-07, 09:10 PM I am looking for some good ideas for PrCs for a world I am making that is very low magic, the only spell casting classes are wizard and cleric. The paladin has been replaced by the knight, and ranger has been replaced by scout and the bard no longer has spells.
It's a world made up of humans, the rest of the races passed on into legend in the last age, and now it's on the cusp of a new age, but magic has not yet faded entirely. Any clues as to ones that would fit such a setting?

So what does the bard get, if they lose their casting? They might need something to work with instead. If they don't, just keep them as a rogue PrC or something.

Aside from that, wizards and clerics may need a little weakening in this case. Turn undead is actually one of the good things a cleric has to make them unique, just make sure the divine feats are (mostly) off so that TU does not get used for things that you don't want. In fact, since magic is rare, you might want to make sure only those devoted ONLY to their deities (cloistered clerics, the SRD calls them) can cast true divine power; instead of the old cleric, have a variant of the psychic warrior with divine casting (or heck, THE psychic warrior).

As for the arcanists, I think sorcerers might fit this setting more than wizards (since magic is mostly unknown, so a couple of "freaks" here and there might be more common than actual learned casters. Now, of course, these casters are the exception: most of the few "mages" people know of are adepts.
Jaxgaret
05-06-07, 04:13 PM Turn/Rebuke is being removed as well as a limited number of spheres are going to be available. Other then those, it's about it.

Without hearing the details, this seems like a step in the right direction.

Could you explain more about how the spheres are going to work?
Eberik
05-14-07, 12:34 PM As per the issue of monsters and all, most if not all of the abberant type and many of the more "unique" ones will be gone. Orcs, and the like of humanoids are going to be small tribes here and there, dragons and beasts like them are legends and none have been seen in the past few ages. Undead and creatures like them are going to be rewritten to a great degree because of how low fantasy the setting will be starting at. Anyone familiar withe the band Rhapsody of Fire and their epic metal opera will know of what I am talking about. Almost middle earth like in theme and feel.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Eberik 05-04-07, 02:57 AM	I am looking for some good ideas for PrCs for a world I am making that is very low magic, the only spell casting classes are wizard and cleric. The paladin has been replaced by the knight, and ranger has been replaced by scout and the bard no longer has spells. It's a world made up of humans, the rest of the races passed on into legend in the last age, and now it's on the cusp of a new age, but magic has not yet faded entirely. Any clues as to ones that would fit such a setting?
Warforged Goblin 05-04-07, 06:33 AM	Try this one. LONGSTRIKER Every army has an infantry unit, and almost every infantry has the “spear wall”; a bristling barrier of long spears and halberds meant to deter mounted combatants. They are most commonly thought of as nothing more than simple combat grunts. However, a dedicated spear-wielder drew up a rigorous training regimen designed to not only decimate a charging enemy, but to also be accessible to the stock solider and not just an elite fighter. Today longstrikers are defending border towns and wilderness settlements from monstrous humanoid incursions and ravening beasts. Hit Die: d8 Requirements To qualify to become a longstriker, a character must fulfill the following criteria. Base Attack: +3 Feats: Combat Reflexes, Weapon Focus with any pole arm-type weapon. CLASS SKILLS The longstriker’s class skills (and the key ability for each) are Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str) Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier TABLE 1-1: THE LONGSTRIKER Base Fort Ref Will Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special 1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Hold the Line, ready regardless, shared focus 2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Choke up on it, improved setting 3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Extended reflexes, pole and shield style 4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Grab the base, stop thrust 5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Stand your ground CLASS FEATURES All of the following are class features for the longstriker prestige class. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Longstrikers are proficient with the following weapons: ankus, awl pike, bardiche, bec de-corbin, duom, glaive, goad, guisarme, greatspear, halberd, heavy poleaxe, lochaber axe, long spear, longstaff, lucerne hammer, naginata, partisan, pilum, quarterstaff, ranseur, ritik, short spear, spear, spetum, and volge. A longstriker does not gain any new armor proficiencies. Hold the Line: At 1st level the longstriker gains Hold the Line as a bonus feat regardless of whether or not he meets the prerequisites. Ready Regardless (Ex): At 1st level, no matter what pole arm weapon the longstriker uses, he may set it against a charge for double damage. Shared Focus (Ex): At 2nd level a longstriker can apply any weapon specific feat (such as Weapon Focus) he has to any pole arm-type weapon he is proficient with. Choke Up on It (Ex): To the dismay of his opponents, a longstriker can use a reach weapon to attack foes in adjacent squares. Any attack made in this manner takes a -2 penalty. Improved Setting (Ex): At 2nd level a longstriker learns how to take full advantage of a charging foe. When setting his pole arm weapon against a charge attack, the longstriker gains a +2 to the attack and damage rolls. Extended Reflexes (Ex): The longstriker learns how to make sure no enemy gets past his defenses. At 3rd level add your longstriker level to the number of attacks of opportunity you may make in a round. Pole and Shield Style (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you may use a normally two-handed pole arm weapon (such as a long spear) in one hand as long as you wield a shield. You only add half your Strength modifier to attacks made in this manner. Grab the Base (Ex): Longstrikers learn how to wield the full length of their weapon, attacking foes seemingly out of their reach. At 4th level a longstriker can add 5 ft to the reach of his pole arm weapon. Attacks made using this extra reach incur a -2 penalty. Stop Thrust (Ex): At 4th level longstrikers can stop an opponent in their tracks. When an opponent moves through your threatened area and takes damage from your attack of opportunity, they must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + your class level + your Strength modifier) or stop movement in that square. Stand Your Ground (Ex): At the end of his training, the longstriker becomes a bastion of defense. At 5th level, when a longstriker moves 5 ft or less in a round, he gains a +1 circumstance bonus to his Armor Class and attack rolls. In addition, he adds double his Strength modifier to his damage if wielding his pole arm weapon one-handed and triple his Strength modifier to his damage if wielding his pole arm weapon two-handed. If the longstriker set his pole arm weapon against a charge, he deals 1 multiplier higher than normal; double damage to triple damage, etc. Duelist, Invisible Blade, Reaping Mauler, Exotic Weapon Master, ect all come to mind. For the wizard, I'd suggest only Archmage or Specialist Wizard (I think) from Complete Mage. and maybe Warpreist or Heirophant for the cleric.
Jaxgaret 05-04-07, 03:43 PM	That sounds like the Cleric is going to seriously own every other class, by a large margin. Even the Wizard will fall behind, due to limited spell selection. Are you nerfing the Cleric to compensate? I would suggest you use the Cloistered Cleric (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#clericVarian tCloisteredCleric) variant or Favored Soul.
Eberik 05-05-07, 05:49 AM	Turn/Rebuke is being removed as well as a limited number of spheres are going to be available. Other then those, it's about it.
Eberik 05-05-07, 05:08 PM	Or I might decide, after checking out my Iron Kingdoms book, use the Pain of Healing rules but I am definately using their rules about how raising the dead is HEAVILY frowned upon.
forsaken1111 05-05-07, 05:19 PM	The paladin has been replaced by the knight, and ranger has been replaced by scout and the bard no longer has spells. Aren't there non-spellcaster variants of these in Unearthed Arcana?
Khatoblepas 05-05-07, 06:08 PM	For a very low magic world, may I suggest going the route of d20 modern's spellcasting system? You have a prestige class that can be entered at 3-4th level, which gives up to 5th level spells, with less spells per day than a regular caster - but with slightly higher potential for other things (well, in D20 Modern at least your mage could shoot people with a pistol). In a low magic world, wizards and clerics would be the bomb. By making magic something you have to research for a while, it balances out with the melee classes somewhat.
The_Shaman 05-05-07, 09:10 PM	I am looking for some good ideas for PrCs for a world I am making that is very low magic, the only spell casting classes are wizard and cleric. The paladin has been replaced by the knight, and ranger has been replaced by scout and the bard no longer has spells. It's a world made up of humans, the rest of the races passed on into legend in the last age, and now it's on the cusp of a new age, but magic has not yet faded entirely. Any clues as to ones that would fit such a setting? So what does the bard get, if they lose their casting? They might need something to work with instead. If they don't, just keep them as a rogue PrC or something. Aside from that, wizards and clerics may need a little weakening in this case. Turn undead is actually one of the good things a cleric has to make them unique, just make sure the divine feats are (mostly) off so that TU does not get used for things that you don't want. In fact, since magic is rare, you might want to make sure only those devoted ONLY to their deities (cloistered clerics, the SRD calls them) can cast true divine power; instead of the old cleric, have a variant of the psychic warrior with divine casting (or heck, THE psychic warrior). As for the arcanists, I think sorcerers might fit this setting more than wizards (since magic is mostly unknown, so a couple of "freaks" here and there might be more common than actual learned casters. Now, of course, these casters are the exception: most of the few "mages" people know of are adepts.
Jaxgaret 05-06-07, 04:13 PM	Turn/Rebuke is being removed as well as a limited number of spheres are going to be available. Other then those, it's about it. Without hearing the details, this seems like a step in the right direction. Could you explain more about how the spheres are going to work?
Eberik 05-14-07, 12:34 PM	As per the issue of monsters and all, most if not all of the abberant type and many of the more "unique" ones will be gone. Orcs, and the like of humanoids are going to be small tribes here and there, dragons and beasts like them are legends and none have been seen in the past few ages. Undead and creatures like them are going to be rewritten to a great degree because of how low fantasy the setting will be starting at. Anyone familiar withe the band Rhapsody of Fire and their epic metal opera will know of what I am talking about. Almost middle earth like in theme and feel.