Tactile Arcanist [Archive] - Wizards Community

Tactile Arcanist [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Nalreth
04-19-07, 03:14 PM I've had this prestige class lying around for a while, and it's geared for the 3.5 edition, and my friends have hounded me to post it here for critique before I try implementing the PrC. Also, as I'm new, I'm not sure if someone else has created such a class before, and if it has appeared similarly in another book, please let me know. I also apologize for the abbreviations in the top section.

Tactile Arcanist
Lvl_BA_F_R_W__Special__________Spells
1__0__0_2_0___MoT, IASF 10%___+1 arcane spellcaster level
2__1__0_2_0___Spring Spell______+1 arcane spellcaster level
3__1__1_3_1___D.R., T.P. +2_____+1 arcane spellcaster level
4__2__1_3_1___FSS_____________+1 arcane spellcaster level
5__2__1_4_1___TSE, IASF 15%___+1 arcane spellcaster level
6__3__2_4_2___D.R., T.P. +3_____+1 arcane spellcaster level
7__3__2_5_2___________________+1 arcane spellcaster level
8__4__2_5_2___________________+1 arcane spellcaster level
9__4__3_6_3___D.R., T.P. +4_____+1 arcane spellcaster level
10_5__3_6_3___IASF 20%________+1 arcane spellcaster level

Hit Die: d6.

Requirements
Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Tumble 4 ranks
Feats: Combat Casting, Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Focus: Touch Spell
Special: Must be able to cast at least one 4th level arcane touch spell.

Class Skills
The class skills (and the key ability for each skill) for the tactile arcanist are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int) and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are features of the tactile arcanist prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A tactile arcanist gains no proficiency with weapons, but gains proficiency with light armor.
Spells per Day/Spells Known: At each level gained, a tactile arcanist gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had gained a level in the arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she entered the prestige class. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before she became a tactile arcanist, she must decide to which class she must add each level of tactile arcanist for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Master of Touch: A tactile arcanist devotes herself to melee touch attack spells. At 1st level, all ranged touch spells that she casts are instead melee touch spells. In addition, a tactile arcanist adds her class levels as a competence bonus to any melee touch attack she makes with a spell.
Ignore Arcane Spell Failure: Beginning at 1st level, a tactile arcanist begins to learn how to ignore spell failure from armor. The spell failure chance ignored is 10% at 1st level, 15% at 5th level, and 20% at 10th level.
Spring Spell: Beginning at 2nd level, a tactile arcanist can, as a full round action, move before and after making a melee touch attack with a spell. She may not move a total distance of more than her speed, and she must also move at least 5 feet before and after the attack. She may not perform this action with anything other than a melee touch attack spell. Using this ability does not provoke an attack of opportunity from the spell's target, but might provoke attacks of opportunity from other creatures.
Diminishing Range: Beginning at 3rd level, the ranges of all spells a tactile arcanist casts are reduced by one step. All spell ranges of Long are now Medium, Medium are now Close, and Close are now Touch. For spell ranges expressed in feet, they are reduced by 75%. Any area effect spells that are now cast as touch spells affect only the target. If a spell would normally jump to one or more targets after affecting the initial target and are not area effect spells, they remain unchanged in regards to the distance between targets. If the spell creates more than one effect that can be directed to different targets, such as the four spheres of meteor swarm, they are all directed at one target (but make a separate attack roll for each effect). The range reductions repeat at 6th and 9th levels; This, in effect, reduces all spells of Long, Medium or Close range to a range of Touch by 9th level.
Touch Potency: Beginning at 3rd level, a tactile arcanist gains +2 bonus to the caster level and save DC of all touch spells. This bonus increases to +3 at 6th level, and +4 at 9th level.
Fluid Spring Spell: Beginning at 4th level, a tactile arcanist learns the ability to cast a touch spell as a quickened spell as part of her spring spell attack action. This allows her to implement a mobile touch attack within moments of the start of combat.
Touch Spell Empowerment: Beginning at 5th level, a tactile arcanist begins to better manipulate spells that were formerly affecting larger areas into touch spells. Any spell that a tactile arcanist casts that would have normally affected an area and dealt damage dependent on caster level now has a damage cap of 5 dice higher than it previously did.
Dark1ord
04-19-07, 04:29 PM just a thought: why does anyone use combat casting when they can take skill focus for concentration and get +3 all the time instead of +4 only when casting defensively?... granted, there's the stacking, but... combat casting seems weak.

as for the class, it always did annoy me that spring attack didn't work with touch spells.

what's a "mischief mage"? old name or something? btw. wouldn't "tactile arcanist" suggest you weren't incorporeal, and not that you're making touch attacks?

oh, and, when you write "+1 level of existing class", are you allowing non-arcane magic users to enter (if they met the prerequisite)?
Gadren
04-19-07, 06:57 PM This is a fascinating concept, but balance wise I'd say its weaker than some NPC classes.
Give more benefits for touch spells, such as lowering the cost for metamagic on such spells or something along those lines. Otherwise, the range reduction penalty out ways all the benefits of the class.

Also, if you have time, please critique the prestige class in my sig!
Nalreth
04-19-07, 11:46 PM -Mischief mage was the name of the class back when I had a completely different concept for this PrC.
-I put it as the +1 of existing class in the block because I wasn't sure if +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class would fit without spilling into the next line, but I made sure that the arcane spellcasting class issue was addressed in the class features section. Regardless, I changed this below.
-Combat Casting isn't there so much for its effectiveness as it is for a reasonable prerequisite for the PrC seeing as how it is melee range geared.
-As far as the underpowered aspect, I have tweaked the PrC, and reposted it above.
Gadren
04-20-07, 01:02 AM -Mischief mage was the name of the class back when I had a completely different concept for this PrC.
-I put it as the +1 of existing class in the block because I wasn't sure if +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class would fit without spilling into the next line, but I made sure that the arcane spellcasting class issue was addressed in the class features section. Regardless, I changed this below.
-Combat Casting isn't there so much for its effectiveness as it is for a reasonable prerequisite for the PrC seeing as how it is melee range geared.
-As far as the underpowered aspect, I have tweaked the PrC, and reposted it below.

Tactile Arcanist
Lvl_BA_F_R_W__Special__________Spells
1__0__0_2_0___MoT, IASF 10%___+1 arcane spellcaster level
2__1__0_2_0___Spring Spell______+1 arcane spellcaster level
3__1__1_3_1___D.R., T.P. +2_____+1 arcane spellcaster level
4__2__1_3_1___FSS_____________+1 arcane spellcaster level
5__2__1_4_1___IASF 15%________+1 arcane spellcaster level
6__3__2_4_2___D.R., T.P. +3_____+1 arcane spellcaster level
7__3__2_5_2__________________+1 arcane spellcaster level
8__4__2_5_2__________________+1 arcane spellcaster level
9__4__3_6_3___D.R., T.P. +4_____+1 arcane spellcaster level
10_5__3_6_3___IASF 20%________+1 arcane spellcaster level

Hit Die: d6.

Requirements
Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Tumble 4 ranks
Feats: Combat Casting, Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Focus: Touch Spell
Special: Must be able to cast at least one 4th level arcane touch spell.

Class Skills
The class skills (and the key ability for each skill) for the tactile arcanist are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int) and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are features of the tactile arcanist prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A tactile arcanist gains no proficiency with weapons, but gains proficiency with light armor.
Spells per Day/Spells Known: At each level gained, a tactile arcanist gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had gained a level in the arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she entered the prestige class. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before she became a tactile arcanist, she must decide to which class she must add each level of tactile arcanist for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Master of Touch: A tactile arcanist devotes herself to melee touch attack spells. At 1st level, all ranged touch spells that she casts are instead melee touch spells. In addition, a tactile arcanist adds her class levels as an insight bonus to any melee touch attack she makes with a spell.
Ignore Arcane Spell Failure: Beginning at 1st level, a tactile arcanist begins to learn how to ignore spell failure from armor. The spell failure chance ignored is 10% at 1st level, 15% at 5th level, and 20% at 10th level.
Spring Spell: Beginning at 2nd level, a tactile arcanist can, as a full round action, move before and after making a melee touch attack with a spell. She may not move a total distance of more than her speed, and she must also move at least 5 feet before and after the attack. She may not perform this action with anything other than a melee touch attack spell. Using this ability does not provoke an attack of opportunity from the spell's target, but might provoke attacks of opportunity from other creatures.
Diminishing Range: Beginning at 3rd level, the ranges of all spells a tactile arcanist casts are reduced by one step. All spell ranges of Long are now Medium, Medium are now Close, and Close are now Touch. For spell ranges expressed in feet, they are reduced by 75%. Any area effect spells that are now cast as touch spells affect only the target. If a spell would normally jump to one or more targets after affecting the initial target and are not area effect spells, they remain unchanged in regards to the distance between targets. If the spell creates more than one effect that can be directed to different targets, such as the four spheres of meteor swarm, they are all directed at one target (but make a separate attack roll for each effect). The range reductions repeat at 6th and 9th levels; This, in effect, reduces all spells of Long, Medium or Close range to a range of Touch by 9th level.
Touch Potency: Beginning at 3rd level, a tactile arcanist gains +2 bonus to the caster level and save DC of all touch spells. This bonus increases to +3 at 6th level, and +4 at 9th level.
Fluid Spring Spell: Beginning at 4th level, a tactile arcanist learns the ability to cast a touch spell as a quickened spell as part of her spring spell attack action. This allows her to implement a mobile touch attack within moments of the start of combat.

I dont think the soultion is in increasing caster levels for touch potency. Basically, this class right now makes a great "buffer" class, someone casting buff spells on allies and what not, and still a subpar attacker, which goes against what I think you're trying to do. Understand that most damage spells have a cap on the number of dice of damage they do (5d4 for burning hands, 10d6 for fireball, 15d for cone of cold, etc.) so this caster level increase is helping way more with the abilities this class is not meant to focus on. I'd really suggest instead of a caster level increase you have it increase damage dealt, and significantly, since the you lose all area spells.
Nalreth
04-20-07, 01:57 AM Given what you have suggested, I'm going to work on reworking the class, and will repost it in place of the original at the top.

Reworking done, and reposted.
Dark1ord
04-20-07, 06:38 AM hmm... fluid spring spell - when you mention "quickened", does that mean it's a free metamagic increase, or does it use up a higer spell level? I'm supposing the first... you could just say that the casting was part of the spring spell action, like the duskblade arcane channeling feature.

also, are you familiar with the feats bounding assault and rapid blitz? wouldn't something like that make good sense for a spring spell caster? I can see how "touch spell empowerment" is a way of granting more power, but given the combat style, designating multiple targets seems suitable...

ooh, maybe spring attack should just be a requirement for the class - which then allows you to use it with spells. would open up the spring attack tree - could be granted as bonus feats maybe? (yes there's the bab requirement issue here...)

now that we are in spring attack territory anyway, I thought of the tempest "two-weapon spring attack" feature... something like that would work for this guy too - effectively doubling his spell output, yes, but maybe that's alright... I realize this might get a bit sick in high levels - a "free" second spell each round - albeit at the same target... maybe add some clause that says you *can't* hold the touch spell indefinitely when used this way - then you're left with the option of potentially hitting a target twice, but not always, thus risking the loss of spells...

there's always the option of adding a flurry-style attack too... unarmed and all... oh, and, the duskblade get that full-attack channeling feature, seen that?

just thinking (out loud) of ways to give you more bang for your buck. ;)
Nalreth
04-20-07, 01:37 PM hmm... fluid spring spell - when you mention "quickened", does that mean it's a free metamagic increase, or does it use up a higer spell level? I'm supposing the first... you could just say that the casting was part of the spring spell action, like the duskblade arcane channeling feature.

also, are you familiar with the feats bounding assault and rapid blitz? wouldn't something like that make good sense for a spring spell caster? I can see how "touch spell empowerment" is a way of granting more power, but given the combat style, designating multiple targets seems suitable...

ooh, maybe spring attack should just be a requirement for the class - which then allows you to use it with spells. would open up the spring attack tree - could be granted as bonus feats maybe? (yes there's the bab requirement issue here...)

now that we are in spring attack territory anyway, I thought of the tempest "two-weapon spring attack" feature... something like that would work for this guy too - effectively doubling his spell output, yes, but maybe that's alright... I realize this might get a bit sick in high levels - a "free" second spell each round - albeit at the same target... maybe add some clause that says you *can't* hold the touch spell indefinitely when used this way - then you're left with the option of potentially hitting a target twice, but not always, thus risking the loss of spells...

there's always the option of adding a flurry-style attack too... unarmed and all... oh, and, the duskblade get that full-attack channeling feature, seen that?

just thinking (out loud) of ways to give you more bang for your buck. ;)

I wanted to avoid requiring Spring Attack, simply because it necessitates the use of a melee weapon to implement the feat, and that isn't what I want to go for.
I'm not familiar with Bounding Assault, rapid blitz, or the duskblade full-attack channeling... would you mind enlightening me to them?

As far as affecting multiple targets, I was wanting to lean away from that, instead opting to focus attacks on a single target per spell with more efficiency than you could normally, and with more damage than normal. However, by saying that Tactile Arcanists are constantly under the effect of Spell Flower, they could definitely make more than one touch spell attack per round (and to different targets with each spell) as their base attack bonus allows.

Perhaps I should consider changing the Touch Spell Empowerment to read that all spells that deal damage expressed in dice PERIOD are under the effect of Empower Spell with no level change, level based or not?
Dark1ord
04-21-07, 12:40 AM I'm not familiar with Bounding Assault, rapid blitz, or the duskblade full-attack channeling... would you mind enlightening me to them?ooh, that's all player's handbook 2... nifty stuff.

Tactile Arcanists are constantly under the effect of Spell Flower, they could definitely make more than one touch spell attack per round (and to different targets with each spell) as their base attack bonus allows."spell flower"? ok, now you gotta enlighten me... ;)

Perhaps I should consider changing the Touch Spell Empowerment to read that all spells that deal damage expressed in dice PERIOD are under the effect of Empower Spell with no level change, level based or not?dunno, depends on if you're going for "a bit more damage" - or making the impact of the combat style bigger in other ways...
Nalreth
04-21-07, 01:13 PM Spell Flower is a sorcerer/wizard spell out of the Spell Compendium. It basically says that you're able to hold onto the charge of a touch spell for each arm-like limb you have. So, a Marilith could have 6 touch spell charges (one for each hand) and attack with them at leisure. Of course, attacking with the spell discharges your hand, but it's still cool being able to have more than one spell waiting, especially if you've got the high enough BAB to have more than one attack.
Dark1ord
04-21-07, 03:50 PM oh, a spell - should've figured that one out. didn't see it mentioned anywhere until you mentioned it, so it baffled me.

well, I was thinking more along the lines of the idea of applying touch spell damage to all succesful attacks - coupled with the idea of attacking several target for each spring (spell) attack (that's what bounding assault and rapid blitz do)...

I just now thought of maybe only enabling that for spells that were previously area effect spells (to reflect the "inherent multiple target potentiality", or whatever hehe). dunno, just a thought.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nalreth 04-19-07, 03:14 PM	I've had this prestige class lying around for a while, and it's geared for the 3.5 edition, and my friends have hounded me to post it here for critique before I try implementing the PrC. Also, as I'm new, I'm not sure if someone else has created such a class before, and if it has appeared similarly in another book, please let me know. I also apologize for the abbreviations in the top section. Tactile Arcanist Lvl_BA_F_R_W__Special__________Spells 1__0__0_2_0___MoT, IASF 10%___+1 arcane spellcaster level 2__1__0_2_0___Spring Spell______+1 arcane spellcaster level 3__1__1_3_1___D.R., T.P. +2_____+1 arcane spellcaster level 4__2__1_3_1___FSS_____________+1 arcane spellcaster level 5__2__1_4_1___TSE, IASF 15%___+1 arcane spellcaster level 6__3__2_4_2___D.R., T.P. +3_____+1 arcane spellcaster level 7__3__2_5_2___________________+1 arcane spellcaster level 8__4__2_5_2___________________+1 arcane spellcaster level 9__4__3_6_3___D.R., T.P. +4_____+1 arcane spellcaster level 10_5__3_6_3___IASF 20%________+1 arcane spellcaster level Hit Die: d6. Requirements Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Tumble 4 ranks Feats: Combat Casting, Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Focus: Touch Spell Special: Must be able to cast at least one 4th level arcane touch spell. Class Skills The class skills (and the key ability for each skill) for the tactile arcanist are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int) and Tumble (Dex). Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier. Class Features All of the following are features of the tactile arcanist prestige class. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A tactile arcanist gains no proficiency with weapons, but gains proficiency with light armor. Spells per Day/Spells Known: At each level gained, a tactile arcanist gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had gained a level in the arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she entered the prestige class. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before she became a tactile arcanist, she must decide to which class she must add each level of tactile arcanist for the purpose of determining spells per day. Master of Touch: A tactile arcanist devotes herself to melee touch attack spells. At 1st level, all ranged touch spells that she casts are instead melee touch spells. In addition, a tactile arcanist adds her class levels as a competence bonus to any melee touch attack she makes with a spell. Ignore Arcane Spell Failure: Beginning at 1st level, a tactile arcanist begins to learn how to ignore spell failure from armor. The spell failure chance ignored is 10% at 1st level, 15% at 5th level, and 20% at 10th level. Spring Spell: Beginning at 2nd level, a tactile arcanist can, as a full round action, move before and after making a melee touch attack with a spell. She may not move a total distance of more than her speed, and she must also move at least 5 feet before and after the attack. She may not perform this action with anything other than a melee touch attack spell. Using this ability does not provoke an attack of opportunity from the spell's target, but might provoke attacks of opportunity from other creatures. Diminishing Range: Beginning at 3rd level, the ranges of all spells a tactile arcanist casts are reduced by one step. All spell ranges of Long are now Medium, Medium are now Close, and Close are now Touch. For spell ranges expressed in feet, they are reduced by 75%. Any area effect spells that are now cast as touch spells affect only the target. If a spell would normally jump to one or more targets after affecting the initial target and are not area effect spells, they remain unchanged in regards to the distance between targets. If the spell creates more than one effect that can be directed to different targets, such as the four spheres of meteor swarm, they are all directed at one target (but make a separate attack roll for each effect). The range reductions repeat at 6th and 9th levels; This, in effect, reduces all spells of Long, Medium or Close range to a range of Touch by 9th level. Touch Potency: Beginning at 3rd level, a tactile arcanist gains +2 bonus to the caster level and save DC of all touch spells. This bonus increases to +3 at 6th level, and +4 at 9th level. Fluid Spring Spell: Beginning at 4th level, a tactile arcanist learns the ability to cast a touch spell as a quickened spell as part of her spring spell attack action. This allows her to implement a mobile touch attack within moments of the start of combat. Touch Spell Empowerment: Beginning at 5th level, a tactile arcanist begins to better manipulate spells that were formerly affecting larger areas into touch spells. Any spell that a tactile arcanist casts that would have normally affected an area and dealt damage dependent on caster level now has a damage cap of 5 dice higher than it previously did.
Dark1ord 04-19-07, 04:29 PM	just a thought: why does anyone use combat casting when they can take skill focus for concentration and get +3 all the time instead of +4 only when casting defensively?... granted, there's the stacking, but... combat casting seems weak. as for the class, it always did annoy me that spring attack didn't work with touch spells. what's a "mischief mage"? old name or something? btw. wouldn't "tactile arcanist" suggest you weren't incorporeal, and not that you're making touch attacks? oh, and, when you write "+1 level of existing class", are you allowing non-arcane magic users to enter (if they met the prerequisite)?
Gadren 04-19-07, 06:57 PM	This is a fascinating concept, but balance wise I'd say its weaker than some NPC classes. Give more benefits for touch spells, such as lowering the cost for metamagic on such spells or something along those lines. Otherwise, the range reduction penalty out ways all the benefits of the class. Also, if you have time, please critique the prestige class in my sig!
Nalreth 04-19-07, 11:46 PM	-Mischief mage was the name of the class back when I had a completely different concept for this PrC. -I put it as the +1 of existing class in the block because I wasn't sure if +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class would fit without spilling into the next line, but I made sure that the arcane spellcasting class issue was addressed in the class features section. Regardless, I changed this below. -Combat Casting isn't there so much for its effectiveness as it is for a reasonable prerequisite for the PrC seeing as how it is melee range geared. -As far as the underpowered aspect, I have tweaked the PrC, and reposted it above.
Gadren 04-20-07, 01:02 AM	-Mischief mage was the name of the class back when I had a completely different concept for this PrC. -I put it as the +1 of existing class in the block because I wasn't sure if +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class would fit without spilling into the next line, but I made sure that the arcane spellcasting class issue was addressed in the class features section. Regardless, I changed this below. -Combat Casting isn't there so much for its effectiveness as it is for a reasonable prerequisite for the PrC seeing as how it is melee range geared. -As far as the underpowered aspect, I have tweaked the PrC, and reposted it below. Tactile Arcanist Lvl_BA_F_R_W__Special__________Spells 1__0__0_2_0___MoT, IASF 10%___+1 arcane spellcaster level 2__1__0_2_0___Spring Spell______+1 arcane spellcaster level 3__1__1_3_1___D.R., T.P. +2_____+1 arcane spellcaster level 4__2__1_3_1___FSS_____________+1 arcane spellcaster level 5__2__1_4_1___IASF 15%________+1 arcane spellcaster level 6__3__2_4_2___D.R., T.P. +3_____+1 arcane spellcaster level 7__3__2_5_2__________________+1 arcane spellcaster level 8__4__2_5_2__________________+1 arcane spellcaster level 9__4__3_6_3___D.R., T.P. +4_____+1 arcane spellcaster level 10_5__3_6_3___IASF 20%________+1 arcane spellcaster level Hit Die: d6. Requirements Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Tumble 4 ranks Feats: Combat Casting, Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Focus: Touch Spell Special: Must be able to cast at least one 4th level arcane touch spell. Class Skills The class skills (and the key ability for each skill) for the tactile arcanist are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int) and Tumble (Dex). Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier. Class Features All of the following are features of the tactile arcanist prestige class. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A tactile arcanist gains no proficiency with weapons, but gains proficiency with light armor. Spells per Day/Spells Known: At each level gained, a tactile arcanist gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had gained a level in the arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she entered the prestige class. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before she became a tactile arcanist, she must decide to which class she must add each level of tactile arcanist for the purpose of determining spells per day. Master of Touch: A tactile arcanist devotes herself to melee touch attack spells. At 1st level, all ranged touch spells that she casts are instead melee touch spells. In addition, a tactile arcanist adds her class levels as an insight bonus to any melee touch attack she makes with a spell. Ignore Arcane Spell Failure: Beginning at 1st level, a tactile arcanist begins to learn how to ignore spell failure from armor. The spell failure chance ignored is 10% at 1st level, 15% at 5th level, and 20% at 10th level. Spring Spell: Beginning at 2nd level, a tactile arcanist can, as a full round action, move before and after making a melee touch attack with a spell. She may not move a total distance of more than her speed, and she must also move at least 5 feet before and after the attack. She may not perform this action with anything other than a melee touch attack spell. Using this ability does not provoke an attack of opportunity from the spell's target, but might provoke attacks of opportunity from other creatures. Diminishing Range: Beginning at 3rd level, the ranges of all spells a tactile arcanist casts are reduced by one step. All spell ranges of Long are now Medium, Medium are now Close, and Close are now Touch. For spell ranges expressed in feet, they are reduced by 75%. Any area effect spells that are now cast as touch spells affect only the target. If a spell would normally jump to one or more targets after affecting the initial target and are not area effect spells, they remain unchanged in regards to the distance between targets. If the spell creates more than one effect that can be directed to different targets, such as the four spheres of meteor swarm, they are all directed at one target (but make a separate attack roll for each effect). The range reductions repeat at 6th and 9th levels; This, in effect, reduces all spells of Long, Medium or Close range to a range of Touch by 9th level. Touch Potency: Beginning at 3rd level, a tactile arcanist gains +2 bonus to the caster level and save DC of all touch spells. This bonus increases to +3 at 6th level, and +4 at 9th level. Fluid Spring Spell: Beginning at 4th level, a tactile arcanist learns the ability to cast a touch spell as a quickened spell as part of her spring spell attack action. This allows her to implement a mobile touch attack within moments of the start of combat. I dont think the soultion is in increasing caster levels for touch potency. Basically, this class right now makes a great "buffer" class, someone casting buff spells on allies and what not, and still a subpar attacker, which goes against what I think you're trying to do. Understand that most damage spells have a cap on the number of dice of damage they do (5d4 for burning hands, 10d6 for fireball, 15d for cone of cold, etc.) so this caster level increase is helping way more with the abilities this class is not meant to focus on. I'd really suggest instead of a caster level increase you have it increase damage dealt, and significantly, since the you lose all area spells.
Nalreth 04-20-07, 01:57 AM	Given what you have suggested, I'm going to work on reworking the class, and will repost it in place of the original at the top. Reworking done, and reposted.
Dark1ord 04-20-07, 06:38 AM	hmm... fluid spring spell - when you mention "quickened", does that mean it's a free metamagic increase, or does it use up a higer spell level? I'm supposing the first... you could just say that the casting was part of the spring spell action, like the duskblade arcane channeling feature. also, are you familiar with the feats bounding assault and rapid blitz? wouldn't something like that make good sense for a spring spell caster? I can see how "touch spell empowerment" is a way of granting more power, but given the combat style, designating multiple targets seems suitable... ooh, maybe spring attack should just be a requirement for the class - which then allows you to use it with spells. would open up the spring attack tree - could be granted as bonus feats maybe? (yes there's the bab requirement issue here...) now that we are in spring attack territory anyway, I thought of the tempest "two-weapon spring attack" feature... something like that would work for this guy too - effectively doubling his spell output, yes, but maybe that's alright... I realize this might get a bit sick in high levels - a "free" second spell each round - albeit at the same target... maybe add some clause that says you can't hold the touch spell indefinitely when used this way - then you're left with the option of potentially hitting a target twice, but not always, thus risking the loss of spells... there's always the option of adding a flurry-style attack too... unarmed and all... oh, and, the duskblade get that full-attack channeling feature, seen that? just thinking (out loud) of ways to give you more bang for your buck. ;)
Nalreth 04-20-07, 01:37 PM	hmm... fluid spring spell - when you mention "quickened", does that mean it's a free metamagic increase, or does it use up a higer spell level? I'm supposing the first... you could just say that the casting was part of the spring spell action, like the duskblade arcane channeling feature. also, are you familiar with the feats bounding assault and rapid blitz? wouldn't something like that make good sense for a spring spell caster? I can see how "touch spell empowerment" is a way of granting more power, but given the combat style, designating multiple targets seems suitable... ooh, maybe spring attack should just be a requirement for the class - which then allows you to use it with spells. would open up the spring attack tree - could be granted as bonus feats maybe? (yes there's the bab requirement issue here...) now that we are in spring attack territory anyway, I thought of the tempest "two-weapon spring attack" feature... something like that would work for this guy too - effectively doubling his spell output, yes, but maybe that's alright... I realize this might get a bit sick in high levels - a "free" second spell each round - albeit at the same target... maybe add some clause that says you can't hold the touch spell indefinitely when used this way - then you're left with the option of potentially hitting a target twice, but not always, thus risking the loss of spells... there's always the option of adding a flurry-style attack too... unarmed and all... oh, and, the duskblade get that full-attack channeling feature, seen that? just thinking (out loud) of ways to give you more bang for your buck. ;) I wanted to avoid requiring Spring Attack, simply because it necessitates the use of a melee weapon to implement the feat, and that isn't what I want to go for. I'm not familiar with Bounding Assault, rapid blitz, or the duskblade full-attack channeling... would you mind enlightening me to them? As far as affecting multiple targets, I was wanting to lean away from that, instead opting to focus attacks on a single target per spell with more efficiency than you could normally, and with more damage than normal. However, by saying that Tactile Arcanists are constantly under the effect of Spell Flower, they could definitely make more than one touch spell attack per round (and to different targets with each spell) as their base attack bonus allows. Perhaps I should consider changing the Touch Spell Empowerment to read that all spells that deal damage expressed in dice PERIOD are under the effect of Empower Spell with no level change, level based or not?
Dark1ord 04-21-07, 12:40 AM	I'm not familiar with Bounding Assault, rapid blitz, or the duskblade full-attack channeling... would you mind enlightening me to them?ooh, that's all player's handbook 2... nifty stuff. Tactile Arcanists are constantly under the effect of Spell Flower, they could definitely make more than one touch spell attack per round (and to different targets with each spell) as their base attack bonus allows."spell flower"? ok, now you gotta enlighten me... ;) Perhaps I should consider changing the Touch Spell Empowerment to read that all spells that deal damage expressed in dice PERIOD are under the effect of Empower Spell with no level change, level based or not?dunno, depends on if you're going for "a bit more damage" - or making the impact of the combat style bigger in other ways...
Nalreth 04-21-07, 01:13 PM	Spell Flower is a sorcerer/wizard spell out of the Spell Compendium. It basically says that you're able to hold onto the charge of a touch spell for each arm-like limb you have. So, a Marilith could have 6 touch spell charges (one for each hand) and attack with them at leisure. Of course, attacking with the spell discharges your hand, but it's still cool being able to have more than one spell waiting, especially if you've got the high enough BAB to have more than one attack.
Dark1ord 04-21-07, 03:50 PM	oh, a spell - should've figured that one out. didn't see it mentioned anywhere until you mentioned it, so it baffled me. well, I was thinking more along the lines of the idea of applying touch spell damage to all succesful attacks - coupled with the idea of attacking several target for each spring (spell) attack (that's what bounding assault and rapid blitz do)... I just now thought of maybe only enabling that for spells that were previously area effect spells (to reflect the "inherent multiple target potentiality", or whatever hehe). dunno, just a thought.