The HARVESTER Prestige Class! [Archive] - Wizards Community

The HARVESTER Prestige Class! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Danahan
06-02-07, 06:10 PM HARVESTER

“I thrust my sword at him, but he effortlessly deflected it with that… dreadful looking… scythe of his. And… and… then… I’ll never forget that horrid smile on his face when he did this to me… my arm… my arm… Why did he have to take my arm?”

- Nilathak, the “One-Armed” Drunk

From sinister necromancers to quarrelsome farmers, harvesters are masters of the scythe, perfecting combat with scythes of all sorts.

http://home.broadpark.no/~vstromm/artwork_recent/The_Grimmest_reaper_lowres.jpg

Requirements:
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Feats: Weapon Focus (Scythe) and either Coldhearted or Fiery Temper (see below).

COLDHEARTED [General]
You show no sympathy or warmth to other people.
Benefit: You get a +2 bonus on all Intimidate checks and a +1 bonus to Will saves.

FIERY TEMPER [General]
You have a tendency to get angry easily and suddenly.
Benefit: You get a +2 bonus on all Intimidate checks and Initiative rolls.

Minimum Core Class Levels for Entry:
5th: Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger.
7th: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Rogue.
10th: Sorcerer, Wizard.

Game Rule Information:
Base Attack Bonus: Good
Hit Die: d8
Fortitude Save: Poor
Reflex Save: Good
Will Save: Poor

Class Skills: Intimidate (Cha), Profession (Wis).

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Intelligence modifier

Class Features:
Weapons and Armor Proficiency: Harvesters gain no additional proficiency with any weapons or armor.
Scythe Mastery
Scythe Mastery
Scythe Mastery
Scythe Mastery [1st/2nd/3rd level]:
You learn very unusual maneuvers with the scythe, from carving flesh to hewing bone. At 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level, you may select one of the following special abilities:

FEARSOME DISPLAY:
By spinning and swinging your scythe like a ravaging lunatic, you can affect all enemies within 30 feet who view the display with cause fear. Fearsome Display is a standard action and can be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier. It is a Mind-Affecting Fear spell-like ability.
If you take this ability twice, the effect raises to scare and increases the daily uses by +1.
If you take this ability three times, the effect raises to fear and increases the daily uses by another +1.

MURDEROUS GLEE:
Your heart soars when your enemies fall. Whenever you kill a creature with a scythe, you receive a +2 morale bonus to your attack and damage rolls on your very next attack action.
If you take this ability twice, the bonus increases to +4.
If you take this ability three times, the bonus increases to +6.

PENETRATING STING:
Your scythe cleaves through the most resilient of defenses as if they were butter. For the purpose of overcoming damage reduction, any scythe you wield is considered cold iron.
If you take this ability twice, your scythe is also considered silvered for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
If you take this ability three times, your scythe is also considered adamantine for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
All of these qualities stack with any other qualities the scythe already carries.

SCYTHE OF DEFENSE:
You become proficient at deflecting attacks with your scythe. When wielding any scythe and wearing light or no armor, you get a +1 shield bonus to AC.
If you take this ability twice, the bonus increases to +2.
If you take this ability three times, the bonus increases to +3.

SCYTHE OF DESTRUCTION:
Your scythe attacks are especially destructive. When wielding any scythe, the amount of damage you must deal to trigger massive damage is reduced from 50 points to 40 points.

SCYTHE OF MALICE:
Every enemy has vulnerability and you exploit it relentlessly. When wielding any scythe, the critical multiplier is increased by x1. This ability can only be selected once.

SEVERITY:
Your scythe attacks are more severe than ever. When wielding a scythe, you gain the benefits of the Improved Critical feat with that weapon even if you do not meet the prerequisites.

THE REAPER’S WHIRLING DEATH:
Once per day as a full attack action, you may whirl in a circle with any scythe. You strike all creatures within 5 feet at your highest BAB, dealing damage to each creature you successfully hit.

VERSATILITY:
You learn to make more effective use of your scythe and may choose to bash an enemy with the blunt of the blade, dealing bludgeoning damage.
katarl
06-03-07, 12:26 PM It's quite a weak class actually, a weapon-based prc with average bab and horrible hd. Increasing the bab and hd, and changing the abilities so it improves not every time you take it, but with every harvester level you take.

Certain abilities are completely unnecessary, such as scythe of malice- severity does exactly the same thing!

I'd recommend making this class much more powerful, than sticking an improved critical prerequisite in front of it.
Flay Crimsonwind
06-03-07, 09:52 PM It's quite a weak class actually, a weapon-based prc with average bab and horrible hd. Increasing the bab and hd, and changing the abilities so it improves not every time you take it, but with every harvester level you take.

Certain abilities are completely unnecessary, such as scythe of malice- severity does exactly the same thing!

I'd recommend making this class much more powerful, than sticking an improved critical prerequisite in front of it.Definetly. Make it good bab, d8/d10 hd, and then you might have something. three levels make it interesting, but there are just that, only three levels. So it'll need a boost to become effective. It's really not that powerful....... interesting, flavorful, but not powerful. Definetly make those changes.

And dude, severity stacks with it. x6 multiplyer is sweet. x7 if you just take the crit abilities. Keen it and all that jazz, and voila, awesome.
IntOblivion
06-04-07, 02:40 AM A little tip is to figure about what classes are supposed to take it. As it is now, very few classes would find it efficient to take it, as flavourfull it may be. A fighter loses atk bonus, well it's just one so that doesn't realy matter that much, but a couple of the abilities excludes one of the fighter's main powers: the ability to wear heavy armor.
A caster would most likely not take it, due to the loss of spellcasting levels.
A monk wouldn't take it, since it doesn't work along his unarmed attacks.

Those that might take it though, is the ranger, the barbarian and the rogue, all who gains benefits from using light armor/medium armor and they lose the least from taking this class. Out of these 2/1 has a good atk bonus, and the other has avarage, so was this what is was meant to be in the beginning?

By the way I just want to say that the class looks very interesting and... kinda evil :) Good luck with the PrC, cause it looks as if it can be damn nice if you check some stuffs!

//Oblivion
Kezarim
06-04-07, 05:35 PM This class is strangely under- and overpowered at the same time. While most of the abilities aren't worth taking the class, the improved critical abilities are insane.

Take "Scythe of Destruction", "Severity", "Scythe of malice", combine it with power attack and leap attack... NOBODY laughs at a x6 critical multiplier on a two-handed weapon. You will most likely instant-kill anything with a crit.

On the other hand, the other abilities are not worth taking a melee-class with only medium BAB and a D8 as HD.

But i like it, anyway. Always wanted to play a grim-reaper-style character. Tweak this a little, and it's great.

PS:

Level 8 Human Barbarian 5 / Harvester 3.

STR: 18 + 4 (Rage) + 2 (lvl ups) + 4 (item): 28 (+9).
Charge: Attack Roll: 8 (BAB) + 9 (STR) + 2 (Charge) - 5 Power Attack = 14 (which is great for level 8)

Damage: 2W4 + 15 (Power Attack) + 12 (Str) = 2W4 + 27
crit-Damage: (2W4)x6 + 162.
Save DC for massive Damage: 71. Plus some bit for the weapon damage.

See why this is insane?
Danahan
06-04-07, 10:44 PM Thanks guys for all of the complements and constructive criticism. This class was designed with both fighters and clerics w/ the death domain (necromancers) in mind. I decided to up both the HD to a d8 and the BAB to good so that fighters and clerics won’t take such a huge step down when they take this class.

However, I’ll require some advice for what changes need to be made to the abilities so that some don’t remain underpowered while others are overpowered.
captianhowdy
06-04-07, 11:43 PM It looks really good now. Love the idea of it. Been lookin for a scythe class for AGES
IntOblivion
06-05-07, 03:38 AM Perhaps you could make it so that you automatically advances in Fearsome Display, etc. as you take levels. So if you take it on lvl 1, you are going to have the 3rd lvl benefit at lvl 3.

Otherwise it's a cool class to dip into, and I would take if I ever played a char fitting for the "job"
Kezarim
06-05-07, 03:40 AM Hm. Okay, here are a few suggestions.

You might only give one possibility to improve the crit multiplier. x5 is enough. Really. Instead, change Severity so it increases the crit-range. make both only choosable once.

Murderous Glee: Change bonus duration to "rest of encounter", OR double the bonus.

Fearsome Display: Have a look at the "show off" ability of the exotic weapon master.
Danahan
06-05-07, 08:43 PM Hm. Okay, here are a few suggestions.

You might only give one possibility to improve the crit multiplier. x5 is enough. Really. Instead, change Severity so it increases the crit-range. make both only choosable once.

Murderous Glee: Change bonus duration to "rest of encounter", OR double the bonus.

Fearsome Display: Have a look at the "show off" ability of the exotic weapon master.

I agree. I changed Severity to grant the benefits of the Improved Critical feat. I also doubled the bonuses for Murderous Glee so that its not so incredibly weak.

I have also been contemplating adding the sickle as another weapon the harvester would typically use. What do you guys think?

Also, I've come upon the opinion that some of the names for the scythe abilities suck. The only one I'm truly happy with is Murderous Glee. Does anyone have any ideas for better names.

And of coarse, if anyone has any other ideas for additional scythe abilities, I am open to suggestions.
Peregrine_Wolf
06-05-07, 08:55 PM I think you should make it a 5 level PrC and give it a new ability thing at every level.

That should take care of lack of abilities.

Leave HD at D8 and give it full BAB.

Other than that, looks good to me =)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Danahan 06-02-07, 06:10 PM	HARVESTER “I thrust my sword at him, but he effortlessly deflected it with that… dreadful looking… scythe of his. And… and… then… I’ll never forget that horrid smile on his face when he did this to me… my arm… my arm… Why did he have to take my arm?” - Nilathak, the “One-Armed” Drunk From sinister necromancers to quarrelsome farmers, harvesters are masters of the scythe, perfecting combat with scythes of all sorts. http://home.broadpark.no/~vstromm/artwork_recent/The_Grimmest_reaper_lowres.jpg Requirements: Base Attack Bonus: +5 Feats: Weapon Focus (Scythe) and either Coldhearted or Fiery Temper (see below). COLDHEARTED [General] You show no sympathy or warmth to other people. Benefit: You get a +2 bonus on all Intimidate checks and a +1 bonus to Will saves. FIERY TEMPER [General] You have a tendency to get angry easily and suddenly. Benefit: You get a +2 bonus on all Intimidate checks and Initiative rolls. Minimum Core Class Levels for Entry: 5th: Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger. 7th: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Rogue. 10th: Sorcerer, Wizard. Game Rule Information: Base Attack Bonus: Good Hit Die: d8 Fortitude Save: Poor Reflex Save: Good Will Save: Poor Class Skills: Intimidate (Cha), Profession (Wis). Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Intelligence modifier Class Features: Weapons and Armor Proficiency: Harvesters gain no additional proficiency with any weapons or armor. Scythe Mastery Scythe Mastery Scythe Mastery Scythe Mastery [1st/2nd/3rd level]: You learn very unusual maneuvers with the scythe, from carving flesh to hewing bone. At 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level, you may select one of the following special abilities: FEARSOME DISPLAY: By spinning and swinging your scythe like a ravaging lunatic, you can affect all enemies within 30 feet who view the display with cause fear. Fearsome Display is a standard action and can be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier. It is a Mind-Affecting Fear spell-like ability. If you take this ability twice, the effect raises to scare and increases the daily uses by +1. If you take this ability three times, the effect raises to fear and increases the daily uses by another +1. MURDEROUS GLEE: Your heart soars when your enemies fall. Whenever you kill a creature with a scythe, you receive a +2 morale bonus to your attack and damage rolls on your very next attack action. If you take this ability twice, the bonus increases to +4. If you take this ability three times, the bonus increases to +6. PENETRATING STING: Your scythe cleaves through the most resilient of defenses as if they were butter. For the purpose of overcoming damage reduction, any scythe you wield is considered cold iron. If you take this ability twice, your scythe is also considered silvered for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. If you take this ability three times, your scythe is also considered adamantine for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. All of these qualities stack with any other qualities the scythe already carries. SCYTHE OF DEFENSE: You become proficient at deflecting attacks with your scythe. When wielding any scythe and wearing light or no armor, you get a +1 shield bonus to AC. If you take this ability twice, the bonus increases to +2. If you take this ability three times, the bonus increases to +3. SCYTHE OF DESTRUCTION: Your scythe attacks are especially destructive. When wielding any scythe, the amount of damage you must deal to trigger massive damage is reduced from 50 points to 40 points. SCYTHE OF MALICE: Every enemy has vulnerability and you exploit it relentlessly. When wielding any scythe, the critical multiplier is increased by x1. This ability can only be selected once. SEVERITY: Your scythe attacks are more severe than ever. When wielding a scythe, you gain the benefits of the Improved Critical feat with that weapon even if you do not meet the prerequisites. THE REAPER’S WHIRLING DEATH: Once per day as a full attack action, you may whirl in a circle with any scythe. You strike all creatures within 5 feet at your highest BAB, dealing damage to each creature you successfully hit. VERSATILITY: You learn to make more effective use of your scythe and may choose to bash an enemy with the blunt of the blade, dealing bludgeoning damage.
katarl 06-03-07, 12:26 PM	It's quite a weak class actually, a weapon-based prc with average bab and horrible hd. Increasing the bab and hd, and changing the abilities so it improves not every time you take it, but with every harvester level you take. Certain abilities are completely unnecessary, such as scythe of malice- severity does exactly the same thing! I'd recommend making this class much more powerful, than sticking an improved critical prerequisite in front of it.
Flay Crimsonwind 06-03-07, 09:52 PM	It's quite a weak class actually, a weapon-based prc with average bab and horrible hd. Increasing the bab and hd, and changing the abilities so it improves not every time you take it, but with every harvester level you take. Certain abilities are completely unnecessary, such as scythe of malice- severity does exactly the same thing! I'd recommend making this class much more powerful, than sticking an improved critical prerequisite in front of it.Definetly. Make it good bab, d8/d10 hd, and then you might have something. three levels make it interesting, but there are just that, only three levels. So it'll need a boost to become effective. It's really not that powerful....... interesting, flavorful, but not powerful. Definetly make those changes. And dude, severity stacks with it. x6 multiplyer is sweet. x7 if you just take the crit abilities. Keen it and all that jazz, and voila, awesome.
IntOblivion 06-04-07, 02:40 AM	A little tip is to figure about what classes are supposed to take it. As it is now, very few classes would find it efficient to take it, as flavourfull it may be. A fighter loses atk bonus, well it's just one so that doesn't realy matter that much, but a couple of the abilities excludes one of the fighter's main powers: the ability to wear heavy armor. A caster would most likely not take it, due to the loss of spellcasting levels. A monk wouldn't take it, since it doesn't work along his unarmed attacks. Those that might take it though, is the ranger, the barbarian and the rogue, all who gains benefits from using light armor/medium armor and they lose the least from taking this class. Out of these 2/1 has a good atk bonus, and the other has avarage, so was this what is was meant to be in the beginning? By the way I just want to say that the class looks very interesting and... kinda evil :) Good luck with the PrC, cause it looks as if it can be damn nice if you check some stuffs! //Oblivion
Kezarim 06-04-07, 05:35 PM	This class is strangely under- and overpowered at the same time. While most of the abilities aren't worth taking the class, the improved critical abilities are insane. Take "Scythe of Destruction", "Severity", "Scythe of malice", combine it with power attack and leap attack... NOBODY laughs at a x6 critical multiplier on a two-handed weapon. You will most likely instant-kill anything with a crit. On the other hand, the other abilities are not worth taking a melee-class with only medium BAB and a D8 as HD. But i like it, anyway. Always wanted to play a grim-reaper-style character. Tweak this a little, and it's great. PS: Level 8 Human Barbarian 5 / Harvester 3. STR: 18 + 4 (Rage) + 2 (lvl ups) + 4 (item): 28 (+9). Charge: Attack Roll: 8 (BAB) + 9 (STR) + 2 (Charge) - 5 Power Attack = 14 (which is great for level 8) Damage: 2W4 + 15 (Power Attack) + 12 (Str) = 2W4 + 27 crit-Damage: (2W4)x6 + 162. Save DC for massive Damage: 71. Plus some bit for the weapon damage. See why this is insane?
Danahan 06-04-07, 10:44 PM	Thanks guys for all of the complements and constructive criticism. This class was designed with both fighters and clerics w/ the death domain (necromancers) in mind. I decided to up both the HD to a d8 and the BAB to good so that fighters and clerics won’t take such a huge step down when they take this class. However, I’ll require some advice for what changes need to be made to the abilities so that some don’t remain underpowered while others are overpowered.
captianhowdy 06-04-07, 11:43 PM	It looks really good now. Love the idea of it. Been lookin for a scythe class for AGES
IntOblivion 06-05-07, 03:38 AM	Perhaps you could make it so that you automatically advances in Fearsome Display, etc. as you take levels. So if you take it on lvl 1, you are going to have the 3rd lvl benefit at lvl 3. Otherwise it's a cool class to dip into, and I would take if I ever played a char fitting for the "job"
Kezarim 06-05-07, 03:40 AM	Hm. Okay, here are a few suggestions. You might only give one possibility to improve the crit multiplier. x5 is enough. Really. Instead, change Severity so it increases the crit-range. make both only choosable once. Murderous Glee: Change bonus duration to "rest of encounter", OR double the bonus. Fearsome Display: Have a look at the "show off" ability of the exotic weapon master.
Danahan 06-05-07, 08:43 PM	Hm. Okay, here are a few suggestions. You might only give one possibility to improve the crit multiplier. x5 is enough. Really. Instead, change Severity so it increases the crit-range. make both only choosable once. Murderous Glee: Change bonus duration to "rest of encounter", OR double the bonus. Fearsome Display: Have a look at the "show off" ability of the exotic weapon master. I agree. I changed Severity to grant the benefits of the Improved Critical feat. I also doubled the bonuses for Murderous Glee so that its not so incredibly weak. I have also been contemplating adding the sickle as another weapon the harvester would typically use. What do you guys think? Also, I've come upon the opinion that some of the names for the scythe abilities suck. The only one I'm truly happy with is Murderous Glee. Does anyone have any ideas for better names. And of coarse, if anyone has any other ideas for additional scythe abilities, I am open to suggestions.
Peregrine_Wolf 06-05-07, 08:55 PM	I think you should make it a 5 level PrC and give it a new ability thing at every level. That should take care of lack of abilities. Leave HD at D8 and give it full BAB. Other than that, looks good to me =)