Would a 5-level assassin PrC be too powerful [Archive] - Wizards Community

Would a 5-level assassin PrC be too powerful [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
realbombchu
07-03-07, 04:24 PM I tried making a 5-level adaptation of the assassin class because I noticed that some of it's levels only give you a bonus against poison or some other small benefit. The problem is, now the assassin learns 4th-level spells (albeit only 3 of them, and only 1 a day) before a wizard does. I think that might be too strong. What do you all think?
The_Shaman
07-03-07, 05:03 PM Simple: don't give them the entire progression. And btw, a build with 5 levels of assassin will be at least lvl 10 to meet the PrC requirements, so the wizard still gets the spells first.
Largegnome
07-04-07, 04:54 AM And his death attack DC would end up way too low ;)
The_Shaman
07-04-07, 06:39 AM And his death attack DC would end up way too low ;)

Not if he takes other PrCs that boost it.
Largegnome
07-04-07, 08:41 AM Yeah, but it would always end up 5 points lower than it can with a 10 level progression.
Besides, when a class has an ability that requires multiclassing with at least one other prc to work properly, there's something wrong with the design in the first place, generally. :)
realbombchu
07-04-07, 11:25 AM Or you could change the formula so that it is something like (10 + twice the assassin's class level + the assassin's Int modifier). That's what I did when I modified the Ghost-Faced Killer PRC to five levels.
The_Shaman
07-05-07, 04:51 AM Yeah, but it would always end up 5 points lower than it can with a 10 level progression.

Which is, after all, only fair since we are talking about a feature based on class level. And by the way, we are talking about artificially shortening a PrC here. Saying that this might leave some of its abilities underdeveloped is just wrong reasoning - if you really want higher DA save, just play the original assassin or get another DA prestige class. Or both.

Either have your cake or eat it, but don't complain you can't do both. Unless you intend to say that DA saves are too low, which is another topic.
windscar18
07-05-07, 12:46 PM It'd just be easier to make Death Attack more dependant on character level: yes, I know it makes an assassin a splash class, so you might want to put Death Attack at the END of your progression.
Malchius
07-05-07, 12:51 PM May be better off adapting something line the Darkhunter from Complete Warrior, mixing in a few of the Assassin's abilities.
teshen
07-07-07, 11:29 AM It'd just be easier to make Death Attack more dependant on character level: yes, I know it makes an assassin a splash class, so you might want to put Death Attack at the END of your progression.
A character that specializes in discrete killing... who eventually learns how to more quickly and efficiently from experience in doing just such a thing... It makes a lot of sense.
The_Shaman
07-07-07, 04:57 PM Many classes that get DA get it at the end. Dark Hunter, darkwood stalker, justice of weald and woe, imaskari vengeance taker... I think only the assassin and the teflammar shadowlord get it before their middle levels.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
realbombchu 07-03-07, 04:24 PM	I tried making a 5-level adaptation of the assassin class because I noticed that some of it's levels only give you a bonus against poison or some other small benefit. The problem is, now the assassin learns 4th-level spells (albeit only 3 of them, and only 1 a day) before a wizard does. I think that might be too strong. What do you all think?
The_Shaman 07-03-07, 05:03 PM	Simple: don't give them the entire progression. And btw, a build with 5 levels of assassin will be at least lvl 10 to meet the PrC requirements, so the wizard still gets the spells first.
Largegnome 07-04-07, 04:54 AM	And his death attack DC would end up way too low ;)
The_Shaman 07-04-07, 06:39 AM	And his death attack DC would end up way too low ;) Not if he takes other PrCs that boost it.
Largegnome 07-04-07, 08:41 AM	Yeah, but it would always end up 5 points lower than it can with a 10 level progression. Besides, when a class has an ability that requires multiclassing with at least one other prc to work properly, there's something wrong with the design in the first place, generally. :)
realbombchu 07-04-07, 11:25 AM	Or you could change the formula so that it is something like (10 + twice the assassin's class level + the assassin's Int modifier). That's what I did when I modified the Ghost-Faced Killer PRC to five levels.
The_Shaman 07-05-07, 04:51 AM	Yeah, but it would always end up 5 points lower than it can with a 10 level progression. Which is, after all, only fair since we are talking about a feature based on class level. And by the way, we are talking about artificially shortening a PrC here. Saying that this might leave some of its abilities underdeveloped is just wrong reasoning - if you really want higher DA save, just play the original assassin or get another DA prestige class. Or both. Either have your cake or eat it, but don't complain you can't do both. Unless you intend to say that DA saves are too low, which is another topic.
windscar18 07-05-07, 12:46 PM	It'd just be easier to make Death Attack more dependant on character level: yes, I know it makes an assassin a splash class, so you might want to put Death Attack at the END of your progression.
Malchius 07-05-07, 12:51 PM	May be better off adapting something line the Darkhunter from Complete Warrior, mixing in a few of the Assassin's abilities.
teshen 07-07-07, 11:29 AM	It'd just be easier to make Death Attack more dependant on character level: yes, I know it makes an assassin a splash class, so you might want to put Death Attack at the END of your progression. A character that specializes in discrete killing... who eventually learns how to more quickly and efficiently from experience in doing just such a thing... It makes a lot of sense.
The_Shaman 07-07-07, 04:57 PM	Many classes that get DA get it at the end. Dark Hunter, darkwood stalker, justice of weald and woe, imaskari vengeance taker... I think only the assassin and the teflammar shadowlord get it before their middle levels.