[TEMPLATE] Right Hand of Destruction (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

[TEMPLATE] Right Hand of Destruction (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
turalisj
02-01-07, 09:00 PM This template is loosly based off of Kazuma's alter power from Scry-ed and Scar's arm from Full Metal Alchemist

As the guards charged the robed figure, Jin pulled out his arm. Arcane symbols glowed and pulsated on it as it sensed flesh. Jin easily put his fist through the guard's armor and through the guard himself. All that remained was a puddle of blood and twisted metal, while Jin's arm glowed greater.
The remaining guard turned around to flee, but it was too late. With another glow of energy, a red ray shot through the guard, turining him too into a pile of blood and scrap metal.

And now onto the show!

Creating A Right Hand of Destruction
"Right Hand of Destruction" can be added to any living monstrous humanoid or humanoid (referred hereafter as the base creature)
A RHoD uses all the statistics of the base creature, except as noted below.

Size and Type: The creature's size and type does not change.

Special Attacks: A RHoD gains the ability to make a single special unarmed attack, for which the template gets it's name, known as a Spirit Strike. This attack can be used a number of times per day equal to the RHoD's constitution modifier, after which the third attack after the ability would be used up fatigues the RHoD and the sixth one exhausts the RHoD. Any use after that results in the RHoD taking nonlethal damage equal to his/her hd.
For example, Scar, who has a constitution score of 16, can use it three times a day. After using it six times, Scar is fatigued. After nine times, Scar is exhausted. After ten times, Scar collapses from the strain on his body.
The RHoD has a special pool that he/she uses to fuel his/her special ability called a spirit pool. Each time the RHoD kills a being, that being's soul is stored inside the RHoD's arm (this functions as the special material Thinaun, presented in Complete Warrior). A RHoD then adds the creature's HD to his spirit pool. A RHoD cannot store more spirit pool points in his/her arm than his/her HD.
This damage initialy deals 3d8 damage, then advances as below.

Spirit Pool Damage bonus
1-3 +1d8 damage
4-6 +2d8 damage
7-9 +3d8 damage
10-12 +4d8 damage
11-15 +5d8 damage
16-18 +6d8 damage
etc...

Level Bonuses:
At 5HD, the RHoD may expend an extra 2 SP to ignore the hardness of an object.
At 10HD, the RHoD may expend half his maximum SP in order to use his Sprit Strike at a range (40ft+5ft/2 level). He must still make an attack roll, although this counts as a ranged attack rather then a melee attack. This counts as 2 uses of his Soul Strike.
At 15HD, the RHoD may, when at maximum SP, expend all his current SP to make a single, lethal blow to his foe. He deals damage as normal, and in addition his foe must make a Fortitude save (DC= 10+1/2 RHoD HD+Con Mod) or die instantly as his body is torn to shreds from the energy. This counts as 3 uses of his Soul Strike.
At 20HD, the RHoD may expend his maximum SP in order to unleash a devestating attack against all foes within 60ft. This counts as a full round action and deals damage equal to his standard unarmed attack, plus his Soul Strike damage. However, instead of making a melee attack, each foe within the area must make a reflex save (DC= 10+1/2HD+Con Mod), for half damage. This counts as 4 Soul Strike uses.

Feats: The RHoD gains improved unarmed strike and superior unarmed strike as bonus feats.

Ablility Scores: +4 strength, +2 dexterity, +2 constitution

Level Adjustment: +3

Pros: Has scaling to help compensate for levels lost, giving the RHoD the ability to deal a good deal of damage at higher levels.

Cons: Has to constantly kill, kill, and kill to keep the special attack working. This means lots of combat involved, and lots of killing. This is good for an assassin type character, but a paladin would be an automatic no to this.

Questions? Comments? Think this is the best thing ever? Thing this is complete crap and I shouldn't try creating another template? Feel free to PEACH.
RoCkEtInToXiCaTe
02-01-07, 11:28 PM Do you want a fully created S-Cry-Ed Alter Arm? I made a template a while back. People seemed to think it was good. I own the DVD so I watched the season all the way through and used online resources to make it the best, and as accurate as possible.
obrysii
02-01-07, 11:31 PM I don't know.

It does not seem to capture the raw power of Scar's arm. It's like a significantly decreased in strength version.

Scar's arm would be closer to a disintegrate effect.
RoCkEtInToXiCaTe
02-01-07, 11:36 PM Sorry, I think it's really good.

Scar was quick, and so was Kazuma. Kazuma was tough as nails and hard as crap to take down, and Scar had both his arms ripped off and was either shot, or spiked by Lust and still lived for at least a little while, so definately a bonus to constitution. Scar's strength was probably average, and Kazuma's was at least a +2 simply because of his Alter Arm, but really I suppose he was just regular strength. I'd say a +2 level adjustment (That's why my alter arm is). Other-wise, I believe it looks very neat.

Perhaps at high levels there should be a Death Attack involved? Maybe the more powerful the character gets he can eventually get strong enough to make death attacks? (via scar instantly slaying almost anything he wanted via his arm).

Also there should be a bonus on Sunder. If you remember, Scar could basically sunder anything, except when Edward changed his arm to some type of something (I don't remember what it was) and Scar couldn't, but he took a chunk out of Al if I remember right.

Also Kazuma punched through many things like Zetsuei's arms, the floor of buildings, the Eternity 8 Alter shield, and other such hard obstacles, not to mention Biff's HAMMER Alter.

That's all the advice I can give for now =)
Darth Sephiroth
02-01-07, 11:42 PM In my Dark Trinity setting I've got something similar, basically a bloodline feat that grants a limited use of Shocking Grasp for anyone who takes it
turalisj
02-03-07, 12:45 AM Well, I was thinking of giving the RHoD improved unarmed strike, improved sunder, and superior unarmed strike.

However, I can just imagine what a munchkin would do if I gave the RHoD everything I would like to. We would have a creature akin to the power of Pun-Pun, able to slay a diety in a single punch.
Shedeo
02-05-07, 08:53 AM In the setting that I have, I made a similar template (or rather, a template that had abilities similar to Scar, I should say, in addition to others.)

It dealt decent damage by 20th level (1d6/2 levels, melee touch, full-round action to use) but gained other abilities and became easier to use the more hit dice that the creature has, such as a melee touch version of the Heartripper spell.

Now, that aside, I like how you've set it up, especially the Spirit Pool thing. I made a PrC similar to that before I saw the Soul Eater from the BoVD. Perhapd it can't quite capture the insane destructive ability of Scar's RHoD, but for a DnD game, where the average person has about 2hp, I think that it gets the point across.
turalisj
02-05-07, 10:00 AM Alright, here's the first edit:

Added a +3 LA, gave the template a +4 to str, +2 to dex and con, gave the template bonus feats, and upped the die on the damage to d8.

I'll work on a sample creature to give everyone something to ogle at ^_^'
TheGeek
02-20-07, 06:52 PM I like the flavor of this template; the idea of an attack that grows in power as you use it. Keep up the good work!
TheGeek
02-20-07, 08:32 PM Sorry for the double post, not quite sure how to work the "quote" button yet.

Cons: Has to constantly kill, kill, and kill to keep the special attack working. This means lots of combat involved, and lots of killing. This is good for an assassin type character, but a paladin would be an automatic no to this.

Why would he/she have to keep killing? I am assuming that with each strike, the soul pool decreases by one. Is this correct?
turalisj
04-07-07, 02:17 AM If you deal the maximum damage with your spirit pool, you decrease the spirit pool by the number of dice used in the damage. So using it at 1st level and dealing +1d8 damage completly drains your spirit pool. However, at the same time, most 1st level baddies only have 10-20 hp.

And to clarify, a target that you wish to drain spirit energy from much be reduced to -10 hp , with you atleast dealing the final blow.

Finaly, can anyone playtest this for me and give me a feedack? What do you think the CR should be?
Shedeo
04-07-07, 02:30 AM The only probelm I see with your analysis that at first level, opponents will have only 10-20 HP is that this template won't be played at level one because of its level adjustment, so an ECL 4 creature with the template (say, a human with one level of fighter) will have lower HP and attack power, and that extra 1d8 damage won't mean a whole lot as compared to what he could have with four levels of fighter.
turalisj
04-07-07, 02:35 AM The LA is there because of the nice features. Three free feats, +4 to str, +2 dex, +2 con, and the extra damage. I'll try and cook up a template progression for this, but right now I need rest...
Shedeo
04-07-07, 02:39 AM No, I understand why the LA is there. But at level 4, I'd still rather play a level 4 human fighter than a level 1 human fighter with this template, as good as it is. I'd be able to deal more damage and have more survivability. I was also commenting on how at level 4, +1d8 damage, while not bad, won't really make or break a fight.
turalisj
04-07-07, 02:58 AM Should I lower it by one then? Or perhaps make it stack with weapons?
Shedeo
04-07-07, 03:25 AM Actually, what I would do is give the RHoD ability a base damage, and have it increase with your spirit pool.

For example, giving it a base damage value of 2d8, then expending the spirit pool points as normal. That way, it grants a 3d8 damage bonus rather than a 1d8. At fourth level, that can be pretty nice indeed, round abouts as much as a shocking grasp spell.

One last idea would be to give it a greater ability at higher levels. Such as at 15th level, if a person that has the RHoD template has their spirit pool full, they may expend all of their points on their next successful use of the ability to deal damage as normal, but the target must make a fortitude save (DC = damage dealt) or die. Using this ability, whether successful or not, counts as two uses of the RHoD ability and immediately exhausts the creature with the RHoD template.

Something like a capstone ability to keep with its use in higher levels when damage starts to mean less and less.
turalisj
04-25-08, 11:50 PM Yeah, it's been a while since I came to this thread. I just may end up making this into a full base class, but we'll see (I've no experience in base class creation).

Added some nifty abilities so he's not just a one trick pony. Also did some renaming.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
turalisj 02-01-07, 09:00 PM	This template is loosly based off of Kazuma's alter power from Scry-ed and Scar's arm from Full Metal Alchemist As the guards charged the robed figure, Jin pulled out his arm. Arcane symbols glowed and pulsated on it as it sensed flesh. Jin easily put his fist through the guard's armor and through the guard himself. All that remained was a puddle of blood and twisted metal, while Jin's arm glowed greater. The remaining guard turned around to flee, but it was too late. With another glow of energy, a red ray shot through the guard, turining him too into a pile of blood and scrap metal. And now onto the show! Creating A Right Hand of Destruction "Right Hand of Destruction" can be added to any living monstrous humanoid or humanoid (referred hereafter as the base creature) A RHoD uses all the statistics of the base creature, except as noted below. Size and Type: The creature's size and type does not change. Special Attacks: A RHoD gains the ability to make a single special unarmed attack, for which the template gets it's name, known as a Spirit Strike. This attack can be used a number of times per day equal to the RHoD's constitution modifier, after which the third attack after the ability would be used up fatigues the RHoD and the sixth one exhausts the RHoD. Any use after that results in the RHoD taking nonlethal damage equal to his/her hd. For example, Scar, who has a constitution score of 16, can use it three times a day. After using it six times, Scar is fatigued. After nine times, Scar is exhausted. After ten times, Scar collapses from the strain on his body. The RHoD has a special pool that he/she uses to fuel his/her special ability called a spirit pool. Each time the RHoD kills a being, that being's soul is stored inside the RHoD's arm (this functions as the special material Thinaun, presented in Complete Warrior). A RHoD then adds the creature's HD to his spirit pool. A RHoD cannot store more spirit pool points in his/her arm than his/her HD. This damage initialy deals 3d8 damage, then advances as below. Spirit Pool Damage bonus 1-3 +1d8 damage 4-6 +2d8 damage 7-9 +3d8 damage 10-12 +4d8 damage 11-15 +5d8 damage 16-18 +6d8 damage etc... Level Bonuses: At 5HD, the RHoD may expend an extra 2 SP to ignore the hardness of an object. At 10HD, the RHoD may expend half his maximum SP in order to use his Sprit Strike at a range (40ft+5ft/2 level). He must still make an attack roll, although this counts as a ranged attack rather then a melee attack. This counts as 2 uses of his Soul Strike. At 15HD, the RHoD may, when at maximum SP, expend all his current SP to make a single, lethal blow to his foe. He deals damage as normal, and in addition his foe must make a Fortitude save (DC= 10+1/2 RHoD HD+Con Mod) or die instantly as his body is torn to shreds from the energy. This counts as 3 uses of his Soul Strike. At 20HD, the RHoD may expend his maximum SP in order to unleash a devestating attack against all foes within 60ft. This counts as a full round action and deals damage equal to his standard unarmed attack, plus his Soul Strike damage. However, instead of making a melee attack, each foe within the area must make a reflex save (DC= 10+1/2HD+Con Mod), for half damage. This counts as 4 Soul Strike uses. Feats: The RHoD gains improved unarmed strike and superior unarmed strike as bonus feats. Ablility Scores: +4 strength, +2 dexterity, +2 constitution Level Adjustment: +3 Pros: Has scaling to help compensate for levels lost, giving the RHoD the ability to deal a good deal of damage at higher levels. Cons: Has to constantly kill, kill, and kill to keep the special attack working. This means lots of combat involved, and lots of killing. This is good for an assassin type character, but a paladin would be an automatic no to this. Questions? Comments? Think this is the best thing ever? Thing this is complete crap and I shouldn't try creating another template? Feel free to PEACH.
RoCkEtInToXiCaTe 02-01-07, 11:28 PM	Do you want a fully created S-Cry-Ed Alter Arm? I made a template a while back. People seemed to think it was good. I own the DVD so I watched the season all the way through and used online resources to make it the best, and as accurate as possible.
obrysii 02-01-07, 11:31 PM	I don't know. It does not seem to capture the raw power of Scar's arm. It's like a significantly decreased in strength version. Scar's arm would be closer to a disintegrate effect.
RoCkEtInToXiCaTe 02-01-07, 11:36 PM	Sorry, I think it's really good. Scar was quick, and so was Kazuma. Kazuma was tough as nails and hard as crap to take down, and Scar had both his arms ripped off and was either shot, or spiked by Lust and still lived for at least a little while, so definately a bonus to constitution. Scar's strength was probably average, and Kazuma's was at least a +2 simply because of his Alter Arm, but really I suppose he was just regular strength. I'd say a +2 level adjustment (That's why my alter arm is). Other-wise, I believe it looks very neat. Perhaps at high levels there should be a Death Attack involved? Maybe the more powerful the character gets he can eventually get strong enough to make death attacks? (via scar instantly slaying almost anything he wanted via his arm). Also there should be a bonus on Sunder. If you remember, Scar could basically sunder anything, except when Edward changed his arm to some type of something (I don't remember what it was) and Scar couldn't, but he took a chunk out of Al if I remember right. Also Kazuma punched through many things like Zetsuei's arms, the floor of buildings, the Eternity 8 Alter shield, and other such hard obstacles, not to mention Biff's HAMMER Alter. That's all the advice I can give for now =)
Darth Sephiroth 02-01-07, 11:42 PM	In my Dark Trinity setting I've got something similar, basically a bloodline feat that grants a limited use of Shocking Grasp for anyone who takes it
turalisj 02-03-07, 12:45 AM	Well, I was thinking of giving the RHoD improved unarmed strike, improved sunder, and superior unarmed strike. However, I can just imagine what a munchkin would do if I gave the RHoD everything I would like to. We would have a creature akin to the power of Pun-Pun, able to slay a diety in a single punch.
Shedeo 02-05-07, 08:53 AM	In the setting that I have, I made a similar template (or rather, a template that had abilities similar to Scar, I should say, in addition to others.) It dealt decent damage by 20th level (1d6/2 levels, melee touch, full-round action to use) but gained other abilities and became easier to use the more hit dice that the creature has, such as a melee touch version of the Heartripper spell. Now, that aside, I like how you've set it up, especially the Spirit Pool thing. I made a PrC similar to that before I saw the Soul Eater from the BoVD. Perhapd it can't quite capture the insane destructive ability of Scar's RHoD, but for a DnD game, where the average person has about 2hp, I think that it gets the point across.
turalisj 02-05-07, 10:00 AM	Alright, here's the first edit: Added a +3 LA, gave the template a +4 to str, +2 to dex and con, gave the template bonus feats, and upped the die on the damage to d8. I'll work on a sample creature to give everyone something to ogle at ^_^'
TheGeek 02-20-07, 06:52 PM	I like the flavor of this template; the idea of an attack that grows in power as you use it. Keep up the good work!
TheGeek 02-20-07, 08:32 PM	Sorry for the double post, not quite sure how to work the "quote" button yet. Cons: Has to constantly kill, kill, and kill to keep the special attack working. This means lots of combat involved, and lots of killing. This is good for an assassin type character, but a paladin would be an automatic no to this. Why would he/she have to keep killing? I am assuming that with each strike, the soul pool decreases by one. Is this correct?
turalisj 04-07-07, 02:17 AM	If you deal the maximum damage with your spirit pool, you decrease the spirit pool by the number of dice used in the damage. So using it at 1st level and dealing +1d8 damage completly drains your spirit pool. However, at the same time, most 1st level baddies only have 10-20 hp. And to clarify, a target that you wish to drain spirit energy from much be reduced to -10 hp , with you atleast dealing the final blow. Finaly, can anyone playtest this for me and give me a feedack? What do you think the CR should be?
Shedeo 04-07-07, 02:30 AM	The only probelm I see with your analysis that at first level, opponents will have only 10-20 HP is that this template won't be played at level one because of its level adjustment, so an ECL 4 creature with the template (say, a human with one level of fighter) will have lower HP and attack power, and that extra 1d8 damage won't mean a whole lot as compared to what he could have with four levels of fighter.
turalisj 04-07-07, 02:35 AM	The LA is there because of the nice features. Three free feats, +4 to str, +2 dex, +2 con, and the extra damage. I'll try and cook up a template progression for this, but right now I need rest...
Shedeo 04-07-07, 02:39 AM	No, I understand why the LA is there. But at level 4, I'd still rather play a level 4 human fighter than a level 1 human fighter with this template, as good as it is. I'd be able to deal more damage and have more survivability. I was also commenting on how at level 4, +1d8 damage, while not bad, won't really make or break a fight.
turalisj 04-07-07, 02:58 AM	Should I lower it by one then? Or perhaps make it stack with weapons?
Shedeo 04-07-07, 03:25 AM	Actually, what I would do is give the RHoD ability a base damage, and have it increase with your spirit pool. For example, giving it a base damage value of 2d8, then expending the spirit pool points as normal. That way, it grants a 3d8 damage bonus rather than a 1d8. At fourth level, that can be pretty nice indeed, round abouts as much as a shocking grasp spell. One last idea would be to give it a greater ability at higher levels. Such as at 15th level, if a person that has the RHoD template has their spirit pool full, they may expend all of their points on their next successful use of the ability to deal damage as normal, but the target must make a fortitude save (DC = damage dealt) or die. Using this ability, whether successful or not, counts as two uses of the RHoD ability and immediately exhausts the creature with the RHoD template. Something like a capstone ability to keep with its use in higher levels when damage starts to mean less and less.
turalisj 04-25-08, 11:50 PM	Yeah, it's been a while since I came to this thread. I just may end up making this into a full base class, but we'll see (I've no experience in base class creation). Added some nifty abilities so he's not just a one trick pony. Also did some renaming.