You think, do you? Not for long.
-- Shae'ras, Mindkiller.
Mindkillers are those people who, having been the subjects of devastating psychic attacks, find that a mysterious force awakens within themselves. Mindkillers learn to harness this force, a sort of negative psionic energy, through intense self-study and meditation. Mindkillers are dangerous individiuals, often found serving in the employ of Sorcerer-Kings or merchant houses as favourite assassins, although rarely found at all if they do not wish to be.
Most mindkillers are aarakocra, dwarves, half-elves, and humans. Elves and half-giants rarely have the mental discipline required to follow this path; those that do, however, are especially deadly. Pterrans and halflings both have societal beliefs that conflict with the mindkiller's most common occupation: paid assasination. A renegade halfling might undertake this course, but despite pterrans' natural affinity for telepathy almost no pterran mindkillers exist. Mul rarely have the opportunity to recieve the sort of psionic schooling required to become a mindkiller. Thri-kreen have no special inclination or disinclination towards becoming mindkillers; however, a kreen mindkiller would certainly be a formidable leader and protector of his pack, as well as a deadly hunter.
Almost all mindkillers are rogue/psions, often egoists or telepaths; they tend to have more levels of rogue in order to more effectively use their class abilities. A rogue/psychic warrior mindkiller would, however, be an extremely dangerous opponent.
Mindkillers tend to work alone, disdaining others who lack the mental discipline and capability for stealth that they have. They tend to get along well with other rogues and psions, especially when the latter shows what mindkillers feel is the well-deserved respect for their potent anti-psionic abilities. Most mindkillers recognize the purpose that warriors and divine casters serve, realizing that their work can always lead them to situations where extra muscle or healing magic could be helpful.
Hit Die: d6
Requirements
To become a Mindkiller, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Alignment: Any non-good.
Skills: Autohypnosis 6 ranks, Concentration 6 ranks, Hide 6 ranks, Move Silently 6 ranks.
Psionics: Ability to manifest 2nd-level powers.
Special: Sneak Attack +2d6; must have been the subject of a psionic attack which dealt her at least half her hit point total in damage, or reduced at least one of her ability scores to half its normal total or below.
Class Skills
The Mindkiller's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Autohypnosis (Wis), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Psionics) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Psicraft (Int), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Rope (Dex).
Skill points at each level: 4 + Int modifier.
It's making some red flags go off though for me. I'll have to look at it in more detail later and define.
I will take a look at it later tonight once I'm done.
*bump* Two promised closer looks. Is that happening at all, or is this idea down like a dog on the highway?
I agree with their interest in the class, and would have offered to give you feedback on it too, if two people hadn't already. I think you are going to have to be patient on the feedback though. Because of the classes novelty and the way it is written it requires a detailed analysis. I can give you a few suggestions to aleveiate your boredom though.
1d6 X [ (Mindkiller level + Int mod) X 0.5 ]
There are a number of places were you have equations like this for determining certain qualities of the special abilities for the class. You should avoid using mathatical notation like brackets and decimals wherever possible. Stick to very simple equations and use words like half instead of 0.5. For instance: (Mindkiller level X 0.5) + Int mod should be written as half Mindkiller class level + Int modifier. This is merely to prevent confusion and conform to prestiege class conventions.
Also, and this is just a formating suggestion, make all of the headings like Skills: , Powers per day: , etc. bold for ease of reading and referance.
Pierce Defences: Through long use of her psychic abilities, the Mindkiller learns to seek out holes in her opponents' natural and artificial psychic defences, and strike mercilessly through them. Beginning at 10th level, whenever a Mindkiller would hit a target and normally be able to deal Sneak Attack damage to it but is unable to do so due to any defences that the creature has, the Mindkiller may make a Manifester Level Check opposed by the target's Will save. If she succeeds, the Mindkiller may bypass these defences, but only if she forgoes all of the regular sneak attack damage she would deal in favour of her special abilities. This allows her, for example, to use her abilities on creatures that are normally immune to critical hits.
I don't think this ability is too powerfull, but it is a little confusing. I'd rewrite the rules part like this:
Beginning at 10th level, a Mindkiller can even effect creatures that are normally immune to sneak attack damage with her Mental Assault, Psionic Drain, and focused Focussed Assault abilities. The Mindkiller must make a Manifester Level Check opposed by the target's Will save. If she succeeds, the Mindkiller may affect the target with these abilities as normal. This ability does not allow the Mindkiller to bypass any sort of Immunity to critical hits or Fortitfication for the purpose of dealing extra damage through sneak attack.
There are a number of places were you have equations like this for determining certain qualities of the special abilities for the class. You should avoid using mathatical notation like brackets and decimals wherever possible. Stick to very simple equations and use words like half instead of 0.5. For instance: (Mindkiller level X 0.5) + Int mod should be written as half Mindkiller class level + Int modifier. This is merely to prevent confusion and conform to prestiege class conventions.
I understand the convention issues, but some things just don't translate nicely into words. Half Mindkiller class level + Ind modifier would translate to 0.5 X Mindkiller Class level + Int modifier. But 0.5 X Mindkiller class level + 0.5 X Int modifier doesn't translate nicely into words. I specifically mean half class level AND half int mod, not just half class level.
Also, and this is just a formating suggestion, make all of the headings like Skills: , Powers per day: , etc. bold for ease of reading and referance.
Again, I understand the issue. The way I normally do things when posting a PrC is to have the sectional headings bolded and the sub-headings italicized. I realize this isn't regular convention, but if you would prefer I can modify it fairly easily so that it does comply.
I don't think this ability is too powerful, but it is a little confusing. I'd rewrite the rules part like this:
Beginning at 10th level, a Mindkiller can even effect creatures that are normally immune to sneak attack damage with her Mental Assault, Psionic Drain, and focused Focussed Assault abilities. The Mindkiller must make a Manifester Level Check opposed by the target's Will save. If she succeeds, the Mindkiller may affect the target with these abilities as normal. This ability does not allow the Mindkiller to bypass any sort of Immunity to critical hits or Fortitfication for the purpose of dealing extra damage through sneak attack.
No argument here. Making the changes now.
First of all, thank you for the replies Kal, Nyt, and Sage. I understand that responses can take some time, but I was just a little concerned that the thread was slipping through the cracks.
Kal?
But anyway, I'd add that the charater has to expend their psionic focus for Focussed Assalut & Mental Assault abilities. In doing so you prevent them from being used in the same attack action which would be majorly broken. Plus, it adds further psionic flavor to your PrC.
It was probably a mix up due to the fact that Aram sent me some suggestion on so minor grammer fixed that could be made to a PrC I posted.
What can I say- he had Kalthandrix on the mind :D
BTW, I seen that you wanted to spruce up the intro. Well Pennarin has suggested to me that all PrC's include the races and classes that commonly enter the ranks of the PrC and perhaps how they interact with other classes (or something along those lines).
I understand the convention issues, but some things just don't translate nicely into words. Half Mindkiller class level + Ind modifier would translate to 0.5 X Mindkiller Class level + Int modifier. But 0.5 X Mindkiller class level + 0.5 X Int modifier doesn't translate nicely into words. I specifically mean half class level AND half int mod, not just half class level.
Yah, I know that you would need to change the mechanics you've used a little, to do what I suggested. I think you should. In particular I think you give to much power to intelligence as a determining factor, I don't think it should have any affect on how many dice you can convert from sneak attack.
This equations in particular is the worst for complexity:1d6 X [ (Mindkiller level + Int mod) X 0.25 ], I don't think that you can expect everyone who plays D&D to solve mathmatical equations like this. I'm not saying its a hard equation, just that it is significantly harder than anything I've ever seen in print for the game. It also, makes the job of determining game balance harder for people who are critiqing the class, because it's harder to compare to other classes.
Again, I understand the issue. The way I normally do things when posting a PrC is to have the sectional headings bolded and the sub-headings italicized. I realize this isn't regular convention, but if you would prefer I can modify it fairly easily so that it does comply.
If you submit the class to Jon for the PrC vol. 2 release, it'll be changed to that format, so I guess it would be nice of you to save him the effort. It does make things a little easier to read and reference.
No argument here. Making the changes now.
Glad I could be of help.
Kal?
But anyway, I'd add that the charater has to expend their psionic focus for Focussed Assalut & Mental Assault abilities. In doing so you prevent them from being used in the same attack action which would be majorly broken. Plus, it adds further psionic flavor to your PrC.
You think so? He already has to satisfy the conditions of a sneak attack, and could activate both even with that requirement if he had Crystal Containment. I guess there is no reason to give that to him for free, and it would give the class a little more psionic flavor
.You think so? He already has to satisfy the conditions of a sneak attack, and could activate both even with that requirement if he had Crystal Containment. I guess there is no reason to give that to him for free, and it would give the class a little more psionic flavor
Getting the sneak attack off isn't that hard to do if they play it smart. Get the target in a flank and their kank poo.
I think if the character took those extra steps then they deserves to get both abilities off. The character could even take Psionic Meditation in order to regain focus as a move equivalent action to use one of the abilities every round.
The abilities are pretty potent if used againt a manifester. They would be losing quite a bit of power points if both are used at the same time. With the expending focus it balances them IMO.
Yah, I know that you would need to change the mechanics you've used a little, to do what I suggested. I think you should. In particular I think you give to much power to intelligence as a determining factor, I don't think it should have any affect on how many dice you can convert from sneak attack.
This equations in particular is the worst for complexity:1d6 X [ (Mindkiller level + Int mod) X 0.25 ], I don't think that you can expect everyone who plays D&D to solve mathmatical equations like this. I'm not saying its a hard equation, just that it is significantly harder than anything I've ever seen in print for the game. It also, makes the job of determining game balance harder for people who are critiqing the class, because it's harder to compare to other classes.
I see your point. I'll change it to just level for Mental Assault and half level for Focussed Assault.
BTW, I seen that you wanted to spruce up the intro. Well Pennarin has suggested to me that all PrC's include the races and classes that commonly enter the ranks of the PrC and perhaps how they interact with other classes (or something along those lines).
Thanks, that should add something to it at least. But I still think it could use more flavour.
Kal?
But anyway, I'd add that the charater has to expend their psionic focus for Focussed Assalut & Mental Assault abilities. In doing so you prevent them from being used in the same attack action which would be majorly broken. Plus, it adds further psionic flavor to your PrC.
You think so? He already has to satisfy the conditions of a sneak attack, and could activate both even with that requirement if he had Crystal Containment. I guess there is no reason to give that to him for free, and it would give the class a little more psionic flavor.
Getting the sneak attack off isn't that hard to do if they play it smart. Get the target in a flank and their kank poo.
I think if the character took those extra steps then they deserves to get both abilities off. The character could even take Psionic Meditation in order to regain focus as a move equivalent action to use one of the abilities every round.
The abilities are pretty potent if used againt a manifester. They would be losing quite a bit of power points if both are used at the same time. With the expending focus it balances them IMO.
First off, sorry Sysane. I did inded have Kal on the brain.
Second. I think you are both misunderstanding the way the abilities work. Whether that is due to my wording being unclear or to something else I am unsure. Perhaps the easiest way to explain would be through an example.
Let's say I have a 5th-level Rogue/ 3th-level Psion/ 7th-level Mindkiller. My total sneak attack damage bonus is +6d6, and my Intelligence bonus is +2.
Let's say that I'm facing a psion, and get a surprise round. Through a standard attack action, I make a successful sneak attack on the psion. I have a number of options available to me pertaining to my sneak attack damage dice.
I can deal a straight 6d6 sneak attack damage and use none of my Mindkiller class abilities.
I can do any of the following through my Mental Assault abiilty.
- I can deal 5d6 sneak attack damage, drain 6.5 power points (which rounds down to 6), and gain 2 temporary power points.
- I can deal 4d6 sneak attack damage, drain 13 power points, and gain 4 temporary power points.
- I can deal 3d6 sneak attack damage, drain 19.5 power points (which rounds down to 19), and gain 6 temporary power points.
- I can deal 2d6 sneak attack damage, drain 26 power points, and gain 8 temporary power points.
- I can deal 1d6 sneak attack damage, drain 32.5 power points (which rounds down to 32), and gain 10 temporary power points.
- I can deal no sneak attack damage, drain 39 power points, and gain 13 temporary power points.
I can do any of the following through my Focussed Assault ability.
- I can deal 3d6 sneak attack damage and 1d6 Intelligence damage.
- I CANNOT deal no sneak attack damage and deal 2d6 Intelligence damage. This is because of the cap on my Focussed Assault ability of half my Mindkiller class level worth of Sneak Attack dice. I can only forgo 3.5 dice for this ability, which rounds down to 3.
I can do any of the following as combinations of my Mental Assault and Focussed assault abilities.
- I can deal 2d6 sneak attack damage, drain 6.5 power points (which rounds down to 6), gain 2 temporary power points, and deal 1d6 Intelligence damage.
- I can deal 1d6 sneak attack damage, drain 13 power points, gain 4 temporary power points, and deal 1d6 Intelligence damage.
- I can deal no sneak attack damage, drain 19.5 power points (which rounds down to 19), gain 6 temporary power points, and deal 2d6 Intelligence damage.
Getting both abilities off gives me no special benefits over getting only one abiilty off. I can freely decide what I do with each and every single one of my sneak attack dice. Forcing a Mindkiller to expend their psionic focus doesn't reduce their power in this instance; it only reduces their versatility.
In other words,
. Come on. Someone find *something* wrong with it, please! :DOkay. Unless anyone has any last-minute comments, I'm gonna call this the final version. Gonna give it a good edit and send it in.
Looks good to me (much better than the psychic assassin)