Darksoul - Martial & Shadow Striker - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Darksoul - Martial & Shadow Striker

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
twisted9
Mar 27, 2011 0:25:10 hourglassgames.proboards.com/index.cgi?b...

This is a class I've been brainstorming about since work has been so slow lately. It's a martial and shadow power source that summons a shadow version of the PC that works together with its master to cut down enemies. The class is lightly armored and not very durable but highly mobile. Think of it like Beastmaster Ranger + Call Spirit Companion with a touch of Swordbond, but a version of yourself that doesn't suck. This is not an essentials class so I'll have a bit more work to do to bring it to life but that's just part of the fun.

I had to go with one-handed weapons to keep damage at a reasonable level. You can think of this class as the two weapon ranger split in half. I only have the basics of the class layed out right now (03-26-2011) and am looking for help making sure the class makes sense thematically, mechanically, and grammatically, especially with the summon doppelganger power.

Also tell me if this class would be something you'd be interested playing as.

To do list (just because it's crossed off doesn't mean I don't want input on it):
Class Basics
Class Features
Lv1 At-Will
Lv1 Encounter (I LOVE Blazing Detonation! Hi there...KABOOM!)
Lv1 Daily 3/4
Lv2 Utility 1/?
Lv3 Encounter
Lv5 Daily
Lv6 Utility
Lv7 Encounter
Lv9 Daily
Lv10 Utility
Lv13 Encounter
Lv15 Daily
Lv16 Utility
Lv17 Encounter
Lv19 Daily
Lv22 Utility
Lv23 Encounter
Lv25 Daily
Lv27 Encounter
Lv29 Daily
Paragon Paths
Epic Destinies
Heroic Feats
Paragon Feats
Epic Feats
#2
natural20username
Mar 27, 2011 10:39:02 Interesting concept. Seems like it could turn out to be a really interesting class, though I hope you aren't done with class features yet, since you ought to provide at leasxt 2 build options, and probably something that is based of a secondary ability score for both builds. Essentially, I think the concept is good, and once you finish fleshing it out, I know several people (including myself) who would be interested.
#3
Suzume_Stjohn
Mar 27, 2011 14:40:12 I like it, a very unique looking play style, and a very good way to stay an effective striker and use the summon. (The beast master(Suposed striker) and Shaman(Admitedly a leader, but wish there was an effective striker build as well) are both woefully lacking on damage compairatively)

If you flesh it out for at least the first could of levels, I'd be happy to run it through some play tests ;)
#4
twisted9
Mar 27, 2011 22:02:31
I added two builds to the Darksoul, one focusing on buffing the shadow and doing more shadowy stuff, while the other focuses on using the doppelganger more tactically and using martial skill (which is also the route that weapon mastery folks will go).

I'll try to get four Lv1 at-wills before tomorrow.

EDIT: 3 down 1 to go.
EDIT2: All done At-Wills. I'm a little unsure about simultaneous strike, but I think it is conditional enough not to be too strong.
#5
twisted9
Mar 28, 2011 6:30:44 I have to make a decision as to how to go about the daily powers. Do you guys like having encounter long benefits like rages, stances, warden forms, etc or single powerful attacks or a combination of both? I'm leaning towards a rage-style daily power that has an initial powerful attack and then has a stance that lasts an entire encounter but I haven't had the opportunity to play a class like that so I can't give an informed opinion of them. How do you guys feel daily powers should be?
#6
natural20username
Mar 28, 2011 17:42:45 I'd vote for a mix of both. Really preference depends on your play style. If you favor a "Screw it. Charge!" approach, then dailies with encounter long benefits are your best bet, because throwing it out at the beginning of an encounter is advantageous. If you prefer to size up the difficulty of the fight, then determine whether to burn a daily, then amazing single attacks are better.
#7
twisted9
Mar 28, 2011 21:04:28 Okay guys I have enough done for a 1st level playtest and maybe level 2 if you like the soul siphon utility power. I think this class has great potential and coming up with powers is very fun. I have a feeling this class will be stronger than the ranger so some toning down may be in order, but being better on average is not necessarily a bad thing, so long as its not game breaking.

I'm looking forward to hearing from your experiences!
#8
natural20username
Mar 29, 2011 21:55:17 Haven't playtested this yet, but I still have some comments as of now.

Blazing Detonation- Yes. This is cool.

Flash of Shadow- Huh? How does this power work?

Scythe of the Dreaded Reaper- May be a bit über. Maybe reroll one damage dice? Not sure how the maximization will play out, seems like a power that any ranger with a mordenkrad would love to steal.
#9
twisted9
Mar 31, 2011 7:30:28 Flash of Shadow works like this:

You and your doppelganger run so fast no one can hit you. You both slash at the target and then shift 1 square. The target doesn't realize how bad it really is until he tries to do something. I based it on the popular two guys charge each other, swing their weapons, and then stand facing away from each other for a moment before one of them realizes they've been cut.

Also changed dreaded reaper's encounter benefit to once per round.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 twisted9 Mar 27, 2011 0:25:10	hourglassgames.proboards.com/index.cgi?b... This is a class I've been brainstorming about since work has been so slow lately. It's a martial and shadow power source that summons a shadow version of the PC that works together with its master to cut down enemies. The class is lightly armored and not very durable but highly mobile. Think of it like Beastmaster Ranger + Call Spirit Companion with a touch of Swordbond, but a version of yourself that doesn't suck. This is not an essentials class so I'll have a bit more work to do to bring it to life but that's just part of the fun. I had to go with one-handed weapons to keep damage at a reasonable level. You can think of this class as the two weapon ranger split in half. I only have the basics of the class layed out right now (03-26-2011) and am looking for help making sure the class makes sense thematically, mechanically, and grammatically, especially with the summon doppelganger power. Also tell me if this class would be something you'd be interested playing as. To do list (just because it's crossed off doesn't mean I don't want input on it): Class Basics Class Features Lv1 At-Will Lv1 Encounter (I LOVE Blazing Detonation! Hi there...KABOOM!) Lv1 Daily 3/4 Lv2 Utility 1/? Lv3 Encounter Lv5 Daily Lv6 Utility Lv7 Encounter Lv9 Daily Lv10 Utility Lv13 Encounter Lv15 Daily Lv16 Utility Lv17 Encounter Lv19 Daily Lv22 Utility Lv23 Encounter Lv25 Daily Lv27 Encounter Lv29 Daily Paragon Paths Epic Destinies Heroic Feats Paragon Feats Epic Feats
#2 natural20username Mar 27, 2011 10:39:02	Interesting concept. Seems like it could turn out to be a really interesting class, though I hope you aren't done with class features yet, since you ought to provide at leasxt 2 build options, and probably something that is based of a secondary ability score for both builds. Essentially, I think the concept is good, and once you finish fleshing it out, I know several people (including myself) who would be interested.
#3 Suzume_Stjohn Mar 27, 2011 14:40:12	I like it, a very unique looking play style, and a very good way to stay an effective striker and use the summon. (The beast master(Suposed striker) and Shaman(Admitedly a leader, but wish there was an effective striker build as well) are both woefully lacking on damage compairatively) If you flesh it out for at least the first could of levels, I'd be happy to run it through some play tests ;)
#4 twisted9 Mar 27, 2011 22:02:31	I added two builds to the Darksoul, one focusing on buffing the shadow and doing more shadowy stuff, while the other focuses on using the doppelganger more tactically and using martial skill (which is also the route that weapon mastery folks will go). I'll try to get four Lv1 at-wills before tomorrow. EDIT: 3 down 1 to go. EDIT2: All done At-Wills. I'm a little unsure about simultaneous strike, but I think it is conditional enough not to be too strong.
#5 twisted9 Mar 28, 2011 6:30:44	I have to make a decision as to how to go about the daily powers. Do you guys like having encounter long benefits like rages, stances, warden forms, etc or single powerful attacks or a combination of both? I'm leaning towards a rage-style daily power that has an initial powerful attack and then has a stance that lasts an entire encounter but I haven't had the opportunity to play a class like that so I can't give an informed opinion of them. How do you guys feel daily powers should be?
#6 natural20username Mar 28, 2011 17:42:45	I'd vote for a mix of both. Really preference depends on your play style. If you favor a "Screw it. Charge!" approach, then dailies with encounter long benefits are your best bet, because throwing it out at the beginning of an encounter is advantageous. If you prefer to size up the difficulty of the fight, then determine whether to burn a daily, then amazing single attacks are better.
#7 twisted9 Mar 28, 2011 21:04:28	Okay guys I have enough done for a 1st level playtest and maybe level 2 if you like the soul siphon utility power. I think this class has great potential and coming up with powers is very fun. I have a feeling this class will be stronger than the ranger so some toning down may be in order, but being better on average is not necessarily a bad thing, so long as its not game breaking. I'm looking forward to hearing from your experiences!
#8 natural20username Mar 29, 2011 21:55:17	Haven't playtested this yet, but I still have some comments as of now. Blazing Detonation- Yes. This is cool. Flash of Shadow- Huh? How does this power work? Scythe of the Dreaded Reaper- May be a bit über. Maybe reroll one damage dice? Not sure how the maximization will play out, seems like a power that any ranger with a mordenkrad would love to steal.
#9 twisted9 Mar 31, 2011 7:30:28	Flash of Shadow works like this: You and your doppelganger run so fast no one can hit you. You both slash at the target and then shift 1 square. The target doesn't realize how bad it really is until he tries to do something. I based it on the popular two guys charge each other, swing their weapons, and then stand facing away from each other for a moment before one of them realizes they've been cut. Also changed dreaded reaper's encounter benefit to once per round.