Best 3.5 Class Features - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Best 3.5 Class Features

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
headofvecna
Sep 13, 2008 16:45:40 A friend of mine is starting a game using a heavily modified character generation system. Essentially, it uses points to buy class abilities, feats, spell levels, and all derived characteristics, but doesn't use ability scores (Str, Dex, Wis, etc.). The most interesting aspect of this system is the option to buy class abilities, the only restriction being that the ability be available by character level 9. You can take up to class level 4 abilities from PrC's that are normally available at character level 6.

So there are three criteria to keep in mind.
- Availiable by character level 9
- abilities that work off of ability scores don't work (i.e Divine Grace)
- published in a 3.5 book (i.e. Dragon and Savage Species are out)

The goodies so far (in no particular order):

Wild Shape
Improved Wild Shape (CAdv - MoMF)
Morphic Reach (Cwar - Warshaper)
Mighty Swing (MiniHB - War Hulk)
Lion Totem Pounce (CChamp - Alt Barbarian)
Imp. Evasion (Monk)
Mettle (Cwar - Hexblade)
Stagger (Cwar - Drunken Master)
Tougher Than Small (CValor - Alt Paladin)
Telepathy (CArc - Mindbender)
Eldritch Tapestry (Heroes Battle - War Weaver)
Hide in Plain Sight (Shadowdancer)
Throw Weapon Trick: Double Toss/Palm Throw/Trip Shot (CWar - Master Thrower)
Inspiration/Cunning Surge (Dungeonscape - Factotum)
Team Initiative Bonus (Heroes Battle - Dread Commando)
Animal Companion (Druid)
Extra Greater Turning (Cdiv - Radiant Servant of Pelor)
Rebuke Undead (Cleric)
Augment Casting (CMage - Ultimate Magus)
Deity, Domains, and Domain Spells: Travel/Luck/Knowledge/Planning/Time/Celerity (Cleric)
Sneak Attack (rogue)
Skirmish (CWar - Scout)
Deceive Item (CArc- Warlock)
Abrupt Jaunt (CMage - alt Conjurer Wizard)
Rapid Summoning (alt Conjurer Wizard)
Skeletal Minion (alt Necromanicer Wizard)
Breath Weapon (Draco - Talon of Tiamat)
Debilitating Aura (Paladin of Slaughter)
Aura of Despair (Blackguard)
Aura of Menace (CMage - Enlightened Spirit)
Celestial Flight (CMage - Enlightened Spirit)

Note - Spellcasting, Psionics, Invocations, Infusions, Manuevers, etc. trump the above abilities handily in sheer power and versatility but are not listed.

I'm sure there are a ton of other really good ones, especially in combination. Any brainstorming on this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!
#2
emy
Sep 13, 2008 16:58:00 The ones that immediately come to mind are

Incantatrix's Instant Metamagic
Incantatrix's Improved Metamagic
Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil's Warding
Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil's Kaleidoscopic Doom
Shadowcraft Mage's Shadow Illusion

Oh wait character level 9? I guess that means the only ones here that would work is Shadow Illusion, and only with early entry to ScM.

uh, mage of the arcane order's spellpool?
dragonfire adept breath weapon?

Factotum's Cunning Surge!
#3
falrin
Sep 13, 2008 17:00:12 5th LvL arcane spells (Wizard, PHB)
#4
headofvecna
Sep 13, 2008 18:27:02 Cunning Surge is pretty awesome. It does require a bit of investment though, the Inspiration class feature and some number of font of inspiration feats. I'll put together a build to try to abuse it :D

Arcane spells are the best class feature. Unfortunately, the homebrew system requires that spell levels and spell points be purchsed differently than other class abilities. Spell levels are relatively cheap, but spell points are inordinately expensive.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Please keep them coming. If enough come in, I'll try to organize things to make the list more generally useful.
#5
tshern
Sep 13, 2008 18:35:48 Turn undead and Animal companion.
#6
hsien
Sep 13, 2008 19:02:27 imo the MT Double/Toss/Palm Throw is not nearly as nice as
IDeadly Precision and Ranged Trip (CWar- Master Thrower)
( not sure if ranged trip is eligible, as the trip attempt check would technically work off an ability score )

Augment Casting ( CMage; Ultimate Magus )
Knowledge (Bonus) Domain (UA-Cloistered Cleric) it's also free to convert it to Knowledge Devotion feat (CChamp)
Sneak Attack ( Rogue )
#7
randomfellow
Sep 13, 2008 19:19:13 Rebuke Undead (Turn sucks. We want control over those Shadows, not get rid of them!)

Decieve Item (Take 10 on UMD ftw)
#8
ninjarabbit
Sep 13, 2008 19:49:01 Abrupt Jaunt- conjurer wizard: Complete mage
rapid summoning- conjurer wizard: Unearthed Arcana/SRD
skeletal minion: necromanic wizard: Unearthed arcana/SRD
#9
natenate
Sep 13, 2008 22:37:28 I'll second the Animal Companion, as though you went Druid/Beastlord (CV) for a free +3 to your effective level. Take a Fleshraker dinosaur (MM3) and get Natural Bond, apply the Level -3 for the Fleshraker first, then add the +3 from Natural Bond to equal your character level, and last add the extra +3 from Beastlord to have an effective level of 12 for your Fleshraker's extra HD and special abilities. Give it Ability Focus: Poison and Virulent Poison (SS), and maybe Combat Reflexes. Get Druid spellcasting with enough spellpoints to cast Venomfire (Serpent Kingdoms) and Greater Magic Fang each 1/day and buy a Lesser Rod of Extend for that. The rest of the party can get tower shields and use them for total cover while this beast solos the encounter.

The best Turn/Rebuke Undead ability includes Extra Greater Turning from Radiant Servant of Pelor. Get a Phylactery of Undead Turning and a Scepter of the Netherworld (LM) and be able to use Greater Turning as though you're an 18th level Cleric. Anything undead will turn into XP as soon as you get to act.

9th level Warmind, Crusader, and Swordsage maneuvers and stances would probably be a more useful option than spellcasting as far as point cost is concerned, if it would even be available. Same for 9th level Warlock eldritch blast and invocations.

The Travel domain granted ability, hands down.

Talon of Tiamat breath attacks up to 5th level (Hexblade 4/ Talon of Tiamat 5 is 9th level), along with Maximize Breath and Clinging Breath. A Maximized Cone of Acid set to cling for 3+ rounds will deal 60+30+15+7=112 damage, or 55 if they make the initial save, which is almost guaranteed to one-shot an encounter.

A Human Divine Minion can have 8 levels of Master of Many Forms at ECL 9, therefore you could get 8th level MoMF Wild Shaping ability. This would not include any animal forms, but you'd have access to diminutive to huge humanoids, giants, monstrous humanoids, fey, vermin, aberrations, plants, and oozes. With the feat Frozen Wild Shape from Frostburn you'd also get access to Frost Salamander (MM2) and Cryohydra, as well as a few others.

Stack as many passive auras as you possibly can. Dragon Totem Barbarian's Frightful Presence. The feat Frightful Presence from the Draconomicon. Paladin of Tyranny's or Blackguard's Aura of Despair. Paladin of Slaughter's Debilitating Aura. Enlightened Spirit (CM) Aura of Menace. The entire party should get all of these, or at least as many as they can.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 headofvecna Sep 13, 2008 16:45:40	A friend of mine is starting a game using a heavily modified character generation system. Essentially, it uses points to buy class abilities, feats, spell levels, and all derived characteristics, but doesn't use ability scores (Str, Dex, Wis, etc.). The most interesting aspect of this system is the option to buy class abilities, the only restriction being that the ability be available by character level 9. You can take up to class level 4 abilities from PrC's that are normally available at character level 6. So there are three criteria to keep in mind. - Availiable by character level 9 - abilities that work off of ability scores don't work (i.e Divine Grace) - published in a 3.5 book (i.e. Dragon and Savage Species are out) The goodies so far (in no particular order): Wild Shape Improved Wild Shape (CAdv - MoMF) Morphic Reach (Cwar - Warshaper) Mighty Swing (MiniHB - War Hulk) Lion Totem Pounce (CChamp - Alt Barbarian) Imp. Evasion (Monk) Mettle (Cwar - Hexblade) Stagger (Cwar - Drunken Master) Tougher Than Small (CValor - Alt Paladin) Telepathy (CArc - Mindbender) Eldritch Tapestry (Heroes Battle - War Weaver) Hide in Plain Sight (Shadowdancer) Throw Weapon Trick: Double Toss/Palm Throw/Trip Shot (CWar - Master Thrower) Inspiration/Cunning Surge (Dungeonscape - Factotum) Team Initiative Bonus (Heroes Battle - Dread Commando) Animal Companion (Druid) Extra Greater Turning (Cdiv - Radiant Servant of Pelor) Rebuke Undead (Cleric) Augment Casting (CMage - Ultimate Magus) Deity, Domains, and Domain Spells: Travel/Luck/Knowledge/Planning/Time/Celerity (Cleric) Sneak Attack (rogue) Skirmish (CWar - Scout) Deceive Item (CArc- Warlock) Abrupt Jaunt (CMage - alt Conjurer Wizard) Rapid Summoning (alt Conjurer Wizard) Skeletal Minion (alt Necromanicer Wizard) Breath Weapon (Draco - Talon of Tiamat) Debilitating Aura (Paladin of Slaughter) Aura of Despair (Blackguard) Aura of Menace (CMage - Enlightened Spirit) Celestial Flight (CMage - Enlightened Spirit) Note - Spellcasting, Psionics, Invocations, Infusions, Manuevers, etc. trump the above abilities handily in sheer power and versatility but are not listed. I'm sure there are a ton of other really good ones, especially in combination. Any brainstorming on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!
#2 emy Sep 13, 2008 16:58:00	The ones that immediately come to mind are Incantatrix's Instant Metamagic Incantatrix's Improved Metamagic Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil's Warding Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil's Kaleidoscopic Doom Shadowcraft Mage's Shadow Illusion Oh wait character level 9? I guess that means the only ones here that would work is Shadow Illusion, and only with early entry to ScM. uh, mage of the arcane order's spellpool? dragonfire adept breath weapon? Factotum's Cunning Surge!
#3 falrin Sep 13, 2008 17:00:12	5th LvL arcane spells (Wizard, PHB)
#4 headofvecna Sep 13, 2008 18:27:02	Cunning Surge is pretty awesome. It does require a bit of investment though, the Inspiration class feature and some number of font of inspiration feats. I'll put together a build to try to abuse it :D Arcane spells are the best class feature. Unfortunately, the homebrew system requires that spell levels and spell points be purchsed differently than other class abilities. Spell levels are relatively cheap, but spell points are inordinately expensive. Thanks for the suggestions so far. Please keep them coming. If enough come in, I'll try to organize things to make the list more generally useful.
#5 tshern Sep 13, 2008 18:35:48	Turn undead and Animal companion.
#6 hsien Sep 13, 2008 19:02:27	imo the MT Double/Toss/Palm Throw is not nearly as nice as IDeadly Precision and Ranged Trip (CWar- Master Thrower) ( not sure if ranged trip is eligible, as the trip attempt check would technically work off an ability score ) Augment Casting ( CMage; Ultimate Magus ) Knowledge (Bonus) Domain (UA-Cloistered Cleric) it's also free to convert it to Knowledge Devotion feat (CChamp) Sneak Attack ( Rogue )
#7 randomfellow Sep 13, 2008 19:19:13	Rebuke Undead (Turn sucks. We want control over those Shadows, not get rid of them!) Decieve Item (Take 10 on UMD ftw)
#8 ninjarabbit Sep 13, 2008 19:49:01	Abrupt Jaunt- conjurer wizard: Complete mage rapid summoning- conjurer wizard: Unearthed Arcana/SRD skeletal minion: necromanic wizard: Unearthed arcana/SRD
#9 natenate Sep 13, 2008 22:37:28	I'll second the Animal Companion, as though you went Druid/Beastlord (CV) for a free +3 to your effective level. Take a Fleshraker dinosaur (MM3) and get Natural Bond, apply the Level -3 for the Fleshraker first, then add the +3 from Natural Bond to equal your character level, and last add the extra +3 from Beastlord to have an effective level of 12 for your Fleshraker's extra HD and special abilities. Give it Ability Focus: Poison and Virulent Poison (SS), and maybe Combat Reflexes. Get Druid spellcasting with enough spellpoints to cast Venomfire (Serpent Kingdoms) and Greater Magic Fang each 1/day and buy a Lesser Rod of Extend for that. The rest of the party can get tower shields and use them for total cover while this beast solos the encounter. The best Turn/Rebuke Undead ability includes Extra Greater Turning from Radiant Servant of Pelor. Get a Phylactery of Undead Turning and a Scepter of the Netherworld (LM) and be able to use Greater Turning as though you're an 18th level Cleric. Anything undead will turn into XP as soon as you get to act. 9th level Warmind, Crusader, and Swordsage maneuvers and stances would probably be a more useful option than spellcasting as far as point cost is concerned, if it would even be available. Same for 9th level Warlock eldritch blast and invocations. The Travel domain granted ability, hands down. Talon of Tiamat breath attacks up to 5th level (Hexblade 4/ Talon of Tiamat 5 is 9th level), along with Maximize Breath and Clinging Breath. A Maximized Cone of Acid set to cling for 3+ rounds will deal 60+30+15+7=112 damage, or 55 if they make the initial save, which is almost guaranteed to one-shot an encounter. A Human Divine Minion can have 8 levels of Master of Many Forms at ECL 9, therefore you could get 8th level MoMF Wild Shaping ability. This would not include any animal forms, but you'd have access to diminutive to huge humanoids, giants, monstrous humanoids, fey, vermin, aberrations, plants, and oozes. With the feat Frozen Wild Shape from Frostburn you'd also get access to Frost Salamander (MM2) and Cryohydra, as well as a few others. Stack as many passive auras as you possibly can. Dragon Totem Barbarian's Frightful Presence. The feat Frightful Presence from the Draconomicon. Paladin of Tyranny's or Blackguard's Aura of Despair. Paladin of Slaughter's Debilitating Aura. Enlightened Spirit (CM) Aura of Menace. The entire party should get all of these, or at least as many as they can.