Quasiclass - Herald of Storms

[archmage]

Herald of Storms

Requirements: To qualify to be a Herald, the character must have 16 levels of Druid and 16 levels of sorcerer by level 40. They must also have a base score of 18 in Wisdom and 18 in Charisma. They must also have the following feats: GSF Enchantment, GSF Conjuration, Arcane Defense (Conjuration) and Arcane Defense (Enchantment)

Heralds gain a rank of SF on Conjuration and Enchantment spells. They are able to use their Wisdom or Charisma Modifier to power their spells, whichever is higher. Upon attaining Herald status, the character is aged by the knowledge of the ancients pressing down upon him/her, resulting in a -2 hit to Constitution. They suffer a further -2 penalty to Constitution at level 60. Herald’s spells in Conjuration and Enchantment from either their sorcerous or druidic knowledge are cast with their levels in those classes combined. All other spells are cast at the level of the class the spell is acquired from.

Spell changes:

Infestation of Maggots and Horrid Wilting are both cast as Conjuration Spells by Heralds. Premonition is cast as enchant by Shamans.

Mass Stat Spells – instead of the +12 to stats, these spells give party members a +2 bonus to the respective stat checks

Acid Fog – Per round enemies in the cloud must save vs fortitude or suffer acid infliction 10% while in the cloud

Tasha’s Hideous Laughter – Use the Herald’s Spellcraft Bonus instead of Perform to determine DC

Cloudkill – Each Round enemies in the cloud must save vs fortitude, on a failed save they are damaged by CLxd6 Negative dmg and 1 HP per CL is transferred to the Herald

Evard’s Black Tentacles – Each Round in addition to the normal spell’s functions, enemies must make a save versus fortitude or suffer 1d10 Str dmg, they must also save vs. Reflex or suffer 1d10 Dex dmg

Mind Fog – in addition to its will save lowering, enemies in the cloud must save vs. fortitude or be feebleminded.

Summon Animal Companion - This ability summons an Ancient Spirit with an aura of immunity to disease and posion, with the ability to cast remove paralysis, remove disease, and healing circle of the regen variety. Much like the Healing Spirit of bards, the spirit can not be killed. This spirit may be summoned once per day, for a duration of 1 round per Herald Caster Level.

This class would be limited to 3 clouds of any sort at any time active. They also would receive Druid AC.

List of Conj and Enchant Spells for sorcs and druids:

<Acaos> C Acid Fog **** 6
<Acaos> C Acid Splash **** 0
<Acaos> C Black Blade of Disaster **** 9
<Acaos> C Bombardment 8 ****
<Acaos> C Cloudkill **** 5
<Acaos> C Creeping Doom 7 ****
<Acaos> C Cure Critical Wounds 5 ****
<Acaos> C Cure Light Wounds 1 ****
<Acaos> C Cure Minor Wounds 0 ****
<Funky> oooh bery nice
<Acaos> C Cure Moderate Wounds 3 ****
<Acaos> C Cure Serious Wounds 4 ****
<Acaos> C Elemental Swarm 9 ****
<Acaos> C Evards Black Tentacles **** 4
<Acaos> C Flame Arrow **** 3
<Acaos> C Gate **** 9
<Acaos> C Grease 1 1
<Acaos> C Greater Magic Fang 3 ****
<Acaos> C Greater Planar Binding **** 8
<Acaos> C Heal 7 ****
<Acaos> C Healing Circle 6 ****
<Acaos> C Lesser Planar Binding **** 5
<Acaos> C Lesser Restoration 2 ****
<Acaos> C Mage Armor **** 1
<Acaos> C Magic Fang 1 ****
<Acaos> C Mass Cure Critical Wounds 8 ****
<Acaos> C Mass Cure Light Wounds 5 ****
<Acaos> C Mass Cure Moderate Wounds 6 ****
<Acaos> C Mass Cure Serious Wounds 7 ****
<Acaos> C Mass Heal 9 ****
<Acaos> C Melfs Acid Arrow **** 2
<Acaos> C Mestils Acid Breath **** 3
<Acaos> C Mestils Acid Sheath **** 5
<Acaos> C Monstrous Regeneration 5 ****
<Acaos> C Neutralize Poison 3 ****
<Acaos> C Planar Binding **** 6
<Acaos> C Ray of Frost **** 0
<Acaos> C Regenerate 6 ****
<Acaos> C Remove Disease 3 ****
<Acaos> C Restoration 5 ****
<Acaos> C Stinking Cloud **** 3
<Acaos> C Stonehold 6 ****
<Acaos> C Storm of Vengeance 9 ****
<Acaos> C Summon Creature I 1 1
<Acaos> C Summon Creature II 2 2
<Acaos> C Summon Creature III 3 3
<Acaos> C Summon Creature IV 4 4
<Acaos> C Summon Creature IX 9 9
<Acaos> C Summon Creature V 5 5
<Acaos> C Summon Creature VI 6 6
<Acaos> C Summon Creature VII 7 7
<Acaos> C Summon Creature VIII 8 8
<Acaos> C Vine Mine 5 ****
<Acaos> C Web **** 2
<Acaos> E Blindness and Deafness **** 2
<Acaos> E Charm Monster **** 4
<Acaos> E Charm Person **** 1
<Acaos> E Charm Person or Animal 2 ****
<Acaos> E Confusion **** 4
<Acaos> E Daze **** 0
<Acaos> E Dominate Animal 3 ****
<Acaos> E Dominate Monster **** 9
<Acaos> E Dominate Person **** 5
<Acaos> E Hold Animal 2 ****
<Acaos> E Hold Monster 4 5
<Acaos> E Hold Person **** 3
<Acaos> E Mass Charm **** 8
<Acaos> E Mass Haste **** 6
<Acaos> E Mind Fog **** 5
<Acaos> E Protection from Spells **** 7
<Acaos> E Rebuke **** 7
<Acaos> E Sleep 1 1
<Acaos> E Tashas Hideous Laughter **** 2

[johannhowitzer]

The only caveat I can see right off the bat is this: Druids use Conjuration spells like mad. Thus, this quasi doesn't give up much from the Druid side, which means plenty of Druids could switch to being Shamans without giving much up - even retaining 25 Druid levels to keep most epics, and being able to cast spells like Crumble with a hit to SP similar to what BFMs experience in casting grabby hands. NB doesn't even respect SR, so literally no loss there!

Sure, arcane spells could force you to wear robes and thus lose some of that oh-so-special Druid AC, except of course that you can take Still Spell as your one-level meta and just cast all your sorcy spells Stilled. With max 15 levels sorc (if you want Shunt, etc.), you won't have level 8-9 spells anyway, so you won't lose your topmost racks of spells, and can cast level 7 stuff Stilled thanks to spellslot gear.

[archmage]

I am sorry, I meant to make this clear, they would NOT get shunt. I may need to tweak the levels accordingly, as they could actually fit it as it is now. I also did not intend for them to have Nature's Balance either.

[kaezar]

*Bump*

[archmage]

I've made some changes to tjhe initial post, and this is very much a work in progress, so I may change the concept around at any time. Just using this as a place to document my thoughts.

[maljin]

I like it, but does

They are able to use their Wisdom or Charisma Modifier to power their spells, whichever is higher.

mean that you can cast all their spells via wis or cha or only the conj/ench spells?

The first option would make the quasi something similar to a theurge: Have a high dc for both classes but only get a reasonable CL/SP in two schools while a theurge gets a good CL/SP for all spells but only a reasonable dc in one class. If you're going this way the modified spells would balance (just compared to a theurge) the fact that you'll get even less feats than a teurge.

If you meant it the other way so only conj/ench spells benefit from the higher stat mod you couldn't compare the quasi to a theurge because you only have a very limited spell selection for both dc and CL/SP. But going this way you could add more spell changes and special abilities (like the spirit companion) without cutting into the spheres of another quasi.

I really like the second idea (probably because I usually bar ench and conj first if I got a char that'd benefit from wiz specialization so I don't know how these spells actually work) but I hope you got some ideas for the defensive aspect as well: Probably some spirit guide who protects the char from harm in the form of a spell similar to gate: higher reduction (and maybe absorption limit) but only works against one element/physical damage type at a time. So you'd have to change your spirit guide according to the damage type incoming.

[johannhowitzer]

Requiring 18 levels of each is very intense. You're requiring the character hit 36 before quasi status - this means he'll be pretty useless on every pre-immo tag. Take a look at the other quasis out there, they hit their quasi status between 15 and 24, with the exception of the Lifethreader, whose viability is strong enough pre-quasi as a battle cleric.

[dodrudon]

I'm against any more Arcane quasis. A Barb/Druid or Druid/Cleric would be kinda neat, Druids really need a quasi of some sort though, and Clerics need a caster quasi option. Ooooh, maybe a Bard/Druid....

[archmage]

updated

[archmage]

Jan 15, 2009 9:19:20 GMT johannhowitzer said:

Requiring 18 levels of each is very intense. You're requiring the character hit 36 before quasi status - this means he'll be pretty useless on every pre-immo tag. Take a look at the other quasis out there, they hit their quasi status between 15 and 24, with the exception of the Lifethreader, whose viability is strong enough pre-quasi as a battle cleric.

Really? I had no idea. I only worked on all of them, had creative input on all of them, and even came up with the idea for one or two personally, but what would i possibly know next to the all knowing, all seeing, all powerful druid who didnt know superiors and elites healed off ele swarm until being told repeatedly?

How many quasiclasses have you come up with again? Oh that's right, none. Save your condescension for someone who is impressed by it, you know nothing pompous waste of forum space.

If you have constructive advice or ideas I'm willing to listen, otherwise pike off.

[the1kobra]

What role do you envision this class playing in a party? A druid with some mind fogging and mazing on the side? There aren't too many arcane conjuration spells that are worthwhile. They can't shunt, yet lack the flexibility of a mage so can't fit that role either. What you have set up isn't like a sorc/druid equivalent of the theurge. It does suffer from a noticeable lack of feats and a further lack of epic spells... I'm not sure the benefits are really worth the costs with the current setup. Premonition is a quasi spell but EV is not, and since light armor and shields cause spell failure, I don't see this as being too stable without a monk level, (but such a character would have bad saves, notably reflex). I guess one could go charisma based with a paladin splash but then AC would be terrible and you would have a very squishy character.

Sept 23, 2008 20:06:53 GMT archmage said:

Herald of Storms
Heralds gain a rank of SF on Conjuration and Enchantment spells. They are able to use their Wisdom or Charisma Modifier to power their spells, whichever is higher. Upon attaining Herald status, the character is aged by the knowledge of the ancients pressing down upon him/her, resulting in a -2 hit to Constitution. They suffer a further -2 penalty to Constitution at level 60.

Why the constitution penalty? Especially the -2 hit at level 60, it would only encourage people to splash and avoid the penalty, plus there are no special benefits of staying pure, yet a monk splash on a wisdom based one or a paladin splash on a charisma based one would offer plenty of benefits.
Have you tried building a character of this quasi in your head?

Human Half-Celestial
Level Progression: 16 Druid, 16 Sorc, 3 druid, 3 sorc, 1 druid or sorc, 1 monk.
Could be druid or sorc CC, druid gives more HP and skills, sorc gives channelling and more spell selections, I guess it's a matter of personal preference here.
Stats:
8/8/14/10/18/14
8/8/14/10/24/18
Free: Greater Spell Focus Evocation, Epic Skill focus heal
All stat boosts to wisdom
1: Spell Focus enchantment
1: Greater Spell Focus enchantment
3: Spell Focus conjuration
6: Greater Spell Focus Conjuration
9: Arcane defense enchantment (Quasi requirement)
12: Arcane defense conjuration (Quasi requirement)
15: Silent spell
18: Toughness
There is very little room for flexibility among the pre epic feats. You could take Rilmani which comes with GSF conj but you would have to shaft your wisdom to get your charisma to 18.
21: ESF: Enchant
24: ESF: Conjuration
27: G-charisma 1 (Charisma of 19 for 9th level sorc spells)
30: G-Wisdom 1
33: G-Wisdom 2
36: G-Wisdom 3
39: G-Wisdom 4
*insert spell penetration tome*
42: L-spell penetration
45: L-Conjuration
48: L-Enchantment
51: G-Wisdom 5
54: G-Wisdom 6
57: G-Wisdom 7
60: G-Wisdom 8
I'm unable to get LSF conjuration, enchantment, L-penny, and all 10 G-Wisdoms at once.
Ending stats:
8/8/12/10/52/19
20/20/24/22/64/31
Sorc spells you'll commonly cast:
GMW (+15)
Evards
Cloudkill
Acid Fog
Mind Fog
Maze
Wilting
Gate? (mords is a tempting 9th to take)
Druid spells:
Elemental swarm
Stonehold
Maggots

I'll admit I don't have a druid, but I don't really see what this character would contribute to great effect. He can only have 3 clouds up, which would likely be 2 mind fogs and 1 of acid fog, stonehold, cloudkill, OR evards, to which I would probably go with stonehold. Wilting and IoM have a few uses on their own, but in many areas wilting is not reliable as a source of direct damage, though elly swarm would be nice in this department. A +15 GMW is nice for sure, but it's
In short, I don't really see how a character like this would be a boon to party play, and I think most of it's telling abilities can be eclipsed by a sorc, and I don't think elly swarm and stonehold is worth what is given up. You also have to deal with stats being stretched thin. I don't see you filling either a druid or a sorcerer's role with this character either, no NBs, no shunt, no hands, no weirds,.. it goes on.
I'd recommend dropping the constitution penalty, and possibly remove the arcane defense requirement, such a character is already feat tight and I think some added flexibility would be nice.

[archmage]

Jan 18, 2009 4:10:12 GMT the1kobra said:

What role do you envision this class playing in a party? A druid with some mind fogging and mazing on the side? There aren't too many arcane conjuration spells that are worthwhile. They can't shunt, yet lack the flexibility of a mage so can't fit that role either. What you have set up isn't like a sorc/druid equivalent of the theurge. It does suffer from a noticeable lack of feats and a further lack of epic spells... I'm not sure the benefits are really worth the costs with the current setup. Premonition is a quasi spell but EV is not, and since light armor and shields cause spell failure, I don't see this as being too stable without a monk level, (but such a character would have bad saves, notably reflex). I guess one could go charisma based with a paladin splash but then AC would be terrible and you would have a very squishy character.

They get Druid AC, and as such would have very high AC, they also get camo for conceal. They really have no need for EV. I also don;t think you're stopping to think of the big picture of just how many nasty combos would be at this character's fingertips. I do not envision them puddling as we know it today, they will be constatnyl swapping their AOE's to fit the battlefield, and it will require extensive knowledge to play well.

Your list of spells is woefully incomplete as to what they will cast. SoV, Ele Swarm, stonehold, grease, bombards, creeping doom, maggots, regen, monstrous regen, vine mine, entangle, evards, maze, mind fog, cloudkill, horrids, mass daze, mass stat buffs for dc checks, flame arrow, stinking cloud, tashas.

If you would expect to play this character like any other, I think you would be in for quite the rude awakening. You're also using the wrong race for an optimal build.

[archmage]

Jan 15, 2009 9:30:15 GMT dodrudon said:

I'm against any more Arcane quasis. A Barb/Druid or Druid/Cleric would be kinda neat, Druids really need a quasi of some sort though, and Clerics need a caster quasi option. Ooooh, maybe a Bard/Druid....

Oh you mean a druid quasi like this one? Or perhaps a cleric quasi like theurge, or turner or battle cleric, although those are more like specialties.

[archmage]

Jan 15, 2009 8:12:27 GMT maljin said:

I like it, but does

They are able to use their Wisdom or Charisma Modifier to power their spells, whichever is higher.

mean that you can cast all their spells via wis or cha or only the conj/ench spells?

The first option would make the quasi something similar to a theurge: Have a high dc for both classes but only get a reasonable CL/SP in two schools while a theurge gets a good CL/SP for all spells but only a reasonable dc in one class. If you're going this way the modified spells would balance (just compared to a theurge) the fact that you'll get even less feats than a teurge.

If you meant it the other way so only conj/ench spells benefit from the higher stat mod you couldn't compare the quasi to a theurge because you only have a very limited spell selection for both dc and CL/SP. But going this way you could add more spell changes and special abilities (like the spirit companion) without cutting into the spheres of another quasi.

I really like the second idea (probably because I usually bar ench and conj first if I got a char that'd benefit from wiz specialization so I don't know how these spells actually work) but I hope you got some ideas for the defensive aspect as well: Probably some spirit guide who protects the char from harm in the form of a spell similar to gate: higher reduction (and maybe absorption limit) but only works against one element/physical damage type at a time. So you'd have to change your spirit guide according to the damage type incoming.

They use their higher stat for Conj and Ench spells only, doesnt matter though, as your other spells CL would be in the gutter.

[jonuhey]

I liked the quasi, it indeed will be a bit hard to lv, but still doable.
Some ideas...

Sept 23, 2008 20:06:53 GMT archmage said:

Mass Stat Spells – instead of the +12 to stats, these spells give party members a +2 bonus to the respective stat checks

Will this stack with normal pluses from bard UUU and some gear (Umbroken balance, wings of the deva.......)?
And why not bump it to 1d4+1 at 60 caster lv for those that like the pure path?

Cloudkill – Each Round enemies in the cloud must save vs fortitude, on a failed save they are damaged by CLxd6 Negative dmg and 1 HP per CL is transferred to the Herald

Is this HP capped at your max HP or not? Does it gives you (1HP/CL)/creature in the cloud? It seems its the way I described that the way its atm. But its a bit overpowered if it is really like that...

Mind Fog – in addition to its will save lowering, enemies in the cloud must save vs. fortitude or be feebleminded.

A feebleminded enemie would lose all his abilities? Like a Male would stop to throw ppl? Or brach stop to confuse us?

This class would be limited to 3 clouds of any sort at any time active.

I guess some switch will be needed to control your clouds around, like the player having 3 slots to cast a cloud, lets call them A,B and C. when you are casting a cloud it will fill the first unnempty slot. Using a command !clearcloud A would empty the A slot. This would give a herald a better control. Lets imagine you used a ming fog and a evards, then by mistake you used a cloudkill when you wanted another mind fog in the same spot. To fix that you could use !clearcloud C to remove the last one and could use another cloud in that place. Also, this would make a herald able to gust their own clouds without the need of gust. This would be a good thing sometimes.

I guess a DC bump should be made when you lose the 2 constitution points, like getting +1DC to all quasi spells.

Good luck with ideas, it seems a reallly interesting/challenging quasi to play.

Just my 2 cents
Jonuhey