Post by johannhowitzer on Jul 22, 2011 1:10:43 GMT
This document contains the details of the Acolyte of Hephaestus quasiclass idea.
Requirements
- To qualify for Acolyte of Hephaestus the character must have 10 levels of Dragon Disciple, 10 levels of Pale Master, and the Rapier Wit and Weapon Focus (Scythe) feats before level 25. The character must also have chosen the Red Dragon Disciple path.
Specialty Weapon
- The Rapier Wit feat applies to the Scythe weapon type for Acolytes.
- Scythes are considered Huge weapons for Large-size Acolytes, and must be used with two hands.
Free Feats
- On achieving Acolyte status at level 23 or 24, the character is automatically given the Overwhelming Critical (Scythe) and Devastating Critical (Scythe) feats for free.
Changing Spells
- After achieving Acolyte status, the player may use the Spells Pedestal in the docks once per Sorcerer or Pale Master level. The number and level of spells available is the same that would be granted to a Sorcerer of level (Sorcerer level + half Pale Master level rounded down). The Spells Pedestal may also be used once at level 60 regardless of control class.
Spells
- Caster levels for the spells listed below are equal to Sorcerer level + Dragon Disciple level + Pale Master level.
- All other spells follow standard rules for casterlevel, relying on Sorcerer levels only.
- Level 1 - Mage Armor, Negative Energy Ray, Ray of Enfeeblement, Scare, Shield
- Level 2 - Blindness/Deafness, Darkness, Flame Weapon, Ghostly Visage, Ghoul Touch
- Level 3 - Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Greater Magic Weapon, Negative Energy Burst, Protection from Elements, Vampiric Touch
- Level 4 - Bestow Curse, Contagion, Elemental Shield, Enervation, Fear, Shadow Conjuration
- Level 5 - Animate Dead, Cloudkill, Dismissal, Feeblemind, Greater Shadow Conjuration, Wrack
- Level 6 - Globe of Invulnerability, Eyebite, Greater Spell Breach, Shades, Tenser's Transformation
- Level 7 - Banishment, Control Undead, Finger of Death, Power Word Stun, Shadow Shield
- Level 8 - Horrid Wilting, Create Undead, Incendiary Cloud (deals CLd6 Negative damage each round), Mass Blindness/Deafness
- Level 9 - Dominate Monster, Gate, Power Word Kill, Shapechange
Shadowguard
- Acolytes receive a special version of the Shadow Shield spell, which grants 21 - (Pale Master level / 10) natural AC, and concealment and damage reduction equal to an Ethereal Visage spell of equal casterlevel, with a 5% penalty to concealment. The Negative damage immunity is removed to prevent conflicts with the changes to Elemental Shield.
Aura of the Grave
- The Elemental Shield spell cast by an Acolyte grants 50% Negative immunity and deals CLd3 Negative kickback damage instead of the normal effects. The Negative immunity will not be cancelled if the Acolyte drinks a potion of Positive Energy Protection.
Cultist's Training
- The Tenser's Transformation spell cast by an Acolyte does not require 3 levels of a 1/1 BAB class to grant Fighter-grade LBAB.
- Acolytes may never gain Draconic Size.
Aspect of the Dracolich
- The Shapechange spell cast by an Acolyte casts Aspect of the Dracolich instead, causing enemies in a Large radius around the caster to make a Will save or become panicked.
Necromantic Breath
- The Acolyte's Dragon Breath deals CLd8 Negative damage instead of the normal effect, and any enemies that do not Evade must make a Fortitude save against a DC equal to (Dragon Disciple level + (Pale Master level x 2/3) + 5) or be the victim of an Energy Drain spell at full casterlevel. Temporary casterlevels may not be gained through this ability.
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This quasiclass idea has grown out of my experiences on other NWN persistent worlds. I often messed around with PM critical immunity, RDD fire immunity, and Sorcerer spells to create a mage-tank for PvP purposes. The result was a shade with dragon wings and a scythe. Hephaestus is a red dragon turned dracolich in Forgotten Realms lore.
The concept behind this quasiclass is a strong melee contender who can produce somewhat decent AC and AB, while still retaining some of her casting power and concealment. I would like to see more reason to use two-handed weapons on HG.
Comments on some of the implications of this quasiclass' abilities:
- Bard may be used to qualify for Acolyte status, but this is not recommended, as it would prevent the use of all spells listed as Sorcerer spells, and thus prevent them from benefiting from the higher casterlevel.
- Custom epic spells may only be acquired with 25 levels of Pale Master.
- Shadowguard applies in armor heavier than clothing, but Acolytes can only wear shields if they drop their scythes. Armor proficiency feats are not gained automatically and must be bought normally. (I am considering making the use of armor heavier than clothing prohibitive in some way.)
- Control Class Pale Master is possible and grants some benefits natural to Pale Masters, although certain Necromancy/Illusion spells are unavailable... Weird, Wail of the Banshee, and Energy Drain are the most significant losses.
- All special class abilities not mentioned here specifically are treated as they would be normally on Higher Ground. This includes Dragonfear Aura, Wing Buffet, Deathless Master Touch, Deathless Mastery, etc.; Draconic Abilities still require the appropriate Epic Toughness feats.
- While it's true that Acolytes will not usually see large amounts of physical damage due to using CHA for attack rolls, the larger critical threat range and multiplier will increase the elemental and exotic damage dealt. It is possible, however, to build an Acolyte with a high STR score, trading spell DC for physical damage.
Requirements
- To qualify for Acolyte of Hephaestus the character must have 10 levels of Dragon Disciple, 10 levels of Pale Master, and the Rapier Wit and Weapon Focus (Scythe) feats before level 25. The character must also have chosen the Red Dragon Disciple path.
Specialty Weapon
- The Rapier Wit feat applies to the Scythe weapon type for Acolytes.
- Scythes are considered Huge weapons for Large-size Acolytes, and must be used with two hands.
Free Feats
- On achieving Acolyte status at level 23 or 24, the character is automatically given the Overwhelming Critical (Scythe) and Devastating Critical (Scythe) feats for free.
Changing Spells
- After achieving Acolyte status, the player may use the Spells Pedestal in the docks once per Sorcerer or Pale Master level. The number and level of spells available is the same that would be granted to a Sorcerer of level (Sorcerer level + half Pale Master level rounded down). The Spells Pedestal may also be used once at level 60 regardless of control class.
Spells
- Caster levels for the spells listed below are equal to Sorcerer level + Dragon Disciple level + Pale Master level.
- All other spells follow standard rules for casterlevel, relying on Sorcerer levels only.
- Level 1 - Mage Armor, Negative Energy Ray, Ray of Enfeeblement, Scare, Shield
- Level 2 - Blindness/Deafness, Darkness, Flame Weapon, Ghostly Visage, Ghoul Touch
- Level 3 - Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Greater Magic Weapon, Negative Energy Burst, Protection from Elements, Vampiric Touch
- Level 4 - Bestow Curse, Contagion, Elemental Shield, Enervation, Fear, Shadow Conjuration
- Level 5 - Animate Dead, Cloudkill, Dismissal, Feeblemind, Greater Shadow Conjuration, Wrack
- Level 6 - Globe of Invulnerability, Eyebite, Greater Spell Breach, Shades, Tenser's Transformation
- Level 7 - Banishment, Control Undead, Finger of Death, Power Word Stun, Shadow Shield
- Level 8 - Horrid Wilting, Create Undead, Incendiary Cloud (deals CLd6 Negative damage each round), Mass Blindness/Deafness
- Level 9 - Dominate Monster, Gate, Power Word Kill, Shapechange
Shadowguard
- Acolytes receive a special version of the Shadow Shield spell, which grants 21 - (Pale Master level / 10) natural AC, and concealment and damage reduction equal to an Ethereal Visage spell of equal casterlevel, with a 5% penalty to concealment. The Negative damage immunity is removed to prevent conflicts with the changes to Elemental Shield.
Aura of the Grave
- The Elemental Shield spell cast by an Acolyte grants 50% Negative immunity and deals CLd3 Negative kickback damage instead of the normal effects. The Negative immunity will not be cancelled if the Acolyte drinks a potion of Positive Energy Protection.
Cultist's Training
- The Tenser's Transformation spell cast by an Acolyte does not require 3 levels of a 1/1 BAB class to grant Fighter-grade LBAB.
- Acolytes may never gain Draconic Size.
Aspect of the Dracolich
- The Shapechange spell cast by an Acolyte casts Aspect of the Dracolich instead, causing enemies in a Large radius around the caster to make a Will save or become panicked.
Necromantic Breath
- The Acolyte's Dragon Breath deals CLd8 Negative damage instead of the normal effect, and any enemies that do not Evade must make a Fortitude save against a DC equal to (Dragon Disciple level + (Pale Master level x 2/3) + 5) or be the victim of an Energy Drain spell at full casterlevel. Temporary casterlevels may not be gained through this ability.
-----------------------------------------------------
This quasiclass idea has grown out of my experiences on other NWN persistent worlds. I often messed around with PM critical immunity, RDD fire immunity, and Sorcerer spells to create a mage-tank for PvP purposes. The result was a shade with dragon wings and a scythe. Hephaestus is a red dragon turned dracolich in Forgotten Realms lore.
The concept behind this quasiclass is a strong melee contender who can produce somewhat decent AC and AB, while still retaining some of her casting power and concealment. I would like to see more reason to use two-handed weapons on HG.
Comments on some of the implications of this quasiclass' abilities:
- Bard may be used to qualify for Acolyte status, but this is not recommended, as it would prevent the use of all spells listed as Sorcerer spells, and thus prevent them from benefiting from the higher casterlevel.
- Custom epic spells may only be acquired with 25 levels of Pale Master.
- Shadowguard applies in armor heavier than clothing, but Acolytes can only wear shields if they drop their scythes. Armor proficiency feats are not gained automatically and must be bought normally. (I am considering making the use of armor heavier than clothing prohibitive in some way.)
- Control Class Pale Master is possible and grants some benefits natural to Pale Masters, although certain Necromancy/Illusion spells are unavailable... Weird, Wail of the Banshee, and Energy Drain are the most significant losses.
- All special class abilities not mentioned here specifically are treated as they would be normally on Higher Ground. This includes Dragonfear Aura, Wing Buffet, Deathless Master Touch, Deathless Mastery, etc.; Draconic Abilities still require the appropriate Epic Toughness feats.
- While it's true that Acolytes will not usually see large amounts of physical damage due to using CHA for attack rolls, the larger critical threat range and multiplier will increase the elemental and exotic damage dealt. It is possible, however, to build an Acolyte with a high STR score, trading spell DC for physical damage.
