D&D 3E/3.5 Adjusting 3.0 PrCs to fit 3.5e

[bret]

Since Scrying now requires a Will save, maybe it would be better to require Spell Focus (Divination) to replace the Skill Focus (Scry). Closer to the original mechanic, making it easier to scry on a person.

 

[Pazu]

This is a good point. Conversions shouldn't penalize characters; if a Rogue could previously qualify at, say, 5th level, then he should still be able to qualify at the same level after conversion.

Adding Diplomacy as a pre-req isn't necessary, though. The Royal Explorer required 5 ranks in Decipher Script, 8 in Intuit Direction, 8 in Profession cartographer, and 5 in Wilderness Lore (plus Alertness and Endurance).

Looking at the class, I think it's weak. A rogue gives up all sneak attack advancement, for 10 levels, which IMHO is a terrible choice. A ranger gives up good BAB. A bard gives up all spell advancement. The class offers nothing that's fair compensation for these losses. These are the 3 classes most likely to become Royal Explorers.

Thus, I'd be inclined to be kind in converting the requirements: 5 ranks in Decipher Script, 8 in Profession, 5 in Survival, and the 2 feats.

Good points, all. I think in 3.0, a SC rogue would have been able to qualify at 7th level (requirement of 5 cross-class ranks in WL), so the new requirements shouldn't be too far off that. I take it that rogues don't get Survival as a class skill in 3.5?

On the flip side, I seem to recall that Intuit Direction is listed in the Update Guide as being "automatic with 5 ranks in Survival" (although I'm not sure how to interpret that), so maybe changing the requirement to 5 ranks in Survival makes the most sense.

And you're right, I think the Royal Explorer actually comes across more like a glorified Expert than a class a PC would take. Especially since now that rangers and bards get 6 skill points per level, the Explorer no longer offers a benefit in that area. The hit die increases to d8...eh. A free exotic weapon proficiency...but only intermediate BAB. It's a shame; I really liked the concept of the class, but I would have approached it a bit differently in the design.

-- Pazu

 

[Pazu]

Since Scrying now requires a Will save, maybe it would be better to require Spell Focus (Divination) to replace the Skill Focus (Scry). Closer to the original mechanic, making it easier to scry on a person.

I think I'd combine your suggestion with the ones from Chun-Tzu, to wit:

- Knowledge: Arcana, 10 ranks
- Spell Focus: Divination

I also like the divination spells idea, as per the loremaster.

-- Pazu

 

[coyote6]

I think I'd combine your suggestion with the ones from Chun-Tzu, to wit:

- Knowledge: Arcana, 10 ranks
- Spell Focus: Divination

I also like the divination spells idea, as per the loremaster.

The divination spells are, IMO, too steep a price for wizards and (especially) sorcerers, and isn't a requirement at all for a cleric (since they get all cleric spells, and so meet the requirement automatically). Divine Oracle is a nice class for an interesting sorcerer; the spell requirement would tend to leave a sorcerer with very few non-divination spells, which would make a relatively unuseful adventuring PC. Yeah, they'd be all badass at divining stuff -- but that's not useful often enough to give a PC sufficient screen time.

So I think I'd skip any "must be able to cast spells" requirements, and just go with Spell Focus (Divination) and 10 ranks in Knowledge (Arcana) or Spellcraft. Both skills would seem to be applicable to oracular activities (as would Knowledge (Religion)), so I could see using either one.

 

[Remathilis]

A Few of My Converted PrC Requirments

Animal Lord
Requirements:
Alignment: Neutral good, lawful neutral, neutral, chaotic neutral, or neutral evil.
Skills: Survival 8 ranks, plus 2 ranks in the appropriate skill from the following list Apelord--Climb; Bearlord--Intimidate; Birdlord--Spot; Catlord--Move Silently; Equinelord--Jump; Marinelord--Swim; Snakelord--Escape Artist; Wolflord--Hide.
Feats:Animal Control and the appropriate feat from the following list: Apelord, Skill Focus (Climb); Bear lord, Power Attack; Birdlord, Improved Flight; Catlord, Weapon Finesse; Equinelord, Run, Run; Marinelord, Skill Focus (Swim); Snakelord, Resist Poison; Wolflord, Combat Expertise.
Special: Wild Empathy Class Feature

Divine Oracle
Requirements:
Skills: Knowledge: History 10 Ranks.
Feat: Spell Focus: Divination.
Spells: Able to Cast 3rd level Divinations.

Knight of the Middle Circle
Requirements:
Alignment: Good, nonchaotic.
Base Attack Bonus: +6.
Skills: Gather Information 4 ranks, Handle Animal 7 ranks, Bluff 4 ranks.

Royal Explorer
Requirements:
Skills: Decipher Script 5 ranks, Survival 8 ranks.
Feats: Alertness, Endurance.
Special: The character must be admitted to the Royal Explorers Society. This requires fulfilling all the requirements listed above and also submitting a verifiable report of a significant exploration to the society's review council. Such a report should include, at minimum, a detailed map of the area explored, descriptions of native flora and fauna, a narrative of encounters with the area's inhabitants, and a significant relic (preferably magical) brought back for the society's museum

Spymaster
Requirements:
Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Skills: Bluff 5 ranks, Gather Information 5 ranks, Sense Motive 5 ranks.
Feats: Skill Focus (Bluff).
Special: The character must have 5 ranks in each of two skills fror the following list: Diplomacy, Disguise, or Forgery

Tamer of Beasts
Requirements:
Skills: Handle Animal 10 ranks.
Feats: Animal Affinity
Special: Wild Empathy Class Feature.

Virtuoso
Requirements:
Skills: Perform (any) 10 ranks, Intimidate or Diplomacy 6 ranks.
Spells: Able to cast 0-level arcane spells (cantrips).
Speical: Bardic Music Class Feature


(Comments Welcomed)