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General Tabletop Discussion
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
(Another) Samurai Core Class
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<blockquote data-quote="trav_laney" data-source="post: 3144373" data-attributes="member: 46508"><p>I don't think this is the mechanic I want to use. I'd like it to be something that can be used multiple times in a battle, similar to the Favored Enemy bonuses that rangers get. Of course, Ranger bonuses are only to damage...but they don't require Concentration checks to use. So it seems to even out.</p><p></p><p></p><p>An interesting effect...but far too math-heavy for my particular gaming group. These folks think that turning the undead is far too much work, and nobody has the patience to learn the rules for jumping. I imagine that this method would cause their heads to explode. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I don't like bonus feats. Far too often, whenever someone runs out of ideas for a new class, they "fill in the gaps" with a list of bonus feats. And that's fine, I suppose. But I would much rather give the class some special abilities that only samurai could learn...it makes the class more interesting and useful from a roleplaying standpoint as well as on the battlefield.</p><p></p><p>But that's where I am stuck. Samurai were technically "just fighters," from a D20 System point of view...it would not be hard to build a very playable (and colorful) samurai-type character by just rolling up a human fighter, choosing feats that improve combat with the katana, and soak some skill points into Knowledge (nobility) and Profession (soldier).</p><p></p><p>You could do the same for a ranger, I suppose. But I digress.</p><p></p><p>Exempt suggested that I add special effects to the Focused Strike ability. That might be the best way to add "that special samurai flava" I am looking for, without copying someone else's recipe. How about these ideas:</p><p></p><p>First, Focused Strike becomes an ability that may be used only (3 + Charisma modifier) times per day. Then, as the samurai gains levels, he may do other things with his Focused Strike...like:</p><p></p><p>Stun: an opponent struck by a Focused Strike is stunned for one round. (The samurai must state that he wishes to use this ability before making the attack roll, miss ruins the attempt, save throw, yadda yadda...) (low to mid level)</p><p></p><p>Knockdown: An opponent struck by a Focused Strike must make a Reflex save or be knocked prone. (low level)</p><p></p><p>Weaken: opponents struck by the samurai's Focused Strike take 2 points of temporary Strength damage. (mid level)</p><p></p><p>Confuse: opponents struck by the samurai's Focused Strike must make a Will save or become confused (as the spell) for one round per samurai level. (mid level)</p><p></p><p>Terror: opponents struck by the Focused Strike must make a Will save or become panicked. (low level)</p><p></p><p>Death: an opponent struck by the Focused Strike must make a Fortitude save or die from massive damage. (high level)</p><p></p><p>Wounding: opponent continues to take 2 points of damage per round from blood loss until healed. (mid to high level)</p><p></p><p>These are just ideas that I am kicking around at the moment. And naturally, all of them would have applicable save throws, and the whole "a missed attack ruins the attempt" verbage that I omitted. If you can think of other ones, let me know.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="trav_laney, post: 3144373, member: 46508"] I don't think this is the mechanic I want to use. I'd like it to be something that can be used multiple times in a battle, similar to the Favored Enemy bonuses that rangers get. Of course, Ranger bonuses are only to damage...but they don't require Concentration checks to use. So it seems to even out. An interesting effect...but far too math-heavy for my particular gaming group. These folks think that turning the undead is far too much work, and nobody has the patience to learn the rules for jumping. I imagine that this method would cause their heads to explode. :) I don't like bonus feats. Far too often, whenever someone runs out of ideas for a new class, they "fill in the gaps" with a list of bonus feats. And that's fine, I suppose. But I would much rather give the class some special abilities that only samurai could learn...it makes the class more interesting and useful from a roleplaying standpoint as well as on the battlefield. But that's where I am stuck. Samurai were technically "just fighters," from a D20 System point of view...it would not be hard to build a very playable (and colorful) samurai-type character by just rolling up a human fighter, choosing feats that improve combat with the katana, and soak some skill points into Knowledge (nobility) and Profession (soldier). You could do the same for a ranger, I suppose. But I digress. Exempt suggested that I add special effects to the Focused Strike ability. That might be the best way to add "that special samurai flava" I am looking for, without copying someone else's recipe. How about these ideas: First, Focused Strike becomes an ability that may be used only (3 + Charisma modifier) times per day. Then, as the samurai gains levels, he may do other things with his Focused Strike...like: Stun: an opponent struck by a Focused Strike is stunned for one round. (The samurai must state that he wishes to use this ability before making the attack roll, miss ruins the attempt, save throw, yadda yadda...) (low to mid level) Knockdown: An opponent struck by a Focused Strike must make a Reflex save or be knocked prone. (low level) Weaken: opponents struck by the samurai's Focused Strike take 2 points of temporary Strength damage. (mid level) Confuse: opponents struck by the samurai's Focused Strike must make a Will save or become confused (as the spell) for one round per samurai level. (mid level) Terror: opponents struck by the Focused Strike must make a Will save or become panicked. (low level) Death: an opponent struck by the Focused Strike must make a Fortitude save or die from massive damage. (high level) Wounding: opponent continues to take 2 points of damage per round from blood loss until healed. (mid to high level) These are just ideas that I am kicking around at the moment. And naturally, all of them would have applicable save throws, and the whole "a missed attack ruins the attempt" verbage that I omitted. If you can think of other ones, let me know. [/QUOTE]
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