APS - Martial Druid

[malcolm_n]

Design Goal: Create an alternative power source option for each source/class combination. These will maintain the feel of the original class while giving them an exotic appeal with a few changed abilities/features. Each class gives tips and suggestions on how to make the character feel more like the alternate power source without sacrificing (too much) power. Take the psionic barbarian, for example. It suggests that the barbarian character wield a staff to take advantage of it as an implement with the provided powers (which also allow other weapons at a cost). A staff is not usually an optimal weapon for a barbarian, but it functions as one just fine. With the option, you can also use it to greater effect as an implement, which ties in nicely if you multiclass into something like monk, or even wizard.

Why?: Better story tie-ins for some characters. Alternate Power Sources allows better blending into multiclass or hybrid. Alternatively, it gives the character a way to act like a class of a different power source without actually multiclassing/using hybrid.

Rules Clarification: The only way to gain the features/powers explained are half-elf Dilletante or choose the alternate power source class. The class features and traits are balanced against each other. Ultimately, such classes will have their own hybrid and multiclass options which would open up the original class powers while granting the reflavored power/feature.
Example: Because you are still a barbarian, you cannot multiclass into psionic barbarian to get the weakened Indomitable Will class feature. Similarly a hybrid barbarian cannot also hybrid psionic barbarian or choose Indomitable Will (hybrid) as a hybrid talent option.

DRUID, MARTIAL
[FONT=&quot]Not all druids are bound to forests or sects. Some are no more than well trained combatants who control a pet during combat. These soldiers still revere nature in all of it's forms, but understand the need for the advancement of society in the world.
[/FONT]
[sblock=MODIFIED CLASS TRAITS]Replace the appropriate text from the Druid Class Traits in the PH2 with the following.

Power Source: Martial. You have little to no mystical ties to the feywild or other forest setting. Instead, you command your animal companion with expert ability.

Class Features: Alchemist, Balance of Nature, Druid Pet[/sblock]
[sblock=MARTIAL DRUID CLASS FEATURES] [FONT=&quot]You command a strong beast to attack for you. In favor of a pet, you do not gain wild shape or primal aspect. You also gain Alchemist instead of Ritual Casting.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Druid Pet[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]You have a pet that you can command to use your own actions. Your pet has all of your statistics, except as noted here.[/FONT]
* [FONT=&quot]Your pet has hit points equal to your bloodied hit point value. If it is reduced to 0 hit points, you must spend a healing surge or take damage equal to one-half your bloodied hit point value. If you fall in battle, your pet moves to you, if able, and uses the total defense action on its round.[/FONT]
* [FONT=&quot]While your pet is conscious and within 5 squares of you, you can make attacks with the beast form keyword as though you were wild-shaped. You can only command your pet to use powers with the beast form keyword. The damage dice of those attacks match that of your pet. If you have a similar class feature from another class, that class’s pet replaces this one and you can command your pet to use those powers as well.[/FONT]
* [FONT=&quot]You gain Weapon Proficiency in a military weapon of your choice as a bonus feat. The weapon you choose becomes your pet’s damage die, even if you are not personally wielding the weapon. You cannot change this choice later, but you can enchant the chosen weapon, in which case your pet gains the enhancement bonus and properties of the weapon, and can use the weapon’s powers for itself.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Choose one of the following options.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Guardian Pet: This class feature acts as the primal guardian class feature when a power would benefit from it. You gain training in chainmail armor and light shields. If your chosen weapon is one-handed, your pet gains your shield bonus to its AC and Reflex defense.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Predator Pet: This class feature acts as the primal predator class feature when a power would benefit from it. When you or your pet takes a move action, the other can also shift 1 square as a free action.[/FONT]

[/sblock][sblock=MARTIAL DRUID POWERS] The martial druid has access to all druid powers. You can also choose the following powers which give you a more distinct identity as a martial class.

Tandem Strike Martial Druid Attack 1
[FONT=&quot]You move in with your pet and strike the enemy simultaneously.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]At-will * Beast Form, Implement, Primal[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Standard Action Melee [/FONT][FONT=&quot]touch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] One or two creatures[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Wisdom vs. Reflex, two attacks[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 1d6 damage per attack (you), or 1[W] damage per attack (pet)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Level 21: 2d6 damage per attack (you), or 2[W] damage per attack (pet)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Special:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] You and your pet can each make one attack with this power, if you choose.[/FONT]

Harsh Growl Martial Druid Attack 1
[FONT=&quot]Your pet warns the enemy away from you.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Beast Form, Implement, Primal[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Immediate Interrupt Melee [/FONT][FONT=&quot]touch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Trigger:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] an enemy attacks you, your pet, or an ally[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] The triggering enemy[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Wisdom vs. Will[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 1d6 + Wisdom modifier damage (you), or 1[W] + your Wisdom modifier damage (pet). The target takes a penalty to its attack equal to your Wisdom modifier.[/FONT]

Move With the Pack Martial Druid Utility 2
[FONT=&quot]You and your pet trade places with one another.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]At-will * Beast Form, Primal[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Move Action Personal[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Requirement:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Your pet must be within 5 squares of you.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Effect:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] You and your pet shift to each others’ squares, if able. If either is unable to move, this power fails and you lose your action.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Primal Predator:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] This power counts as a move action for either you or your pet, not both.[/FONT]

Improved Harsh Growl Martial Druid Attack 13
[FONT=&quot]Your pet warns the enemy away from you.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Beast Form, Implement, Primal[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Immediate Interrupt Melee [/FONT][FONT=&quot]touch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Trigger:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] an enemy attacks you, your pet, or an ally[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] The triggering enemy[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Wisdom vs. Will[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 2d6 + Wisdom modifier damage (you), or 2[W] + your Wisdom modifier damage (pet). [/FONT][FONT=&quot]The target takes a penalty to its attack equal to 2 + your Wisdom modifier.[/FONT]

Greater Harsh Growl Martial Druid Attack 27
[FONT=&quot]Your pet warns the enemy away from you.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Beast Form, Implement, Primal[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Immediate Interrupt Melee [/FONT][FONT=&quot]touch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Trigger:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] an enemy attacks you, your pet, or an ally[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] The triggering enemy[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Wisdom vs. Will[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 3d6 + Wisdom modifier damage (you), or 3[W] + your Wisdom modifier damage (pet). [/FONT][FONT=&quot]The target takes a penalty to its attack equal to 2 + your Wisdom modifier.[/FONT][/sblock]As always, I appreciate any thoughts/feelings on these. I'll post another one tomorrow after I finish formatting. Gonna work through each available power source/class, so now that I've finished the barbarian, I'll move on to the bard, unless I get a different request first.

Here are The Arcane Barbarian, The Divine Barbarian, The Martial Barbarian and The Psionic Barbarian, more alternate power source options.

 

[willows]

These are really cool. Can I make a request? I'd love to see your Divine Sorceror.

 

[malcolm_n]

Totally . Thank you for the request.

 

[Garthanos]

heh, the Divine swordmage I am thinking of wants to use wisdom and other things so reclassing as Mystic Swordsman sounds better.

 

[malcolm_n]

I try to keep the same key abilities of the reflavored classes so it's easier to still pick the powers of the class as it stands. To clarify, when I write up the Divine Swordmage, I'll still have his attacks key off of Intelligence. I'll probably also focus on Strength so he can better MC paladin.

 

[Garthanos]

Technically the Palidan sort of is .. the Mystic swordsman, mysticism is however more personally oriented experience of and union with the divine than the standard palidan and cleric come acrossed as... so the mystic power source might have a dash of the psionic .. if the monks power was called mystical instead of psionic it might read better to some folk. Psionic is kind of disjoint flavor wise in my opinion.

 

[malcolm_n]

I can wrap my head around psionics = mysticism. It's not so much a stretch to say, seeing as both follow strong belief structures and a focus of the mind.

To stay on topic, though, and speaking of psionics, I'm working on the psionic druid right now. For that and the arcane druid, I'm thinking I'll focus more on the spell-caster aspect. For the divine, gonna keep both options open reasonably.