APS - Martial Warlock

[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.

WARLOCK, MARTIAL
You are a mercenary, employed by the highest bidder to use your tricks and talents against those who would find themselves your quarry.


[sblock=MODIFIED CLASS TRAITS]Replace the appropriate text from the Warlock Class Traits in the PHB with the following.

Power Source: Martial. You utilize combat tricks and martial talents to lower enemy morale or fool your way into their good graces.

Weapon Proficiencies: Dagger, hand crossbow, short sword, shuriken, sling
Implements: Warlock weapons

Trained Skills: Intimidate and Thievery. From the warlock class skills list, choose three more trained skills at 1st level.

Class Features: Hide in Plain Sight, Mercenary Contract, Prime Shot, Quarry[/sblock]
[sblock=MARTIAL WARLOCK CLASS FEATURES] [FONT=&quot]You skulk about, seeking your prey before striking without their knowledge.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Hide in Plain Sight[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This class feature is identical to the warlock shadow walk class feature.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Mercenary Contract[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Choose a warlock pact which utilizes Charisma. [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]This class feature counts as that pact when a power would benefit from it.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
You gain the at-will attack power of the pact you choose as one of your 1st-level at-will attacks. You also gain the following.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Strike from Shadow: You gain the strike from shadow at-will attack as your other 1st-level at-will attack power.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Contract Killer: You can designate any number of creatures as your warlock's quarry (see below), but only one per round. When a quarried enemy is reduced to 0 hit points, your next attack against a quarried enemy before the end of your next turn deals an extra 1d6 damage. Increase the extra damage to 2d6 at 21st level.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Warlock's Quarry[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This class feature functions exactly like the ranger class feature and replaces the warlock’s curse class feature.[/FONT][/sblock][sblock=MARTIAL WARLOCK POWERS] The martial warlock has access to all warlock powers. You can also choose the following powers which give you a more distinct identity as a martial class. To fill out your martial character better, consider choosing powers with the charm or fear keywords.

Strike From Shadow Martial Warlock Attack 1
[FONT=&quot]You mock your foe while hidden, then step out and attack.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]At-will * Fear, Martial, Weapon[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Standard Action Melee [/FONT][FONT=&quot]or Ranged weapon[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Requirement:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] You must be wielding a warlock weapon.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] One creature[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Charisma vs. AC[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 1[W] + Charisma modifier damage and the target takes a -2 penalty to attacks until the end of your next turn.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Level 21: 2[W] + Charisma modifier damage[/FONT]

Step-Back Shot Martial Warlock Attack 1
[FONT=&quot]You slam your enemy hard enough to back him up.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Implement, Martial[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Standard Action Ranged[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 10[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Requirement:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] You must be wielding a warlock weapon as an implement.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] One creature[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Charisma vs. Reflex[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 1d6 + Charisma modifier damage and push the target 1 square.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Contract Killer: Push the target a number of squares equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier instead.[/FONT]

Art of the Kill Martial Warlock Utility 2
[FONT=&quot]Your training as a mercenary gives you insight into your quarries’ weaknesses.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Daily * Martial, Stance[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]No Action Personal[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Trigger:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] You are the first in initiative during combat.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Effect:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Until the stance ends, you add 3 to the extra damage you deal with Warlock's Quarry.[/FONT]

Improved Step-Back Shot Martial Warlock Attack 1
[FONT=&quot]You slam your enemy hard enough to back him up.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Implement, Martial[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Standard Action Ranged[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 10[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Requirement:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] You must be wielding a warlock weapon as an implement.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] One creature[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Charisma vs. Reflex[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 2d6 + Charisma modifier damage and push the target 1 square.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Contract Killer: Push the target a number of squares equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier instead.[/FONT]

Greater Step-Back Shot Martial Warlock Attack 1
[FONT=&quot]You slam your enemy hard enough to back him up.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Implement, Martial[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Standard Action Ranged[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 10[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Requirement:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] You must be wielding a warlock weapon as an implement.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] One creature[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Charisma vs. Reflex[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 4d6 + Charisma modifier damage and push the target 1 square.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Contract Killer: Push the target a number of squares equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier instead.[/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, and I'm willing to take requests.

Here is the List of other Alternate Power Sources and other works I've completed so far for my campaign setting.

 

[Garthanos]

In the fluff, a reminder just as the hero warlock isnt a bad guy the hero spy, I mean martial warlock will normally have ethic with regards to the use of his abilities... perhaps he works for a nation/organization with extraordinary patriotism and sometimes forgets that he needs to... but most will be careful about who they accept contracts from and who they are willing to target.

In some cases a new name Spy floats better than the resourced original, admittedly everyone is free to skinchange.. but it might be nice to have a name, that is there own along side.

Spy (Martial Warlock)

Mystic Champion (Arcane Paladin)

etc.

 

[malcolm_n]

Thx for the thoughts.

Even with the idea of renaming the APS classes, I think I'd prefer Mercenary for the martial warlock. He doesn't really hold ties to any given place, unlike the arcane warlock which pacts himself to a powerful being/place. Although I wouldn't mind having other names, the goal is to have these recognizable as what they are; the class with a different power source. Doing so also prevents running over names that may get used for other things in the future.

 

[Garthanos]

Thx for the thoughts.

Even with the idea of renaming the APS classes, I think I'd prefer Mercenary for the martial warlock. He doesn't really hold ties to any given place, unlike the arcane warlock which pacts himself to a powerful being/place. Although I wouldn't mind having other names, the goal is to have these recognizable as what they are; the class with a different power source. Doing so also prevents running over names that may get used for other things in the future.

Martial Warlock (Mercenary, Spy... come up with some others etc)

The idea is a class is an archetype and isnt just one thing the end user flavors them themselves. Well they shouldnt have to completely flavor them as noted with just the core original name it can be hard for people to "get" them. Making the flavor text so it is flexible is key.

 

[malcolm_n]

I can see that. It wouldn't be too hard to give them an individual name and just make note that they're the alternate power source class. I'll look into it on my end. If you have any other suggestions for names of other APS classes, I'm all ears.

Martial Warlock - Mercenary
Arcane Paladin - Arcanite or Arcanadin? idk, just throwing it out there.
Divine Bard - Herald

 

[Garthanos]

heh, on my game world the Arcane Paladin was known as a Justiciar (like the palidan paragon path I know so not so useful) and served diverse roles depending on the country he was from. Yes Herald is very good though it gives me Martial intonations too Voice of "Insert your god here" or Prophet? remember the prescient bard? It made me scream! I want a blind seer!

 

[malcolm_n]

I like prophet for divine and herald for martial. Those work well.

How about Arcadian for the Arcane Paladin? I like the way it rolls off and sounds like a blend of the two without being too hokey.

 

[Cwheeler]

Arcadian?

Reminds me of Arcadia - The pastoral utipian ideal ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcadia_(utopia) )

Arcanite sounds more militaristic, Arcadian more 'quest for knowledge'. That's just my subjective interpretation though. Both names work, just in different ways.

Divine Scorcorer... God-touched?
Martial druid.. Woodsman? Hunter?

 

[Garthanos]

I like prophet for divine and herald for martial. Those work well.

How about Arcadian for the Arcane Paladin? I like the way it rolls off and sounds like a blend of the two without being too hokey.

OK I love Arcadian - in most cases we are trying to be more explanatory but this one doesn't need to be -- it really could be just very flavorful. To my mind, Arcadian - screams "Fey Knight" - it feels like a charisma focused Arcane Paly

A few Wikipedia entries that come to my questing keys.

Arcadia: a poetic idyllism meaning "Utopia".

In the Opera "Semele" by Handel, Jupiter sends winged Zephyrs to fetch Semele's sister, Ino. And he sings "Now shall all this scene unto Arcadia turn, the seat of happy nymphs and swains." Before the aria, Where'er your walk.

Arcadia: The mythic world that adorns the album covers of the rock band Asia
http://tralfaz-archives.com/coverart/A/Asia/asia_alpha.html

 

[Garthanos]

Divine Sorcerer... God-touched?

Oooooh I like that...