Level Up (A5E) Crystalpunk classes in A5E

[Tessarael]

Has anyone else looked at converting the two Crystalpunk classes over to A5E?
I have some suggestions for converting the Evolutionist and Soulshaper to A5E, per below.

Evolutionist suggestion: Hotwired archetype with Combat Maneuvers​

Mechanically, the Evolutionist class' damage output looks decent. They get Ignition at level 3 to double the damage from weapon dice and ability modifier, Extra Attack at level 5, and a third additional attack when ignited or below half HP at level 11.

To give them the option of picking up Combat Maneuvers like other A5E martial classes, I would suggest to permit this as an alternate Evolutionary Method archetype for Evolutionist. I think this should be reasonably balanced, given the Method of Infusion spellcasting archetype for Evolution that has a progression rate similar to Arcane Trickster and Eldritch Knight, with roughly 1/3 spellcasting progression per level.

I’d recommend giving this archetype a similar Combat Maneuver progression to Adept and Ranger.

Hotwired archetype flavor text​

Your brain is hard-wired to reflexively respond rapidly in combat, like an elite fighting machine. This may be genetic-based, such as being a Battleborn, or due to a cyber-machine brain interface.

Other benefits of this Hotwired archetype​

• Level 1: Gain proficiency in 2 tool kits. You may instead select a vehicle proficiency for one of these.
• Level 7: You gain +1 exertion/3 levels in Evolutionist (round down).
  • You can also pick a third combat tradition to learn maneuvers from.
• Level 13: Gain advantage on one saving throw, recovered on a short or long rest.
• Level 17: You gain the Technical Fighting style (LUA5E p.186): +2 damage dealt by attacks when using a maneuver, and +1 maneuver save DC.

Maneuvers known and maneuver degree vs. level​

Evolutionist Level 1​	Maneuvers Known 2​	Maneuver Degree 1st​
3​	3​	1st​
5​	4​	2nd​
7​	5​	2nd​
9​	6​	3rd​
11​	7​	3rd​
13​	8​	4th​
15​	9​	4th​
17​	10​	5th​
19​	11​	5th​

Standard rules for selecting combat maneuvers​

At 1st level, you gain the ability to use combat maneuvers:

• You gain proficiency in 2 Combat Traditions of your choice.
• You learn 2 maneuvers of your choice from traditions you are proficient with, per the above table.
• Exertion pool equal to 2x your proficiency bonus, regained on a short or long rest.
• When you learn a new maneuver, you can choose one of the maneuvers you know and replace it with another maneuver of the same degree from a tradition you are proficient with.

Evolutionist utility balance vs. A5E character classes​

For utility class features, Evolutionists are better balanced vs. A5E classes than Soulshaper, given the number of evolutionary upgrades they get and lack of fallow levels where nothing is gained.
Evolutionists do not get a utility class feature at level 1, unlike other A5E classes. Also, they only get an ability score improvement at levels 4, 8, 12, 16, and 19; whereas A5E classes get at least some other minor benefit with the ability score improvement at those levels.
Evolutionists could get a Berserker talent (these are outdoors oriented) or Fighter knack at levels 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 19.

Soulshaper suggestions​

Soulshaper is difficult to evaluate as there's no similar class in A5E. The only other half-casters in A5E are Herald and Artificer. In play, a Soulshaper character seemed a bit on the weak side, though less so once they switched to the Soulblade archetype (see Crystalpunk p.86-87).

Option 1: Adept techniques to improve Soulshaper utility capabilities​

I'd suggest that Soulshaper should get a few Techniques from Adept at levels 3 (1 Technique), 6 (2 Techniques), 9 (3 Techniques), 13 (4 Techniques), and 17 (5 Techniques).

• Techniques are utility oriented, so this is not a significant combat power up IMHO.
• This feels in line with a Adept-like style for Soulshapers.
• Exertion points equal to your proficiency bonus to power these, recovered on a short or long rest; unless you already have a source of exertion points from multiclassing (in which case, it is typically 2x proficiency bonus).

Option 2: Combat Maneuvers​

For a Soothsayer martial archetype such as Soulblade, I'd consider giving access to combat maneuvers, such as from the Cutting Omen combat tradition from MoAR Battlemages, as an option to choose in place of an Adept Technique. They could learn up to 5 combat maneuvers in this manner.
This does make the character stronger in combat, so it doesn’t solve the lack of utility powers, and requires testing in game to check the game balance vs. A5E core classes.

Option 3: Warlock eldritch invocations or secret of arcana as an alternative to techniques​

Alternatively, an Eldritch Invocation or Secret of Arcana from Warlock at those Soulshaper levels could be granted instead, with no exertion points. This feels in line with a force-like style for Soulshapers, and allows them to power up Eldritch Blast, which is important to keep them scaling well.

If combat-oriented eldritch invocations are permitted, invocations such as Lifedrinker to add necrotic damage equal to your spellcasting ability modifier, or the Arcanums for higher level spell slots, this could significantly improve their combat capability. Not clear if that would be over-powered or not, requires testing in game, and it depends on the character build. Proceed with caution.

Extra attack for Soulshaper should be at levels 5 and 11, not at 5 and 15​

And if multi-classing, extra attacks should stack with Fighter and Marshal, per the example on LUA5E p.378.

 

[Steampunkette]

I don't have a copy of Crystalpunk. What is the core concept of the Evolutionist and Soulshaper concepts?

 

[Tessarael]

From the Crystalpunk website, the Evolutionist class is available for free on this link:
It is basically a warrior class that gets augmentations/mutations/upgrades as it goes up in level.

The Soulshaper is a mystic sort of class with half spellcasting progression. Flavor-wise, it is somewhat similar to a Psion or Psyknight, in particular the Soulblade archetype for Soulshaper.