Divine Agent

[clark411]

Could anyone point out a saving grace or three for this prestige class out of Manual of the Planes? I love the character type it presents- an especially picked person who acts as a hand of god, recieving visions and instructions that may or may not be understood but always followed due to devotion... but I can't help but look at this class and think of how it's weaknesses really slam any benefits the class provides beyond the roleplay aspect- and heck, even the roleplay can become a liability if this class is interpreted into "fail and you're a powerless half cleric with poor saves" or "You're a drone/grunt who does gopher work for your god through one of his / her intern hound archons."

So.. looking at this class on the whole- what are the strengths? are there enough? I shudder to think of being a 17th level cleric with the casting abilities of a 12th level cleric and a few other novelties. Am I misreading this class in any way?

 

[Zephyrus]

the primary saving grace of the class is the Godly gifts. that puts ALOT of power into the hands of the DM to give a PC (or NPC) a boon. thye provided guidelines but it wasent nessisarly iron clad and you could potentially provide other benefits instead of spell like abilities as their gifts.

 

[Mark]

Are you asking as a DM or as a player?

 

[clark411]

I'm asking as a player. As a DM, I'd simply have a very hard time recommending this class to one of my players... then again the god of all the pcs in my game is quite dead- so there'd be a problem getting this PrC into the campaign anyway. ^_^

I agree that the godly gifts can either make or break this class... as written, with them "usually" being spell-like abilities, I cringe. sacrifice 2 casting levels to get 1 spell-like a day? sacrifice another to get another, and then 2 more to get a third? Ouch!

 

[Mark]

So much of what can make the class is in the hands of the DM I'd be hard-pressed to recommend it unless the DM has suggested it is available and would have fair applications provided for it in his campaign. Better ask the DM before setting your heart on it, IMO.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

The Godly Gifts are nothing to sneeze at. While the Divine Agent only gains 1/2 spellcasting levels, the Godly Gift can (DM fiat) give the PC access to high level spells quickly. For instance, the 3rd-level Godly Gift can be a 3rd, 2nd, or 1st level spell. The 6th-level one can be 6th-on down, and the 9th-level one, well, you get the picture.

So my Cleric4/Divine Agent10 of Wee Jas casts spells as a 9th-level cleric (access to 5th-level spells) and can use Dispel Magic, Slay Living, and Wail of the Banshee each once per day as a spell-like ability. He also has 20/+1 DR; is immune to Charm, Hold, and Dominate Person; and can Plane Shift to any plane. All enemies within 20' have to make a Will Save (DC14) or be at -2 to attacks, checks, and saves (possibly for an entire day.)

The Divine Agent also has a third domain over a straight cleric, and thus a third granted power.

And if things start actually getting tough on a given day, the Divine Agent can Gate in a Solar.

What's the Agent giving up? Early access to 6th and 7th-level spells, Undead Turning, and the chance to ever access 9th-level spells (other than through his spell-like abilities).

It's give and take, but overall I'd say the Agent holds up pretty well.

 

[Piratecat]

It's a great class, and works like a charm in my game. No complaints from the player who has it, that's for sure.

 

[drnuncheon]

I'd imagine that the caster level loss doesn't hurt as much once you get 9th level spells, although it'd take you well into the epic range.

Another, similar class that you might prefer to recommend is the Divine Disciple from FRCS.

Pkitty, which PC is the Divine Disciple, Tao? What are her granted powers?

J

 

[Allanon]

Tao Chambers
Godly Gift: Magic Circle vs. Evil, Neutralize Poison, and +10 movement, each usable as a spell-like ability 1/day

For more look here Tao Chambers

I'm such a fanboy

 

[haiiro]

My first thought was also of Tao from <a href="http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=779">Piratecat's Updated Story Hour</a>. Seems to work out just fine for her.

I had never really looked at the class until I started reading Piratecat's SH, but having just gone over it last night I'd say it appears to be a solid and interesting PrC.