Factotum from Dungeonscape

[Dark Psion]

So what does everybody think about the Factotum?

As a fan of the Akashic from Arcana Unearthed, I can see a definite resemblance. One thing that is missing is Feats and Prestige classes specifically for the Factotum.

The first one that comes to mind is the Chameleon from Races of Destiny, and the Factotum doesn't need the Able Learner feat since he doesn't have any cross class skills.

The Exemplar in Complete Adventurer might be a good match.

Also there is the 5 level Trapsmith in Dungeonscape that could be combined with the 5 level Combat Trapsmith in Complete Scoundrel to create a very interesting PC.

And don't overlook the Skill Tricks in Complete Scoundrel, at first I didn't "get" skill tricks, but the Factotum seems perfect for these.

Feats do present a problem for the Factotum, they don't get very many. But this is one reason why the Chameleon PrC is so good. The Chameleon gets an "open feat" that you fill each morning. With the skils that a Factotum would have, that is a lot of options to choose from.

There is a feat in Races of Destiny called Complementary Insight that bumps the +2 Skill Synergy bonus to +3. The downside is that it is only for half elves.

Other that that, Investigate from Eberron would be a good choice as it allows new uses for existing skills, like Track and Urban Tracking do.

Another good question, who is your Iconic Factotum? Sherlock Holmes, Dr Van Richten from Ravenloft, Rupert Giles from Buffy?

 

[Pants]

So what does everybody think about the Factotum?

I think it's a silly class and I question its inclusion in Dungeonscape.

The idea of a true 'jack-of-all-trades' is interesting and a worthy goal, but I don't think that anyone has truly 'hit the mark' (so to speak) as of yet. The Savant in the DC comes pretty close but it's still not 'it (I'm not even sure what 'it' is, but I have yet to see 'it' in class form yet ).

The problem, IMO, with the Factotum comes from the whole 'Inspiration Points' idea. As much as people may HAET the x/day mechanic, it provides a good, solid, and easy to use system for tracking use of recourses and attrition. These 'usable per encounter mechanics' just muddy up the entire process, although, IMO, the Bo9S classes don't really muddy it up as much because many of their abilities are based entirely around combat, which can reasonably be tracked with encounters. The factotum, IIRC, has some abilities that work well outside of combat, but since tracking 'encounters' outside of combat is a nebulous endeavor at best, the very system it relies on comes into question.

As a fan of the Akashic from Arcana Unearthed, I can see a definite resemblance. One thing that is missing is Feats and Prestige classes specifically for the Factotum.

That's no surprise then as I don't like the Akashic at all (flavor and mechanics wise).

But that's just my semi-knee jerkish response. Take it as you will.

 

[drdevoid]

Having played a Factotum, I think the "brians over brawn" ability is heartily welcome. I do think they could use some direct feat/PrCl support, but I think they should multi-class well as an Int class that acts as a super Expert. At the moment I only really see swashbuckler, but further examination will reveal other options.

 

[Stone Dog]

Having played a Factotum, I think the "brians over brawn" ability is heartily welcome.

So the factotum does what, defeats his enemies by summoning a horde of bri... never mind. I thought I could keep a straight face, but I just can't.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

I am Brian, and so is my Wife!

 

[Razz]

The problem I see with the Factotum is that it's underpowered compared to the other classes.

I think they need to gain more Inspiration Points, for one. They just don't seem to possess enough at any of their levels.

They also should've been given an ability to recharge 1 or some of their inspiration points as, say, a full-round action.

Those two alone would greatly increase the Factotum to be on par with the rest. Another mention is feats. They do need to release Factotum-specific feats. A feat to increase inspiration points, one that lets them recharge points, another that grants them access to martial maneuvers from To9S, incarnum from MoI, and the class abilities from other supplements.

 

[Mercule]

I don't have Dungeonscape, but I don't much care for what I've read about it.

Of course, we may just have likes in the game, entirely. I'm skipping Complete Scoundrel in part because of skill tricks. I think the idea of spending skill points on feat-like tricks is a very, very, very bad design. It blurs the line too much between the D&D class-based model and a point-buy system like Hero.

I like Hero, don't get me wrong -- in fact, I've been considering going to Hero vs. D&D. These sorts of convoluted mechanics are what are pushing me that way, though.

 

[Laman Stahros]

So what does everybody think about the Factotum?

Looks like an interesting class. I might jack up their number of inspiration points or give them a recharge method, though.

Another good question, who is your Iconic Factotum? Sherlock Holmes, Dr Van Richten from Ravenloft, Rupert Giles from Buffy?

Depends on the game world. For Eberron, Indiana Jones. Ravenloft, Dr. Van Richten.

 

[Pants]

Of course, we may just have likes in the game, entirely. I'm skipping Complete Scoundrel in part because of skill tricks. I think the idea of spending skill points on feat-like tricks is a very, very, very bad design.

Yep.

I give 'em props for trying something different, but being different can only take you so far (I'm looking at you too AE...).

 

[Nightfall]

*likes Fac enough since it's like Savant only...not*