Fighter converstion to Thug ... how about a Game Warden?

[Driddle]

If I remember correctly (book not available), Un.Arc. proposes some small tweaking to the Fighter class to make it more "thug"-like: Lose a feat. Gain two skill points per level and access to four more class skills. (Also access to tracking as a fighter feat.) Can't remember if the trade-off also involves an armor reduction.

Seems like a simple trade-off, which is basically the equivalent of spending a feat for skill access. With that basis in mind, I'd like your feedback, please...

If you've got a more animal-friendly fighter in mind, ala "game warden" perhaps, how balanced would it be to give up his first feat in exchange for access to the Animal Empathy ability? How about adding Knowledge-Nature as a class skill as well? Would it still be balanced to add those two extra skill points per level (ala the thug, above)? Should the fighter-turned-warden also lose some access to heavier armor?

There ya go. Lose a fighter feat, gain animal empathy ... and whatever other small benefits as necessary for design balance. Tell me what you think.

 

[atomn]

Why not take a level of Ranger instead?

 

[Driddle]

Why not take a level of Ranger instead?

Because (rolls eyes) I don't want to. ... For the same reason the Un.Arc. designers of the thug class didn't just say, "Why not take a level of rogue instead?" We're talking about subtle class design differences.

More importantly, though, Animal Empathy improvement is dependent on the class level that it's attached to.

Whether you personally think it's a good idea or not, I still need my question answered.

 

[Crothian]

Sure, granting both knowledge nature as a class skill and giving them Wild Empathy and lose that 1st level feat would be fine.

 

[Edheldur]

Sure, granting both knowledge nature as a class skill and giving them Wild Empathy and lose that 1st level feat would be fine.

If it matters, I do agree with Crothian about this. Actually, I've been thinking to make more of those variant classes after adopting several of the ones in UA for my cmapaign.

 

[nittanytbone]

The biggest concern is that it might might entrance to some druid or ranger oriented PrCs too easy.

 

[Klaus]

I wouldn't give Wild Empathy. I'd add Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (geography) and Survival to the Warden's class skill list.

Of note, when using the Thug variant I mix in the sneak attack/feat variant from further down that chapter, and every time a Thug would get a bonus feat, he has the option of getting +1d6 sneak attack instead.

 

[Driddle]

The biggest concern is that it might might entrance to some druid or ranger oriented PrCs too easy.

If that's a concern, just Rule-0 the prereqs: No quicker PrClass entry than would normally be possible before the modification.

No biggie.

 

[Driddle]

I wouldn't give Wild Empathy. I'd add Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (geography) and Survival to the Warden's class skill list.

Of note, when using the Thug variant I mix in the sneak attack/feat variant from further down that chapter, and every time a Thug would get a bonus feat, he has the option of getting +1d6 sneak attack instead.

Interesting. You wouldn't allow W.Empathy, but you'd grant the huuuuuge flexibility of picking between sneak attack and bonus feat? Wacky.

Anyway ... Given the original proposal, I have to point out that:
Knowledge (nature) + Knowledge (geography) + Survival <> Wild Empathy.
They're very different elements. I didn't ask for alternatives to Wild Empathy; I asked for balance against Wild Empathy. (And by the way, Handle Animal is already a fighter skill.)