Full BAB for the soulknife?

[haiiro]

A player in my upcoming Eberron campaign has proposed giving the soulknife (from the XPH) full BAB progression to shore up the class. His argument is that the soulknife looks like a primary combatant (like the fighter), but doesn't have the abilities to back it up. And if it's supposed to be a secondary combatant, why doesn't class have any non-combat abilities?

I'm torn, because mechanically I think the soulknife is fine -- but conceptually, I agree with the player that the class really lacks a niche, and needs to be taken in one direction or another. And I'm no expert -- perhaps the class really does need a boost!

I'm interested in considering other options than just full BAB, but that's an easy tweak and it's the one I'm most curious about. What do you think?

 

[Nifft]

Lower the skill points to 2/level.
Lower the HP to d6.

Then you should be okay.

-- N

 

[Bront]

Drop it to a D8, it's currently a D10.

At a D8, and 2 skill points per level, I think a full BAB is fine.

Is there more than one good save on the soulblade? That's something else you could give up instead of the skill points.

 

[The Human Target]

Its a generally weak class. I'd say giving them full BAB wouldn't be game breaking or anything. But I still think its a weak class.

Go here for some cool ideas on the class. http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=369376

 

[haiiro]

Is there more than one good save on the soulblade? That's something else you could give up instead of the skill points.

They do have two good saves, and that one crossed my mind. The only problem I see with dropping the HD is that with full BAB and only a d8, the class still wouldn't scream "primary combatant," at least to me. With the shift to d6 that Nifft suggested, even more so.

Human Target, what about the SK do you think makes it a generally weak class? I know there's a reasonably widespread consensus to that effect on the WotC boards, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts on it.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

 

[Nifft]

The Soulknife is NOT a primary combatant. Look at the armor prof., saves, skills & BAB: it's much closer to a Monk, Rogue or (gasp!) Bard than any kind of tank.

What kind of class is the Soulknife? A skirmisher. He's got mobility (Speed of Thought, skills like Tumble, only Light armor prof.). He's got a few HP more than Rangers, Rogues or Monks, but that's about it.

Why do I favor d6 instead of d10?

1/ Combat Expertise + Defending special ability. You can have a nice AC if you want it.
2/ Bodyfeeder. You can have more HP if you want.
3/ Power Attack + Deep Impact. You can run up and hit really quite hard.

All of the above are much better with a higher BAB. So, to balance, you must take away something significant.

-- N

 

[Nifft]

One more reason to lower the HP: [Psionic] feats. This guy gets one free, can take them (as a Psionic character), and each one is worth +2 hp if he also takes Psionic Body.

NO base class with access to Power Attack + Deep Impact gets full BAB. [Psionic] feats are really really really good.

-- N

 

[The Human Target]

One more reason to lower the HP: [Psionic] feats. This guy gets one free, can take them (as a Psionic character), and each one is worth +2 hp if he also takes Psionic Body.

NO base class with access to Power Attack + Deep Impact gets full BAB. [Psionic] feats are really really really good.

-- N

My only problem with all your arguements is the fact that you're relying on a very specific combination of powers, feats, and abilities. And a d6 is a huge blow to the Soulknife.

 

[Nifft]

My only problem with all your arguements is the fact that you're relying on a very specific combination of powers, feats, and abilities. And a d6 is a huge blow to the Soulknife.

Yes, yes I am. Balance means the extremes are accounted for. All PC classes must be balanced -- at the high end -- by the machinations of munchkins. All PC classes should be balanced around the middle, too, but this is where the Soulknife falls flat. It requires some very specific tactics to be viable -- it's not nearly as flexible as a Rogue.

But you always balance around the high end optimized character. Same way you balance TWF by considering the situation of a Rogue with a pair of Wounding daggers.

-- N

 

[Aust Diamondew]

One more reason to lower the HP: [Psionic] feats. This guy gets one free, can take them (as a Psionic character), and each one is worth +2 hp if he also takes Psionic Body.

NO base class with access to Power Attack + Deep Impact gets full BAB. [Psionic] feats are really really really good.

-- N

Actually any old fighter can take wild talent and then deep impact and power attack. So you can have full BAB with that combo pretty easily.