Good Scientist class

[Strife]

Does anyone know of what would be a good class for a scientist type character.
This is supposed to be a medieval setting that is slowly advancing to steampunk type. The Goal is for the character to be relatively low level around 2-3 and have no combat prowess or magic. I am thinking about making my own class but I didnt know if one already existed,

the character concept is a young Nicola Tesla
Thanks for any help

 

[irdeggman]

You might look at the artificer from eberron as a base.

The class imbues items and is neither arcane nor divine in nature.

This could readily, IMO, be adapted into something you want to do. I mean the magic imbed can be transitioned into "science", especially since it is neither arcane nor divine in nature.

 

[RangerWickett]

This might be too high-tech for you, but:

The Fantastic Science

Magic and technology have a complex relationship in Fantasy d20 games, and seldom are both powerful in any given setting, since the ideals of modern science can clash with the style of fantasy roleplaying. In these pages, however, you will find an entirely new spellcasting tradition that wields elaborate technology and commands the laws of fantasy pseudo-science, designed to let this particular brand of science make sense in the hands of classic sword-and-sorcery adventurers. The Fantastic Science presents hundreds of devices of varying power levels, from clockwork-and-alchemy gadgets to reality-warping artifacts, as well as a 20-level base class, the technologist, which is designed to take advantage of these technological wonders.

The Fantastic Science ? A Technologist Sourcebook is a 165 page sourcebook for Fantasy D20 (with a rules appendix including variants for Modern games). The 24-page teaser, usable as a stand-alone product, is available for free download at the E.N. Publishing home page.

Dust off the ol' atomic discombobulator. Ready your portable zoogrammaphone. Slip into your cross-phasic cloak. The Fantastic Science is here.

 

[Strife]

I'll try and take a look at that,
Right now Iive been trying to find a way to DL the 24 page Teaser, and have posted a request in the Enpublishing forums as to how to get this. If I like the Teaser I'll probably check out the book.

If anyone else has any other suggestions that would be appreciated. I consider the Exemplar from Complete Adventurer for when the character can qualify for a prestige class for later Development
Btw I am the DM of the game so I can bring in almost any Rule set I wish to. But i would like it if the system was easy to impliment for existing characters as well if they choose to try some of these rules.

 

[backbeat]

Although I haven't checked it out myself, I think Factorum in dungeonscape is what you want. Lots of knowledge skill based tricks.

 

[Thurbane]

I know it's a bit boring, but I would say Expert - maybe a multiclassed Sorcerer/Expert so he can make Alchemical items...

 

[darthkilmor]

Does anyone know of what would be a good class for a scientist type character.
This is supposed to be a medieval setting that is slowly advancing to steampunk type. The Goal is for the character to be relatively low level around 2-3 and have no combat prowess or magic. I am thinking about making my own class but I didnt know if one already existed,

the character concept is a young Nicola Tesla
Thanks for any help

Kind of reminds me of Chaositech from Ptolus and whatever other book it was that that originated in.

That or just an expert or rogue. Lots of skill points, you're essentially talking about character background right ?

Although, If he's got no combat prowess or magic, then whats the point of being 2-3 level? That sounds like an NPC class.

Or play a sorcerer with cha too low to cast any spells but really high int ?

 

[frankthedm]

Archivist?

Divine magic is how the god's made the world. Understanding that is the first step to knowing how thing really are.

The next step is the Alienist.

 

[Cam Banks]

Our War of the Lance sourcebook for Dragonlance features a new standard class, the master, which would be ideal. Masters choose a focus at 1st level, whether it's sage, performer, professional, or craftsman (Knowledge, Perform, Profession, or Craft) and get d20 Modern-style knacks based on that focus. They also get a wide selection of skills and are more or less supposed to be the PC-strength Expert.

If you have Arcana Unearthed or Arcana Evolved, you could do worse than to use the akashic, which is another excellent class for this kind of character.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Arkhandus]

Yeah, but several folks here are suggesting classes that actually do use some form of magic even if it's only a non-flashy kind.

I'd say a multiclass Expert/Rogue, or just Expert if you really don't care about the character having any combat prowess. I don't know if Factotums have any kind of magical bent/influence, so I can't comment on those (they're in the book Cityscape I think, or was it Dungeonscape?).