D20 system makes several very specific assumptions about PC roles. While there seems to be no official designer document on this (in the open, that is), the rules as written pretty much support my claim.
Listing the most relevant:
1. Player Characters are defined by their capacity to rise to combat challenges first , deal with occupational hazards second [ii], influencing social interactions - distant third [iii].
2. Consequently, the fun factor depends on these three elements, in the same order of significance.
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Rising to combat challenge - contributing to overcoming opponents through combat.
[ii] Dealing with occupational hazards - doing something your class excels in.
[iii] Influencing social interactions - pretty self-explanatory.
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Looking at current write-up of Prophet class through lens of canonical four classes:
Hit-die - on the par with arcane spellcaster. That implies heavy reliance on arcane/divine defense and offense.
Class skills - limited by both selection and number of skill points. Again, it's on the par with spellcasters.
Level dependent abilities (BAB, saves, spells) - arcane spellcasters again.
Spells - available as spontaneously cast supernatural abilities with spell slots assigned in a unique way, with unique spell list. And very limited in both scope and availability.
So, as it is now, it is a spontaneous caster version of Cleric, with highly decreased Cleric abilities (fewer spells, fewer spell slots) and significantly decreased base class abilities (worse BAB, fewer skills, worse skill selection).
Summarizing:
The class can hardly contribute to combat challenges.
[ii] There are no special occupational abilities which could increase fun factor.
[iii] There is nothing, apart from Leadership-like class ability, to indicate ability to influence social interactions.
Conclusions:
This practically eliminates the class as a PC class. D20, so to speak, is built upon attack rolls.
[ii] Introducing this character class for an NPC is unlikely to enhance NPC in a way that a Bard or Cleric class levels cannot.
[iii] There are classes which offer better crowd control abilities (in other words, Moses would do better going for Bard, Wizard or Cleric, instead of choosing this class).
Having said this, I'd like to say that I am fully aware that this is but a stub for a real class write-up. That's why, in my opinion, you should build a list of designer notes first (the "mission statement" mentioned above) before you proceed further.
Another possibly good approach would be replacement method - pick a class, and then replace all its abilities with new ones, taking care to maintain similar power level.
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(warning: very IMHO)
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To be more constructive, allow me to follow up with a probably best designed class of d20 system. The class offers a wide range of support abilities, none - or almost none of game breaking powers at high levels, and most GM-friendly power development.
Bard.
It's a very well rounded tier three class (for more info on class tiers, please follow the link).
My pet peeve with d20 system: specialists leave others in the dust at higher levels making certain challenges either an easy stroll (if the specialist is available) or almost certain TPK (when the specialist is not available).
The Bards offer decent built-in offenses and defenses, spontaneous casting (small chance for a lottery of "memorize-this-or-die"), team support (yes, the artistic bent is somewhat limiting, but one's free to ignore it and play Indiana Jones type instead) and toolbox array of skills/abilities for dealing with more complex challenges. They also hardly become pushovers at high levels... unlikely certain other caster classes.
So, my advice for you would be to use Bard class as a template. And then use the replacement method to proceed toward your desired goal.
Several things you may need to keep in mind:
- there is no need to create a unique subsystem to do anything. Pathfinder Paladin Graces, 3.5 Barbarian Rages and Advanced Player Guide Beta Cavalier Orders are epitomes of needless complication. It's hard not to replicate those classes with Vancian spell slots and class spells.
- leave level dependent abilities (BAB, saves, spell slots) as they are. Quite of few of biblical iconics survived physical hardships of an epic scale.
- try to preserve combat relevance. It may sound strange, but without ability to own an opponent in a conflict, d20 may offer suprisingly less fun.
- try to think about class niche. Being simply a cult leader is already covered by Leadership feat and some roleplaying. Clerics can already cast divinations. Try to get out of this straitjacket and find a new schtick.
- avoid turning the class into the pushover within its niche (hence Bard as recommended the base class) - winning all skill rolls of particular type is no fun.
That's it for today.
Regards,
Ruemere
PS. I do not take offense at anyone criticizing my criticisms. That would be most unfair.
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