D&D 5E Homebrew class the Punisher

[Daniel Peterson]

Hello all. I'm working on a campaign setting for my group that I DM. One of the concepts I am trying to full fill is a divine rogue. I don't want the divine rogue to remove the need for a rogue, nor do I want an archetype because I feel that it would be hard to full fil that role with an archetype. The concept is intended to be similar to that of the avenger class from 4th ed, but with my own spin on it because all of the current home brew I find on the avenger class for 5th ed doesn't feel right. It is likely that this class will be used more for npc's that aid the party, but I intend on play testing the class when my brother DM's in a different campaign setting. The Aspect feature is not developed yet because I'm having a hard time coming up with the archetypes. Also I haven't made a spell list yet. The class will be a half caster with specific spells that are focused on rogue or bard like roles. For the play test if I haven't decided on spells yet the class will use the paladin spell list. If that seems to be to overpowered or not fit well then I will not continue to play test like that. Any and all feedback is welcome as I'm trying to make this class balanced. Thanks.

 

[Ancalagon]

If I were to try to do a "divine rogue", I would do an arcane trickster but with divine magic - perhaps with guidance being the signature cantrip vs mage hand?

However, I'm not sure that would exactly fit your idea.

 

[Satyrn]

It looks to me like you can get what you want just by tweaking the Oath of Vengeance paladin. Especially since what you describe you want is what the Oath if Vengeance is meant to model.

Your wrath stuff is very much the same as smiting. I'd say the smiting works just fine for what you're aiming for.

You could tack on the Unarmored AC to the Vengeance oath at 3rd level without issue (it's not stronger than heavy armor!).

You could tweak the channel divinity to be use the same mechanics as your Divine Intervention.

. . . And I simply don't like the "use Charisma modifier for weapon attacks" bit - it's just a raw power boost that ultimately hurts the class because it closes ofv the chance to adding more interesting features. And besides, it's just not a 5e sort of feature.

 

[Daniel Peterson]

Thanks for the feedback.
Arcane trickster being tweaked to be a divine trickster was one option I considered, but I’m having a hard time bringing it to paper.
Wrath was intended to be similar to smiting, but I used different labels and words to try and give the class its own fluff. I intentionally left auras out to try and not take that aspect away from paladins, and left expertise, uncanny dodge, and other rogue abilities out to not take away from rogues. My intent was to fill a divine assassin or stalker type roll and felt that the fluff of the class being all about vengeance was my key idea.
I respect How you feel about charisma to attacks, but I digress that other classes have that option given the right archetypes/spells.
I will definitely look into tweaking the oath of vengeance paladin and look for ways to just build stealth and espionage into the character. Thanks.

 

[Daniel Peterson]

I should add that my whole thought process of making an npc to aid the party that fits this role is that for some reason no one in my group besides me likes to play rogues or paladins. I personally have a hard time choosing between the two.

 

[Satyrn]

I should add that my whole thought process of making an npc to aid the party that fits this role is that for some reason no one in my group besides me likes to play rogues or paladins. I personally have a hard time choosing between the two.

oh yeah, this reminds me of another suggestion I had, but didn't want to bring up immediately, because I don't want it to come off as dismissive.

If this is for a NPC, you really don't to make a class. NPCs don't have to use the PH rules.

You can just stat it up however you want, giving it a mix of whatever features make sense to you.

 

[Daniel Peterson]

You know I never really thought about that. Thanks for the suggestion. For now I will do that. If the concept is extremely liked by my group then I will suggest multiclass options that fit the role and/or create an archetype or refluff an archetype. If not then it will remain an npc. I wouldn’t have taken that as dismissive since you’re absolutely right and I simply overlooked that.