Martial Controller: Auxiliary (Version 0.11) -Updated Preview Character (Aug. 9th)

[malcolm_n]

Alright, I have some free time (finally). I'd like to review this class a little more in depth. Please, if you can, send the NDA to mnorthwinter [at] yahoo [dot]com. I'll do what I need to.

Should we email feedback to you or post it here? I've never dealt with the whole NDA thing, so I'll make sure to read it and otherwise just need to know some basics. TY I'll look at it soon as I get the info.

 

[jaldaen]

Alright, I have some free time (finally). I'd like to review this class a little more in depth. Please, if you can, send the NDA to mnorthwinter [at] yahoo [dot]com. I'll do what I need to.

The NDA is on its way...

Should we email feedback to you or post it here? I've never dealt with the whole NDA thing, so I'll make sure to read it and otherwise just need to know some basics. TY I'll look at it soon as I get the info.

You may post comments on the preview character or any other material I release in this thread here at ENWorld, but your comments on the full version of the class which I'll send you privately should be sent to my email addy.

If you have any questions about the the NDA, then let me know and I'll answer them for you ASAP.

 

[jaldaen]

Here's the updated pregen character... I've only changed a few minor things:

1) Changed Defense line to read: AC 16, Fort 12, Ref 17, Will 13
2) Increased the overwatch bonus squares for the attentive skirmisher build by 1.
3) Changed Target line of Overwatch to: Any creature in zone without cover from you
4) Changed Target line of Retreating Volley to: One creature
5) Replaced Slowing Volley with Vigilant Volley

Vigilant Volley
You keep an eye out for an opening in your enemy’s defenses and when it presents itself you strike.
At-Will Martial, Weapon
Standard Action Ranged weapon
Target: One creature in your overwatch zone
Attack: Dexterity vs. Reflex
Hit: 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage.
Special: This power counts as a ranged basic attack. When a power allows you to make a ranged basic attack, you can use this power against any creature within your overwatch zone.

6) Changed name of Shoot-Slide-Shoot to Shoot-Shift-Shoot (its more accurate though its still a placeholder until I can think of a better name)

Important Note: Moved updated preview character to first post for easy access. All future updates will be placed in 1st post.

 

[malcolm_n]

5) Changed name of Shoot-Slide-Shoot to Shoot-Shift-Shoot (its more accurate though its still a placeholder until I can think of a better name)

How about Strafe? It gives the impression you're moving while firing and d20 modern players will also recognize it for the similar results.

 

[jaldaen]

How about Strafe? It gives the impression you're moving while firing and d20 modern players will also recognize it for the similar results.

Strafe... hmmm... I like the name!

Thanks for the suggestion... although perhaps it might be a better name for an encounter or daily power that attacks two or more adjacent creatures... I'll have to think about both options before I make a decision.

 

[jaldaen]

In the interest of keeping things simple... I've consolidated a lot of the information into the first post, including the preview character. New posts from me will focus on discussion, posting summaries of the updates, or announcing new material (which will be posted in the 1st post). Hopefully this will help keep everything a bit more organized.

 

[jaldaen]

Question of the Day

What should the name for this class be? I'd love to keep it as Skirmisher, but the monsters already have a Skirmisher role and it's probably not wise use an already defined term for a class name.

The options I'm considering are: Bushwhacker, Harrier, Pioneer, Scout, Vanguard

Bushwhacker sounds too strikerish to me.
Harrier works well enough, but a lot of people might start thinking Iron Heroes.
Pioneer is a bit nebulous and I'd like a name that gets the idea of the skirmisher across from the get go.
Scout is a possiblity, but there might be too much 3.5 baggage to chuck. Still it is a descriptive name for a non-melee controller type.
Vanguard is a cool name, but it sounds too Defenderish. I want the name to imply that this class does not mind being at the front of the party to begin with, but retreats quickly and prefers ranged attacks.

So far the two frontrunners for me are Harrier and Scout. They have baggage, but they are the best names in my opinion. I'm going to give the name some thought for the next few days and try to settle the one I like the most. If you have any comments, suggestions for other possible names, preferences, etc., then post them here and I'll look them over.

 

[malcolm_n]

What was great about scout in 3.5 was their mobility and great skills while moving around the battlefield, albeit usually using 2 weapons. I've never played Iron Heroes, but I'd assume that was a similar class.

Skirmisher never felt very ranged to me from the start. I was actually thinking Archer would be nice for the name. It's simple and gets the point across, except the class can used thrown weapons equally well.

From thesaurus.com - Delver, Explorer, Recon (as in reconnoiter).

I'd say my vote is for Harrier; this is D&D after all, not Iron Heroes. Let him be the defacto Harrier class.

 

[jaldaen]

What was great about scout in 3.5 was their mobility and great skills while moving around the battlefield, albeit usually using 2 weapons. I've never played Iron Heroes, but I'd assume that was a similar class.

Yeah, 3.5's Scout is a bit more robust than the Skirmisher class idea, but I think mobility is an important secondary aspect of the class. I like the Scout name though because when used in a non-3.5 sense it gets across the idea of someone who could scout ahead of the party, but upon contact with the enemy immediately retreats behind the front like and lends support.

Skirmisher never felt very ranged to me from the start. I was actually thinking Archer would be nice for the name. It's simple and gets the point across, except the class can used thrown weapons equally well.

I started out with Archer/Marksman, but I think those are a bit too narrow especially with the Skirmisher class' thrown weapon schtick. Also I think those concepts fit better with a Ranger's schtick of quality shots, whereas the skirmisher is not so much interested in the quality, but the quatinty of shots to affect multiple targets.

I'd say my vote is for Harrier; this is D&D after all, not Iron Heroes. Let him be the defacto Harrier class.

Yeah, Harrier does have a nice ring to it and other than being a very mobile class it is not very similar to the Iron Heroes' Harrier.

 

[jaldaen]

Today's Updates:

1) Added design goals to the first post so everyone can see how I'm approaching the class and make class feature and power suggestions if they'd like to or suggest other design goals they'd like to see explored.
2) Revised the first post to refer to Harrier, instead of Skirmisher class.
3) Uploaded the Harrier preview character... its the same as the previous preview character, but renamed. (Sorry if anyone came by to pick up the character last night... I was in the midst of uploading the new file when ENWorld crashed and this was the earliest I could upload it again).