Greenfield
Adventurer
I was looking over PRCs for a Bard to take.
Opinions on this one?
Opinions on this one?
Master of Masks?
- Thread starter Greenfield
- Start date
Empirate
First Post
From an optimization standpoint, weak. Except as a one- or two-level-dip, which can pay good dividends. The Gladiator's proficiency with all weapons is nice, and so are the Savage's natural weapons, and some of the other options. Nothing too great for a Bard, though. If only it provided a half-decent spell progression! Also, some of the masks are rather weak (too few uses of special abilities per day, or too weak abilities in the first place).
From a flavor standpoint, excellent. The character's personality practically writes itself, and all the while there's still room for different base concepts (masked vigilante, coward hiding behind masks, schizoid personality disorder...). I won't guarantee your character will be powerful - but you'll likely have a lot of fun playing a Master of Masks!
All in all, Master of Masks is a typically WotC example of brilliant concept, weak realization. Pity.
From a flavor standpoint, excellent. The character's personality practically writes itself, and all the while there's still room for different base concepts (masked vigilante, coward hiding behind masks, schizoid personality disorder...). I won't guarantee your character will be powerful - but you'll likely have a lot of fun playing a Master of Masks!
All in all, Master of Masks is a typically WotC example of brilliant concept, weak realization. Pity.
Jimlock
Adventurer
Agreed. Still I wouldn't go as far as to call it a "weak" PrC...
Greenfield
Adventurer
I have a Bard 7 about to go to 8. Long term I want to go with Sublime Chord, but that has to wait a few levels, so I went looking at what other options were available.
The first version I came across was Master of Masks (3.5e Prestige Class) - D&D Wiki, which is a slightly more powerful version that the one in Compleate Scoundrel. It appealed.
The RAW version has higher pre-requisites and slower spell progression, but is still workable. The slower spell progression bothered me, as did the lack of advancement in Bardic Music and Bardic Knowledge.
But, as you suggested, if I'm looking at it for a one or two level dip...
Our game is high story and relatively low combat, so the lack of real combat power isn't an issue. And yeah, the Warrior mask that gives proficiency in all Martial *AND* Exotic weapons may make it worth the dip all by itself.
... if my Bard (STR 8) were set up for melee. He isn't.
Still, if you have a level or two to kill...
The first version I came across was Master of Masks (3.5e Prestige Class) - D&D Wiki, which is a slightly more powerful version that the one in Compleate Scoundrel. It appealed.
The RAW version has higher pre-requisites and slower spell progression, but is still workable. The slower spell progression bothered me, as did the lack of advancement in Bardic Music and Bardic Knowledge.
But, as you suggested, if I'm looking at it for a one or two level dip...
Our game is high story and relatively low combat, so the lack of real combat power isn't an issue. And yeah, the Warrior mask that gives proficiency in all Martial *AND* Exotic weapons may make it worth the dip all by itself.
... if my Bard (STR 8) were set up for melee. He isn't.
Still, if you have a level or two to kill...
Dandu
First Post
Greenfield
Adventurer
Hmm.
Taking 8th in Bard gets me 6+ Int skills, one additional 3rd level spell known, one extra spell slot for 2nd and 3rd, and bumps Inspire Courage to +2.
Taking that same level in Master of Masks gets me 4+Int skills, a 2 point bump in Fort and Ref saves, and two masks.
The Angel mask gives me Feather Fall at will, and 5 rounds of Fly per day.
The Archmage mask gives me 4 1st level spells a day, Mage Armor, True Strike, Reduce Person, and Magic Missile. Not bad.
The Assassin mask gives me a dice of Sneak Attack, and a +1 to Hide and Move Silent. Not bad.
The Demon mask gives me a Summon Monster III once pr day, to summon evil creatures, though they're only around for one round per Master of Masks level, so it's kind of weak.
The Dragon mask gives a fiery breath weapon of 2 D8 damage three times a day. Not great, but okay.
The Gladiator mask gives +1 to hit and damage, and grants proficiency in all martial and exotic weapons. If your Bard is any kind of martial build, this one is a must have.
The High Priest mask gives 4 1st level spells a day: bless, cure light wounds, protection from evil, and sanctuary. Not bad.
There are more. No mask is overly powerful, but they can add sharply to the character's versatility, and that's really the hallmark of the Bard.
So I'm not at all sure that it's weaker than another Bard level.
Taking 8th in Bard gets me 6+ Int skills, one additional 3rd level spell known, one extra spell slot for 2nd and 3rd, and bumps Inspire Courage to +2.
Taking that same level in Master of Masks gets me 4+Int skills, a 2 point bump in Fort and Ref saves, and two masks.
The Angel mask gives me Feather Fall at will, and 5 rounds of Fly per day.
The Archmage mask gives me 4 1st level spells a day, Mage Armor, True Strike, Reduce Person, and Magic Missile. Not bad.
The Assassin mask gives me a dice of Sneak Attack, and a +1 to Hide and Move Silent. Not bad.
The Demon mask gives me a Summon Monster III once pr day, to summon evil creatures, though they're only around for one round per Master of Masks level, so it's kind of weak.
The Dragon mask gives a fiery breath weapon of 2 D8 damage three times a day. Not great, but okay.
The Gladiator mask gives +1 to hit and damage, and grants proficiency in all martial and exotic weapons. If your Bard is any kind of martial build, this one is a must have.
The High Priest mask gives 4 1st level spells a day: bless, cure light wounds, protection from evil, and sanctuary. Not bad.
There are more. No mask is overly powerful, but they can add sharply to the character's versatility, and that's really the hallmark of the Bard.
So I'm not at all sure that it's weaker than another Bard level.
Dandu
First Post
Here's how I figure.
Angel: A Ring of Feather Falling is worth 2200 gp. 5 rounds of flight per day is rather limited, and becomes less useful at higher levels. The Alter Self spell could get you more.
Archmage: 4 first level spells at level 8 are not very impressive. In addition, a Bard is wearing armor and will not be using the Mage Armor spells. Really, if you like the spells you get, just buy a few wands. 750 gp *4 = 3000 gp. You have 27,000 gp at level 8, there's money to spare for a few wands.
Assassin: Minor benefits. +3.5 average damage sometimes and a miniscule boost to stealth isn't impressive.
Demon: Agreed, weak.
Dragon: An average of 9 points of fire damage per attack, commonly resisted element. Meh.
Faceless: The +5 to will saves vs mind affecting is a little limited for the investment. Still, I guess it's not bad...
Gladiator: Probably the best one, and the only one I see chosen when someone dips Master of Masks. That being said, if you use the spell Master's Touch from the SpC (Bard 1) you will gain proficiency in a weapon you wield for 1 minute/level as a swift action. And Bard 8 grants a +1 boost to IC, which grants +1 to attack and damage, as well as saves vs fear to the entire party.
High Priest: Low level spells are unimpressive. Again, just buy a few wands if you really want them.
Overall, think it is a little weaker, though, since it basically just saves you some money.
I guess it's not bad if you choose a strong mask, like the Gladiator, but that basically just makes it a dip prestige class.
Angel: A Ring of Feather Falling is worth 2200 gp. 5 rounds of flight per day is rather limited, and becomes less useful at higher levels. The Alter Self spell could get you more.
Archmage: 4 first level spells at level 8 are not very impressive. In addition, a Bard is wearing armor and will not be using the Mage Armor spells. Really, if you like the spells you get, just buy a few wands. 750 gp *4 = 3000 gp. You have 27,000 gp at level 8, there's money to spare for a few wands.
Assassin: Minor benefits. +3.5 average damage sometimes and a miniscule boost to stealth isn't impressive.
Demon: Agreed, weak.
Dragon: An average of 9 points of fire damage per attack, commonly resisted element. Meh.
Faceless: The +5 to will saves vs mind affecting is a little limited for the investment. Still, I guess it's not bad...
Gladiator: Probably the best one, and the only one I see chosen when someone dips Master of Masks. That being said, if you use the spell Master's Touch from the SpC (Bard 1) you will gain proficiency in a weapon you wield for 1 minute/level as a swift action. And Bard 8 grants a +1 boost to IC, which grants +1 to attack and damage, as well as saves vs fear to the entire party.
High Priest: Low level spells are unimpressive. Again, just buy a few wands if you really want them.
Overall, think it is a little weaker, though, since it basically just saves you some money.
I guess it's not bad if you choose a strong mask, like the Gladiator, but that basically just makes it a dip prestige class.
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RUMBLETiGER
Adventurer
I agree it's not overly powerful, but I really have a warm fuzzy spot in my heart for this PrC.
For that single level dip, I agree that Gladiator is the best choice. I'd advise selecting the second mask based on the alignment cover it'll provide for you. Being a hero who's infiltrating evil lairs with a Chaotic Evil Demon mask or a Lawful Evil Assassin mask, or appearing not only Neutral Evil with the Lich mask but Also appearing to be Undead (think, in the midst of other undead, handy) with Cold Resistance 10 is not bad for a single level dip into a PrC.
For that single level dip, I agree that Gladiator is the best choice. I'd advise selecting the second mask based on the alignment cover it'll provide for you. Being a hero who's infiltrating evil lairs with a Chaotic Evil Demon mask or a Lawful Evil Assassin mask, or appearing not only Neutral Evil with the Lich mask but Also appearing to be Undead (think, in the midst of other undead, handy) with Cold Resistance 10 is not bad for a single level dip into a PrC.
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