I have the MiniHB and the Complete Warrior and I am looking at modding some of the new core classes. In particular the Favored Soul and the Samurai. I think the Favored Soul is a little too weird because of some of it's abilities, particularly the wings. I think I have an issue with this because many of the deities in my world don't really fit with the idea of winged servants, particularly Midir my god of the earth. As for the Samurai, I'd like to see it with a broader weapon choice.
For the favored soul, would there be major balance issues with giving domain powers instead of the wings. Perhaps one domain power earlier in the level progression and then access to a second power later. I think this fits better with the theme of being so closely tied to a deity. I was wondering if anyone has tried something similar or if they think that the domain powers are too powerful an alternative to wings.
For the samurai, I was thinking about allowing several options for weapon styles, like the 3.5 ranger. This would allow more variety in the class and make it fit with the feel of my campaign. I am thinking of the following alternatives to class features:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A samurai is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, light and medium armor, and shields (but not tower shields).
Daisho Proficiency (Ex) -> Weapon of Choice (Ex): A samurai is very well trained in her chosen fighting style. She may choose one melee weapon upon entering the class to be her weapon of choice. If this weapon is a simple or martial weapon, the samurai gains the Weapon Focus feat with it. If the weapon is instead exotic, then the Samurai gains Exotic Weapon Proficiency with it.
Two Swords as One (Ex) -> Combat Style (Ex): At 2nd level, the Samurai may choose one of the following as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites for the feat: Armor Proficiency (heavy), Combat Expertise, Dodge, Mounted Combat, Power Attack, Two-Weapon Fighting, or Weapon Finesse.
Iaijutsu Master (Ex) -> Always Ready (Ex): The same as before except replace "but only when he draws his katana or wakizashi" with "but only when she draws her weapon of choice".
Improved Two Swords as One (Ex) -> Improved Combat Style (Ex): At 11th level, a samurai may choose another feat from the Combat Style list or one of the following if she already possesses the feat in parenthesis: Improved Disarm(Combat Expertise), Mobility (Dodge), Improved Unarmed Strike, Ride-by-Attack (Mounted Combat), Cleave (Power Attack), Improved Sunder (Power Attack), Two-Weapon Defense (Two-Weapon Fighting), Improved Two-Weapon Fighting (Two-Weapon Fighting). The samurai does not need to meet any prerequisites to the feat, other than the feats given above.
Greater Two Swords as One (Ex) -> Greater Combat Style (Ex): At 16th level, the samurai may gain another feat from the Combat Style list. Alternatively, she may choose one from the Improved Combat Style list or the following as long as she posesses the feat given in parenthesis in the list: Spring Attack (Mobility), Improved Critical (none), Spirited Charge (Ride-By Attack), Great Cleave (Cleave), Greater Two-Weapon Fighting (Improved Two-Weapon Fighting).
I'd appreciate any feedback you can offer on these changes, especially any balance problems you see with them.
For the favored soul, would there be major balance issues with giving domain powers instead of the wings. Perhaps one domain power earlier in the level progression and then access to a second power later. I think this fits better with the theme of being so closely tied to a deity. I was wondering if anyone has tried something similar or if they think that the domain powers are too powerful an alternative to wings.
For the samurai, I was thinking about allowing several options for weapon styles, like the 3.5 ranger. This would allow more variety in the class and make it fit with the feel of my campaign. I am thinking of the following alternatives to class features:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A samurai is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, light and medium armor, and shields (but not tower shields).
Daisho Proficiency (Ex) -> Weapon of Choice (Ex): A samurai is very well trained in her chosen fighting style. She may choose one melee weapon upon entering the class to be her weapon of choice. If this weapon is a simple or martial weapon, the samurai gains the Weapon Focus feat with it. If the weapon is instead exotic, then the Samurai gains Exotic Weapon Proficiency with it.
Two Swords as One (Ex) -> Combat Style (Ex): At 2nd level, the Samurai may choose one of the following as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites for the feat: Armor Proficiency (heavy), Combat Expertise, Dodge, Mounted Combat, Power Attack, Two-Weapon Fighting, or Weapon Finesse.
Iaijutsu Master (Ex) -> Always Ready (Ex): The same as before except replace "but only when he draws his katana or wakizashi" with "but only when she draws her weapon of choice".
Improved Two Swords as One (Ex) -> Improved Combat Style (Ex): At 11th level, a samurai may choose another feat from the Combat Style list or one of the following if she already possesses the feat in parenthesis: Improved Disarm(Combat Expertise), Mobility (Dodge), Improved Unarmed Strike, Ride-by-Attack (Mounted Combat), Cleave (Power Attack), Improved Sunder (Power Attack), Two-Weapon Defense (Two-Weapon Fighting), Improved Two-Weapon Fighting (Two-Weapon Fighting). The samurai does not need to meet any prerequisites to the feat, other than the feats given above.
Greater Two Swords as One (Ex) -> Greater Combat Style (Ex): At 16th level, the samurai may gain another feat from the Combat Style list. Alternatively, she may choose one from the Improved Combat Style list or the following as long as she posesses the feat given in parenthesis in the list: Spring Attack (Mobility), Improved Critical (none), Spirited Charge (Ride-By Attack), Great Cleave (Cleave), Greater Two-Weapon Fighting (Improved Two-Weapon Fighting).
I'd appreciate any feedback you can offer on these changes, especially any balance problems you see with them.