New Class Article: Engineer

[DannoE]

Hey guys,

I had an idea bouncing around in my head for over a week and finally just had to get it out. It's for a new class, Engineer. Basically, Engineer is a sort of low-level prestige class for fighters and thieves, based around the game's crafting rules. I work as an engineer in real life, so... it is what it is.

Enjoy and please, please, please let me know what you think!

(P.S. Sorry for the PDF, bu using the attachment was WAY easier).

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Interesting, but I think those weapon improvements are way broken. 6d6 for a dagger?!?

 

[DannoE]

Well, consider that's after six improvements and a minimum of twelve levels of Engineer, and that's after a minimum of two levels of fighter or thief are taken first. By comparison, a 14th level thief with that same dagger would do (1d4)+(7d6) in a sneak attack.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I'm still not buying it. That's 6d6 with no conditions. Fighting with two of them means an ungodly number of attacks, all at 6d6. And sneak attack? Oh yeah, you can add that 7d6 on top of the 6d6 for 13d6 in one shot. Ummm, no.

It's broken.

 

[taliesin15]

Why bother with an entire new class when that is probably a Profession (Skill)? At least that's how I use it IMC. I also have many other ones not listed, such as a Builder--carpenter, engineer, mason--all those are related, sure, but in terms of Real World versimillitude, a home builder Contractor hires these folks, and while s/he usually has engineering know-how, often they'll call in the more technically trained for tricky jobs. Also, in the real world, an Architect is something else, though many (house) Builders will know some basics about Architecture. Much like someone skilled as a Shipwright knows a bit about Mechanical Engineering, Carpentry and the like.

 

[Nifft]

An engineer’s Prime Requisite is Intelligence.
...
Like Rangers, they receive 8 skill points per level.
They have a Medium BAB. Their high saving throw is Will, and low is Reflex.

I didn't read all that much. I'd listen to Ogrork, as he's giving you good advice.

Also, you should probably brush up on stuff like how many skill points Rangers actually get.

Finally, the proper place for this kind of stuff is House Rules.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Andor]

I'm going to go with "Completely over the top." This is a class that can make a longsword deal 12d6 for some reason, and as far as I can tell, mass produce them.

Although I have to admit being curious as to what Innovation could make a longsword do more damage than a Trebuchet. Antimatter blade perhaps?

I think if you limited your weapon improvments to a single step you'd be on better ground.

Themantically? I like it, but I think most GMs would have a anuerism. It's my experience that in a fantasy game most GMs would rather have you unleash the forces of hell then invent the overshot mill wheel.

 

[taliesin15]

12d6 Longsword? Why then, wouldn't regular NPC Experts with the Weaponsmith skill with at least 10 ranks wouldn't be able to make them? And mass produce them? If such a thing were possible by a class, every 700 person village would have such a skilled expert, every town would have 5-6, and every city and metropolis would have scores. Every soldier and militiaman in every settled urban area would have easy access to such weapons, and, so would every Orc tribe, Elf clan, and so on.