New Core Class - Spirit Warrior

[Waylander]

In our Campaign the Druid is based on a version of the one which appears in the Slaine RPG. As this Druid has no Wild Shape ability I'm trying to create an alternative class called the Spirit Warrior to fill this niche.

The abilities of the class are as follows:

1 - Animal empathy, shape shifting 1/day
2 - Shape shifting 2/day
3 - Low-light vision
4 - Shape shifting 3/day
5 - Scent
6 - Shape shifting 4/day
7 - Venom immunity
8 - Shape shifting 5/day
9 - Shape shifting (Large)
10 - Shape shifting 6/day
11 - Shape shifting (Tiny)
12 - Elemental shape shifting 1/day
13 - Shape shifting (Plant)
14 - Elemental shape shifting 2/day
15 - Shape shifting (Huge)
16 - Elemental shape shifting 3/day
17 - Fast shape shifting
18 - Elemental shape shifting (Huge)
19 - Supernatural shape shifting
20 - Shape shifter


Animal empathy is an animal only version of wild empathy. Shape shifting is wild shape and the other abilities are either from the druid class or from Master's of the Wild.

Given that this is a warrior class what HD, armour/shield proficiencies, BAB, Saving throw progression, etc. can I give it that will still keep it balanced with the abilities?

Weapons, skills and skill points would be as the fighter class.

Please note, this class has no spell casting ability.

 

[Knight-of-Roses]

Interesting.

On first review, I would suggest:

Move the first use of shape-shifting to at least 2nd lvl to avoid people taking one level in this class just for this ability.

Give them proficiency only in light armor (after all, if they are shifting all the time, they won't want to wear anything heavier).

Consider giving them a wider selection of skills and, possibly, more skill points.

That's all for now. Will think more and get back to you.

 

[Waylander]

Thanks for the comments Knight - I was beginning to think I'd get no replies.

What about Hp, BAB and saving throw progression?

 

[Knight-of-Roses]

Well, since you asked.

I think I would be more comfortable giving them D8 HD with 4 + Int skills per level and two good saves.

What about giving them good Fort and Ref saves to reflect their animal nature, and poor Will saves.

How animal aspected do you want them to be? If they become more 'wild' as they progress in the class you could give them penalties when dealing with people and domesticated animals. Or even a posibility of being effected by spells that target animals.

And that is my current round of thoughts.

 

[Waylander]

Thanks again, Knight-of-Roses.

The only problem with that is that, overall, the Spirit Warrior ends up as the Druid but without spells - albeit with more of a choice in weapons.

I'm tempted to make them HD 10, one good save (Fort), like the fighter.

How unbalanced would that be?

 

[Knight-of-Roses]

Originally posted by Waylander The only problem with that is that, overall, the Spirit Warrior ends up as the Druid but without spells - albeit with more of a choice in weapons.

I'm tempted to make them HD 10, one good save (Fort), like the fighter.

But with better skills and saves then a fighter as well as keeping the Fighter BAB.

I also think you are underestimating the utility of wild-shape especially if you don't need to worry about spellcasting. Maybe move the shape-shift (large) down to 7th level? That would give them a major bonus in flexability and combat power.

What about adding bonus feats to the class, say at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20th level? You could make a short list including a few combat feats and, maybe, some of the wildshape ones.

 

[Witness]

Some flavor text would be helpful for understanding some of your choices. Why is their Wild Empathy limited to just animals? Does their Shapeshifting only allow them to change into animals?

Like others, I suggest d8 hit die, and at least a good Fort save, possibly Ref. Definately a poor Will save. For skills, I suggest most of those from the Druid list, plus afew Cha skills like Bluff, and Disguise. Skillpoints should be 4 per level, though if you think ther a little weak, you might up the SP to 6.

I think you should break up more the type of creature they can turn into by creature type. So for instance, at 1st level, they can turn into a Humanoid. At X level, they can turn into a humanoid, or animal. At X level, they can turn into a Humanoid Outsider, Giant, Abberation, etc.

 

[Bean 2.0]

this sounds like it would be better labled as a wild knight when you say spirit warrior people think cleric/fighter or monk