Nightmare PrC

[Astalanya]

My brain has gone to mush trying to figure out how to make this prestige class work, so I hope some of the more experienced rules designers hanging around the forums can help me out. I would like to create a prestige class that allows a nightmare (or a lesser nightmare, doesn't matter to me) as a mount, and then gives a few abilities to strengthen the connection between the two.

This is intended to be for evil characters and a class that is more combat oriented than not. I don't anticipate on allowing spells, but I'm really having trouble trying to figure out what general level they should get the mount, if its hit dice and whatnot should increase... Any ideas?

 

[moritheil]

My brain has gone to mush trying to figure out how to make this prestige class work, so I hope some of the more experienced rules designers hanging around the forums can help me out. I would like to create a prestige class that allows a nightmare (or a lesser nightmare, doesn't matter to me) as a mount, and then gives a few abilities to strengthen the connection between the two.

This is intended to be for evil characters and a class that is more combat oriented than not. I don't anticipate on allowing spells, but I'm really having trouble trying to figure out what general level they should get the mount, if its hit dice and whatnot should increase... Any ideas?

While this should probably go into the House Rules forum if it constitutes a modification of existing rules and not an interpretation of the rules themselves, try looking at the Blackguard PrC. It suggests a fiendish or skeletal mount, but your DM may be willing to let you have a nightmare instead on general grounds of coolness.

Alternatively, become a death knight; they get nightmares. You can break the death knight LA down Savage Species-style and create a monster class.

 

[Vorput]

I dunno if a prestige class is the way to go. Nightmares have a cohort level adjustment of +4 and 6 hit dice, making them suitable as a cohort for a 14th level character- arguably where the prestige class should first become accessible.... and fairly high for a prestige class

Moreover, the nightmares abilities- particularly etherealness and astral projection are pretty dang powerful (If you do decide to allow this as a prestige class, at some level- a rider should gain the ability to share these abilities with its mount).

If I were to do it- I'd make the prequrisite something like the character must have a nightmare who will willingly serve/obey/cooperate with him. If the character has this, either through binding the nightmare and making a deal, or earning its trust, or whatever- then some abilities should become accessible.

I'd make it a 3-5 level prestige class... with abilities including the share Astral Jaunt/Etherealness... immunity to the nightmare's smoke attack (and the ability to see through it so there's no concealment)- and MAYBE a bonus hit dice or two at the highest PrC level. Nightmares have a decent armor class, and tons of abilities- and with their flight and spell-like abilities- won't have a problem fleeing if things go bad. The only real negative is the lack of HP... so maybe an ability that the nightmare can use it's own HP, or half of its masters (whichever is higher).

Remember, nightmares are sentient- smart, wise, and very very evil. I'd be wary of treating them like just another mount- they need to be seen as another NPC- not neccesarily completely under the player's control.

Prerequisites... maybe leadership feat, ability to have a nightmare as a cohort, making deal with said nightmare, any evil, mounted combat (and possibly some other mounted feats), knowledge the plane 7 ranks- Ride 10 ranks... with the ability to lose all these powers if you anger said nightmare, and the powers staying gone till you re-unite with him or find a new one.

I suggest a good BAB bonus progression, and maybe good will saves.

That's just stuff off the top of my head- hope it helps.

Vorp

 

[Vorput]

While this should probably go into the House Rules forum if it constitutes a modification of existing rules and not an interpretation of the rules themselves...

I disagree- the DMG is very clear that the best prestige classes are ones DMs make themselves to fit their campaign (and it strongly recomends DMs do so)... 3.5 seems stuck in this idea that the only prestige classes available are the ones in the books- and this shouldn't neccesarily be the case.

Some of the best prestige classes I've seen are ones a player and DM design together... this requires an eye for balance- but in between the wayfarer guide and the frenzied berserkers, the typical player and DM could probably do at least as well, if not better- than WOTCs.

Vorp

 

[moritheil]

I disagree- the DMG is very clear that the best prestige classes are ones DMs make themselves to fit their campaign (and it strongly recomends DMs do so)... 3.5 seems stuck in this idea that the only prestige classes available are the ones in the books- and this shouldn't neccesarily be the case.

Some of the best prestige classes I've seen are ones a player and DM design together... this requires an eye for balance- but in between the wayfarer guide and the frenzied berserkers, the typical player and DM could probably do at least as well, if not better- than WOTCs.

Vorp

And the most broken, and hands-down worst PrCs are also written by players. I have no desire to engage in a protracted analysis of the inability of WOTC to produce consistently balanced products; I'm just commenting that part of the reason the House Rules board exists is to build classes - which is what the OP is doing.

 

[Vorput]

And the most broken, and hands-down worst PrCs are also written by players.

True enough...

I have no desire to engage in a protracted analysis of the inability of WOTC to produce consistently balanced products;

...Awww..... ::sniffs::

Vorp

 

[frankthedm]

Remember, nightmares are sentient- smart, wise, and very very evil. I'd be wary of treating them like just another mount- they need to be seen as another NPC- not neccesarily completely under the player's control.

Well said.