Elphilm
Explorer
Hi tenkar!
I'm not so sure the fighter is getting the shaft compared to this class. The only directly combat-related abilities of the crusader are the Smite ability at sixth level and a handful of buffing and healing spells. The crusader will need at least a moderate Wisdom score and a good Charisma score if he is to be at all effective as a support caster, which doesn't leave a whole lot for the usual warrior ability scores. In addition, I intend to do away with both spells and magic items that enhance ability scores, so the crusader cannot compensate with either.
Moreover, the crusader is starved for combat feats. By the time he gets Smite, a sixth level E6 fighter has access to Improved Critical, Greater Weapon Focus, etc. and will inevitably have a better Strength score. My gut feeling is that even with full BAB the crusader simply cannot do damage comparable to a fighter or a barbarian, and neither is he as flexible as the fighter. I may be horribly wrong, of course!
Nevertheless, since both you and Arkhandus have recommended dropping the crusader's Hit Die to d8, that's most likely what I'm going to do. Thanks for the comments!
I'm not so sure the fighter is getting the shaft compared to this class. The only directly combat-related abilities of the crusader are the Smite ability at sixth level and a handful of buffing and healing spells. The crusader will need at least a moderate Wisdom score and a good Charisma score if he is to be at all effective as a support caster, which doesn't leave a whole lot for the usual warrior ability scores. In addition, I intend to do away with both spells and magic items that enhance ability scores, so the crusader cannot compensate with either.
Moreover, the crusader is starved for combat feats. By the time he gets Smite, a sixth level E6 fighter has access to Improved Critical, Greater Weapon Focus, etc. and will inevitably have a better Strength score. My gut feeling is that even with full BAB the crusader simply cannot do damage comparable to a fighter or a barbarian, and neither is he as flexible as the fighter. I may be horribly wrong, of course!
Nevertheless, since both you and Arkhandus have recommended dropping the crusader's Hit Die to d8, that's most likely what I'm going to do. Thanks for the comments!
