Paragon Minotaur

[Aust Diamondew]

I'm thinking of making a paragon minotaur class (like the paragon classes in unearth arcana) for my campaign. And I'd like input on special abilities to give it and balancing the class.

So far the only interesting ability I can think of giving the class is this:

Improved Gore: Whenever the minotuar makes a succesful gore attack he may also attempt to bullrush the opponent attaked.

Any other suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Khaalis]

Which Minotaur are you planning to use as the base? The MM verion or the Dragonlance version?

 

[daTim]

I think generally the paragon classes improve what the race already, so with that in mind, I might give something like... +1 bonus per Minotaur Paragon level to Lister/Search/Spot/Survival (Stacks with racial bonus). I can't think of anything terribly interesting. I like the idea you had though.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Monster Manual version.

I like the skill bonus idea.
Seems in line with what being a minotuar is about. Maybe give them the ability of improved uncanny dodge (since they already can't be caught flat footed).

Any more ideas? Please keep 'em comming!

 

[Technik4]

I think of Minotaurs in their mythological state, guardians of labyrinths. While this is somewhat represented by the resistance to getting mazed and such, maybe you could extend that protection to cover other status effects (stun, slowed, paralyzed, crit'd, etc). It would make a nice 3rd level ability (and might suprise some jaded adventurers

Technik

 

[evolved]

ok heres an idea

d10 hd

2+int skills use minotaur list

perf base attack

poor frt

good ref and will

1st level
skill bonus progression begins
Multiattack (gore only)

2nd level
Improved gore
blind-fight bonus feat

3rd level
Improved Multiattack (gore only)
+2 str
Blindsense 30 ft

the multiaatack feats reduce the penalty for using gore attacks as secondary to -2 at 1st level, and 0 at 3rd normally these feats require 3 or more N attacks but i thought it would work here to make using the gore ability more viable for higher level play

well what do you think if you like it i can do one for the half minotaur from dragon 313

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Seems just a bit on the powerful side but I like it.

 

[Darklone]

I'd have gone for some Improved Scent... Fast tracker?

 

[Khaalis]

Here are my suggestions:

From the SRD: A monstrous humanoid has the following features.
8-sided Hit Dice.
Base attack bonus equal to total Hit Dice (as fighter).
Good Reflex and Will saves.
Skill points: (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1)

Minotaurs have the following Traits:
Darkvision 60', Proficient with: simple weapons and great axe, Powerful Charge, Natural Cunning, Racial Skill Bonuses to Listen, Search and Spot (+4), Natural Armor, Natural Weapon, Scent

Thus I would build the following, using the existing Paragon’s as a templates which focus on the race’s preferred class and inherent racial abilities.


MINOTAUR PARAGON
Minotaur paragons have the following game statistics.
Abilities: Minotaur paragons need good Constitution and Wisdom scores to help them survive in the wild. High Strength and Dexterity scores are also quite useful.
Alignment: Any.
Hit Die: d8.

Class Skills
The minotaur paragon’s class skills are: Craft, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (Dungeoneering), Listen, Profession, Search, Spot, and Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the minotaur paragon class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Mintotaur paragons gain no proficiency with any weapons or armor.

Barbaric (Ex): Minotaur paragon class levels count as barbarian levels for the purpose of the character’s effective class level when determining if the minotaur gains Improved Uncanny Dodge and for effective class level for attaining Damage Reduction and uses of Rage per day.

Skill Bonus (Ex): A minotaur paragon’s racial bonuses on Listen, Search and Spot checks improves to +8.

Uncanny Scent: At 2nd level a minotaur paragon’s scent improves. It allows them to now detect approaching enemies and hidden foes in a range up to 60', and even allows them to pinpoint hidden foe’s locations by scent within 20'.

Ability Boost (Ex): At 3rd level, a minotaur paragon’s Constitution score increases by 2 points.

The Minotaur Paragon

[b]	Base
Class	Attack		SAVES
Level	Bonus	Fort	Ref	Will	Special[/b]
1	+1	+0	+2	+2	Barbaric, Skill Bonus
2	+2	+0	+3	+3	Uncanny Scent
3	+3	+1	+3	+3	Ability Boost (Constitution +2)

PS: Alternative to Uncanny scent could be to grant a Bonus feat from a specific list.
Some examples: Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Natural Armor, Improved Natural Attack, Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder, Greater Powerful Charge, Pushback, Reckless Charge, Resounding Blow



Thoughts?

 

[daTim]

I think allowing the levels to stack with ALL of the Barbarian class abilities is too much. I would instead grant them Uncanny Dodge. If they have a class level that already grants Uncanny Dodge they gain Improved Uncanny Dodge, and the levels stack to determine the highest level etc.

The Good BAB, while at the same time Good Refx/Will saves is a great boost to any fighter class, since their Fort save will be high anyway from Rage/High Con/Other class levels.

I would also drop the Ability Score increase, and replace it with the improved Gore attack that was stated at the begining of the thread. A high Constitution does not seem to be a defining feature of a Minotaur as it is like for the Dwarf.

Lastly, grant them a special Improved Natural Attack: Powerful Charge at 3rd level; so the Powerful Charge does 6d6.. This to me, seems all around balanced in comparison to the other Paragon classes, and very attractive for someone who wants to be "More Minotaur than Minotaur"

So, it would look something like this.

1 - Uncanny Dodge, Skill Bonuses
2 - Uncanny Scent
3 - Improved Gore, Improved Natural Attack: Powerful Charge