[pimping] Villain classes for D&D

[hong]

So, a nice thing about D&D is that there's lots of crunch to play with. Well, it's nice for players anyway, For DMs in the villain context, it's a bit of a mixed blessing since you don't want to have to choose from six million possible powerups just to make an evil overlord.

In Iron Heroes, Mearls promulgated the neat concept of "villain classes", which are basically simplified class progressions meant for use as opponents for the mighty heroes I mean PCs. Since I love Mearls with all of my body (including my pee-pee), I thought I'd convert the idea to D&D.

(Yeah, yeah, back to 1995 we go. Shut up, you lot.)

The idea is that these classes should be simple enough that you can just read off the stats from a table. Add some customising features (feats, maybe a couple of items), and you have a decent challenge for the group without having to spend half an hour choosing from menus and doing arithmetic (and worrying that you've overlooked some obscure weakness).

Links below. Comments good.

swift assassin

darkmage

armoured reaver

 

[Wycen]

Ah hong. I can just imagine Mike and everyone else reading that first parenthesized text and the whole thread just goes into the toilet

I was going to say why not just use the warrior NPC class, but looking at your villain progression, something like those would be more effective in combat.

 

[gavagai]

I like the idea. Your characters appear a bit on the week side compared to my PCs ... but I'll give it a try and let you know.

Are you thinking about building more "evil archtypes"? I really like the iron heroes demonic henchman guy and the humanoid leader. (Its been a while that I checked on them, so I dont know the details)

 

[I'm A Banana]

It's about sodding time....

/me heads over to check 'em out.

 

[Gundark]

Looks good. I asked a question about the swift assasin, not sure if you answered it (see original thread). Looking for a "holy" Villian class

 

[hong]

Ah hong. I can just imagine Mike and everyone else reading that first parenthesized text and the whole thread just goes into the toilet

Well, Mike already knows I want to have his manbabies so this isn't anything new....

 

[LordMelquiades]

This is a great idea. I don't have the Book of Nine Swords, so any thoughts about what I could substitute?

 

[hong]

This is a great idea. I don't have the Book of Nine Swords, so any thoughts about what I could substitute?

Here's some possibilities (some of these duplicate Bo9S maneuvers):

- Turn invis for 1 round as a swift action
- Jump away as a swift action
- Gain +(level) to next (Balance|Climb|Jump|Tumble) skill check as swift action
- Deal +(level x d6) damage on a melee attack, as a std action
- Make an attack as a std action; opponent loses Dex bonus to AC
- Deal double damage on a melee attack, as std action (no charging!)
- Deal (+level x d6) damage on a charge
- Reroll a save, as immediate action

 

[LordMelquiades]

Nice, thanks--plans to do any more classes?

 

[hong]

I'm statting up an "evil priest" class at the moment.

Eventually all of these classes should be posted on my D&D page. After a 2-year hiatus, I've finally started updating it again.