Pirate Base Class

[Paraxis]

A new player in my eberron game wants to play a pirate inspired by the PoC movies, not a historical pirate. I've thought about all the published stuff I have, like Thug varient from UA/Rogue or Swashbuckler/Rogue straight fighter or rogue, but none of them realy capture the flavor and all add abilities that I don't see. Trapfinding,Evasion,Medium/Heavy Armor prof, Insight don't really fit with what he wants so I made this new base class for him tell me what you think?

BAB,Saves, & Hit points as per Ranger.
Armor and weapons as per Rogue.

Skills: 6+int bonus per level same as rogue, minus the following-decipher script, disable device, hide, listen, move silently, open lock, perform, and use magic device.

Lvl1-gain weapon finesse
Lvl2-Uncanny Dodge(as per Barbarian Class Ability)
LV3-Dark Charisma (as Divine Grace Paladin Class Ability)
Lvl4-Sneak Attack +1d6
Lvl6-Improved Uncanny Dodge(as per Barbarian Class Ability)
Lvl8-Sneak Attack +2d6
Lvl10-Sure Footing (as Rogue Ability Skill Mastery only applies to Balance,Climb,Jump&Tumble
Lvl12-Sneak Attack +3d6
Lvl14-Opportunist (as per Rogue Ability of same name)
Lvl16-Sneak Attack +4d6
Lvl18-Cheat Death-1/day if hit point damage results in going to -10 h.p or worse make Charisma check DC 20 if you make it stabalize at -9 h.p
Lvl20-Sneak Attack +5d6

What do you think, I wanted to make it a high dex and cha class, the one power I'm not sure about myself is the LVL 3 Dark Charisma, I wanted something to do with luck and charisma but 2 good saves and Divine Grace sounds over the top (maybe make only Ref good save?). Figured not as good as fighter only one bonus feat at first level, not stepping of rogues toes with no trapfinding /removal,no sneak skills,and no evasion. But a good mix of things that bring the flavor of PoC movie.

 

[Krelios]

If you have some money to spend, the Pirate Base Class from the Conan d20 is great!

 

[Land Outcast]

I'd add a +3 bonus to Bluff, Balance, Climb, Jump, Tumble.
At 1st, and which increases by a further +1 at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th level...

And give him skills 4+Int instead of 6+Int.

What do you think 'bout it?

 

[szilard]

How about this revision?

BAB & Hit points as per Ranger.
Good Reflex Save, Poor Fort and Will Saves.
Armor and weapons as per Rogue, plus net.

Skills: 6+int bonus per level same as rogue, minus the following- disable device, hide, listen, move silently, open lock, and use magic device.

Lvl1-Weapon finesse, Sea Legs
Lvl2-Dead Man's Luck +1
LV3-Uncanny Dodge, Sea Legs
Lvl4-Sneak Attack +1d6
Lvl6-Dead Man's Luck +2, Sea Legs
Lvl8-Sneak Attack +2d6
Lvl10-Dead Man's Luck +3, Special Ability
Lvl12-Sneak Attack +3d6
Lvl14-Dead Man's Luck +4
Lvl 15-Special Ability
Lvl16-Sneak Attack +4d6
Lvl18-Dead Man's Luck +5
Lvl20-Sneak Attack +5d6, Special Ability


Sea Legs - A Pirate gains a +2 bonus on Balance and Climb checks. At level 3, when on a boat, a Pirate's penalty to Balance checks when moving at full speed is only -2 as opposed to -5. At level 6, a Pirate gains a climb speed of 1/2 his base move that is only applicable to moving among rigging or similar networks of ropes or vines.

Dead Man's Luck - This ability is useable a number of times per day equal to the Pirate's Charisma Bonus (minimum 1). The Pirate need not be conscious to use this ability, which is enacted as an immediate action. Each time it is used, it may be used in one of the following ways:
* As a luck bonus to all of the Pirate's Saving Throws until the Pirate's next action.
* As DR/- until the Pirate's next action.
* As temporary hit points for 1 round/class level.

Special Ability - as the Rogue Class Feature, substituting Improved Uncanny Dodge for Improved Evasion


-Stuart

 

[smootrk]

Interesting ideas here, although my thoughts are that being a pirate is more of a lifestyle than a class. There could be piratical rogues, warriors, mages, etc. all living the pirate lifestyle. Seems more like a template that modified certain skill choices, weapon proficiencies, etc. would do the trick.

Ideas for skill modifications are addition of Profession Sailor, Knowledge (geography/navigation), Intimidate, Swim, Climb, Balance. Balance out with removal of skills like riding, Knowledge (Dungeoneering), a number of professions, Animal Handling, etc. I am sure many particular skill choices would be debatable and the lists could increase.

Weapons could be treated similarily to how Racial Weapons are treated, depending on the comparable time-period pirates you might be emulating. IE. Hooks, Nets, Rapiers etc. might be added to even mages choices of weapons, while blacklisting some weapons as inappropriate on sea-going vessels (greatswords, large pole-arms, etc). Again, debatable choices based on your interpretation of pirates.

This kind of template might add bonuses to certain activities related to sea-going adventures (bonus on survival, fishing, balance checks, etc while on ocean going vessels or island areas), while giving some penalties in other areas like mountain exploration, desert environments etc.

All in all, I think I would rather be a regular class with a few alterations to reflect a pirate nature than a separate base-class or even a Pirate PRC. After all, a pirate could be born & raised into such a role, while still persuing a particular class like Fighter, Ranger, Wizard, etc.

But all this is just my opinion. I am sure others may have differing tastes.

 

[Wolf72]

another idea would be from DL setting, the Mariner. Located in The Age of Mortals and Legends of the Twins ... LotT is the more recent version.

It basically makes the mariner a fighter subclass ala the ranger

 

[Nyaricus]

May I suggest the Swashbuckler by Shadowfoot? (off of WotC boards) It's an excellent take on a sure-footed lightly-armoured dex-based fighting class, and may be what you are looking for.

The Scarlet Corsair from Stromwrack makes an amazing PrC for Pirates, BTW.

 

[Sravoff]

How about this revision?

*Cut down for space conservation*

I really like that one. Might add it to my campaign jsut for the hell of it, cause its so cool. Definitly going into my "box of goodies"

-Sravoff

 

[Nyaricus]

Sravoff, this whole thread is a box of goodies

Do check out the link I put in above, however - it's a great varient Swashbuckler/Duelist, even if you still want a Pirate Class besides it