HarryFlashman
First Post
yes, lets not forget the 10,000 point penalty to all skills, attack rolls , saves, etc when a Pirate is faced with a Ninja. Nor their Pirate teats.
pirate prestige class
- Thread starter Fester
- Start date
Thanks for all of your excellent feedback. All most welcome.
I thought hard about using balance for the Master of the Rig but didn't want to stretch their skill base too far. On reflection, however, I think you're both right.
Perhaps I should make the following changes:
Skills: Profession (sailor) 8 ranks, Use Rope 4 ranks, Balance 4 ranks, Swim 2 ranks
Master of the Rig: By 4th level, pirates are comfortable using the ship's rigging as a means to gain an advantage over their opponents. For each attack made while in the rigging, a successful Balance check (DC 20) or Use Rope (DC 25) (his choice) allows him to avoid becoming entangled and gives him the advantage of fighting from higher ground (+1 to melee attacks). He must have at least one hand free in order to hold on and maintain his balance. A pirate can swing onto the rigging while boarding, as a move action, but not as a charge action.
I wanted to keep swim in there. It is true that historically many sailors have been poor swimmers, but the pirate prestige class represent the cream of those who man the ships, which will still primarily be manned with warriors with a few ranks in profession (sailor). This pretige class represents those who have risen above the fodder, so it makes sense (to me!) that they should have at least a couple of ranks in swim.
For the Master of the Rig I've given a choice between Balance (DC 20) or Use Rope (DC 25), reflecting the nature of their skills. My main rationale for retaining the Use Rope is that within the context of the class, it is this skill that improves through the levels, wheras there is no improvement to the Balance skill.
In my first draft, it was a cutlass, but when I started to actually draw up the weapon stats I couldn't get away from the fact that it already existed and was called a rapier. All I was doing was renaming it, so I couldn't see the point. However, I agree that, in fact, the scimitar is probably more representative of the cutlass, so it makes sense to have a choice between the two weapons (and adds a little variety). I'll update the class with this. Thanks.
You make some good points. I had some issues with the mechanics myself (though hadn't considered some of the issues you discuss, such as the weight to speed ratio, etc). A lot also depends on what system you use for nautical combat. I may have to invest a little more thought in this.
I quite like this and may look to fit it in somewhere (if you don't mind?). However, I don't want to pack out the prestige calss with too many features, so I'll invest some thinking time on it first.
How about the following:
Style: Pirates fall into two catergories: those who use their charm and wits to motivate their men and get their way (called Blaggards) and those who rely on intimidation and fear to impose their will on those around them (called Scoundrels). Before taking a level of pirate, he must choose between these two paths and once his path is chosen, it cannot be reversed. Those who choose to be a Blaggard will increase their Diplomacy skill as they progress through the higher levels, while those who choose Scoundrel will increase their Intimidate skill. The precise details are given in the description for the relevant class features (Port Diplomacy, Great Renown and Legendry Renown).
Again, many thanks!
I thought hard about using balance for the Master of the Rig but didn't want to stretch their skill base too far. On reflection, however, I think you're both right.
Perhaps I should make the following changes:
Skills: Profession (sailor) 8 ranks, Use Rope 4 ranks, Balance 4 ranks, Swim 2 ranks
Master of the Rig: By 4th level, pirates are comfortable using the ship's rigging as a means to gain an advantage over their opponents. For each attack made while in the rigging, a successful Balance check (DC 20) or Use Rope (DC 25) (his choice) allows him to avoid becoming entangled and gives him the advantage of fighting from higher ground (+1 to melee attacks). He must have at least one hand free in order to hold on and maintain his balance. A pirate can swing onto the rigging while boarding, as a move action, but not as a charge action.
I wanted to keep swim in there. It is true that historically many sailors have been poor swimmers, but the pirate prestige class represent the cream of those who man the ships, which will still primarily be manned with warriors with a few ranks in profession (sailor). This pretige class represents those who have risen above the fodder, so it makes sense (to me!) that they should have at least a couple of ranks in swim.
For the Master of the Rig I've given a choice between Balance (DC 20) or Use Rope (DC 25), reflecting the nature of their skills. My main rationale for retaining the Use Rope is that within the context of the class, it is this skill that improves through the levels, wheras there is no improvement to the Balance skill.
In my first draft, it was a cutlass, but when I started to actually draw up the weapon stats I couldn't get away from the fact that it already existed and was called a rapier. All I was doing was renaming it, so I couldn't see the point. However, I agree that, in fact, the scimitar is probably more representative of the cutlass, so it makes sense to have a choice between the two weapons (and adds a little variety). I'll update the class with this. Thanks.
You make some good points. I had some issues with the mechanics myself (though hadn't considered some of the issues you discuss, such as the weight to speed ratio, etc). A lot also depends on what system you use for nautical combat. I may have to invest a little more thought in this.
I quite like this and may look to fit it in somewhere (if you don't mind?). However, I don't want to pack out the prestige calss with too many features, so I'll invest some thinking time on it first.
How about the following:
Style: Pirates fall into two catergories: those who use their charm and wits to motivate their men and get their way (called Blaggards) and those who rely on intimidation and fear to impose their will on those around them (called Scoundrels). Before taking a level of pirate, he must choose between these two paths and once his path is chosen, it cannot be reversed. Those who choose to be a Blaggard will increase their Diplomacy skill as they progress through the higher levels, while those who choose Scoundrel will increase their Intimidate skill. The precise details are given in the description for the relevant class features (Port Diplomacy, Great Renown and Legendry Renown).
Again, many thanks!
CombatWombat51
First Post
Fester said:
How does being a pirate, or any other type of skilled sailor, increase the number of people you can stuff on a ship? The cargo... I could see them maybe being better at stacking stuff, but that doesn't seem very piratey or sailory to me.
A more important point, do 10 pirates increase the speed and carrying capacity by 100%? Does a crew of 50 pirates increase the speed, etc. by 500%?
Fester said:
Unless you want every pirate rig with a decent crew to be overwhelmed by followers, I'd delay this ability until higher levels.
Fester said:
So with a check, they can move less distance, and gain a +1 to their attack roll? Charging sounds a whole lot better, or at least equal. This ability doesn't really ring out as being a superior option to simply charging.
Fester said:
I think First Mate sounds better
Fester said:
How long does it take to hoist the colors? I'd say a skill check should also be involved.
Fester said:
See my comments on Seamanship.
Like SamuraiY said, I'd give them a choice between the scimitar and rapier.
I like the class, so that's why I'm picking on it
That, and I am a sailor, a boatswain's mate no less, so I can't completely control myself 
Yes, I agree and have modified both this Seamanship and Greater Seamanship class features. Now, they only increase speed and, eventually, maneuverability. This does make far more sense. Thanks.
I don't agree. The feat is accessible to anyone at 6th level, where as it is offered as a class feature as a minimum of 8th level (assuming a mimimum entry level of 5th). A 3rd level pirate is well on his way to becoming a captain of his own ship, so I would expect him to have around 20-30 loyal followers at this stage.
Yes, I agree and have amended the features. In fact, I've now made Master of the Rig come first (ability to swing across, use the rigging, gain height advantage). Fearless Boarding now allows you to charge across and avoid AoO (with skill checks) - it now adds to the Master of the Rig feature and I think works much better. Once again, many thanks.
Me too
Agreed. I've added a Use Rope check and made it a full round action to hoist (but possibly up to three rounds for skill failures).
I didn't feel you were picking on it. Your suggestions were good and I think have helped to improve the class and make it more workable. I'm glad you liked it. Hopefully you'll think it is even better now (I've amended the original post to incorporate all the changes I've made to it).
Many thanks for your input.
Edit: I forgot, I also preferred your term Hoist the Colors to mine (Jolly Sailor), so I've used that instead.
Last edited:
Boddha
Explorer
There are stats for a cutlass in issue 318 of Dragon, originally taken from Forgotten Realms.
Light Melee (martial weapon)
Cutlass 15gp 1d4 1d6 19-20/x2 3lb Slashing and Piercing
The basket hit gives a +2 circumstance bonus on any checks to resist being disarmed.
Stats for a hook also appeared there
Light Melee (Simple weapon)
Hook 8gp 1d3 1d4 x4 1lb Piercing
A prosthetic appendage replacing a missing hand. Cannot be disarmed. To attach a hook a character must first be missing a hand. Anyone with a hook suffers a -2 penalty on all skill checks requinring the use of that hand. Note that attacks made with hook grafts count as natural attacks.[/FONT]
Light Melee (martial weapon)
Cutlass 15gp 1d4 1d6 19-20/x2 3lb Slashing and Piercing
The basket hit gives a +2 circumstance bonus on any checks to resist being disarmed.
Stats for a hook also appeared there
Light Melee (Simple weapon)
Hook 8gp 1d3 1d4 x4 1lb Piercing
A prosthetic appendage replacing a missing hand. Cannot be disarmed. To attach a hook a character must first be missing a hand. Anyone with a hook suffers a -2 penalty on all skill checks requinring the use of that hand. Note that attacks made with hook grafts count as natural attacks.[/FONT]
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