[PrC] The Generamentelist

[Allanon]

One of my players came to me with this PrC. It looks like it's self made (since google turns up a blank). So what do you all, the experts, make of it. I think it's reasonably balanced. But I'm not sure. Does anyone think it has some game breaking elements? Any help is appreciated.

Generamentalist

Requirements:

•	Knowledge(Arcana): 8 ranks
•	Knowledge(The planes): 8 ranks
•	Feat: Energy Substitution
•	Spells: Ability to cast elemental spells of at least three of the descriptors acid, cold, water, electricity, sonic, fire. At least one of these spells is third level or higher

Progression table:

Level	BAB	Fort	Ref	Will	Special	Spells per day
1	+0	+0	+0	+2	Minor physical trait, ER +5	+1 level of existing
2	+1	+0	+0	+3	Elemental Companion	+1 level of existing
3	+1	+1	+1	+3	Elemental Focus +1	+1 level of existing
4	+2	+1	+1	+4	Light physical trait	+1 level of existing
5	+2	+1	+1	+4	Elemental Penetration +1	+1 level of existing
6	+3	+2	+2	+5	Elemental Resistance +10	+1 level of existing
7	+3	+2	+2	+5	Moderate physical trait	+1 level of existing
8	+4	+2	+2	+6	Elemental Focus +2	+1 level of existing
9	+4	+3	+3	+6	Elemental Penetration +2	+1 level of existing
10	+5	+3	+3	+7	Serious physical trait	+1 level of existing

Descriptions:

Minor Physical Trait:
At 1st level the eyes of the Generamentelist seem watery.

Elemental Resistance:
At 1st level the Generamentelist gains resistance against all elements of +5, This bonus increases to +10 at 6th level.

Elemental Companion:
At 2nd level the Generamentelist can summon and befriend an elemental from any element. This elemental follows the guidelines and progression of a druid’s animal companion.

Elemental Focus:
At 3rd level the save DC for the Generamentelist’s spells involving elements are increased by +1. This bonus is increased to +2 at 8th level.

Light Physical Trait:
At 4th level the hair of the Generamentelist seems to be on fire (Intimidate +2).
Elemental Penetration: At 5th level the Generamentelist gains a +1 to caster level for spells with an elemental descriptor. This bonus increases to +2 by the 9th level.

Moderate Physical Trait:
At 7th level the skin of the Generamentelist becomes hard as rock (natural AC +4). It also gains a rocklike appearance.

Serious Physical Trait:
At 10th level the legs of the Generamentelist are schrouded in clouds. One cannot tell if the character still has legs. The Generamentelist floats instead of walks. This grants him the ability to fly at will.

 

[Al]

It's on the powerful side. The major drawbacks of the Elemental Savant (presumably against whom this was posited) is predictability and lack of flexibility. A Fire Savant going toe-to-toe with a red dragon is going to be seriously handicapped, and any NPC opponents with have a brain going against the party will prepare Protection from Fire, be warded with Fire Resistance-granting spells, invest in Ring of Fire Resistance and the like.

This PrC not only does not have this limitation, it has full spellcasting progression as well (ES has 9/10). Vis-a-vis a standard wizard, it's clearly superior, since in exchange for a couple of metamagic feats and familiar progression, it gets resistance 10 to all elements, +2 penetration for all elemental spells, +1 caster level for all elemental spells and a slew of miscellaneous abilities. For a sorceror, who loses just familiar progression, it's almost a no-brainer.

Tone it down. Either restrict the abilities, or cut the progression. I'd say 8/10, dropping caster levels at 5th and 10th are probably reasonable.

 

[nix4]

My Elementalist Class

This isnt a prestiege class but it might give you some features to use.

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=79587

 

[the Jester]

Too good, imho. You lose nothing and gain lots.

I agree- 8/10 spellcaster progression is prolly about right.

 

[Allanon]

Thanks for the advice, in hindsight 10/10 spellcaster progression is unbalancing. I've advised him to leave out spellcaster progression at levels 1 and 5. I'll take him at least two more session to level up so he can use it so I've some time left. After taking a look at the elemental companion I'm really think I need to flesh it out more. How does this look:

Level	Bonus HD   Armor Adj.	Ability score Adj.  Special
1	2	   2		1		    Link
2	2	   2		1		    Share spells
3	4	   4		2		    Evasion
4	4 	   4		2		    Devotion
5	4	   4		3		    Size increase
6	4	   4		3	
7	6	   6		4		    Multiattack
8	6	   6		4	
9	8	   8		5	
10	8	   8		5		    Improved Evasion

I'm thinking it's slightly overpowered. But I'm fearfull of it becoming inneffective and useless.

 

[the Jester]

I'd recommend dropping the elemental companion, actually. Most prcs lose their familiar advancement as one of their 'costs.' Although, at 8/10 spellcasting, I don't think it would be broken to let these guys have a lil elemental. I wouldn't make it any tougher than a familiar of an equal class level, though.

 

[Shallown]

Doesn't improved familiar give you access to small elementals. I would just give them improved familiar that has to be a familiar and they progress normally in familair abilties with the elemental familiar.

later

 

[Nifft]

I agree -- small elemental familiar is very appropriate, and a nice perk.

-- N

PS: Maybe allow someone who already has an elemental familiar -- via the Improved Familiar feat -- to count elementalist levels towards his familar's advancement?