Prestige class. Needs help (maybe)

[Shirt Guy John]

Okay, here's the PrC that I'm working with. I'm in need of some advice on how to balance it. As is, I don't think it's adequately balanced, but I know that there are many people on these boards who do this kinda thing all the time...

Awakening Demon
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For some, good is forced. To others, they apear happy and generous, always helping others and so on. The rare person acts in this way only through force of will. They must oversome and supress their natural evil tendancies. At some point, the suppressing character reaches a breaking point, where something that they hold dear is so threatened that they finally snap. Those who have been the best at maintaining their virtues are the most likely to become violently unstable during these times of immense stress. For some, this awakens a dormant aspect of their person; and insatiable appetite for violence that all but the mad fear. They have awakened their inner demon, and through the power of their pent-up bestial urges, they grow more powerful...

All classes can awaken the Demons of their souls, if they're pushed hard enough. For some, though, this awakening has already begun and has been so gradual as to be unnoticable. Only in those who detest everything that their Demons condone, only in those who have repressed their Demons to the point of bursting do these urges reach a point of bursting. The most common classes to awaken their Demon are Good characters, esspecially Paladins. Many more Paladins succumb to their urges than join the ranks of the Black Guards. Barbarians cannot awaken the Demon, for their violent rages are the result of the uncontrolled releases involved; they experience the urges in smaller doses each and every day.
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HD: d10

Skills Points Per Level: 2 + Int

Class Skills: Balance(Dex), Bluff(Cha)[Because they're trying to hide what they are, in most cases], Climb(Str), Disguise(Cha)[same reason as Bluff], Intimidate(Cha), Jump(Str).

Alignment: Evil characters have already awakened the Demons of their soul, hence their evil acts. They cannot gain this class.


Base
Class Attack Saves
Level Bonus Fort Refl Will Special
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1 +1 +2 +0 +0 "Awakening Demon...", Demon Form 1/week
2 +2 +3 +0 +0
3 +3 +3 +1 +1 "Temptation"
4 +4 +4 +1 +1 Demon Form 1/day
5 +5 +4 +1 +1 Greater Changes
6 +6 +5 +2 +2 "Temptation"
7 +7 +5 +2 +2 Demon Form 3/day
8 +8 +6 +2 +2
9 +9 +6 +3 +3 "Temptation"
10 +10 +7 +3 +3 Demon Apotheosis
======================================================
"Awakening Demon...":Those who qualify for this class do not, by nature, resort to maniacle rages nor to the powers of hate. A character takes the first level of this PrC only by consent of the DM. He does not gain immediate powers from it (though he does gain HD, BAB, saves and skills). A character cannot advance past this first level until he fully awakens the Demon. Doing so is not by character choice (but it is by player's choice). Once the character has this first level, it is only a waiting game. When the DM determines it appropriate (the Player has no control unless the DM wills it), the character is consumed by the hate and terror and violence that he has pushed aside for so long. Until the threat to the character is eliminated, the character partialy manifests the pent up emotions physically. Common changes include flaming eyes, claw-like hands, darkened and toughened skin, elongated teeth, and the growth of a tail. The character also gains great strength and endurance, and his body type changes to match the new form (ie. his musculature gets a lot bigger). While in this first Demonic Form, the character gains a bite attack (1d6 + 1/2 str mod), two claw attacks (1d4 + str mod), +8 Strength, +6 constitution, +2 Natural Armor, and a +4 bonus to balance/jump checks (tail). This may damage his armor slightly. After the DM determines the end of this change, the character reverts to normal, but with a few exceptions (the DM and character should choose a few):
*change of hair/eye color to black
*change of eye color to red
*darkened skin (changing to black)
*elongated nails
*elongated canines
*increase in height (1-3 inches)

The character also gains access to all other class abilities and to further levels of the class.

"Demon Form": The character has witnessed what can occur when his hidden emotions are released, and has gained the ability to unleash these horrors upon the world at will. Once per week, the Awakening Demon can call upon the powers within himself. He gains the following benefits and changes:
*One bite attack (1d6 + 1/2 str mod)
*Two claw attacks (1d4 + str mod)
*+2 Str
*+2 Con
*+1 Natural Armor
*+4 Balance/Jump (Tail)
*Physical changes: Glowing eyes, darkened skin, claws, fangs, tail (further changes can be mandated by DM)
This ability last for a number of rounds equal to 4 + Character's (newly improved) Con modifier. As the character gains more control of himself, he is able to use this ability more often.

"Temptation": Only the most powerful characters can avoid being tempted by the power which they have attained. At each level that is a multiple of three (3, 6, 9), the character must make a Will save (DC 10 + Class Level) or have his alignment be shifted either towards evil by one catagory or towards chaos by one catagory (DM's choice). This change is permanent, and the character will probably not even notice it himself.

Demon Apotheosis: The Awakening Demon has fully realized his potential. He permanently gains a bite attack and two claw attacks ans a tail (see the Demon Form ability). He appearance is changed more dramatically (DM's choice). He gains a permanent +2 bonus to Str and Con scores and a permanent +1 natural armor. His type changes to outsider (native outsider rules apply) with the Evil subtype (though this might not be his alignment). Obviously, the increase in power associated with the Demon Form ability must be changed. The Awakening Demon now grants the following abilities (it is still usable for the same number of times per day, and for the same duration):
*Size Increase (The Awakening Demon size increases from medium to large [if he's already large, he just gets a +4 profane bonus to strength and a +2 profane bonus to constitution]. See pg. 12 MM.

[Edit: I added Hit Dice, Class Skills, and Skill points. Still Looking for a response]

 

[las]

Looks good what do you think of my Ki frenzer its lower on the page. Yours has a thing i like to call none player but fits if one character whants it or as a drirty trick to pull on one if they meat all thats needed hehe.

 

[Shirt Guy John]

Looks good what do you think of my Ki frenzer its lower on the page. Yours has a thing i like to call none player but fits if one character whants it or as a drirty trick to pull on one if they meat all thats needed hehe.

okay, first off, that's poor grammar and spelling (sorry, I'm not ussually that petty but it was so bad that it bothered me. Plus you plugged your own thread on MY thread).

Now, I think that I have a few players who would find this class to be very interesting to role play, let alone USE. A few players might choose this class when they feel that their character is in need of some changes in his or her life. But really, I had intended this class for one of my half-celestial Paladin NPCs. She'll be gettin' quite a makeover at some point...

 

[las]

Sorry agout that but do you know how many people have done my thread about two fewwer than and yes I know I cant spell at all, all my must be roung all the time but that gust me. Im very sorry for taking your thread K.

 

[Shirt Guy John]

Well thank you. I do, however, still want some other responces to this here PrC, but if no-one will respond, I'll take it that the class works as is.

 

[Quip]

First I just want to say, Evil is Good.

Looks like halfway between rage and wildshape, mechanically. How long does the demon form last? You still have all your equipment available?

I think maybe the more common demonic form is a little underpowered, assuming you dont gain this class at exceptionally low levels. The Str and Con incrrease should maybe be up to +4 each? Bite and claws, for the most part, are really overrated. In any case, 1/week is really troublesome for what is basically your only class feature.

Your putting the responsibility of if and when the class is gained and the powers released to your DM, it kinda puts some of the factors of balance out the window. Good opportunity for roleplay though.

 

[Shirt Guy John]

The duration is the same as a standard rage (4+Con mod). I was worried about having higher ability increases because there is no drawback to speak of. Heavier non-magical armors might be damaged by the growth of a demonic tail, but other than that, equipment and weapons are all kept.

The DM thing is where I'm getting stuck (that and requirements, but I'll get to those in a minute). How do I balance the class correctly? I feel that, as is, it works mechanically (though anyone who thinks otherwise is very much encouraged to yell at me), and I assume that the DM isn't gonna be an ass about it. The player is taking a risk for a greater gain. This gain does take timem though, and it really does not come to fruitition until later levels of the class.

My other problem is requirements. What should the acctual requirements be? I know that I'm thinking Good Non-Chaotic alignment, and a base attack bonus of at least +6; but what else can I have? Certainly that's not enough (any Paladin can take that, and although it would screw them as a Paladin, if they made all of the "Temptation" saves, they wouldn't lose class features).

Help, help, Help!