Pursuer of the Chosen

[Ao the Overkitty]

One of my players, has submitted this Prestige Class to me and I'd like some opinions on it.

As for myself, I'm not quite sure the "Puzzle Prophecy" goes with everything else (especially since the prophecies aren't something to be solved with knowledge checks) and I really don't see how "Hide in Plain Sight" fits in, though I do know that this ability in natural settings is granted to high level rangers.. I'm also thinking of dropping the Recognition ability entirely (since recognition is supposed to come from something called, "The Test of the Dwarves" according to the prophecies in the game).

Is it overpowered? Underpowered? Do all of its abilities make sense with each other? How are the prereqs?

The character who has submitted this class is a Ranger5/Rogue4/Barbarian3, if that makes a difference.



Pursuer of the Chosen

Flavor text goes here.

Hit Die: d8

Requirements:
Alignment: Neutral Good
Skills: Hide 8 ranks, Move Silently 8 ranks
Feats: Alertness, Track
Special: Must be a “Chosen One” – DM’s discretion as to what that means

Class Skills
Climb, Concentration, Handle Animal, Heal, Hide, Jump, Knowledge (geography), Knowledge (nature), Listen, Move Silently, Ride, Search, Spot, Survival, Swim, and Use Rope.
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Intelligence modifier.

Full BAB
Reflex good
Fort & Will poor
Full Ranger spell progression

Lvl 1 Scent of evil
Lvl 2 Favored enemy – evil
Lvl 3 Puzzle Prophesy + 2
Lvl 4 Hide in plain sight
Lvl 5 Track evil
Lvl 6 Smite evil 1/day, Puzzle Prophesy + 4
Lvl 7 Recognition
Lvl 8 Smite evil 2/day
Lvl 9 Puzzle Prophesy + 6
Lvl 10 Smite evil 3/day


Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A pursuer of the Chosen is proficient with all martial weapons but no armor or shield.
Spells per Day: Starting at 1st level, and at each pursuer of the Chosen level thereafter, the character gains spells per day as if he had gained a level in the ranger class. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (improved favored enemies and so on). If the character had no ranger levels before becoming a 1st-level pursuer of the Chosen, he gains the spellcasting ability of a 1st-level ranger – that is, no spellcasting ability – when he takes his first pursuer level. When he becomes a 4th-level pursuer, he gains spellcasting ability (as a 4th-level ranger) assuming his wisdom score is high enough to grant him a bonus 1st-level spell.
A pursuer of the Chosen’s caster level is one-half the sum of his ranger levels and his pursuer levels.
Scent of Evil (Su): A pursuer of the Chosen has an unusual ability that combines the scent special quality with the detect evil spell. The stalker can detect evil opponents within 30 feet by their scent of evil. If the opponent is upwind, the range increases to 60 feet; if downwind, it drops to 15 feet. A strong aura of evil (an evil outsider or evil cleric of 5–10 HD, and evil elemental or undead of 10-21 HD, and evil creature of 25-54 HD, or an evil magic item or spell with a caster level of 10-21) can be detected at twice these ranges. An overwhelming aura of evil (an evil outsider or evil cleric of 11 HD or more, and evil elemental or undead of 22 HD or more, and evil creature of 55 HD or more, or an evil magic item or spell with a caster level of 22 or higher) can be detected at triple normal range.
When the pursuer detects a scent, the exact location is not revealed – only its presence somewhere within range. The pursuer can take a move action to note the direction of the scent. Whenever the creature comes within 5 feet of the source, the pursuer knows the sources location.
Favored Enemy – Evil (Ex): At 2nd level, a pursuer of the Chosen gains evil creatures of all kinds as a favored enemy. He gains a +1 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against evil creatures. He also gains a +1 bonus on weapon damage rolls against evil creatures. This bonus stakes with any other favored enemy bonus the stalker might have, such as from the ranger class.
Puzzle Prophesy (Ex): A 3rd-level pursuer may add a +2 divine bonus to any knowledge check used to decipher a prophecy about a “Chosen One.” At 6th-level this bonus increases to +4 and at 9th-level it increases to +6.
Hide in Plain Sight (Ex): When a pursuer of the Chosen reaches 4th level, he can use the Hide skill even while being observed. With at least one-quarter cover or one-quarter concealment, the pursuer can hide from view.
Track Evil (Su): A 5th-level pursuer can use the Track feat to track an evil creature by its lingering evil aura, making a wisdom (or survival) check to find or follow a track. The typical DC for a fresh trail is 10 (no matter what kind of surface holds the scent). The DC for tracking a normal aura increases by 2 every 10 minutes, for tracking a strong aura by 2 every hour, and for tracking an overwhelming aura by 2 every day. This ability otherwise follows the rules for the Track feat. The pursuer can ignore the effects of surface conditions and poor visibility.
Smite Evil (Su): Once per day, a 6th-level pursuer of the Chosen may attempt to smite evil with one normal unarmed strike. He adds a +4 bonus to his attack roll and deals 1 extra point of damage per class level. This bonus damage stacks with favored enemy bonuses. If he accidentally smites a creature that is not evil, the smite has no effect but it is still used up for that day.
At 8th level, a pursuer of the Chosen can use this ability twice per day, and at 10th level he can use it three times per day.
Recognition: At 7th-level, a pursuer of the Chosen is recognized as one of the prophesized “Chosen Ones”. Encounters with community members are usually ‘friendly’ (not fawning or uxoriously overdone) or quietly respectful (not overbearing or obnoxiously dismissive) if ‘indifferent’.

 

[the Jester]

Hm, I mostly like it, though this 'chosen one' stuff is a little, umm, mysterious since I don't know how it factors into the campaign.

One comment I'd make is that it has no entry cost. It's plainly aimed at rangers, and all the prereqs are things every ranger (damn near) has- Track and Endurance are both bonus feats, and Hide and Move Silently are prolly the two skills that are most likely to be had by most rangers. I'd do something about that- maybe add a feat (Self-Sufficient?) or some ranks in Knowledge (religion) or whatever relates to the whole 'chosen one' thingy, or the ability to use detect evil.

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

Ah. in my campaign, the chosen ones are a prophesized group of adventurers that are fated to stop a great evil (yeah, generic campaign concept #4).

Most of the group believes themselves to be these mythic chosen ones and have gone about proclaiming themselves to be such. (they got 5/6 of the way done with the test to prove themselves as being these chosen ones and got stumped).

Favored Enemy (Evil Outsiders) may be a good requirement, since the class is heavily into hunting evil, it seems.

 

[the Jester]

Favored Enemy (Evil Outsiders) may be a good requirement, since the class is heavily into hunting evil, it seems.

Still no entry cost.

 

[Crothian]

This class is way to easy to get into. It gives a lot of good abilities and the character has to sacrifce very little.

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

Still no entry cost.

This is true. It would, however, cause the player to have to take another 5 levels of Ranger, though. (his favored enemies are Humans and magical beasts).

Would that would be too evil of me? Course, any feat requirement he didn't meet would force him to wait another 3 levels to qualify anyway.

Hmm... Definately considering requiring the ability to detect evil. Would force him to take a level of paladin (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Sorry. That character as LG... too funny.) or cleric or wizard. Course, that would cause him an XP penalty, not that he hasn't already considered a level of wizard.

Any other ideas for requirements?

 

[guedo79]

There is something wrong with a player making a prc for themselves that they can just jump into. I say add something that makes him take a level or two. not sure what requirements to add.

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

One possibility is that the "Must be a Chosen One" requirement means they have to have completed the Test of the Dwarves (the test they have yet to complete).

Still trying to come up with something else, though.

 

[guedo79]

I think thats a good start

 

[the Jester]

Since it's all about hunting evil, I lean towards the detect evil thing. And he may be able to get over the xp penalty pretty easily- what are his current class(es), level(s) and race(s)?