Single-Level Flavor (heh!) Classes

[TeeSeeJay]

I'm kicking around the idea for new core classes that represent not a 20-level progression, but instead a single-level specialty or profession.

They could be an optional starting point for 1st level characters, or available to add flavor to a more experienced character.

Something like the Noble, I think, doesn't really need 20 levels. You don't get better at being a noble, but you could start as one and turn into a Noble/Fighter or a Noble/Rogue or something. Or you could take the Noble level later, to reflect a Paladin's standing in the community, for instance.

Basically, these classes would be front-loaded (duh!), more about flavor than save progressions, and always considered a "favored" class in terms of multiclassing XP penalties.

What do you think? What other roles could be served up as a single-level class?

 

[handforged]

This is an interesting idea, and could also be applied to PrC's. Say a PC gets a little bit of training from a special someone, or is affected by a source of magical power... Their next character level will reflect the knowledge gained, etc. I'm interested to see what comes up.

~hf

 

[Iron_Chef]

The Slaver

Is this like what you had in mind? A 1 level core class that defines an archetype without taking over a character's class progression, whose abilities continue to scale with the character's level in other classes? Cool idea. Here's my take on one: The Slaver!
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Slaver Core Class (1 level progression)

Alignment: Any evil (most tend toward lawful evil)

BAB: +0

Saves: Fort +0, Reflex +0, Will +2

HD: d6

Class Skills: Appraise, Intimidate, Profession (slaver), Use Rope.

Skill points: 4 + Int mod.

Weapons and Armor: Proficient in all simple weapons, plus the sap, scourge, spiked chain, whip. Proficient in light armor but not shields.

Class Abilities:
Appraise Slave (ex): The slaver receives a +4 competence bonus to his Appraise checks to judge the worth of any creature as a potential slave.

Break Slave (ex): Given two hours training minimum per day, a slaver can break the will of a captive over a thirty day period, less 1 day per character level). The captive receives a Will save with a DC equal to 10 + slaver's character level + slaver's Cha mod + slaver's Intimidate modifier. A slaver automatically succeeds at all Intimidate checks against broken slaves (former captives). A slaver can attempt to simultaneously break an amount of captives equal to his character level.

Permanent Skills (ex): Appraise, Intimidate, Sense Motive and Use Rope become class skills regardless of your current class.

Terrifying Visage (ex): When holding a whip or other item of punishment, the slaver receives a +1 circumstance bonus to Intimidate checks equal to their character level.

 

[Iron_Chef]

Here's another one:
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The Legionaire

Alignment: Any lawful

HD: d10

BAB: +1

Saves: Fort +1, Ref +0, Will +1

Class Skills: Knowledge (any military), Profession (mercenary or soldier)

Skill points per level: 2 + Int mod.

Weapons & Armor: As fighter.

Class Abilities:

Formation Fighting (ex): When fighting in formation, all members of the formation receive a +2 morale bonus to attack rolls and +2 circumstance bonus to AC. Formation is defined as anytime two or more legionaires are fighting adjacent to each other (within 5 ft.). When the entire formation launches a thrown weapon, each of them receives a +2 bonus to their ranged attack roll. Facing is not important so long as they remain within 5 ft. of each other. Legionaires can fight alongside those without this class, but in that case, their bonuses are all halved (reduced to +1).

Permanent Skills (ex): Your class skills remain class skills regardless of class.

 

[TeeSeeJay]

That's the idea, yeah. Just a couple notes:

Should the skill points be more in line with those from a 1st level class (that is, with a x4 modifier)?

I really like the abilities that add some skills as class skills regardless of future career choices. That's a nice touch that makes the level spent here worthwhile.

 

[haiiro]

Should the skill points be more in line with those from a 1st level class (that is, with a x4 modifier)?

I really like the abilities that add some skills as class skills regardless of future career choices. That's a nice touch that makes the level spent here worthwhile.

Skill points: I think these 1-level classes should be treated like a level of any other class in terms of skill points. In other words, if it's taken as your first level, then you get the x4 skill points. If not, then you get the normal amount.

Adding class skills: I'm not quite clear on how this works. Do you mean that those skills can be raised as if you had gained another level in the 1-level class further down the line? In other words, can a Noble 1/Fighter 4 who levels up in Fighter choose to raise ranks in the Noble's skills at a 1/1 level? If so, I agree that this is a neat ability -- and one that could be added to PrCs as well, perhaps.

Overall I think this is a very cool idea, and I'd love to see it explored in more detail.

 

[Iron_Chef]

Yes and Yes.

Skill points are only x4 if taken as a 1st level character.

Skills that are "always" class skills can be raised on a 1 for 1 basis just as if you were still taking levels in the original class. So a slaver can always bump up his Intimidate skill like any other class skill in his current class. It's a neat ability that helps make these 1 level classes totally worth taking.

I think that everyone should be allowed to take one of these at no penalty towards multi-classing; just like a prestige class. Taking more than one starts penalizing you, as you can never keep all your class levels even since these are only 1 level. That's a balancing factor I just brainstormed up to prevent people from being Farmer 1/Slaver 1/Legionaire 1/Merchant 1/Noble 1, LOL.

 

[Iron_Chef]

I'm thinking of calling these not core classes, but "Profession" classes. That way, they stand out from core classes as being different and operating under slightly different rules for multiclassing. So each 1 level class would center on a profession or social ranking like merchant, noble, etc. Basically, they give you everything you need to function as a member of that profession. Others could still "technically" be of that profession, but their training would be incomplete or not as intensive for some reason. It would really make meeting people of different professions exciting, challenging and different without having to use PrCs and make them really high level or something.

 

[haiiro]

I'm thinking of calling these not core classes, but "Profession" classes. That way, they stand out from core classes as being different and operating under slightly different rules for multiclassing. So each 1 level class would center on a profession or social ranking like merchant, noble, etc.

I agree that they should not be called core classes, but profession classes doesn't sound quite right to me. How about "background classes," "flavor classes" or "bonus classes?"

 

[Iron_Chef]

You're right. Flavor classes, I guess, as you can take them after 1st level, so then they wouldn't be "background," LOL, and the whole point of them is to give your characters extra "flavor."

Note that I added BAB and saves to the sample classes above.