D&D 5E Special request for a Survivor player class.

[Rafael Martin]

I am currently getting chemotherapy to fight cancer, and since I call myself a Survivor, I wanted to see if there was a 5e Survivor class. I looked around for something third party, and the only thing was a Survivalist class. However, that's not exactly what I am looking for. In my version it is a character that can survive extreme things like diseases (cancer), poisons, and other stuff that causes death. Eventually the character would be able to theoretically survive anything. The character can also help other survive as well.
I am not good at all at creating classes, but I will give it a go. Any type of ideas would help. For example, I wear a purple bracelet around my wrist to remind me that I am a Survivor. My thought is that is a type of totem that Survivors wear. Maybe all Survivors have to survive something terrible, like cancer or a plague, in order to qualify for the class. Maybe a high Constitution is a requirement. Those are just some thoughts. If you could help me out that would be great.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

I know that there was a Survivor prestige class in third edition. I'm pretty sure that it was in Savage Species. It's most notable for being the only prestige class which is easiest to enter by playing as a commoner - not only did you have to survive a near-death experience, but you also needed to have your highest saving throw bonus be lower than your character level.

The class, itself, was nothing but defensive bonuses. It famously offered zero growth to your BAB, and no spellcasting.

It shouldn't be too hard to convert it from a five-level prestige class into a twenty-level core class, but it's going to end up on the Stone Wall end of the spectrum - no good weapons, no extra attack, no spells; lots of HP, extra saving throw proficiencies, probably damage resistance at higher levels.

 

[Rafael Martin]

I know that there was a Survivor prestige class in third edition. I'm pretty sure that it was in Savage Species. It's most notable for being the only prestige class which is easiest to enter by playing as a commoner - not only did you have to survive a near-death experience, but you also needed to have your highest saving throw bonus be lower than your character level.

The class, itself, was nothing but defensive bonuses. It famously offered zero growth to your BAB, and no spellcasting.

It shouldn't be too hard to convert it from a five-level prestige class into a twenty-level core class, but it's going to end up on the Stone Wall end of the spectrum - no good weapons, no extra attack, no spells; lots of HP, extra saving throw proficiencies, probably damage resistance at higher levels.

I saw that too. Maybe I could make it less Stone Wall, as you said. I can see the Survivor being something more.

 

[FrogReaver]

I am currently getting chemotherapy to fight cancer, and since I call myself a Survivor, I wanted to see if there was a 5e Survivor class. I looked around for something third party, and the only thing was a Survivalist class. However, that's not exactly what I am looking for. In my version it is a character that can survive extreme things like diseases (cancer), poisons, and other stuff that causes death. Eventually the character would be able to theoretically survive anything. The character can also help other survive as well.
I am not good at all at creating classes, but I will give it a go. Any type of ideas would help. For example, I wear a purple bracelet around my wrist to remind me that I am a Survivor. My thought is that is a type of totem that Survivors wear. Maybe all Survivors have to survive something terrible, like cancer or a plague, in order to qualify for the class. Maybe a high Constitution is a requirement. Those are just some thoughts. If you could help me out that would be great.

I know it's not precisely what you are wanting but a paladin that focuses on constituation and charisma seems very applicable here (Heroism cast early on you seems perfect) If you want more homebrew simply start with the paladin and remove the holy and divine elements and replace them with more survivor type abilities.

 

[Rafael Martin]

A paladin that focuses on Constitution and Charisma seems very applicable here.

That's a thought.

 

[FrogReaver]

That's a thought.

Yea, I mean it depends on your goal. If you are mostly after the feel of a character that is tough and resilient then a paladin that uses spells for defensive abilities and focuses more on con/cha instead of str would open up that playstyle to you IMO.

Maybe instead of homebrewing the whole class, instead homebrew a subclass for it.

Survivor subclass for a paladin sounds pretty awesome

 

[Rafael Martin]

Yea, I mean it depends on your goal. If you are mostly after the feel of a character that is tough and resilient then a paladin that uses spells for defensive abilities and focuses more on con/cha instead of str would open up that playstyle to you IMO.

Maybe instead of homebrewing the whole class, instead homebrew a subclass for it.

Survivor subclass for a paladin sounds pretty awesome

Yes I can see that working. Maybe a cleric too.

 

[FrogReaver]

Looking at the Paladin route - lay on heads allows you to cure disease/poison on yourself and on others (starting at level 1)

Fighting style at level 2 you get defensive or protection (typically not as good but very thematic)

Level 3 immunity to disease

Level 6 aura of protection

Level 10 aura of courage

Level 14 cleansing touch

A few paladin spells that fit your theme -
Level 1: cure wounds, detect poison and disease, heroism, shield of faith
Level 2: aid, lesser restoration, protection from poison
Level 3: create food and water, dispel magic, remove curse, revivify
Level 4: aura of life, death ward
Level 5: revive

 

[FrogReaver]

Yes I can see that working. Maybe a cleric too.

Yea, a cleric or even druid could be another good option for this

 

[FrogReaver]

Paladin Survivor Subclass (initial sketch)

Tenets:
I am a survivor: I survived in the face of extreme adversity
Bravery: I will not cower nor back down
Life: Life is sacred and fleeting so I will make the most of it
Triumph through survival: Evil cannot win as long as I survive

Channel Divinity: I will Survive:
You may expend your reaction to succeed on a saving through you otherwise would have failed

Level 7:
You have an aura such that once per day a person that would drop to 0 hp instead drops to 1 hp. This can be used multiple times per day but only once per person.

etc