The Ninja Core Class

[GravyFingerz]

Looking at this class, I notice the Sudden Strike ability is not as powerful as a Sneak Attack (obviously). Considering a Rogue can Sneak Attack when a foe loses his Dex bonus to AC and when he flanks, and considering a Sudden Strike can only be done when an opponent loses his Dex bonus to AC, I feel that the Ninja got the shaft in this area.

Considering any competent Rogue will be angling to flank at any opportunity with any other party member, Sudden Strike is denied the Sneak Attack versatility, and is only useful during the first round in which the Ninja has initiative, or if he Bluffs someone. Considering all this, the ability is limited. It is therefore in my opinion that is isn't too unbalancing to alter the ability in a small way as such:

In addition to what the ability states, the Ninja can make one Sudden Strike per combat as a swift action against any opponent he can strike. This particular foe is treated as if he has lost his Dex bonus to AC for the purposes of meeting the requirement to make a Sudden Strike. This represents the Ninjas uncanny ability to strike vital spots in even well protected areas.

Opinions? Objections? Am I stark raving Ninja mad?

 

[Nifft]

... or if the Ninja is invisible (or simply "not visible").

I'd rather see a Ninja with Hide In Plain Sight, since that solves the Ninja get-away problem as well as the Ninja attack problem.

-- N

 

[Fiendish Dire Weasel]

I want to check it out again when I get my own copy, on first glance though it looked good. I think the Sudden Strike is weaker than normal sneak attack to balance out against all the other abilities. Just as I think the class is very powerful if used right but relies on multiple ability scores (Dex, Int & Wis at least, with Con, Cha & Str all helping a fair amount). So, on first glance, I will say no, I don't agree with your change. Remember the Ninja can always use the swift Invisibility to gain the sudden strike dice on someone, which actually seems very cool to me, a Ninja flashing in and out of visibility as he moves through the battlefield appearing just before driving a sudden strike home sounds good to me. Very "anime-esque"

I just wish they got fast movment of some kind. Also not sure if they addressed how the Ninja & Monk unarmored Wis-to-AC bonuses stack.

 

[Zappo]

Does he get "Flip Out And Kill People" 1/round?

 

[Dark Jezter]

Does he get "Flip Out And Kill People" 1/round?

Only when using a katana and fighting against pirates.

 

[Zappo]

More seriously, why a ninja core class? Not that there's anything bad - but a ninja seems to me like the concept that prestige classes have been invented for.

 

[Liolel]

IIRC do note that they have the power to go invisible for 1 round by using their ki pool (which is limited to a number of times per day) starting at second level. This should balance out the sudden strike with sneak attack as sudden strike can be used in situations sneak attack can't with this power.

 

[Anabstercorian]

Ninja can and will stone-cold shank you with their Ninpo Ki Invisibility.

 

[LGodamus]

More seriously, why a ninja core class? Not that there's anything bad - but a ninja seems to me like the concept that prestige classes have been invented for.

I agree about one million percent...there shouldnt be a 1st level ninja anywhere....ninjas should be good at what they do ...Prestige class territory definately

 

[Fiendish Dire Weasel]

But... but... Ninjas are co0o0o0o0o0ol!!!!!!