Working with one of my players to create an alternate Bard class without the music - basically a flamboyant fast-talker who foregoes a lot of the Bardic abilities for witty banter and panache.
So, does this sound balanced?
Rapscallion
BAB: Moderate
Fortitude: Poor
Reflex: Good
Will: Poor
Hit Die: d6
Skill Points: 6+INT per level
Armor proficiency: None
Weapon proficiencies: Bard list
Limitations: Cannot be lawful
Spellcasting: Uses the Bard list, with INT as the primary spellcasting stat. Advances like a bard for spells known/per day.
Skill list: Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Class Abilities:
Level 1: The Rapscallion gains an AC bonus equal to his CHA bonus. This bonus increases by +1 at 5th level, +2 at 10th level, +3 at 15th level, and +4 at 20th level. The Rapscallion loses this ability if wearing any armor or using a shield. (replaces Bardic Knowledge)
Level 1: Witty Banter: Must be able to banter with opponent to use most abilities (cannot be silenced, must share common language). Usable once per day per level (replaces Bardic Music)
Level 3: Gains Weapon Finesse as a bonus Feat, even if the Rapscallion does not meet the prerequisites.
Witty Banter abilities:
-- Level 1: Taunt. Target opponent must make a Will save (DC 10+level+CHA) or continue attacking the Rapscallion. Can be sustained for up to [CHA Bonus +1] rounds. Opponent gets Will save every round to break the effect. (replaces Fascinate)
-- Level 1: Double-Talk. For one roll, the Rapscallion may add his Rapscallion level to any CHA-based skill roll. (replaces Countersong)
-- Level 1: Demoralize. For [CHA bonus +1] rounds, the Rapscallion gains a +1 morale bonus to AC against a designated opponent. The Rapscallion may change the target of this effect as a free action on their turn. At 8th level, this increases to +2, at 14th to +3, and at 20th to +4 (replaces Inspire Courage)
-- Level 3: Constructive Criticism: The Rapscallion may bestow a temporary +2 morale bonus to any one skill check made by an ally, lasting as long as the Rapscallion speaks. (replaces Inspire Competence)
-- Level 6: Fast-Talk. The Rapscallion may use the Feint action as a free action. If the Rapscallion already has the Improved Feint feat, he may expend a use of this ability to add his CHA bonus to attack and damage rolls with his next attack (replaces Suggestion)
-- Level 9: Dauntless Ego. For [CHA bonus +1] rounds, the Rapscallion or a willing ally adds his CHA bonus x level as temporary hit points. He also gains a +2 morale bonus to attacks and Will saves for the duration. (replaces Inspire Greatness)
-- Level 12: Scathing Insult. The Rapscallion may roll 1d20 + CHA bonus + Rapscallion level, opposed by a Will check from the opponent. If successful, the Rapscallion makes all attacks for [CHA bonus +1] rounds against that opponent as melee touch attacks (replaces Song of Freedom)
-- Level 15: Heroic Reputation. If the Rapscallion acts in a surprise round, he may make a CHA + Rapscallion level roll as a free action, opposed by the Will saves of any opponent within 30'. If successful, he and his allies gain another surprise round against all opponents who fail their save. This ability may only be used once per encounter.
-- Level 18: Mass Demoralize. The Rapscallion's Demoralize ability now applies to all enemies in the combat. (replaces Mass Suggestion)
So, does this sound balanced?
Rapscallion
BAB: Moderate
Fortitude: Poor
Reflex: Good
Will: Poor
Hit Die: d6
Skill Points: 6+INT per level
Armor proficiency: None
Weapon proficiencies: Bard list
Limitations: Cannot be lawful
Spellcasting: Uses the Bard list, with INT as the primary spellcasting stat. Advances like a bard for spells known/per day.
Skill list: Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Class Abilities:
Level 1: The Rapscallion gains an AC bonus equal to his CHA bonus. This bonus increases by +1 at 5th level, +2 at 10th level, +3 at 15th level, and +4 at 20th level. The Rapscallion loses this ability if wearing any armor or using a shield. (replaces Bardic Knowledge)
Level 1: Witty Banter: Must be able to banter with opponent to use most abilities (cannot be silenced, must share common language). Usable once per day per level (replaces Bardic Music)
Level 3: Gains Weapon Finesse as a bonus Feat, even if the Rapscallion does not meet the prerequisites.
Witty Banter abilities:
-- Level 1: Taunt. Target opponent must make a Will save (DC 10+level+CHA) or continue attacking the Rapscallion. Can be sustained for up to [CHA Bonus +1] rounds. Opponent gets Will save every round to break the effect. (replaces Fascinate)
-- Level 1: Double-Talk. For one roll, the Rapscallion may add his Rapscallion level to any CHA-based skill roll. (replaces Countersong)
-- Level 1: Demoralize. For [CHA bonus +1] rounds, the Rapscallion gains a +1 morale bonus to AC against a designated opponent. The Rapscallion may change the target of this effect as a free action on their turn. At 8th level, this increases to +2, at 14th to +3, and at 20th to +4 (replaces Inspire Courage)
-- Level 3: Constructive Criticism: The Rapscallion may bestow a temporary +2 morale bonus to any one skill check made by an ally, lasting as long as the Rapscallion speaks. (replaces Inspire Competence)
-- Level 6: Fast-Talk. The Rapscallion may use the Feint action as a free action. If the Rapscallion already has the Improved Feint feat, he may expend a use of this ability to add his CHA bonus to attack and damage rolls with his next attack (replaces Suggestion)
-- Level 9: Dauntless Ego. For [CHA bonus +1] rounds, the Rapscallion or a willing ally adds his CHA bonus x level as temporary hit points. He also gains a +2 morale bonus to attacks and Will saves for the duration. (replaces Inspire Greatness)
-- Level 12: Scathing Insult. The Rapscallion may roll 1d20 + CHA bonus + Rapscallion level, opposed by a Will check from the opponent. If successful, the Rapscallion makes all attacks for [CHA bonus +1] rounds against that opponent as melee touch attacks (replaces Song of Freedom)
-- Level 15: Heroic Reputation. If the Rapscallion acts in a surprise round, he may make a CHA + Rapscallion level roll as a free action, opposed by the Will saves of any opponent within 30'. If successful, he and his allies gain another surprise round against all opponents who fail their save. This ability may only be used once per encounter.
-- Level 18: Mass Demoralize. The Rapscallion's Demoralize ability now applies to all enemies in the combat. (replaces Mass Suggestion)
