Check it out:
http://www.zipworld.com.au/~hong/dnd/knight.htm
Based on the OA samurai, with some cultural tweaks.
http://www.zipworld.com.au/~hong/dnd/knight.htm
Based on the OA samurai, with some cultural tweaks.
Warrior-Knight core class
- Thread starter S'mon
- Start date
Thanks Hong - it looks a bit more powerful than my class, with its total fear immunity and good Will save, both powerful abilities, though it doesn't get wpn spec. It looks kinda balanced vs the PHB Cleric, but notably more powerful than Fighter, I'm aiming for pretty much balanced vs Fighter, or just fractionally tougher, and very Fighter-esque - basically plugging the holes in the Fighter that make it unsuitable for this role.
Frostmarrow
First Post
The ban on missile weapons makes me think of Bretonnia in Warhammer Fantasy Battle. In some ways it's a good restriction but in other ways it's not. In the Bretonnia case the knights allow commoners to use missile weapons but they refuse to do so themselves. To me this sounds like they have a double set of standards which is, to me, pretty hard to overlook.
I find that if you want someone use something more than something else it's better to give boni to the favorable approach than to ban the less favorable approach. I.e. It's better to give the Warrior-Knight abilities that makes them rock in melee than to ban them from using missiles. For example a barbarian wielding a greatsword will never use his longbow, other than maybe for sport. But even knights should be able to shoot with a longbow for sport. So, I'm not particulary fond of that hindrance in your class but I can see why you would like to keep it.
I find that if you want someone use something more than something else it's better to give boni to the favorable approach than to ban the less favorable approach. I.e. It's better to give the Warrior-Knight abilities that makes them rock in melee than to ban them from using missiles. For example a barbarian wielding a greatsword will never use his longbow, other than maybe for sport. But even knights should be able to shoot with a longbow for sport. So, I'm not particulary fond of that hindrance in your class but I can see why you would like to keep it.
Knights don't use missile weapons because it's cowardly and unmanly to kill from a distance; the true knight should happily close with and kill his enemy hand-to-hand! 
Hence the penalties. Of course it's still useful to have missile troops in your army - per knight's Code it's not _immoral_ to shoot someone, just _cowardly_. Hence loss of brave & iron will powers. OK? Of course it's a double standard - one law for the elite, another for the common rabble, as it should be.
Very few knights IRL ever "shot with a longbow for sport" BTW, the longbow is a military weapon. A hunting bow (shortbow), maybe, for hunting deer, but the true knight prefers to hunt boar with a boar lance.
Hence the penalties. Of course it's still useful to have missile troops in your army - per knight's Code it's not _immoral_ to shoot someone, just _cowardly_. Hence loss of brave & iron will powers. OK? Of course it's a double standard - one law for the elite, another for the common rabble, as it should be.Very few knights IRL ever "shot with a longbow for sport" BTW, the longbow is a military weapon. A hunting bow (shortbow), maybe, for hunting deer, but the true knight prefers to hunt boar with a boar lance.
Frostmarrow
First Post
S'mon said:Knights don't use missile weapons because it's cowardly and unmanly to kill from a distance; the true knight should happily close with and kill his enemy hand-to-hand!
Very few knights IRL ever "shot with a longbow for sport" BTW, the longbow is a military weapon. A hunting bow (shortbow), maybe, for hunting deer, but the true knight prefers to hunt boar with a boar lance.
Well, there's no arguing with that. Go right a head!OK, I think this will be my final version:
Warrior-Knight Character Class
BAB: 1/1 Good Saves: Fort
Hit Die: d10
Class Skills: Climb, Handle Animal, Heal, Intimidate, Jump, Swim, Diplomacy, Ride, Spot, and Knowledge (nobility & royalty).
Skill Points/Level: 4 + Int
Weapon & Armour Proficiency: all armour & shields, all simple & martial melee weapons. Knights are also proficient in the short bow (typically used to hunt deer), but do not receive proficiency in any other missile weapons.
Starting Equipment: assigned by GM, usually chainmail or chain shirt, lance, any sword, any 1 of: mace, warhammer, military pick or morningstar; light warhorse; plus 2d6 gp cash. Mundane equipment like torches is usually freely available.
Code of Honour: all true Knights are constrained by their Chivalric Code to live and die with Honour. Those who violate their Code and do not atone may not advance further in the Knight class, and lose the Brave & Iron Willed class benefits.
Level/Abilities
1st - Heals Well (Ex): once after each battle in which he has been wounded, a Warrior-Knight who has 1 or more hp remaining and who receives within 1 hour a successful DC 15 heal check, taking 10 minutes, from himself or from another, can restore hp equal to [his class level + his CON bonus] (min 1 hp). This cannot restore more hp than were lost in that battle. Retries on failed rolls are allowed, but hp can be restored only once per battle, and only to knights with positive hp totals.
1st - Brave (Ex): Knights save at +4 vs Fear effects. This is a morale bonus.
2nd - Missile defense (Ex): a Knight using a shield, and not flatfooted, gets a +2 AC cover bonus vs all missile attacks.
4th - Strong Willed (Ex): a Knight gains +2 bonus to Will saves. This stacks with the Iron Will feat.
A Knight who uses a missile weapon in battle other than in extremis* or otherwise violates his Code always loses the benefits of the Brave & Strong Willed abilities for 1 week or longer, per DM's discretion. Using a bow for hunting harmless game animals such as deer (where there is no threat to the knight's life), rather than in battle, is not a Code violation. Dangerous game animals such as wild boar must be hunted with melee weapons such as the boar lance.
*Knights are allowed to use missile weapons in battle against varlets they absolutely _can't reach_ - say a flying Wizard - but use is discouraged as unmanly.
5th+: Fighter Bonus feats: a Knight of 5th level and higher gains bonus feats from the Fighter feat list every two levels, at following levels: 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th.
For the purpose of gaining Fighter-only Feats, a Warrior-Knight counts as a Fighter 3 levels below their Knight level, ie they are eligible for Weapon Specialisation at 7th level, for Greater Weapon Specialisation at 15th level, and for Epic Fighter feats at 24th level.
Multiclassing: a Knight must usually be noble-born and trained from a young age, so this class may normally only be taken at 1st level. Multiclassing out if this class is at the GM's discretion; typical classes that might be combined with Warrior Knight include Fighter, Paladin, and possibly Ranger. Some GMs may wish to allow Knight-Clerics. The activities of Knight-Rogues and Knight-Wizards or Knight-Sorcerers will typically violate the Knight's Code.
Warrior-Knight Character Class
BAB: 1/1 Good Saves: Fort
Hit Die: d10
Class Skills: Climb, Handle Animal, Heal, Intimidate, Jump, Swim, Diplomacy, Ride, Spot, and Knowledge (nobility & royalty).
Skill Points/Level: 4 + Int
Weapon & Armour Proficiency: all armour & shields, all simple & martial melee weapons. Knights are also proficient in the short bow (typically used to hunt deer), but do not receive proficiency in any other missile weapons.
Starting Equipment: assigned by GM, usually chainmail or chain shirt, lance, any sword, any 1 of: mace, warhammer, military pick or morningstar; light warhorse; plus 2d6 gp cash. Mundane equipment like torches is usually freely available.
Code of Honour: all true Knights are constrained by their Chivalric Code to live and die with Honour. Those who violate their Code and do not atone may not advance further in the Knight class, and lose the Brave & Iron Willed class benefits.
Level/Abilities
1st - Heals Well (Ex): once after each battle in which he has been wounded, a Warrior-Knight who has 1 or more hp remaining and who receives within 1 hour a successful DC 15 heal check, taking 10 minutes, from himself or from another, can restore hp equal to [his class level + his CON bonus] (min 1 hp). This cannot restore more hp than were lost in that battle. Retries on failed rolls are allowed, but hp can be restored only once per battle, and only to knights with positive hp totals.
1st - Brave (Ex): Knights save at +4 vs Fear effects. This is a morale bonus.
2nd - Missile defense (Ex): a Knight using a shield, and not flatfooted, gets a +2 AC cover bonus vs all missile attacks.
4th - Strong Willed (Ex): a Knight gains +2 bonus to Will saves. This stacks with the Iron Will feat.
A Knight who uses a missile weapon in battle other than in extremis* or otherwise violates his Code always loses the benefits of the Brave & Strong Willed abilities for 1 week or longer, per DM's discretion. Using a bow for hunting harmless game animals such as deer (where there is no threat to the knight's life), rather than in battle, is not a Code violation. Dangerous game animals such as wild boar must be hunted with melee weapons such as the boar lance.
*Knights are allowed to use missile weapons in battle against varlets they absolutely _can't reach_ - say a flying Wizard - but use is discouraged as unmanly.
5th+: Fighter Bonus feats: a Knight of 5th level and higher gains bonus feats from the Fighter feat list every two levels, at following levels: 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th.
For the purpose of gaining Fighter-only Feats, a Warrior-Knight counts as a Fighter 3 levels below their Knight level, ie they are eligible for Weapon Specialisation at 7th level, for Greater Weapon Specialisation at 15th level, and for Epic Fighter feats at 24th level.
Multiclassing: a Knight must usually be noble-born and trained from a young age, so this class may normally only be taken at 1st level. Multiclassing out if this class is at the GM's discretion; typical classes that might be combined with Warrior Knight include Fighter, Paladin, and possibly Ranger. Some GMs may wish to allow Knight-Clerics. The activities of Knight-Rogues and Knight-Wizards or Knight-Sorcerers will typically violate the Knight's Code.
