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Gambit
Learned Scribe
110 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Feb 2010 : 00:37:51
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Hello fellow Realms fans, I am a new member to these forums but I have been coming to Candlekeep for years for all my Realmslore needs.
I have created an updated Bladesinger prestige class for Pathfinder which I have already posted on the Paizo boards but I wanted to post it here as well for some additional feedback.
The Bladesinger
Hit Die: d10
Requirements
Race: Any Elf or Half-Elf
Base Attack Bonus: +4
Skills: Acrobatics 4 ranks, Knowledge (Arcana) 2 ranks, Perform (Dance) 2 ranks, Spellcraft 3 ranks
Feats: Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Dodge, Weapon Focus (Any light or one-handed melee weapon)
Spells: Ability to cast 2nd level arcane spells
Special: Must be proficient in light armor
Lvl BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spells
1 +1 +0 +1 +1 Bladesong, Chosen Weapon, Lesser Spellsong -
2 +2 +1 +1 +1 Song of Celerity (2nd) +1
3 +3 +1 +2 +2 Song of Channeling +1
4 +4 +1 +2 +2 Bonus Feat +1
5 +5 +2 +3 +3 Greater Spellsong -
6 +6 +2 +3 +3 Song of Celerity (4th) +1
7 +7 +2 +4 +4 Song of Power +1
8 +8 +3 +4 +4 Bonus Feat +1
9 +9 +3 +5 +5 Song of Channeling (Full Attack) -
10 +10 +3 +5 +5 Song of Celerity (6th), Bladesong Mastery +1
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Diplomacy, Knowledge (all), Perception, Perform, Sense Motive, Spellcraft
Skill Ranks at Each Level: 2+Int modifier
Spells per day: At every level except 1st, 5th, and 9th the bladesinger gains additional spellcasting level, spells per day, and spells known (if he is a spontaneous caster) as if he had also gained a level in one arcane spellcasting class he belonged to before adding levels in bladesinger. He does not gain any other benefits a character of that class would have gained upon reaching a new level.
Chosen Weapon: A Bladesinger chooses to use one weapon type (such as longsword, heavy mace, or battle axe) to the exclusion of all others, this must be a light or one-handed melee weapon (swords are most common, but any qualifying weapon type is allowed) in which he has the Weapon Focus feat. A Bladesinger that has taken the Weapon Finesse feat may apply its benefits to his chosen weapon even if its weapon type wouldnt normally qualify. Once selected this cannot be changed, and from this point forward whenever he uses a weapon type other than that of his chosen weapon, he receives a -2 to attack rolls (spells are not affected).
Bladesong: Starting at 1st level the Bladesinger can initiate the graceful and deadly dance known as the bladesong. He gains the following benefits while bladesinging, a +1 to attack, damage, and CMB with any melee attack using his chosen weapon, a plus +1 bonus to concentration checks made to cast defensively, and his Intelligence modifier as a bonus to AC and CMD. At each odd level he gains an additional +1 to his attack, damage, CMB, and concentration checks made to cast defensively (to a maximum of +5 at 9th level). To initiate the bladesong, a move action, the bladesinger must have his chosen weapon in one hand and and nothing in the other and be wearing light or no armor. Starting at 1st level the bladesong can be used for a number of rounds per day equal to 10 + Dexterity modifier, each level after 1st he can use the bladesong for an additional 2 rounds per day. At the end of the bladesong he is fatigued for twice the number of rounds he spent bladesinging.
Lesser Spellsong: Due to his intensive training with both sword and magic, the bladesinger can wear light armor with no chance of arcane spell failure while in his bladesong.
Song of Celerity: At 2nd level, while in his bladesong and making an attack or full attack action, a bladesinger may cast one spell of up to 2nd level as a swift action without increasing its effective level. At 6th level he may use this ability to cast up to 4th level spells, and at 10th level he may use it on up to 6th level spells. He can use this ability once per day at 2nd level and one additional time every even level he gains after 2nd, to a maximum of 5 times per day at 10th level.
Song of Channeling: At 3rd level the bladesinger can use a standard action to cast a touch spell and deliver the spell through his chosen weapon as an attack action while in bladesong, casting a spell in this manner doesnt provoke an attack of oppurtunity. At 9th level he can cast a touch spell as part of a full attack action while bladesinging, the spell affects each target he hits in melee combat that round and is discharged at the end of the round.
Bonus Feat: At 4th level, and again at 8th, a bladesinger gains a bonus feat that must be chosen from the list of Combat Feats.
Greater Spellsong: At 5th level the bladesingers ability to cast in light armor improves, he may do so at any time, not just while in bladesong.
Song of Power: At 7th level the bladesinger can more easily overcome the spell resistance of any opponent he successfully injures with a melee attack using his chosen weapon while in bladesong. Against any opponent he injures in melee, he gains a +2 bonus on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance for the remainder of his bladesong.
Bladesong Mastery: At 10th level the bladesinger becomes a master of his deadly artform. He can now initiate his bladesong as a swift action and is no longer fatigued after his bladesong expires. Furthermore, while bladesinging he may choose to make one additional attack each round at his highest base attack bonus when using the full attack action, this attack and all others until the beginning of his next turn come at a -2 to the attack roll.
One thing I was considering was folding the AC and CMD bonus into the static rising +1 bonus the attack rolls, ect gets. What do you all think, should I leave it as Int modifier bonus?
Hope you all like it, feedback is encouraged and welcomed.
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Edited by - Gambit on 01 Mar 2010 07:34:45
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4469 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2010 : 04:21:30
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The fact that it's 7/10 spellcasting alone makes it a good PrC. The flavor of the class is there as well.
As for rolling the AC in with the Bladesong ability, personally I wouldn't. It makes for a better AC and espically with the fact that you can only wear light armor and cast spell while bladesinging.
But you might want to reduce the amount of times your allowed to swift-cast spells. Five times per day and 9th level spells is really powerful. You might want to either reduce the ability to just 3rd and 6th level (lets be honest, your not casting 9th spells til after level 20 anyways) or reduce the number of times you can do it. Having both is like having the Quicken Spell feat apply 5 times to any spell you know without the costs.
Other than that, it looks pretty good to me. Other's might see it as over-powered considering the level of spellcasting you get but it's what makes this PrC so attractive. People don't pick PrCs if they suck or are below average. |
Diffan's NPG Generator: FR NPC Generator |
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Gambit
Learned Scribe
110 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2010 : 07:21:50
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Thanks for the feedback!
Well actually the class is pretty balanced for Pathfinder standards I think. The new Arcane Archer gives 7/10 spellcasting and the capstone ability of the new Eldritch Knight gives you a free spell as a swift action whenever you make a succesful critical strike, no limit on uses per day, whereas the Bladesinger can only do it 5 times per day and only while bladesinging. The design philosophy I had was that you give up 2 caster levels (not an easy loss) from what you could get going Eldricth Knight (probably 3 actually due to the Bladesinger class requirements vs the Eldritch Knight's) for more special abilities, all in all I think it evens out well. |
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Gambit
Learned Scribe
110 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2010 : 07:42:20
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| I have scaled back the spell levels available for Song of Celerity, I think this should adequately address the issue. |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4469 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2010 : 14:50:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Gambit
I have scaled back the spell levels available for Song of Celerity, I think this should adequately address the issue.
I agree, it's much better. |
Diffan's NPG Generator: FR NPC Generator |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2010 : 08:10:05
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I converted the old 2nd Ed. class into a PrC as well but can't recall how I did it and where I might find it.
Anyhow, IMO nicely done, from the first quick glance on it. |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Gambit
Learned Scribe
110 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2010 : 16:07:29
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I'm thinking of changing the Bladesong mechanic from the Pathfinder standard of rounds per day (the way Rage and Bardic Performance is done) back to times per day, which I think I like better. I am thinking it would work out like this: at 1st level a Bladesinger can use his bladesong once per day, lasting a number of rounds equal to his ranks in perform (dance), at 3rd level and each odd level after he may use the ability one additional time per day (i.e at 9th level he can use Bladesong 5 times per day).
What do you all think? |
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Gambit
Learned Scribe
110 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2010 : 17:59:21
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And Alystra I would love to see your Battledancer.  |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4469 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2010 : 22:00:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Gambit
I'm thinking of changing the Bladesong mechanic from the Pathfinder standard of rounds per day (the way Rage and Bardic Performance is done) back to times per day, which I think I like better. I am thinking it would work out like this: at 1st level a Bladesinger can use his bladesong once per day, lasting a number of rounds equal to his ranks in perform (dance), at 3rd level and each odd level after he may use the ability one additional time per day (i.e at 9th level he can use Bladesong 5 times per day).
What do you all think?
I sort of like the rounds per day mainly because it's not so limiting. If you use your 1/day ability and the battle only lasts 3 rounds, it seems sorta wasted. |
Diffan's NPG Generator: FR NPC Generator |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2010 : 13:49:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
quote:
Originally posted by Gambit
I'm thinking of changing the Bladesong mechanic from the Pathfinder standard of rounds per day (the way Rage and Bardic Performance is done) back to times per day, which I think I like better. I am thinking it would work out like this: at 1st level a Bladesinger can use his bladesong once per day, lasting a number of rounds equal to his ranks in perform (dance), at 3rd level and each odd level after he may use the ability one additional time per day (i.e at 9th level he can use Bladesong 5 times per day).
What do you all think?
Have to second that. It is much more fun and the players are not so reluctant to use it (thinking it to be too 'valuable to waste')...
I sort of like the rounds per day mainly because it's not so limiting. If you use your 1/day ability and the battle only lasts 3 rounds, it seems sorta wasted.
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"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2010 : 03:34:10
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| don't know if you care, but Pathfinder is trying to do away with race as a PrC prereq |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3249 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2010 : 04:00:16
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quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
don't know if you care, but Pathfinder is trying to do away with race as a PrC prereq
Not so sure about that since the Arcane Archer is still for Elf/Half-Elf only... |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2010 : 11:44:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
don't know if you care, but Pathfinder is trying to do away with race as a PrC prereq
Not so sure about that since the Arcane Archer is still for Elf/Half-Elf only...
I am fairly sure that James Jacobs says they are removing that |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Gambit
Learned Scribe
110 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2010 : 13:08:53
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quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
don't know if you care, but Pathfinder is trying to do away with race as a PrC prereq
Not so sure about that since the Arcane Archer is still for Elf/Half-Elf only...
I am fairly sure that James Jacobs says they are removing that
I'm aware that this is Pathfinder's stance, but I believe some traditions should be preserved. If I created a Battlerager PrC it would be Dwarf only as well. |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2010 : 20:09:54
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quote:
Originally posted by GambitI'm aware that this is Pathfinder's stance, but I believe some traditions should be preserved. If I created a Battlerager PrC it would be Dwarf only as well.
I agree with you |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Pathfinder Bladesinger PrC
