D&D 5E Bioengineer (now Shaper) Class DnD 5e 2014

[Jaiken]

Hello. Was wondering if the members of EnWorld would mind giving me feedback on my Bioengineer class.
The class uses Evolution points to temporarily change the attributes of allies and themselves. This would be giving a character advantage on Sleight of Hand checks, or switching the Dexterity and Strength scores temporarily. Evolution Points restore on a short or long rest and can be used equal to the Shaper’s Intelligence modifier.

Here is a link to the class:

Bioengineer Class by CaliusShontor

Bioengineer Class by CaliusShontor - Created with GM Binder.

www.gmbinder.com

 

[LordEntrails]

I can't say if it's balanced, but let me say this.

I like the mechanics. The homoculus and the temporary attribute changes is original (at least to me).

But the flavor is all wrong. Bioengineering and Genetics is all wrong for most D&D settings. They are concepts that just don't fit in any medieval fantasy setting I've ever experienced and they are an immediate break in the fantasy illusion (for me).

I could envision something like a Life Manipulator, or a Artificer of Life, or a Cleric of ... the soul (???). Whatever, something with a new name that is reminiscent of medieval fantasy and not modern science. Instead of genetics, it they could study the power of lineages and blood. Things like that.

 

[Tessarael]

For a fantasy setting, you could call it a Life Shaper.

 

[Seramus]

For a fantasy setting, you could call it a Life Shaper.

Shaper is a great name!

Life

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

The name I would use for a life-shaper or biopunk cousin of necromancer would be haruspex.

Haruspex - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

And I would use as source of inspiration the biohacker class from Starfinder.

This class seems more like a monster-tamer but now I can't imagine a D&D monster-summoner class with game mechanics like the soulspark-familiar incarnum soulmelds, using points of essence to "buy" monster upgrades.

 

[Jaiken]

I changed the name to Shaper and got rid of the mention of genetics and replaced them with ancestry and blood. Thank you everyone that gave advice.

 

[Scars Unseen]

Let me go against the grain here by saying that there's absolutely nothing wrong with adding sci-fi flavored elements into D&D. D&D isn't medieval fantasy. It references medievalesque trappings frequently, yes, but both in terms of technology and culture, D&D is all over the place. Medieval viking-like raids, Renaissance economies, Age of Sail pirates, Victorian era inspired Sigil, Spelljammers, mind flayers with advanced technology of all sorts (depending on the edition). There have been clockwork robots and androids, laser pistols, submersibles and more.

I don't think there's anything wrong in wanting everything painted with a standard fantasy brush, but I also don't think there's anything wrong with mixing fantasy and sci-fi together. Hell, look at the entire Final Fantasy series. Or the first Ultima game. The fantasy genre often mixes its peanut butter with sci-fi's chocolate without being any the lesser for it.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Given the social reaction to the class, Shaper seems inadequately vitriolic. Shaper may be what they call theselves but others will say Flesh-crafter, Meat-smith, Bone-bender.

 

[Jaiken]

What I changed about the class:
Got rid of proficiency bonus for evolution uses and made it intelligence modifier so now the class will be able to use evolution points equal to their intelligence modifier.

Changed the name from Bioengineer to Shaper.

 

[Tonguez]

Strangely enough your Bioknight made me think of Finn and Jake from Adventure Time, but even more so if you take in the Fusers abilities.

I like the concept of the Fuser and the Bioknight, a class that mergers with its mount/familiar to gain extra abilities is cool. Its really not that different to Wildshape

HOWEVER
What You've effectively created is a class that gives you two characters (as both can engage in combat, cast spells separately, Fuse and give each other temp HP) PLUS the ability to enhance other characters - I think thats too much.

1 Either choose to Enhance Yourself or Enhance Others but doing both while having a fully combat capable familiar is imho not balanced

2 The Chemist has nothing to do with your Hommunculus and really should not be a subclass of this Shaper

3 Decoy ability adds a sudden Illusion power to what is otherwise an ability enhancement class, I dont think it fits the theme and should be replaced.

just some thoughts