poilbrun
Explorer
Hello all!
I've tried making an Expert PC Class. Here's what I've put together :
I've rated this class using the 2 systems for rating classes I found on the web.
Now that this is out of the way, here's the class in itself.
Now, here is the reason for some of the changes.
I think this class will work well in my Skulls and Bones campaign. If I use it in a normal D&D campaign, I will probably lower the Hit Die to a d6, giving him proficiency with medium armor and/or shields to compensate. It will probably replace the rogue as the skill class, but given that it has no combat feature at all, I don't think it will overshadow the thief too much.
Any thoughts on this?
I've tried making an Expert PC Class. Here's what I've put together :
I've rated this class using the 2 systems for rating classes I found on the web.
- The Class Construction Engine by Khepri of SHADOWCRAFT STUDIOS, available at http://www.community3e.com/dn/class/class_d20cce.pdf. The average score for a class in this system is 250, the lowest one being 215. This expert class has a score of 245 (I doubled the cost for the number of class skills, as an ad hoc adjustment since the skills can be selected instead of being forced on the player).
- The Challenge Rating pdf by Upper Krust, available in the thread in this forum at http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=66470, contains a class rating system in the Design Parameters section. The average score for a class in this system is 116.72, the lowest one being 109.41. I came up with 106.86 for this Expert Class (again, doubling the cost for the number of class skills).
Now that this is out of the way, here's the class in itself.
- Hit Die : d8
- Class Skills : the expert can choose any 15 skills to be class skills
- Skill Points : 8 + Int Modifier
- BAB : As cleric
- Good Saves : Fortitude, Willpower
- Proficiencies : all Simple weapons and Light armor
- Class Features : 1 feat gained every even level (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20), to be selected in the following list (Acrobatic, Agile, Alertness, Animal Affinity, Athletic, Deceitful, Deft Hands, Diligent, Investigator, Magical Aptitude, Negotiator, Nimble Fingers, Persuasive, Self-Sufficient, Skill Focus, Stealthy).
Alternatively, the character can choose one of the following special abilities instead of a feat.- Skill Mastery : Upon gaining this ability, she selects a number of skills equal to 3 + her Intelligence modifier. When making a skill check with one of these skills, she may take 10 even if stress and distractions would normally prevent her from doing so. This ability can only be taken once. She must be at least a 10th-level expert to take this ability.
- Skill Specialty* : Upon gaining this ability, the expert selects a class skill and receives a +1 bonus on any check with that skill. Additional selection of this ability can improve the bonus to +2 and +3.
- Instant Mastery* : The expert gains 4 ranks in any Intelligence-based skill (including cross-class skills) in which she currently has no rank in. This ability can only be taken once.
- Expert* : The expert selects a specific Craft, Knowledge, or Profession skill. She receives a +2 expert bonus on checks made using the selected skill.
Now, here is the reason for some of the changes.
- Hit Die : I raised it mainly because I designed this class for a Skull & Bones campaign, where no one has a d4, and only spellcasters and rogues have a d6 (even though I'd raise the rogue to 1d8 to be on par with the new character classes if anyone had decided to play one in my campaign). Furthermore, the PrC specifically tailored for expert-type characters gives them a d8.
- Class Skills and Skill Points : I wanted to make this class as good as the rogue as far as skills are concerned, so I upped the skill points, which nearly "required" raising the number of class skills. As a comparison, the rogue gets 8 skill points and 29 class skills.
- Saves : No clear reason why I improved the saves. It was the last change I made, mainly to raise the rating of the class in the two rating system I used since I found that this class was a bit on the weak side compared to the other classes. I chose to raise fortitude instead of reflex because I didn't want the expert to further step on the rogue's toes. The main problem this causes, though, is that it makes for great Expert/Rogues.
- Class Features : I found the fighter's 1 feat/2 levels appealing for this class, especially given the increased number of "skill" feats in 3.5e. I decided to add the special abilities to give an incentive to take the class once you get the skill focus and +2/+2 feats you want for your character. I decided to put a level limit on Skill Mastery to duplicate the fact that the rogue can only gain this ability at 10th level, and because it would unbalance things too much in my mind for a 2nd level expert to be able to take 10 in any situation with up to 7 skills.
I think this class will work well in my Skulls and Bones campaign. If I use it in a normal D&D campaign, I will probably lower the Hit Die to a d6, giving him proficiency with medium armor and/or shields to compensate. It will probably replace the rogue as the skill class, but given that it has no combat feature at all, I don't think it will overshadow the thief too much.
Any thoughts on this?
