I'm reposting this before web.archive deletes it(as has happened to one or two other old threads I tried digging up). Bear in mind that I'm going to format for readability rather than style. More or less the same as the original text, with minor typo fixes where I spotted them while adding font/spoiler tags.
As originally posted by Antarx on Gleemax.
Introduction and Gratefulnesses
[spoiler]
If you find grammar, orthography or concordance failures in the text (I'm sure there's a lot), please PM me.
Thanks to everyone that is helping to make this handbook, with advices, suggestions or simply posting comments:
archerpwr, awaken_D_M_golem, BowenSilverclaw1986, CubeKnight, Green_eyes, Grundle, JanusJones, jameswilliamogle, JaronK, kreesteeyan, LeAvantgardeNoire, Nanshork, Surreal, Tshern
Thank you very much to all.
[/spoiler]
The PseudoClasses Handbook
Last update 12-19-07
What is a Pseudoclass?
Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Shaman View Post
Finally, another edition of "PrCs and you: a ranger's guide to not being a ranger:"
That quote made me think about building a iconic ranger without any levels in ranger class. Then, I started to search alternative class features, and I found that is possible to make it.
Example:We can use the barbarian variant from UA (lose rage, gain FE and combat style) and the dungeonscape alternative class features (lose trapsense, gain trapkiller) to build a ranger that can scout in advance, and with most of the ranger classical features. This is what I called PseudoRanger
So, in resume, a PseudoClass is a X class variant, that allow us to roleplay it as if it were another different Y class.Nomenclature:X Pseudo
YX is the actual class and
Y is the emulated class.
The previous example was a Barbarian PseudoRanger
Kinds of PseudoclassesFrom my point of view, there's 3 kinds of Pseudoclasses
1. Classes that, with the proper changes, allow us to use them as a typical member from some other class, WITH THE SAME FEATURES.
2. Classes that, with the proper changes, allow us to use them as a typical member from some other class, WITH EQUIVALENT FEATURES.
3. Races, feats, magic items, etc, that allow us to mimic class features.
Example: 1. The previous Barbarian has ranger features (F.E, and combat style) and can qualify for certains feats or PrC. So, this barbarian is a PseudoRanger type 1
2. A bard with nature skills as class skills can be ROLEPLAYED as a Ranger. He can introduce himself as a ranger, and the can mimic his features (use a bow, cast healing spells, calm animals, hide, spot, track, etc) and debilities (he may refuse heavier armours than light armour), but hardly can qualify for feats or PrC. So, this bard is a PseudoRanger type 2
3. The celestial template (gives a smite evil feature) allows us to qualify for Ascetic Knight. The Improved unarmed strike feat allow us to qualify for the Ascetic Hunter feat. Both examples works no matters what is your base class. That template and feat are from type 3
Why is a Pseudoclass interesting?Because some features stacks.
Example: * A Barbarian Pseudoranger (as described in the example above) 1 - Ranger 1 - Paladin PseudoRanger 1 (described below) has 3 Favoured enemies... at level 3.
* A Barbarian PseudoRanger 2 - Ranger 2, has 2 favoured enemies, and both weapon styles.
Also, sometimes is easier for a player, to use a Pseudoclass to improve some features rather than picking some PrC. Pseudoclasses are more flexible, since most alternate features are optional, and have no requisites for entry.
Type 1 and 3 are the "cheese stuff" and can be used to make good combos.
The benefits from type 2 are less evident (mostly for role-playing purposes, like this), but can be equally useful.
Example:Lets imagine that the bard we used to explain type 2 fights a evil sorcerer. The sorcerer see the bard and, wrongly, he supposes that he faces a ranger, so he decides to use spells with will save, believing than that is is weak save.
In any case, is an interesting option for:
* Qualify for some PrC at early levels
* Qualify for some feats
* Improve class features beyond the standard possibilities
* Make your own multiclass character, but removing weak class features. (for example, the previous swift hunter doest have a weak animal companion, or weak spells.)
* Create iconic characters (like Aragorn, Robin Hood, Drizzt D'Urden, etc) from a different approach
* Make extremely cool characters.
Ghost levels theoryIn resume, if we fill the requisites, we can pick some feats that allow us to stack levels from 2 different classes to gain or improve some features.
But if we fool the requisites, If we doesn't have any levels in one of the "supposedly required" class... we will gain a effective level 0 in that class. Since levels in both classes stacks... we gain a class feature, that works as if our base class levels were levels in the other class. We are gaining "ghostly levels" in the second class.
Example:Supposing that the previous character was a Paladin 15, then he has the same unarmed damage die as a Monk 15. He has 15 "ghostly" monk levels, for unarmed damage die purpose.
Handbook notes: *
Note 1: To save space, I'm not going to write every possible combination. I'm goint to add each class to his closest concept. If you are searching for a particular feature, also check other classes with that feature.
For example: Both druids and rangers have wild empathy. Both clerics and paladin have an alignment aura. If you wants to get wild empathy or alignment aura, please check both Pseudodruids and PseudoRangers or Pseudoclerics and PseudoPaladins
I know that this way is not the optimal, but I there's a lot of possibilities, and add every combination would be too much work and, even if I'll try it, I can't assure that I would not miss some of them. Sorry
*
Note 2: This tread focus his attention into
o Level dependant class features and ways to improve them. (Without picking levels in the class that gives that feature... otherwise is cheating )
o Builds (including class levels, races, magic items, etc) that can be used as another entirely different class.
I'm not covering PrC in this guide. The PrC list is huge, and it would be a very hard work (but if anyone want's to make a "Pseudo Prestige Class handbook", he has my aprobation )
Also, for those who only want to pick some X feature that is not level dependant, I suggest to check first the Surreal List of stuff. It would be easier.
Pseudoclasses List:PseudoBarbarian
[spoiler]Barbarians
* Type 1
o Druid
Suggested changes: UA: lose animal companion, spontaneous casting - Gain rage
More optional changes:
Comments:
A strange variant. you can't cast spells while raging, but can be interesting for a Master of many forms build.
o Half-Orc Paragon
Suggested changes: none
Comments: * Type 2
o
* Type 3
o Races with Rage
[/spoiler]
PseudoBards
[spoiler]Bards
* Type 1
* Type 2
These classes fill the same roles as bards: fighting, support, and (optional) party faceman. Some of them have auras that can mimic the bardic music effects, and are capable of heal some amount of damage.
o Dragon Shaman
Suggested changes: None
More optional changes: None
Comments: o Incarnate
Suggested changes: None
More optional changes: None
Comments: o Marshall
Suggested changes: None
More optional changes: None
Comments: * Type 3
o
[/spoiler]
PseudoDruids
[spoiler]Druids
* Type 1
o Bard
Suggested changes: UA: Lose bardic knowledge, Inspire (all) - Gain animal companion, wild empathy.
More optional changes: UA: Savaje bard (change spells)
Comments: This class is a bad trade. It has a lower HD, less spells (the list is still limited to level 6) and lacks of any other druid features.
But have 6 sp per level, and counts as full druid for animal companion purposes. Can be useful for multi class rangers, but I think that the druid is strictly better.
o Totemist
Suggested changes: None
More optional changes: None
Comments: Wild empathy is the only class feature in common, but otherwise, they fill the same niche.
* Type 2
* Type 3
o[/spoiler]
PseudoFighters
[spoiler]Fighters
* Type 1
o Rogue
Suggested changes: UA: lose SA - Gain bonus feats.
More optional changes: Comments: This class is the skilled version of the fighter. It has average BAB, but can be useful for dipping.
o Psychic Warrior
Suggested changes: None
Comments: It's a pity that this class can't take weapon specialization.
o Warblade
Suggested changes: None
Comments: This class can get fighter exclusive feats, but is treated as a fighter 2 levels lower.
* Type 2
o
* Type 3
o[/spoiler]
PseudoHexblades
Hexblades
[spoiler]
* Type 1
* Type 2
o Ranger
Suggested changes: CityScape WE: lose animal companion - Gain familiar
More optional changes: Comments:
Both have full BAB, both cast a small amout of spells, both have a "familiar"
Nothing else in comon. But I think that they must be a good challenge for each other.
* Type 3
o[/spoiler]
PseudoPaladin
Paladin
[spoiler] * Type 1
o Cleric
Suggested changes: UA: lose turn undead - Gain Smite evil
More optional changes: Comments: A full spellcasting paladin. The pool of healing is a bad substitute for lay on hands, but can mimic it (although is not necessary at all... cleric can heal spontaneously)
o Soulborn
Suggested changes: None
More optional changes: None
Comments: The incarnum auras are much like the aura of good, and they also have a smite ability. In fact, Soulborns can mimic all the paladin variants from UA.
* Type 2
o Dragon Shaman
Suggested changes: None
Comments: Touch of vitality is almost the same as lay on hands. I don't know why they have different names. Also, both paladin and DS have a aura effect.
* Type 3
o Races with Smite evil
Celestial template (MM)
Half celestial template (MM)
Killoren (RotW)[/spoiler]
PseudoRangers
Rangers
[spoiler]Rangers are a strange mix of rogue, druid and figther. Some player wants to enhace some aspect of the class, dipping here or there.
* Type 1
o Barbarian
Suggested changes: UA: Lose rage - Gain F.E. and combat style (bow)
Dungeoscape: Lose trapsense - Gain Trapkiller
More optional changes: C. Champion: Lose fast movement - Gain Pounce
Comments: We all know that 2 weapon fighting is a sub-optimal route. Is better a 2 handed weapon. In that case, go for barbarian. It can be used to scout and find traps with the survival skill, and is very strong (d12 hd and DR)
This class can use a bow and a 2 handed weapon (with power attack stuff)
for Swift hunters, the move bonus can be interesting, but if not, take the CC alternate feature. Why to dip in barbarian for pounce, if you can make it your base class?
Have you ever wanted a spell-less, companion-less ranger? Pick a barbarian.
o Druid
Suggested changes: UA: Lose wildshape - Gain Wis to AC, Fast movement, F.E, track and swift tracker.
More optional changes: UA: Lose animal companion, penalty to wild empathy, spontaneus casting - Gain Rage, tireless rage, fast movement,
Comments: Do you want a full spellcaster ranger? this class is for you.
This Pseudoranger is very nice to enter Harper Paragon PrC (to get F.E. Evil, and full spellcasting.)
If you want more martial power, you can trade your companion for the rage ability. But note that you can not cast spells while rage, so may be not so good for you.
o Paladin
Suggested changes: UA: Lose lay on hands, turn undead - Gain F.E.
More optional changes: U.A: Paladin of freedom
Comments: Awesome class. Try to get F.E. evil, and "smite them all".
The paladin of freedom variant is suggested to add more ranger flavour, but there aren't other kind of reasons to get it.
* Type 2
o Hexblade
Suggested changes: PHB II: Lose familiar - Gain a spectral panther
More optional changes: Comments: This is not exactly a ranger (I think that is the antithesis of him), but can be a good nemesis for the party ranger.
If you are a "twins-scimitar-drow" player, take a look at this class. It comes with a panther.
o Rogue
Suggested changes: UA: Replace skills with nature oriented skills, gain HipS, camouflage.
More optional changes: UA: lose SA - Gain bonus feats.
Comments: Do you want a 2 weapon killing machine, but with nature flavour? Pick a rogue.
Also, from time to time, any character needs more skill points and feats. If you want both, dip here, and gain 8+int sp and bonus feats. Also, this class can take weapon specialisation... hmmm.
o Swashbuckler
Suggested changes: PHBII: Lose doge bonuses - Gain shield bonuses while fighting with 2 weapons.
More optional changes: Comments: A nice class for dipping if you want a 2 weapon warrior.
* Type 3
o[/spoiler]
PseudoRogues
Rogues
[spoiler] * Type 1
o Fighter
Suggested changes: UA: lose bonus feats - Gain SA
More optional changes: Drow underdark: lose heavy armour and tower shield competence - Gain bonus to initiative, and Dex to damage.
Comments: The perfect 2 weapon killing machine. Great for dipping. If you want that class as your main class and you want to do something with your skill points, get Able learner and Nymph kiss feats.
o Psychic Rogue
Suggested changes: None
Comments: Little to say. This class is a rogue with psionic powers.
o Swordsage
Suggested changes: none
More optional changes: none
Comments: A skilled warrior, with lots of resources. Even if is not a trapfinder, you can get some of the rogue damage output by picking Shadow blade feat to add Dex to damage, and the assassin stance. You will net a nice +2d6 + dex to damage.
* Type 2
o
* Type 3
o Races with sneak attack
Marrulurk (Savage Species)
Greenspawn Sneak (MM IV)[/spoiler]
Special mention
Any class
[spoiler]
* Incarnum users
Comments: Due to huge amount of soulmelds and the variety of effects available, those classes can mimic most class features (except maybe spellcasting... but they can mimic spells effects)
I had added the incarnum classes to the closest core class concept, but still, they are very customizable.
* Factotum
Comments: This class can mimic nearly any other class.
* Chameleon
Comments: This PrC can mimic nearly any other class.[/spoiler]