A little while ago, a friend of mine and I were taking a look at some low-tier classes to see what could be done with them. One seemed particularly bad: the Mariner. Since the group was currently playing in a semi-nautical game, we were disappointed with how terrible that class was. We endeavored to come up with something a little better, so we did some legwork and patch jobs and eventually settled on what we called the Buccaneer. This is the final result of our homebrew class, so feel free to let me know what you think of it!
BAB: 4/4
HD: d8
Saves: Good Fort and Will
Skills: 6+ Int Mod
Balance, Bluff, Climb, Craft, Disguise, Escape Artist, Gather Information, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (local), Knowledge (nature), Move Silently, Open Lock, Perform, Profession, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Speak Language, Spot, Survival, Swim, Tumble, Use Rope, Use Magic Device
A buccaneer is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, plus the net and whip. Buccaneers are proficient with light armor and all shields save for the tower shield.
Bonus Feats: At 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th levels the buccaneer gains a bonus feat from the following list: Alertness, Combat Expertise (Improved Disarm, Improved Feint, Improved Trip), Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows (Snatch Arrows), Dodge (Mobility), Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Improved Initiative, Improved Unarmed Strike, Lucky†, Point Blank Shot (Far Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot), Power Attack (Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder), Quick Draw, Quick-Thinking†, Toughness, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus. The buccaneer must meet all prerequisites for the chosen feat.
Sailor Lore (Ex): Functions as Bardic Lore.
Seamanship (Ex): At 1st level, the buccaneer gains a +1 competence bonus to Balance, Climb, and Profession (Sailor) checks. This bonus increases to +2 at 5th, +3 at 9th, +4 at 13th, and +5 at 17th level.
Buccaneer Bravery (Ex): At 1st level, a buccaneer gains a +1 competence bonus to his Armor Class. This bonus increases to +2 at 5th level, +3 at 10th level, +4 at 15th level, and +5 at 20th level. However, this bonus can never be greater than the buccaneer's current Charisma bonus.
Put Down (Su): A 1st level buccaneer with 3 or more ranks in Perform (comedy) can mock an enemy to the point of despair. As an immediate action when an opponent misses an attack, the buccaneer makes a wisecrack denigrating the foe's fighting ability. The buccaneer must be able to see the unsuccessful attack. That foe gets a -2 morale penalty to AC for the remainder of the encounter.
Dirty Fighting (Ex): At 2nd level, the buccaneer may use a standard action to make a single weapon attack that does an extra +1d4. This extra damage increases to +2d4 at 6th, +3d4 at 10th, +4d4 at 14th, and +5d4 at 18th. This ability counts as sneak attack for purposes of qualification for feats, prestige classes, and other abilities that require sneak attack.
Taunt (Su): A 3rd level buccaneer with 3 or more ranks in Perform (comedy) can attempt to hurl such stinging insults against a foe that his opponent loses his temper in an explosive display. The buccaneer targets one creature within 60 feet that shares a language with him. The target must be able to hear the buccaneer for this ability to have an effect. The target can make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 buccaneer level + buccaneer's Cha modifier). If he fails, the target gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls but takes a -2 penalty to Armor Class. On its next turn the affected target takes the most direct route possible (charging if able) toward the buccaneer that avoids any obviously dangerous terrain, such as a pit of bubbling lava. The target may stop if an opponent blocks its path and can move around its foes in such a way as to avoid provoking attacks of opportunity (unless able to charge). The buccaneer must use a swift action to continue to taunt his opponent each round, and if he cannot complete this act the taunt's effects immediately end. This is a mind-affecting, language-dependent ability.
Back-to-Back (Ex): At 4th level, if the buccaneer is adjacent to an ally, fighting defensively, or using Combat Expertise, the buccaneer gains a +1 dodge AC bonus. This bonus increases to +2 at 8th, +3 at 12th, +4 at 16th, and +5 at 20th.
Horseplay (Su): A 9th-level buccaneer with 12 or more ranks in Perform (comedy) can caper and dance to distract his opponents in battle. The buccaneer's outrageous actions distract his foe, leaving it unable to effectively defend itself. The buccaneer can choose a single target within 30 feet to whom he has line of sight. The target must be able to see and hear the buccaneer and gets a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 buccaneer level + buccaneer's Cha modifier). If the target fails this save, it loses its Dexterity bonus (if any) to its Armor Class. The target gains a new save each round the buccaneer maintains horseplay (a swift action). If the target makes a successful Will save the effect ends and the target becomes immune to that buccaneer’s horseplay for 24 hours.
Favor of Davey Jones: At l0th-level, the buccaneer's antics are so vexing that even the normally implacable undead fall victim to them. The buccaneer's mind-affecting performance abilities function as normal against undead that possess intelligence scores, although undead creatures gain a +2 bonus on their saves against such abilities. Undead creatures that lack intelligence scores and other types of creatures immune to mind-affecting effects remain immune to the buccaneer's performance abilities.
Mocking Shout (Su): A 12th-level buccaneer with 15 or more ranks in Perform (comedy) can mock his opponents with such vicious, cutting humor that they lose confidence in their fighting ability. Every opponent within 60 feet of the buccaneer who can hear and understand him must make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 buccaneer level + buccaneer's Cha modifier). Creatures that fail this save suffer a -2 luck penalty on attack rolls, skill and ability checks, and saving throws for as long as the buccaneer continues to perform (as a move action), up to a maximum number of rounds equal to the buccaneer's class level. This is a mind-affecting, language-dependent effect.
Sailor Talk (Su): A 15th-level buccaneer with 18 or more ranks in Perform (comedy) can create a running series of jokes, observations, and insults that breaks a single target's ability to concentrate. When the buccaneer uses this ability, his target must make a Concentration check opposed by the buccaneer's Perform (comedy) check to cast a spell, use a supernatural ability, or otherwise perform an act that would require a Concentration check to complete if the target suffered damage while attempting it. The buccaneer can use this ability against a given target once per encounter. This is a mind-affecting, language- dependent effect.
Wit of the Damned (Su): An 18th-level buccaneer with 21 or more ranks in Perform (comedy) can leave his target a dispirited, demoralized shell with a few choice, cutting remarks. The target can make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 buccaneer level + buccaneer's Cha modifier). If the save fails, the target suffers a morale penalty equal to the buccaneer's Charisma bonus on attack rolls and saving throws. This penalty lasts for as long as the buccaneer performs (a move action), for a maximum number of rounds equal to half the buccaneer's class level. This is a mind-affecting, language-dependent effect. The target must be able to see and clearly hear the buccaneer. This ability is usable as a swift action.
