Author Topic: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)  (Read 27460 times)

Offline SneeR

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #40 on: May 10, 2012, 01:40:57 AM »
I think that 3rd level may be too soon for stun immunity on a caster. I'm particularly thinking of Born of Three Thunders.

This class is very infused with flavor, which is how I think all classes should be. Good job!
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #41 on: August 07, 2012, 11:00:13 PM »
Moved stun immunity to 9th level, and fixed the issues with Crystal Warrior's weapon and shield.

I'd like to see more spells per day on the basic Crystal Mage, at least at lower levels. First, because it's way too easy to run out of gas and be stuck with your energy peashooter. There's a good reason that everyone goes specialist Wizard, that Clerics have their bonus domain slots, and that Druids have bloody good class features to fall back on. Second, because otherwise the Crystal Warrior doesn't actually give anything up if taken for only a couple of levels.
  Any suggestion for a new progression?
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Offline geniussavant

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #42 on: August 07, 2012, 11:12:23 PM »
How about starting with the sorcerer spells known table, then fix it to account for the faster progression of crystal mage?
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Offline Garryl

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #43 on: August 07, 2012, 11:24:34 PM »
If you make sure the spell list doesn't have any encounter-ending spells at 1st level (Sleep, Color Spray, maybe a few others), you can seriously frontload them with 1st level spells per day. That alone will alleviate a lot of issues, as they'll have enough spell slots for the day + a bit at level 1, and when they get higher levels spells they fall into the usual paradigm of having more than enough spell slots spread across the levels.

You forgot to mention in the Crystal Warrior that they don't get Grow Crystal at 1st level (that or it's just not on the table).

Offline geniussavant

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #44 on: August 08, 2012, 01:43:09 AM »
I didn't see if you had fixed it already, but I wouldn't mind the slot tax being money, ei. pay to have your spellcrystal enhanced, but only gain benefit if the correct spell level is prep'ed
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #45 on: August 08, 2012, 07:26:57 AM »
If you make sure the spell list doesn't have any encounter-ending spells at 1st level (Sleep, Color Spray, maybe a few others), you can seriously frontload them with 1st level spells per day. That alone will alleviate a lot of issues, as they'll have enough spell slots for the day + a bit at level 1, and when they get higher levels spells they fall into the usual paradigm of having more than enough spell slots spread across the levels.
The problem with this is that I'd rather not have to wade through 234985720349876 spells to put together a spell list... saying "all wizard spells" is much easier, you know?

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You forgot to mention in the Crystal Warrior that they don't get Grow Crystal at 1st level (that or it's just not on the table).
Fixed.
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Offline geniussavant

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #46 on: August 08, 2012, 10:20:05 AM »
Is the Crystal Warrior supposed to gain the increased armor, slots taken up, HP loss and persuasion penalties associated with the spellcrystal growth when using its crystal weapon and shield?
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #47 on: August 08, 2012, 03:00:52 PM »
Is the Crystal Warrior supposed to gain the increased armor, slots taken up, HP loss and persuasion penalties associated with the spellcrystal growth when using its crystal weapon and shield?
It gets the growth as normal.  So only with 2nd-level or greater spells.  The warrior focuses on forming the shield and sword earlier.
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Offline geniussavant

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #48 on: August 08, 2012, 03:53:20 PM »
Okay, I was just confused because of the way the Crystal warrior references the mage's ability. Couldn't determine whether or not the increases in armor and penalties occurred with forming the weapon/shield or if it still required the spell slot to be prepared.

What are your thoughts as to maybe making a reserve feat for the class? Something like this might be a starting point.

Crystal Spikes

Prerequisites: Grow Crystal Class Feature, Ability to cast 2nd level spells

Benefit

As long as you have a spell from the crystal mage or crystal warrior spell list of 2nd level or higher available to cast,  you can create a 15-foot cone-shaped burst of crystal shards. This cone deals 1d6 points of piercing damage per level of the highest-level crystal mage or crystal warrior spell you have available to cast. A successful Reflex save halves the damage. As a secondary benefit, you gain a +1 competence bonus to your caster level when casting spells from the crystal mage or crystal warrior spell slots.

Just a thought to help with the spell slot crunch and give a bit of ranged combat option.

Edit: I tried to make it balanced with the other reserve feats, but I have no clue how well I accomplished this task.
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #49 on: August 10, 2012, 11:50:19 AM »
I'll add that (with some edits), nice!

I just noticed I have a dearth of CM feats.  Anyone have any more suggestions?
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Offline Garryl

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #50 on: August 10, 2012, 12:00:57 PM »
You have 3 feats in the feats thread already.

Refractive Crystals: Whenever a spell targets you or is an area spell whose area includes your space, you can attempt to counter it as an immediate action. You must succeed on an opposed caster level check, and then (if you are successful) expend a spell slot as though counterspelling normally.

Mirror Shell: Whenever you counter a spell, it is reflected back on its caster as Spell Turning.

Edit: More ideas!

Consumptive Crystal: Like Mother Cyst, but with spellcrystals!
Spray of Shards: Use Storm of Shards in a cone instead of a burst.
Flurry of Shards: Use Storm of Shards in a line instead of a burst.
Cloud of Shards: Use Storm of Shards as a persistent emanation instead of an instantaneous burst.
« Last Edit: August 10, 2012, 02:09:17 PM by Garryl »

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #51 on: August 10, 2012, 04:37:21 PM »
You have 3 feats in the feats thread already.
Yeah, but they're not super interesting...

Quote
Refractive Crystals: Whenever a spell targets you or is an area spell whose area includes your space, you can attempt to counter it as an immediate action. You must succeed on an opposed caster level check, and then (if you are successful) expend a spell slot as though counterspelling normally.

Mirror Shell: Whenever you counter a spell, it is reflected back on its caster as Spell Turning.

Edit: More ideas!

Consumptive Crystal: Like Mother Cyst, but with spellcrystals!
Spray of Shards: Use Storm of Shards in a cone instead of a burst.
Flurry of Shards: Use Storm of Shards in a line instead of a burst.
Cloud of Shards: Use Storm of Shards as a persistent emanation instead of an instantaneous burst.
Those look great!  I like the Consumptive Crystal idea.  My only issue is Cloud of Shards -- I'm not sure how to implement it without being super broken.
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Offline Garryl

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #52 on: August 10, 2012, 05:06:13 PM »
Quote
Refractive Crystals: Whenever a spell targets you or is an area spell whose area includes your space, you can attempt to counter it as an immediate action. You must succeed on an opposed caster level check, and then (if you are successful) expend a spell slot as though counterspelling normally.

Mirror Shell: Whenever you counter a spell, it is reflected back on its caster as Spell Turning.

Edit: More ideas!

Consumptive Crystal: Like Mother Cyst, but with spellcrystals!
Spray of Shards: Use Storm of Shards in a cone instead of a burst.
Flurry of Shards: Use Storm of Shards in a line instead of a burst.
Cloud of Shards: Use Storm of Shards as a persistent emanation instead of an instantaneous burst.
Those look great!  I like the Consumptive Crystal idea.  My only issue is Cloud of Shards -- I'm not sure how to implement it without being super broken.

Deal low damage each round independent of spell level (ie: 1d10 or 2d8 or whatever, depending on the version). Duration is 1 round/spell level. A given creature is only at risk of being subject to the spell's effects the first time it saves against the cloud of shards.

Some new spell ideas:
Wall of Crystal
Transmute Sand to Crystal
Transmute Crystal to Sand

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #53 on: August 10, 2012, 06:28:47 PM »
Crystal Spikes

Prerequisites: Grow Crystal Class Feature, Ability to cast 2nd level spells

Benefit

As long as you have a spell from the crystal mage or crystal warrior spell list of 2nd level or higher available to cast,  you can create a 15-foot cone-shaped burst of crystal shards. This cone deals 1d6 points of piercing damage per level of the highest-level crystal mage or crystal warrior spell you have available to cast. A successful Reflex save halves the damage. As a secondary benefit, you gain a +1 competence bonus to your caster level when casting spells from the crystal mage or crystal warrior spell slots.

Hmm... thinking about this, I'm not sure what to do.  The CL boost is too powerful, since it will apply to all your spells, but it's basically required for a reserve feat.  Thoughts?
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Offline Garryl

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #54 on: August 10, 2012, 07:27:09 PM »
Yeah, having a reserve feat for any spell at all is a bit much due to the CL boost. Without the CL boost, it's a reasonable feat, just not as a reserve feat.

Make it only count for Crystal spells, then make a few. Psionics has quite a few crystal powers you can pilfer, in addition to the ones I just proposed and anything from the Consumptive Crystal feat.

Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #55 on: August 10, 2012, 07:27:55 PM »
Where is the Crystal Mage spell list anyway?

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #56 on: August 10, 2012, 07:28:44 PM »
Where is the Crystal Mage spell list anyway?

Sigh... I guess I'm going to have to make one....
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Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #57 on: August 10, 2012, 07:42:53 PM »
Random spell I came across while doing a search for crystal spell.

Crystalline Memories

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #58 on: August 10, 2012, 08:28:15 PM »
I didn't reserve enough posts at the top for a spell list...  :-\
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Offline Garryl

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Re: Crystal Mage [base] (Magipunk)
« Reply #59 on: August 10, 2012, 08:31:17 PM »
You can co-opt my post if you want.