Min/Max Boards

A base class for my Magipunk setting.  WIP.

   
"There is a beast in all of us... I have simply learned to unleash mine."

A morphling is a creature whose DNA has become mutable (through magic, genetic engineering, or fate).  This strange ability allows a morphling to alter portions of its anatomy, even to the point of completely transforming into another type of creature.  Effecting such changes in their structure is difficult, however, and can quickly lead to fatigue.

MAKING A MORPHLING
A morphling is primarily a melee combatant, though at times one can serve other roles (such as scouting, or infiltrating enemy encampments) by using their Transformation ability.
Abilities: As a melee combatant, Strength and Dexterity are both important.  In addition, Constitution determines the duration of the Morph ability, the Morphling's hit points, and the Morphling's defense.
Races: Morphlings can come from any race.
Alignment: Any.
Starting Gold: As barbarian.
Starting Age: As barbarian.

Class Skills
The Morphling's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Animal Affinity (Cha), Athletics (Str), Natural Lore (Wis), Perception (Wis), Persuasion (Cha), and Profession (Wis).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (2 + int)x4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + int

Table: The Morphling				HD: d10
Level 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Base Attack Bonus +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 /+1 +7 /+2 +8 /+3 +9 /+4 +10 /+5 +11 /+6 /+1 +12 /+7 /+2 +13 /+8 /+3 +14 /+9 /+4 +15 /+10 /+5 +16 /+11 /+6 /+1 +17 /+12 /+7 /+2 +18 /+13 /+8 /+3 +19 /+14 /+9 /+4 +20 /+15 /+10 /+5	Fort Save +2 +3 +3 +4 +4 +5 +5 +6 +6 +7 +7 +8 +8 +9 +9 +10 +10 +11 +11 +12	Ref Save +2 +3 +3 +4 +4 +5 +5 +6 +6 +7 +7 +8 +8 +9 +9 +10 +10 +11 +11 +12	Will Save +0 +0 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +3 +3 +3 +4 +4 +4 +5 +5 +5 +6 +6 +6	Morph 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 18 20	Special Morph, Skill Focus (Perception), morphic body (skin) Morphic senses Blend in, morphic body (healing) Morphic body (fortification 50%) Transformation I Morphic weapons Morphic reserves Morphic body (brawn) Transformation II Morphic body (fortification 75%) Improved morphic weapons Morphic body (reach) Transformation III Improved morphic reserves Greater morphic weapons Morphic body (fortification 100%) Transformation IV Morphic flurry Supreme morphic weapons Morphic apotheosis, transformation V

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Morphlings are proficient with simple weapons and light armor, but not with shields.  They are proficient with their natural weapons.

Morph (Ex): A morphling's mutable DNA allows him to alter his anatomy in fantastic ways.  To represent this strange ability, a morphling gains morph points that he can spend to activate this ability (and the Transformation ability).  At the beginning of each encounter, he gains a number of morph points determined by his level (see the table above).  He can spend morph points to gain a number of abilities, determined by his level, as described below; the benefits and abilities last for a number of rounds equal to 3 + his Constitution modifier.  Once the duration of a morph ends, the morphling becomes exhausted for the duration of the encounter.

Skill Focus (Perception): A morphling gains Skill Focus (Perception) as a bonus feat.

Morphic body (Ex): A morphling also learns how to alter their body in less obvious ways.  Whenever a morphling is actively morphing or transformed, he gains the following abilities based on his class level:

• At 1st level, he gains a natural armor bonus equal to his Constitution modifier, or his existing natural armor bonus increases by the same amount.
• At 3rd level, he gains fast healing 1.  This increases by 1 for every 3 additional morphling levels (i.e., 2 at 6th, 3 at 9th, etc.).
• At 4th level, he becomes immune to stunning; in addition, he has a 50% chance to negate critical hits and precision damage.
• At 8th level, he gains a +4 bonus to Strength.
• At 10th level, he has a 75% chance to negate critical hits and precision damage.
• At 12th level, his natural reach increases by 5 feet.
• At 16th level, he is immune to critical hits and precision damage.

Morphic Senses: At 2nd level, a morphling gains low-light vision, as well as darkvision at a range of 60 feet.

Blend in (Ex): Beginning at 3rd level, a morphling learns how to subtly alter their structure and coloration, giving them a +10 circumstance bonus to Persuasion checks to impersonate someone, a +5 circumstance bonus on all other Persuasion checks, and a +5 circumstance bonus to Stealth checks.

Transformation I (Ex): At 5th level, a morphling learns to completely transform himself into another creature.  Doing so is a special use of the Morph ability that costs 5 morph points.  This ability functions like the alternate form special ability, except as noted here; activating this ability is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.  He can take the shape of any animal, humanoid, or monstrous humanoid of Medium or Small size that he is familiar with; the new form's hit dice cannot exceed his morphling level.  He retains the ability to speak in any form.  The duration of this ability is determined by the morphling's original Constitution modifier, not the Constitution modifier of the new form.

Morphic weapons (Ex): Beginning at 6th level, whenever a morphling gains a natural attack from his morph ability, he may spend an additional morph point to increase the size of the damage die by one step.

Morphic reserves (Ex): When he reaches 7th level, a morphling learns how to conserve his energy more efficiently.  Whenever he uses his morph ability, he may voluntarily reduce the duration by 3 rounds.  If he does so, then when the duration expires he becomes fatigued instead of exhausted.

Transformation II: At 9th level, a morphling can spend 7 morph points to use his transformation ability to assume the form of creatures of the giant or fey types.  He can also take on forms that are Large or Tiny size; taking the form of a Large or Tiny humanoid, animal, or monstrous humanoid costs 7 morph points (instead of 5).

Improved morphic weapons: Beginning at 11th level, whenever a morphling uses his morphic weapons ability, the damage die instead increases by two steps.

Transformation III: At 13th level, a morphling can spend 9 morph points to use his transformation ability to assume the form of creatures of the vermin or aberration types.  He can also take on forms that are Huge size; taking the form of a Huge humanoid, animal, monstrous humanoid, giant, or fey costs 9 morph points (instead of 5 or 7).

Improved morphic reserves (Ex): When he reaches 14th level, a morphling has built up a resistance to the physical weariness of morphing.  When a morph ends, he is fatigued instead of exhausted.  In addition, whenever he uses his morphic reserves ability on a morph, when that morph ends he takes no penalty.

Greater morphic weapons: Beginning at 15th level, whenever a morphling uses his morphic weapons ability, the damage die instead increases by three steps.

Transformation IV: At 17th level, a morphling can spend 11 morph points to use his transformation ability to assume the form of creatures of the plant or ooze types.  He can also take on forms that are Diminutive size; taking the form of a Diminutive humanoid, animal, monstrous humanoid, giant, fey, vermin, or aberration costs 11 morph points (instead of 5, 7, or 9).

Morphic flurry (Ex):  Beginning at 18th level, whenever a morphling gains a natural attack mode from his morph or transformation abilities, he gains one additional attack of that type.  For example, a 19th-level morphling who spends 1 morph point to gain 2 claw attacks would instead gain 3 claw attacks.

Supreme morphic weapons:  When he reaches 19th level, whenever a morphling uses his morphic weapons ability, the damage die instead increases by four steps.

Morphic apotheosis (Ex): Beginning at 20th level, a morphling has built up a significant tolerance to morphing and transformation.  The first 5 morph points he spends in an encounter cause him no penalty when the morph or transformation ends.  If and when he spends more points, he suffers fatigue as normal (his improved morphic reserves ability still applies).

Transformation V: At 20th level, a morphling can spend 13 morph points to use his transformation ability to assume the form of creatures of the elemental or dragon types.  He can also take on forms that are Gargantuan size; taking the form of a Gargantuan humanoid, animal, monstrous humanoid, giant, fey, vermin, aberration, plant, or ooze costs 13 morph points (instead of 5, 7, 9, or 11).


PLAYING A MORPHLING
Morphlings are ferocious combatants, exploding into a whirlwind of claws, teeth, and tentacles whenever threatened.
 Combat: Morphlings use their natural weapons to great effect.  Many spend MP on the Pounce ability once it becomes available, charging up to enemies and tearing them apart with claws, teeth, and tentacles.
 Advancement: Feats and items that improve natural attacks can augment a morphling's combat prowess.  In particular, Multiattack and Improved Multiattack are good for those who want several natural attack modes.

MORPHLINGS IN THE WORLD
"Whenever someone walks by who isn't wearing a shirt, I keep my hand on my sword."
A brief description of how your class is persevered in the world and how he interacts with the world.
 Daily Life: Some general information about the typical day in the life of your class.
 Notables: Make up some cool information about notable figures in the history of your class. It's best to give a little information from one of the good alignment and evil alignment (unless it's a good or evil only class).
 Organizations: The Evernight Gladatorial Arena trains morphlings to fight each other and Wilds-caught monsters, for the entertainment of tourists.

NPC Reaction
 This is an in detail description of how NPC's would perceive your class and the immediate generalization that people would give of your class.

MORPHLINGS IN THE GAME
 This is a good place to provide a quick note on how your class will effect game play statistically.
 Adaptation: This is a place where you put in detail how people can adapt your class into their campaign setting.
 Encounters: This is a place to describe what sort of encounters PC's will have with NPC versions of your class.

Sample Encounter
Give an example of how one might encounter a member of this PrC.
EL x: Give the encounter level and description of a sample member of this class and a stat block for him/her.


Skuth
CN Male Dragonborn Human Morphling 8
Init +0, Senses: Listen +, Spot +,
Languages
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AC , touch , flat-footed   ()
hp  ( HD)
Fort +, Ref +, Will + 
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Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee
Base Atk +, Grp +
Atk Options
Combat Gear
Spells Prepared
Supernatural Abilities
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Abilities Str 14, Dex 11, Con 19, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8
SQ
Feats
Skills
Possessions

I don't know how helpful it will be, but this might help you with some inspiration for fully fleshed out class abilities or some such.

Thanks, guys.  I'm pretty set on how these things will work (at least until I finish posting and then get feedback that the whole thing sucks), I just ran out of non-sleeping time last night to finish posting this.  In particular I have a much better idea on how to write up the morph abilities, so that will be a major change.

I'll take a look at these things, though.  Inspiration is always useful!

Is that Morph Point column just the Totemist's essentia pool with the first few levels boosted by 1?

Actually I started with Factotum's Inspiration... then changed it several times so that it was no longer recognizable.

I do expect you back when this is finished for a full review. 

Immunities: Rather then a flat out "Immune to Rogues and Fighters" at 4th level, you may want to drag it out, since 4th is WAY too soon for flat out immunity. Grant a 25% immunity at 4th, then a 50% at 8th, and then perhaps full immunity at 12th.

Got some ideas here:

Lvl 12 - Reserved Morphing: By restricting yourself from your full potential, you put less strain on your body after a morph. You may willingly reduce the duration of your morphs by 2 rounds. If you do, when the morph ends you are merely Fatigued instead of Exhausted.

Lvl 16 - Greater Reserves: You are only Fatigued instead of Exhausted after a morph ends. If you apply Reserved Morphing to a morph you perform, when it ends you are neither Exhausted or Fatigued.

Lvl 20 - Morphic Apotheosis: You become a master of your own biology. You become a Shapeshifter, and may spend 5 Morph Points at any time without risking fatigue or exhaustion. Unlike normal Morph Point expenditures, you may hold this morph indefinitely. After you spend your 6th, you risk exhaustion or fatigue as normal.

Hm... good stuff.  Will do.

The immunities thing came from Warshaper, which grants it at level 5 (essentially), but I can break it up.

Well you should know better then to directly quote an already broken Prestige Class.

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Worn or carried gear does not change, but anything that does not fit or cannot be carried by the new form falls to the ground.  Many morphlings carry very little with them on a regular basis, and wear clothing that is easily removable.

Terrible. D&D is heavily gear dependent, and this just shoots these guys right in the nuts, for no reason except "flavor". This is not a druid, which needs to be handicapped a bit. This guy's entire schtick is shapechanging. He doesn't need this.

The funny thing is, if you hadn't put this special provision in there, and had just said they get Alternate Form wholesale, their gear would have resized, because that's what it does by default with Alternate Form. It's one of the nice things about playing a lycanthrope.

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If the creature changes size, any gear it wears or carries that can be worn or carried in its new form changes size to match the new size.

It won't change shape, but it will resize itself.

Hmm... okay I see what you mean.  I'll take that part out, so it just works like Alternate Form.

Blergh... too many entries in class table!   

I'll figure out a way to write it more cleanly, to deal with increased fortification and fast healing.  Just not at this exact moment.

The very short duration badly restricts the out of combat utility of morphing/transformation which makes it less interesting. Combined with exhaustion which means you dare not use it unless your life depends on it because in less than a minute you will be all but useless and it's a pretty weak class.

Suggestions:
Reduce the cost back down to fatigued.
Enduring Morph - should increase morph by 5 rnds + 5 rnds/extra morph pt spent as a swift action before the end of the morph.
Long Transformation - transformation costs 2 extra morph pts and lasts up to (3+con bonus) x 10 min, morph pt pool does not renew while transformation is ongoing - allows scouting, digging etc. Could be a feat or a class ability.
Drop references to DNA in the fluff - no explanation is better than an explanation that is obviously impossible and makes biologists go 

I had meant to suggest something along those lines with my lvl 20 suggestion above, but you're right. Perhaps some form of a pool of points that you can freely spend without risking fatigue, and at limitless duration?

I'm actually going to go back and edit my original suggestion post to include something about having no duration on the 20th level power.

.......

And back. Maybe something like "You may spend 1/4th of your Morph Pool (rounding down) at any time without risking fatigue or exhaustion. There is no duration on this shift." to indicate people can just sprout tentacles and climb up a building at a moment's notice, or grow cheetah legs or bug wings and just take off.

The very short duration badly restricts the out of combat utility of morphing/transformation which makes it less interesting. Combined with exhaustion which means you dare not use it unless your life depends on it because in less than a minute you will be all but useless and it's a pretty weak class.

Suggestions:
Reduce the cost back down to fatigued.
Enduring Morph - should increase morph by 5 rnds + 5 rnds/extra morph pt spent as a swift action before the end of the morph.
Long Transformation - transformation costs 2 extra morph pts and lasts up to (3+con bonus) x 10 min, morph pt pool does not renew while transformation is ongoing - allows scouting, digging etc. Could be a feat or a class ability.
Drop references to DNA in the fluff - no explanation is better than an explanation that is obviously impossible and makes biologists go 

I agree with Phaedrus -- altering your DNA to change your form is a time-honored sci-fi tradition!  Lol.

And out of combat, it's trivial.  All they have to do is run Morph --> Endurance as long as they want, just like outside an encounter you can pretty much do what you want with a Factotum's inspiration points or ToB maneuvers.  A morphling can use the same trick to run all night, in fact.

EDIT: Do you guys think the "morphic body" stuff is too much overall?  Should I kill the whole ability tree?  Or make it into something you can spend MP on?

I agree with Phaedrus -- altering your DNA to change your form is a time-honored sci-fi tradition!  Lol.

And out of combat, it's trivial.  All they have to do is run Morph --> Endurance as long as they want, just like outside an encounter you can pretty much do what you want with a Factotum's inspiration points or ToB maneuvers.  A morphling can use the same trick to run all night, in fact.

EDIT: Do you guys think the "morphic body" stuff is too much overall?  Should I kill the whole ability tree?  Or make it into something you can spend MP on?

sirpercival, here's something to consider. Take a look at the summoner class from Pathfinder, then say to yourself...

"What if there was NO Eidolon, and you just kept applying the granted Evolution points to yourself?"

Springboard and discuss.