Holomancer [base] (Magipunk)

[sirpercival]

Another base class for my Magipunk setting.  WIP.

Holomancer


Picture Credit: Google Image Search

   
"They'll see exactly what I want them to see -- no more, no less."

-Thomas Winter, head holomancer of Shining Light Advertising Agency

What do you want the world to look like?  Do you want it brighter, darker, prettier, uglier?  Hire a holomancer, and your world will look exactly like you want it to.

MAKING A HOLOMANCER
Thing
Abilities: Thing
Races: Any.
Alignment: Any.
Starting Gold: As warlock.
Starting Age: As warlock.

Class Skills
The Holomancer's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Arcana (Int), Concentration (Wis), Engineering (Int), Negotiation (Cha), Perform (Cha), Persuasion (Cha), Profession (Wis), Scholarship (Int).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int)x4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int

Table: Holomancer					HD: d6
Level 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Base Attack Bonus +0 +1 +2 +3 +3 +4 +5 +6 /+1 +6 /+1 +7 /+2 +8 /+3 +9 /+4 +9 /+4 +10 /+5 +11 /+6 /+1 +12 /+7 /+2 +12 /+7 /+2 +13 /+8 /+3 +14 /+9 /+4 +15 /+10 /+5	Fort Save +0 +0 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +3 +3 +3 +4 +4 +4 +5 +5 +5 +6 +6 +6	Ref Save +0 +0 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +3 +3 +3 +4 +4 +4 +5 +5 +5 +6 +6 +6	Will Save +2 +3 +3 +4 +4 +5 +5 +6 +6 +7 +7 +8 +8 +9 +9 +10 +10 +11 +11 +12	Special Coherent light 1d6, invocation (least) Spectral vision Coherent light 2d6 Bend light Coherent light 3d6 Invocation (lesser) Coherent light 4d6 Improved spectral vision Coherent light 5d6 Improved bend light Coherent light 6d6, invocation (greater) Illusion resistance Coherent light 7d6 Greater spectral vision Coherent light 8d6 Invocation (bright) Coherent light 9d6 Lightwalk Coherent light 10d6 Supreme spectral vision	Invocations Known 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 11 11 12 12	Sculpts and Essences 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Holomancers are proficient with simple weapons and light armor, but not with shields.  They can use their invocations and coherent light while wearing light armor without penalty; however, medium or heavy armor or using a shield incurs arcane spell failure as normal.

Invocations: A holomancer does not prepare or cast spells as other wielders of arcane magic do.  Instead, he possesses a group of abilities known as invocations that represent his ability to bend, shape, and alter light.  A holomancer can use any invocation he knows at will, with the following qualifications.

A holomancer's invocations are spell-like abilities; using an invocation is therefore a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity.  An invocation can be disrupted, just as a spell can be ruined during casting.  A holomancer is entitled to Concentration check to successfully use an invocation if he is hit by an attack while invoking, just as a spellcaster would be.  A holomancer can choose to use an invocation defensively by making a Concentration check, to avoid attacks of opportunity.  A holomancer's invocations are subject to spell resistance unless an invocation specifically states otherwise.  A holomancer's caster level with his invocations are equal to his holomancer level.

The save DC for an invocation (if it allows a save) is 10 + equivalent spell level + the holomancer's Charisma modifier.  Since spell-like abilities are not actually spells, a holomancer cannot benefit from the Spell Focus feat.  He can, however, benefit from the Ability Focus feat, as well as from feats that emulate metamagic effects for spell-like abilities.  Unlike other spell-like abilities, invocations are subject to arcane spell failure for armor heavier than light.

The four grades of invocations, in order of their relative power, are least, lesser, greater, and bright.  A holomancer begins with knowledge of one invocation, which must be of the lowest grade (least).  As a holomancer gains levels, he learns new invocations, as summarized in the table above and described below.  At any level when a holomancer gains access to a new grade of invocations, he can also replace an invocation he already knows with another invocation of the same or lesser grade.

Prismatic essences and light sculpting: A holomancer learns some invocations that can modify his coherent light, changing the shape, color, or luminosity.  Those that change the color or luminosity are prismatic essences, and those that alter shape are light sculpts.  A holomancer can apply up to one prismatic essence he knows and one light sculpt he knows to each use of coherent light; doing so is part of the same action as the coherent light.  Prismatic essences and light sculpting are discussed in more detail below.  The holomancer learns prismatic essences and light sculpting invocations at the indicated levels in the table above; these invocations cannot be changed at higher levels like other invocations.

Coherent light (Su): The first ability a holomancer learns is coherent light.  A holomancer attacks his foes with bursts of bright, high-energy photons. Coherent light is a ray with a range of 60 feet.  It is a ranged touch attack that affects a single target, allowing no saving throw, and deals 1d6 damage at first level, increasing by 1d6 every two levels after.  Coherent light is the equivalent of a spell whose level is equal to one-half the holomancer's class level rounded down, with a minimum of 1st and a maximum of 9th.

As a supernatural ability, coherent light is not subject to spell resistance.  Coherent light deals half damage to objects.  Metamagic feats cannot improve a holomancer's coherent light (because it is a supernatural  ability and not a spell).  However, the feat Ability Focus (coherent light) increases the DC for all saving throws (if any) associated with a holomancer's coherent light by 2.  If a holomancer's base attack bonus is high enough to allow him iterative attacks, he may make a full attack action with coherent light; however, some light sculpting invocations or prismatic essences can only be used as standard actions.  See the prismatic essence and light sculpting sections for details.

Spectral vision (Ex): At 2nd level, a holomancer's eyes become accustomed to seeing in different parts of the spectrum.  He gains low-light vision and darkvision out to a range of 60 feet.

Bend light (Sp): By manipulating the ambient light level, a holomancer of 4th level or higher can decrease or increase the illumination of an area at will. The change in illumination can be gradual (taking as long as 1 minute) or sudden (occurring immediately).  This ability does not function in areas of total natural darkness, as there is no light to work with; however, a holomancer can use this ability to counter magical light or darkness effects of 1st level or lower.  This ability affects a 5 foot per level radius area emanating from the holomancer.

The holomancer can decrease the illumination of an area by as little as 5% (barely perceptible) or as much as 100% (total darkness). If he decreases the light by 50% or more, the visual ability of creatures that depend on light to see declines accordingly.  If he decreases the ambient light in an area by 100%, even those with low-light vision are unable to see within the affected area. For each 25% decrease in ambient light, characters in the area gain a cumulative +1 circumstance bonus on Hide checks (to a maximum of +4 when all the light is gone).

The holomancer can increase the illumination of an area by as little as 5% (barely perceptible) or as much as 100%. If he increases the light by 50% or more, the visual ability of creatures that depend on light to see improves accordingly.

Improved spectral vision (Su): At 8th level, a holomancer's vision becomes even more enhanced.  He becomes immune to blindness, and the range of his darkvision increases to 120 feet. In addition, he continuously functions under the effect of arcane sight.  Glowing blue eyes are a trademark of experienced holomancers.

Improved bend light (Su): A holomancer of 10th level or higher gains an increased facility with pure light.  He can use daylight and deeper darkness at will as supernatural abilities; these effects cannot be countered except by a holomancer of equal or higher level.

Illusion resistance (Ex): Beginning at 12th level, a holomancer has worked so extensively with illusions that he can recognize them on sight.  He gains a save automatically when viewing or otherwise sensing an illusion, as if he had interacted with it; he also gains a +4 insight bonus on all saves against illusion spells and effects.

Greater spectral vision (Su): At 14th level, a holomancer's eyes become even more extraordinary, granting him x-ray vision.  He gains the ability to see into and through solid matter.  The range of the vision is 30 feet, with the holomancer seeing as if he were looking at something in normal light even if there is no illumination.  X-ray vision can penetrate 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, or up to 3 feet of wood or dirt. Thicker substances or a thin sheet of lead blocks this ability.

Lightwalk (Su): Beginning at 18th level, a holomancer can transform himself into a beam of light and move along geodesics with incredible ease.  He can use greater teleport as a supernatural ability at will, but only to locations with which he has line-of-sight.

Supreme spectral vision (Su): At 20th level, a holomancer can see magic as easily as he can see light.  He is continuously under the effects of both true seeing and greater arcane sight.

PLAYING A HOLOMANCER
Thing.
 Combat: Thing.
 Advancement: Thing.

HOLOMANCERS IN THE WORLD
"Thing."

-Guy

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: Thing.

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.

HOLOMANCERS 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.


GUY
Thing
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 STATS
SQ
Feats
Skills
Possessions

[sirpercival]

Holomancer Feats


Holomancer Invocations
Holomancers choose the invocations they learn as they gain levels, much like bards or sorcerers choose which spells to learn.  However, a holomancer's arcane repertoire is even more limited, and his invocations are spell-like abilities, not spells.

In addition to its grade (least, lesser, greater, or bright), every invocation has a spell level equivalent, which is used in the calculation of save DCs and for other purposes.  A least invocation has a level equivalent of 1st or 2nd; a lesser, 3rd or 4th; a greater, 5th or 6th; and a bright invocation has a level equivalent of 6th or higher (maximum 9th).  The level equivalent for each invocation is given in its description.  A holomancer can dismiss any invocation as a standard action, just as a wizard can dismiss a spell.

Prismatic Essence Invocations

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Some of a holomancer's invocations, such as crimson ray, modify the damage or other effects of a holomancer's coherent light.  These are called prismatic essence invocations.  Unless noted otherwise, coherent light modified by prismatic essence invocations deals damage normally in addition to imparting the effect described in the invocation description.  However, when coherent light is modified by a prismatic essence invocation, it becomes a spell-like ability (not a supernatural ability), and therefore is subject to spell resistance.

A holomancer can apply only one prismatic essence invocation to a single coherent light, choosing from any of the prismatic essence invocations that he knows. When a holomancer applies a prismatic essence invocation to his coherent light, the spell level equivalent of the modified coherent light is equal to the spell level of the coherent light or of the prismatic essence invocation, whichever is higher. If a holomancer targets a creature with prismatic coherent light that has immunity to the invocation’s effect, it still takes the damage from the coherent light normally (provided it isn’t also immune to the coherent light).

A holomancer can apply a prismatic essence invocation and a light sculpting invocation (see below) to the same coherent light. When a holomancer uses both kinds of invocations to alter coherent light, the spell level equivalent is equal to the spell level of the coherent light, the level of the prismatic essence invocation, or the level of the light sculpting invocation, whichever is higher.

Least Prismatic Essence Invocations

• Crimson Ray -- Coherent light deals fire damage, and does +1 point of damage per die.
• Luminous Ray -- Target must make Will save or glow for 2 rounds, making their location and outline clearly visible despite shadows, invisibility or any other non-barrier source of concealment. While they glow, ranged attacks against them have a +1 circumstance bonus to hit.
• Ochre Ray --   Coherent light deals acid damage, and target must make Fortitude save or be sickened.  Only applies to first iterative attack.
• Radiant Beam -- Coherent light becomes positive energy, healing living creatures (d6->d4) and damaging undead (d6->d8).
  

Lesser Prismatic Essence Invocations

• Amber Ray --   Coherent light deals electricity damage, and target must make Reflex save or be slowed for 1 round.  Only applies to first iterative attack.
• Bright Ray -- Target must make Fortitude save or become blinded for 1d4 rounds.  Standard action.
• Flickering Ray, Lesser -- Target must make Will save or become confused for 1d4 rounds.  Only applies to first iterative attack.
• Jade Ray --   Target is poisoned; 1d10 Constitution damage initial and secondary, Fort save to negate each.  Only applies to first iterative attack.

Greater Prismatic Essence Invocations

• Cerulean Ray --  Target must make Fort save or be petrified, as flesh to stone.  Standard action.
• Everbright Ray --  Target must make Fort save or become blinded permanently.  Standard action.
• Flickering Ray, Greater -- Target must make Will save or become paralyzed for 1d4 rounds.  Standard action.
• Indigo Ray -- Target must make Will save or become insane, as insanity spell.  Only applies to first iterative attack.

Bright Prismatic Essence Invocations

• Heliotrope Ray --  Target must make Will save or be transported to another plane (chosen at random).  Standard action.
• Dark Ray --  Target must make Fort save or die.  Standard action.

Light Sculpting Invocations

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Some of a holomancer's invocations, such as vibrant spear, modify the range, target(s), or area of a holomancer's coherent light. These are called light sculpting invocations. Unless noted otherwise, coherent light subject to light sculpting invocations deal damage normally in addition to imparting the effects described in the invocation description. A holomancer can apply only one light sculpt at a time to coherent light, and he can choose from any of the light sculpting invocations that he knows. A holomancer need not apply a light sculpting invocation to his coherent light.

When a holomancer applies a light sculpting invocation to his coherent light, the spell-level equivalent is equal to the spell level of the coherent light or of the light sculpting invocation, whichever is higher.  A holomancer can apply a light sculpting invocation and a prismatic essence invocation (see Prismatic Essence Invocations above) to the same coherent light. When a holomancer uses a prismatic essence and a light sculpt to alter coherent light, the spell-level equivalent is equal to the spell level of the coherent light, the prismatic essence invocation, or the light sculpting invocation, whichever is higher.

Least Light Sculpting Invocations

• Vibrant Glaive -- Form coherent light into a glaive, gain reach and can make AoOs.
• Vibrant Spear -- Coherent light range increases to 250 feet.  Standard action.

Lesser Light Sculpting Invocations

• Vibrant Chain -- Coherent light jumps from initial target to secondary targets.  Standard action.
• Vibrant Line -- Coherent light takes the shape of a 60-foot line.  Standard action.

Greater Light Sculpting Invocations

• Vibrant Burst --  Coherent light takes the shape of a 30-foot burst.  Standard action.
• Vibrant Cone --  Coherent light takes the shape of a 40-foot cone.  Standard action.

Bright Light Sculpting Invocations

• Vibrant Aura --  Creatures entering 30-ft radius area centered on holomancer suffer coherent light damage.  Immediate action.

Least Invocations

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• Change Face -- Use disguise self as the spell.
• Darkness -- Use darkness as the spell.
• Distraction -- Use distract, distract assailant, or distracting ray as the spells.
• Helpful Shadows -- Use blur as the spell.
• Hidden Secrets, Least -- Use invisibility as the spell.
• Hologram, Least -- Use minor image as the spell.
• Mirrorwalk -- Use mirror image as the spell.
• Patternweave, Least -- Use hypnotic pattern as the spell.
• Phantom Assailant -- Illusory double appears, target denied Dexterity bonus if successfully attacked.
• See the Unseen -- Use see invisibility as the spell.
• Trick of the Eye -- You and an ally or illusion instantly swap places as a standard action.

Lesser Invocations

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• Bait 'n' Switch -- You and an ally or illusion instantly swap places as a swift action.
• Benevolent Shadows -- Use displacement as the spell.
• Hidden Secrets, Lesser -- Use greater invisibility as the spell.
• Hologram, Lesser -- Use major image as the spell.
• Patternweave, Lesser -- Use rainbow pattern as the spell.
• Phantom Duo -- Two illusory doubles appear, target denied Dexterity bonus if successfully attacked.
• Virtualscape -- Use hallucinatory terrain as the spell.

Greater Invocations

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• Change Face, Greater -- Use seeming as the spell.
• Hologram, Greater -- Use programmed image as the spell.
• Phantasms -- Use phantasmal assailant, phantasmal decoy, phantasmal disorientation, or phantom foe, as the spell.
• Phantom Mob --Three illusory doubles appear, target denied Dexterity bonus if successfully attacked.
• Shadowblast -- Use shadow evocation as the spell.
• Shadowcall -- Use shadow conjuration as the spell.
• Virtualscape, Greater -- Use mirage arcana as the spell.

Bright Invocations

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• Change Face, Bright -- Use veil as the spell.
• Enemy of my Enemy -- Create illusory duplicate of target that fights using the some of the original's statistics.
• Hologram, Bright -- Use project image as the spell.
• Patternweave, Bright -- Use scintillating pattern as the spell.
• Shadowblast, Bright -- Use greater shadow evocation as the spell.
• Shadowcall, Bright -- Use greater shadow conjuration as the spell.
• Solar Focus -- Focus sunlight into affected area.

[sirpercival]

New Invocation Descriptions

(click to show/hide)

Bait 'n' Switch (credit: Dralnu)
Lesser Invocation
Initiation: 1 swift action
Range: 60ft.
Target: You and one other creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None or Will negates (harmless)

In the blink of an eye, you and your ally seamlessly swap places.

This ability works as Trick of the Eye, except the range is 60ft. and the initiation action is 1 swift action.

Distract (credit: Dralnu)
Least Invocation
When you use this invocation, you may choose to gain the effect of distract (SpC 69), distract assailant (SpC 69), or distracting ray (SpC 69), as the spell.

Enemy of my Enemy (credit: Dralnu)
Bright Invocation
Initiation: 1 standard action
Range: 25ft. + 5ft. /2 levels
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 round / level

Your foe charges towards you, only to come face to face with its own image charging back at him.

You create a pseudo-real duplicate of your target. The illusion is an exact copy of the original (at the time of casting) in all regards except otherwise noted here: It does not retain any supernatural abilities or class abilities, though it does retain any extraordinary abilities that the original has. The illusion's AC is 10 + your size modifier + your Dex modifier. It has half the total HP of the original.

The illusion appears where you designate and acts immediately, on your turn. It attacks your opponents to the best of its ability. You can mentally command it as a free action and, therefore, you can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions.

You can never have more than one figment created by this invocation at a time. If a second figment is created with his invocation, the first figment disappears.

Phantasms (credit: Dralnu)
Greater Invocation
When you use this invocation, you may choose to gain the effect of phantasmal assailant (SpC 154), phantasmal decoy (SpC 155), phantasmal disorientaiton (SpC 155), or phantom foe, as the spell.

Phantom Assailant (credit: Dralnu)
Least Invocation
Initiation: 1 standard action
Range: Personal; see text
Target: You
Duration: 1 round
A duplicate of you exits your body. With a grin, it charges at the enemy.

An illusory duplicate of you springs into being, starting in a square adjacent to yours by "leaving" your body. It acts similarly to a summoned monster, acting immediately, on your turn. You can mentally command it as a free action. The figment can perform any number of basic actions that your character could perform during this round, such as attacking. It cannot, however, mimic any invocations or special class abilities that you may have.

The image uses your land speed for movement and uses your current total attack bonus when attacking. The figment can only make one attack against the target's touch AC. If it hits an opponent with an attack, the attack deals no damage but the opponent is denied its Dexterity bonus to its AC until the beginning of its next turn and the image immediately disappears.

Any successful attack against the image destroys it. The image’s AC is 10 + your size modifier + your Dex modifier. It seems to react normally to area spells (such as looking like it's burned or dead after being hit by a fireball).

Phantom Duo (credit: Dralnu)
Lesser Invocation
Initiation: 1 standard action
Range: Personal; see text
Target: You
Duration: 1 round
Two duplicates of you exit your body. With a grin, they charge at the enemy.

This invocation works as Phantom Assailant, except two figments are produced instead of one. These figments may also use your BAB to determine how many attacks they can make, instead of being limited to just one.

Phantom Mob (credit: Dralnu)
Greater Invocation
Initiation: 1 standard action
Range: Personal; see text
Target: You
Duration: 1 round
Three duplicates of you exit your body. With a grin, they charge at the enemy.

This invocation works as Phantom Mob, except three figments are produced instead of two.

Solar Focus (credit: Noliar)
Bright Invocation
Initiation: 1 standard action
Duration: Concentration
The Holomancer takes all the sunlight in the area within medium range of herself and concentrates it within an area she specifies within that range (100 ft +10ft/level). In the area affected where the sunlight is not focused the illumination is reduced by 95% (there is a little illumination from scattering and reflection.) The effect where the sunlight is concentrated depends on how tight the focus is and on the ambient conditions as described below. While maintaining the Solar Focus the Holomancer may change the position of the focused patch once per round as a free action.

Ambient light	Area of Effect
	5' square	5' radius	10' radius
Within 1 hr of noon, clear	Blinding light, 2d8 damage/level/round, soft metals melt, anything that can burn catches fire	Blinding light, d8 damage/level/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d8 damage/2 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire
Daytime, clear	Blinding light, d8 damage/level/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d8 damage/2 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d8 damage/4 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire
Twilight, clear	Blinding light, d8 damage/4 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, unattended flammable materials catch light in 2 rounds	Dazzling light, unattended highly flammable materials catch light in 4 rounds
Within 1 hr of noon, heavy cloud	Blinding light, 2d6 damage/level/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d6 damage/level/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d6 damage/2 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire
Daytime, heavy cloud	Blinding light, d6 damage/2 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d6 damage/4 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, unattended flammable materials catch light in 2 rounds
Twilight, heavy cloud	Dazzling light, unattended highly flammable materials catch light in 4 rounds	Dazzlng light	Brightly illuminated

Trick of the Eye (credit: Dralnu)
Least Invocation
Initiation: 1 standard action
Range: 30ft.
Target: You and one other real or illusory creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None or Will negates (harmless)

In the blink of an eye, you and your ally seamlessly swap places.

You and a willing ally instantly switch positions. You may also switch positions with an illusion you created.  If you swap with an illusion that is a duplicate of you, the swap is impossible for onlookers to detect.

[sirpercival]

OK, mechanics are done, just have to finish the invocations.

[Ziegander]

I think this is a very excellent Warlock variant. Light and illusion-based no doubt, with appealing visual acuity based class features lending it interesting utility. The one disappointment is the lack of refinement of the "Eldritch Blast." You did stretch it to 10d6, the most immediately sensible thing to do, but other than that it appears to be a complete copy-paste job. I would make it a supernatural ability, not subject to SR, and allow it to be used with iterative attacks. That will maintain its usefulness past the lowest character levels.

Another Nice Thing^TM that you could do for this variant is give it two separate progressions one of Invocations and another for Shapes/Essences, that way players don't have to choose whether to gain more spell power or more blast power, they get some of both. This will also help to keep the Eldritch Blast relevant and is shamelessly stolen from HERE.

[Garryl]

Rather than numerical suffixes for invocations like Hologram and Patternweave that come in various grades, why not just use the grade itself (ie: Least/Lesser/Greater/Bright Hologram instead of Hologram I/II/III/IV)?

You might want to ask Dralnu if you can use some of his Arcane Trickster's invocations (or even the class itself as a melee-alternative holomancer). The AT uses a LOT of illusionary invocations, many of which would fit this class very well.

[sirpercival]

I think this is a very excellent Warlock variant. Light and illusion-based no doubt, with appealing visual acuity based class features lending it interesting utility. The one disappointment is the lack of refinement of the "Eldritch Blast." You did stretch it to 10d6, the most immediately sensible thing to do, but other than that it appears to be a complete copy-paste job. I would make it a supernatural ability, not subject to SR, and allow it to be used with iterative attacks. That will maintain its usefulness past the lowest character levels.

Another Nice Thing^TM that you could do for this variant is give it two separate progressions one of Invocations and another for Shapes/Essences, that way players don't have to choose whether to gain more spell power or more blast power, they get some of both. This will also help to keep the Eldritch Blast relevant and is shamelessly stolen from HERE.

I like these suggestions, I'll beef up coherent light and the shapes/essences accordingly.

Rather than numerical suffixes for invocations like Hologram and Patternweave that come in various grades, why not just use the grade itself (ie: Least/Lesser/Greater/Bright Hologram instead of Hologram I/II/III/IV)?

You might want to ask Dralnu if you can use some of his Arcane Trickster's invocations (or even the class itself as a melee-alternative holomancer). The AT uses a LOT of illusionary invocations, many of which would fit this class very well.

Yes, I can change the naming convention for patternweave/hologram.  That makes much more sense than what I came up with while completely exhausted. 

I'll check with Dralnu about the invocations. 

[Ziegander]

I think this is a very excellent Warlock variant. Light and illusion-based no doubt, with appealing visual acuity based class features lending it interesting utility. The one disappointment is the lack of refinement of the "Eldritch Blast." You did stretch it to 10d6, the most immediately sensible thing to do, but other than that it appears to be a complete copy-paste job. I would make it a supernatural ability, not subject to SR, and allow it to be used with iterative attacks. That will maintain its usefulness past the lowest character levels.

Another Nice Thing^TM that you could do for this variant is give it two separate progressions one of Invocations and another for Shapes/Essences, that way players don't have to choose whether to gain more spell power or more blast power, they get some of both. This will also help to keep the Eldritch Blast relevant and is shamelessly stolen from HERE.

I like these suggestions, I'll beef up coherent light and the shapes/essences accordingly.

Do note that you may find it prudent, after making those changes to the basic coherent light attack, to edit the form and function of some of the shapes/essences. For example, Vibrant Glaive may need some changes to remain relevant at all, and you would want to address whether essences are applied to all coherent light attacks made in a full-attack, or if they are applied per attack. Little fiddly bits like that.

[phaedrusxy]

I think it actually might be a bit too powerful to allow it to make iterative light blasts and also apply essences that basically turn them into "save or dies". I'd make it either/or. You can either make your iterative attacks, and maybe apply a blast shape sculpting essence, but if you apply one of the Prismatic Essence Invocations it goes from being an attack action to a standard action.

And I don't really see how a petrification ray fits in thematically. I could see save vs. blind, or even save vs. insanity or outright death, but petrification?  I'm sure we can come up with some other ideas that might fit better, like maybe Confusion (but non-mind affecting, as it is really just messing up your vision).

But I do agree that I really like the idea of this class, and it has a lot of potential. I hope you plan to put Illusion staples like Silent Image on the invocation list.

[sirpercival]

I think it actually might be a bit too powerful to allow it to make iterative light blasts and also apply essences that basically turn them into "save or dies". I'd make it either/or. You can either make your iterative attacks, and maybe apply a blast shape sculpting essence, but if you apply one of the Prismatic Essence Invocations it goes from being an attack action to a standard action.

And I don't really see how a petrification ray fits in thematically. I could see save vs. blind, or even save vs. insanity or outright death, but petrification?  I'm sure we can come up with some other ideas that might fit better, like maybe Confusion (but non-mind affecting, as it is really just messing up your vision).

But I do agree that I really like the idea of this class, and it has a lot of potential. I hope you plan to put Illusion staples like Silent Image on the invocation list.

I'm glad you like it!  Minor Image is actually on the invocation list, so do I really need Silent? 

The petrification ray comes from the effects of Prismatic Ray (or Spray, which Ray is based on).  I didn't invent it... so I'm not sure how it fits either, but I couldn't help but steal the ideas.

I think what I'll do is deal with the iterative attack vs essence/sculpt issue on a case-by-case basis.  For example, the save/die ones can't be used iteratively, but the fire one could be, because why not?

[phaedrusxy]

I think what I'll do is deal with the iterative attack vs essence/sculpt issue on a case-by-case basis.  For example, the save/die ones can't be used iteratively, but the fire one could be, because why not?

Sure. I just thought it would be easier to apply a blanket clause, rather than modify every one. But then yeah, it would make the fire one and others like it pretty worthless (unless you added a save or suck/die to all of them, too).

[sirpercival]

I added some text for each sculpt/essence saying how it applies.

Also, the invocation list will be expanded, I'm just throwing down some basic ones right now.  If anyone has suggestions, they're certainly welcome.

EDIT: I'm waiting on word from Dralnu about the indigo trickster invocations.

[phaedrusxy]

How about: Flickering Ray: Target must make a Will save or become confused for 1d4 rounds. Only applies to first iterative attack.

That could be a lesser one, with a greater one rendering them paralyzed.

I never really like the Prismatic spells, anyway... but I can see why you'd use them.

[Noliar]

Some Invocation Ideas

Illuminating Ray
Least Essence
save: Will negates
A target hit an Illuminating Ray, in addition to taking the normal damage, glows for 2 rounds thereafter making their location and outline clearly visible despite shadows, invisibility or any other non-barrier source of concealment. While they glow, ranged attacks against them have a +1 circumstance bonus to hit.

Solar Focus
Bright Invocation
Duration: Concentration
The Holomancer takes all the sunlight in the are within medium range of herself and concentrates it within an area she specifies within that range (100 ft +10ft/level). In the area affected where the sunlight is not focused the illumination is reduced by 95% (there is a little illumination from scattering and reflection.) The effect where the sunlight is concentrated depends on how tight the focus is and on the ambient conditions as described below. While maintaining the Solar Focus the Holomancer may change the position of the focused patch once per round as a free action.

	5' square	5' radius	10' radius
Within 1 hr of noon, clear	Blinding light, 2d8 damage/level/round, soft metals melt, anything that can burn catches fire	Blinding light, d8 damage/level/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d8 damage/2 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire
Daytime, clear	Blinding light, d8 damage/level/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d8 damage/2 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d8 damage/4 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire
twilight, clear	Blinding light, d8 damage/4 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, unattended flammable materials catch light in 2 rounds	Dazzling light, unattended highly flammable materials catch light in 4 rounds
within 1 hr of noon, heavy cloud	Blinding light, 2d6 damage/level/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d6 damage/level/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d6 damage/2 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire
Daytime, heavy cloud	Blinding light, d6 damage/2 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, d6 damage/4 levels/round, reflex save or catch fire	Blinding light, unattended flammable materials catch light in 2 rounds
Twilight, heavy cloud	Dazzling light, unattended highly flammable materials catch light in 4 rounds	Dazzlng light	Brightly illuminated

[Ziegander]

Since invocations are subject to SR, should a coherent light attack that is modified by a "blast essence" be subject to SR? I stand by the suggestion that the basic coherent light blast should be a Su ability that is not subject to SR, but perhaps if it is modified by an essence it becomes a spell-like ability with an equivalent spell level equal to the essence's equivalent spell and becomes subject to SR? Just a thought. It would help make save-or-die/lose blasting less powerful.

[sirpercival]

Since invocations are subject to SR, should a coherent light attack that is modified by a "blast essence" be subject to SR? I stand by the suggestion that the basic coherent light blast should be a Su ability that is not subject to SR, but perhaps if it is modified by an essence it becomes a spell-like ability with an equivalent spell level equal to the essence's equivalent spell and becomes subject to SR? Just a thought. It would help make save-or-die/lose blasting less powerful.

Hmm... yes, I think so.

I'll add Flickering Ray and Noliar's invocations.

[Jackinthegreen]

If someone plays this, I believe becoming a disco ball will be necessary during the course of the campaign.  Lights everywhere!

As for the SR question, Warlocks have an essence that ignores SR and instead does acid damage or something.  Vitriolic Blast.  Perhaps give the Holomancer an equivalent?

[sirpercival]

If someone plays this, I believe becoming a disco ball will be necessary during the course of the campaign.  Lights everywhere!

As for the SR question, Warlocks have an essence that ignores SR and instead does acid damage or something.  Vitriolic Blast.  Perhaps give the Holomancer an equivalent?

Well, if you use the Aasimar racial sub levels, you can get Eladrin Form and totally rock out as a disco ball!!!

And, I made the basic coherent light a supernatural ability.

[Ziegander]

Well, if you use the Aasimar racial sub levels, you can get Eladrin Form and totally rock out as a disco ball!!!

Wait... WHAT?! I NEED THIS!!

[sirpercival]

Well, if you use the Aasimar racial sub levels, you can get Eladrin Form and totally rock out as a disco ball!!!

Wait... WHAT?! I NEED THIS!!

Yes!  I haven't done the full write-up, but I worked out the general ideas for most of my racial sub levels.  Aasimar holomancer gets good-aligned coherent light, the ability to do positive energy coherent light, and eladrin form (BoED 97).