Tweaks for 2 classes.

[bishop]

I have 2 players that have character ideas that we are struggling to find the right classes to achieve it.

Player 1 wants to play a bard that is very religious and is not one to want to powergame too much. One option is to play the divine bard from UA and call it a day. The other option I came up with was to play a cloistered cleric base, add perform to the class skills, take away turn/rebuke and get bardic music as a bard would at the same advancement. With limited knowledge of the bard and not having seen too many in high level action is this broken or balanced?

Player 2 wants to play a paladin/rogue that has that retribution/vengeance feel similar to Batman. Willing to do whatever is needed so that the bad guys get punished. We looked at Gray Guard (cs pg 43)which has that RP feel but not the abilities he wants. I was thinking to give him smite progression, sneak attack progression (added at lvl 3 of the prc and going up every other level) and the every other level caster level progression from the class, but not let him advance his lay on hands or get the touch attacks from the class. Fair/balanced/no?

Thank you advance for any help. First attempt at trying to homebrew some changes.

[Garryl]

I have 2 players that have character ideas that we are struggling to find the right classes to achieve it.

Player 1 wants to play a bard that is very religious and is not one to want to powergame too much. One option is to play the divine bard from UA and call it a day. The other option I came up with was to play a cloistered cleric base, add perform to the class skills, take away turn/rebuke and get bardic music as a bard would at the same advancement. With limited knowledge of the bard and not having seen too many in high level action is this broken or balanced?

It all depends on what power level you're going for. What you've described is essentially a Bard with 9th level spells and 3 domains added on top. If you think Bards are too weak, then sure, go ahead.

Player 2 wants to play a paladin/rogue that has that retribution/vengeance feel similar to Batman. Willing to do whatever is needed so that the bad guys get punished. We looked at Gray Guard (cs pg 43)which has that RP feel but not the abilities he wants. I was thinking to give him smite progression, sneak attack progression (added at lvl 3 of the prc and going up every other level) and the every other level caster level progression from the class, but not let him advance his lay on hands or get the touch attacks from the class. Fair/balanced/no?

Thank you advance for any help. First attempt at trying to homebrew some changes.

I'm not familiar with Grey Guard, so I can't help here, sorry.

[xaotiq1]

TBH, player one doesn't need any mechanical changes. All he needs to do is sing hymns when using his music abilities, say prayers when casting spells, and take Knowledge (religion).

For player 2, I'd say let him play the Crusader (ToB), and maybe give him access to Shadow Hand maneuvers via feat or discipline swap, say, with White Raven? Or, maybe a Skarn Swordsage?

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Player 1 wants to play a bard that is very religious and is not one to want to powergame too much.

Open up the Adept spell list (only) to the Bard.
Pick every other spell from the Adept list, except
the Bard 6s.  Ditch the weapons the bard has above
the Simples, but allow the deities favorite weapon.

Refluff that the Bard abilities come from faith, not skald-ery.
EDIT --- see xaotiq1's first line above = spot on.


That won't break anything, combined with the intent.

[Prime32]

For player 2, take a look at the Shadowbane Inquisitor and Shadowbane Stalker PrCs in Complete Adventurer; also the Devoted Inquisitor feat.