Talk:Blade Dancer (3.5e Prestige Class)

Introduction

So, this is my reinvention of the Blade Dancer from Oriental Adventures. As you can see, I only kept one thing from the original class as most of it was horrible. Still, I liked the idea. I'm also WAY into TOB material and have been meaning to contribute to Complete Sublime for quite a while. This is my first real attempt at doing so. Here's what I'm looking for in terms of feedback:

1. Comments on Balance: I thought 'High' best summed up the class. However, I realize there are some pretty powerful support mechanics worked in. Feedback is appreciated.

2. If you have any fluff ideas for descriptions of the class features, I'm all ears. I realize that there's still a bit of revision left to do as I have referred to the class as 'You' in some places and 'the blade dancer' in others. I will address this later as I have time for it. Otherwise, anyone who wants to edit the article to make it line up more in this way is welcome to.

3. Any other feedback and constructive criticism is welcome. Ratings are welcome, although I would request that major concerns (if any) are brought up in discussion beforehand so that they may be properly addressed.

3.5e Profit --BackHandOfFate 1:19, 20 November 2012 (PST)

Finally got around to completing the fluff for this class! Also threw in a few alternate class features to make the class a little more flexible. It is now completed and ready for ratings. --BackHandOfFate 2:31, 28 April 2013 (PST)

Problem(s)

Rhythm Breaker is a one-round mass(ish) save-or-suck, which by itself would be putting it a little high on the High balance range. The DC, however, can easily be made too EXTREME to handle with the help of a little bit of investment in Perform (Dance) boost(s). If the DC was only equal to their Perform (Dance) ranks plus maybe 5, it would be much more manageable. --Foxwarrior (talk) 18:52, 28 April 2013 (UTC)

First off, Thanks a bunch for the input! I really did want to give this class a little bit of crowd control without breaking it. I was tailoring it to be similar to the Bard's Fascinate ability, hence the dance check DC. You are right, however about that being easily abusable. The problem with scaling the DC down is that opponents saves tend to go from Zero to Crazy as CR progresses. I would be open to perhaps making the DC 10+Ranks in Perform(Dance). I might even add something in there that increases the DC a little more if it's a critical hit. (+2 to DC for crit?) I just wanted to give this ability a fair shot at success seeing as how you can only use it once per fight, and it is still rather situational given the nature of a lot of higher CR encounters. What do you think? --BackHandOfFate 12:46, 28 April 2013 (PST)

I'm not sure that I agree that opponent's saves get up to Crazy at higher CRs. The Balor's Will save is only 19, and it's not even an dumb brute monster. Also, it is a free action ability, so even with a 25% chance to work it's still giving you turn advantage. --Foxwarrior (talk) 00:52, 29 April 2013 (UTC)

I get what you're saying. Perhaps it would be best to use the more traditional 10+1/2HD+Charisma Mod? The class utilizes Perform(Dance) checks in plenty of ways even without Rhythm Breaker. What do you think about that? --BackHandOfFate 12:48, 29 April 2013 (PST)