Talk:Skyclad Practitioner (3.5e Prestige Class)

Balance - ?/10

This is close to adequate. The problem is that a spellcaster won't miss the item slots too much (no need for armor, anyway), and so ends up giving up very little (e.g. a wizard would give up one metamagic feat) in order to get many benefits (in fact, too many benefits for just three levels. Especially gaining spell-like abilities; this is very powerful, at basically no cost, since spellcasting still goes up). Also, the entry prerequisites are very low. The class should require approximately a minimum of forth level; this can be achieved at 2nd. For these two significant flaws, I give this a 4 of 10. --EldritchNumen 23:22, 10 December 2006 (MST)

I agree that the powers are crammed-in somewhat: ironically, I originally designed this as a 5-level class, and was told that it was under-powered! In particular, while it was more-or-less OK for Sorcerers and Wizards, the loss of 5 levels of non-spell class abilities made it very unattractive for Druids. At 3 levels, some might go for it (though they won't be "skyclad" in animal form). But the missing item slots are a significant drawback, even for casters who didn't intend to wear armour: no Headband of Intellect or Cloak of Charisma, no magical robes, gloves, goggles etc. Ultimately, the character will probably have to take item-creation feats and make alternatives to common magic items: but, with 5 fewer item slots than a normal character, this is eventually likely to mean creating expensive multi-function items. --Findail 10:44, 12 December 2006 (MST)

I will try to tone this down: I agree that it gives rather too much in 3 levels, for just one qualifying feat. Though I'd like to keep the early-entry aspect, as I think there's a need for early-entry spellcaster PrC's like this: non-spellcasters can easily add variety by multiclassing among the core classes (as skills, BAB etc stack), but spellcasters lose out. A class like this allows the character to take a different path to the more traditional 10-level PrC's that become available at 5th-7th level. Also, there isn't really any "prestige" or obvious need for significant spell capability to qualify (and skyclad Wiccans, who actually do this sort of thing, don't seem to be high-level spellcasters!)

Unfortunately I can't increase the feat requirements for such a low-level class, as that would limit it to Human-only. So I need to look at removing class features. "Detect Magic" really needs to stay, for thematic reasons: if being skyclad is supposed to "increase sensitivity to magic" as claimed, then it makes sense that a Skyclad Practitioner must be able to detect magic when in this condition. Similarly, "Enhanced Spellcasting Attributes" represents the supposed benefit of being "better at magic", which is the reason for taking this path. "Endure Elements" could go, but it's a pretty weak ability anyhow, and it's somewhat justifiable thematically (being "at one with your surroundings"), and without it, the character could be severely gimped in hostile climates, being unable to wear protective clothing without losing spell capability.

I have removed "Nature's Grace" (Paladin-style Charisma bonuses to saves). Nymphs get it, but a Skyclad Practitioner is not a nymph, and other traditionally-nude creatures (such as Dryads) do not. Furthermore, it gave a rather big boost to Sorcerer-based Skyclad Practitioners, with their high Charisma.

I have also toned down "Freedom of Movement". Thematically I think it's OK (the character is symbolically "free of restraints" when skyclad), but it now works like the Travel clerical domain power (for 3 rounds per day), and requires a feat to upgrade it to a continuous ability. --Findail 04:29, 15 December 2006 (MST)

Great work! I love the flexibility. The class is much better now, though I still feel like there are minor balance issues. For one, I'd like to see an entry req of 5 ranks-- no character should be able to take a prestige class as a second level. As a third level PrC, I buy your argument (for a low level class). Anyway, this makes it much more balanced (especially the two things that you decided to change. I agree with keeping endure elements, and casting attributes is understandable, even if unorthodox). So, newly evaluating the class, I believe it merits a 7/10. It is simply slightly less balanced that an SRD PrC. Great work! --EldritchNumen 04:45, 15 December 2006 (MST)

I can see a case for raising the Spellcraft requirement to 5 ranks: after all, the gaining of supernatural abilities does imply some sort of better-than-novice grasp of magic. And, unlike my Hedge Wizard, the class isn't specifically intended for low-level casters. I'll edit that in. --Findail 08:17, 22 December 2006 (MST)

You can still enter this PrC at second level.. (5-3=2). Make the requirments 7 for a 4th level entry, 6 for a 3th level entry, etc. --Green Dragon 10:25, 22 December 2006 (MST)

You'd have to be 2nd level to have 5 skill ranks. Surely that means you'd have to be 3rd when you actually take the first level of the class (as you need to meet the requirements of a PrC before taking it)? --Findail 08:31, 30 December 2006 (MST)

I meant eligible. --Green Dragon 09:48, 30 December 2006 (MST)