New class: Spirit Bound

[SerGavin]

Oh and the druid section is not tied to the spirit bound section and so to prevent to much switching back and forth both for me and anyone else reading I've decided to include the druid spells here.

[SerGavin]

Plus several weapons limitations still apply to the spirit bound that do not apply to the paladin suchas they cannot wear metal armour or use mostly metal weapons.

[black1blade]

This isn't a spell casting class is it? imagine if one person played druid and the other played a spirit bound. Image there's a level 3 druid and a level 2 spirit bound. The spirit bound as 1 level one spell and the druid as 2 but the spirit bound as a bad ass wolf that can tear up things as a level 2 fighter and animal abilities. The druid does have a much larger spell selection but most of those spells aren't versatile. the spells you chose for the spirit bound are cherry picked to be the most effective. Sure the druid does have calm animal but that doesn't really make up for the powerful animal companion. However at early levels it is less (but still very) noticeable. However if you compare a level 10 druid and a level 9 spirit bounded as you propose then:
The druid has spells up to level 5 which is pretty good which have quite powerful effects. The spirit bound has spells up to level 4 so not as good but they have a 3 attack +9 ab wolf with 9d8 hp. The spirit bound also has several positive animal traits. Yes the druids have a powerful calm animal ability but that doesn't make up for the wolf. P.s isn't that just the druid thing think you made a saving mistake buddy.
PPS, Just made stupid mistake, expected to open in tab
PPPS sorry for seaming aggressive, it's just that all the classes need to be internally balanced with each other and it wont be fair on every one else if the class your playing as is soo much better than everyone else.

[SerGavin]

Yes I realize that and that is what I am aiming for, but I would still like to argue that at lower levels the wolf/big cat/giant eagle or something is much less powerful at lower levels as it only has one attack of 1D6 at level two and a low armour class make it about as good at fighting as a cleric and only a fighter if both attack combined.

[SerGavin]

Bye the way we're making great, great progress here. This is really helping. hoping to play-test this sometime soon. plus wow wall of text.

[black1blade]

How about instead of spells, increasing animal trait as they level up. There could be 5 for each of the species and they get them at 1st every 4th level after 1st. They're really really really cool but may need to be toned down (a passive ability to do 2x damage shouldn't really be available or maybe a save then double damage if failed maybe.)
Anyway I think every one else should post their opinions when possible. An adult opinion would be useful.

[-1warrior]

I would be interested in using this for my game if it gets finished.

[SerGavin]

yes. I'm hoping to get this as a playable supplement once we've tested it, refined it and made sure it has good balance with the other classes. but we still have a lot of work to go. I think we need to produce tables for each common natural animal and its growth/ attacks and progression. It's getting there though, and at this rate its looking to be finished within the next two weeks!

[SerGavin]

black1blade, I'm pretty sure it does specify that a save vs death-ray must be made. I'll go and check hang on a minute.

Yay 100th post!!! .

[SerGavin]

Yes it does say save but I failed to specify which one. I'm just gonna amend that.