View source for Talk:Priest of the Wild

'''Randy:''' Nice formatting! 

I have a major concern about the animal companion. Keeping it at full strength is too powerful. Have either the first 4 levels of the PrC not count towards the companion or have half the class levels count. Either is fine with me. The 1/2 progression makes it more relevant as you level, but the -4 ends with a more powerful companion. Divine Nature should cost both one use of Wild Shape and one turn attempt, and only last a number of rounds equal to PotW level. This will beef up the companion to compensate for the lower level of companion. (The Woodling template is a *very* good template.
''The animal companion is not too powerful by any means.  See below.''

Domain spontaneity should also use a spell slot in addition to using a Wild Shape.
''It does.  It's spontaneous casting like CLW or Summon.  Similar to the feat of the same name from CD.  I'll reword.  I didn't just grant the feat because it would apply for more than one domain.'' <font color=#111199> I figured that it did, but I just wanted to have it reworded.</font>

Spellcasting: Choose one more level where spellcasting is not gained. Probably 1st or 5th.

I'm using MyT as my basis for reference, as well as ArcHeiro a little. That said, I still think the PrC is a little over powered but willing to try it out with the above changes.
''Arcane Hierophant is itself a "powerful" PrC.  I've used it as my basis.  Note arcane hierphant levels ALL stack for companion (as well as merged with familiar abilities), gets full stacking for wild shape, has +1/+1 spellcasting for every level and gets to ignore arcane failure.  I'll say that divine nature with domain spontaneity is about on par with channel animal/channel plant.'' <font color=#111199>I disagree that divNat (add a template) and DomSpon equal being able to cast touch spells with a companion. Arcane Heirophant isn't our benchmark, MyT is. If you want the DivNat and DomSpon abilities, then what I have listed above stands with one change. The template, once type is chosen, can't be changed. Two templates give to many options to bypass DR. Consider that MyT doesn't advance familiars for wizards, or grant any turning bonuses. Besides MyT is about combining only spellcasting, not trying to emulate a gestalt PC.</font>

''This leaves the bonus domain and the extra spell abilities.  I'd say both together are worth giving up two (one +1/+1) spellcasting levels.'' <font color=#111199>I agree with this statement. Lose two levels of +1/+1 and their in.</font>

''Skills, the list is shorter with the same 4/level.  Saves and hit dice are better.  I could consider dropping one or the other if you still feel it's necessary.''<font color=#111199>I feel that something here has to give. You can keep 4/lvl is you only have one strong save (Fort or Will).</font>

''Prerequisites are higher than both MyT and ArHr, neither of which require a feat, specific domain, or turning abilities.'' <font color=#111199>The req's are mostly artificially higher. Myt is W3/C3 and this is C3/D3 with D5 if you want to wild shape. I say get rid of Handle Animal req (redundant anyway, the PrC is half druid) and Practiced Caster is useful but means nothing to the PrC.</font>

----
DooKieagain (22:39:50): I do think you should maybe drop the hit die to 6 and bump up the skill points, open up the class skills a bit more.
----
To put this into perpsective:
A level 11 character, Dru3/Clr3/PotW5 will have:
Cast Druid and Cleric spells as a 7th level character each separately (so just acquired 4th level spells).  His animal companion will be as an 8th level druid.  He will turn as a 5th level cleric, and will just have acquired one wild shape per day into a small or medium animal (aka, as a 5th level druid).  He will have 58 hit points, 50 skill points, proficient in all simple weapons plus the scimitar, proficient in all armor and shields (but have to use non-metal armor).  He will have a BAB of 6, and base saves of Fort 7/Refl 3/Will 10. He will have the special abilities:  nature sense, wild empathy (only +3 from druid levels) woodland stride, trackless step and blended spellcasting.

<font color=#111199>'''Randy:''' I've listed the PrC's that resemble mixing classes below. (Anything that isn't Core, I don't consider automatically balanced.)

<font color=#111199>Compare with a Wiz 3/Clr 3/Mystic Theurge 5:
Cast Wiz and Clr spells as an 8th level caster each; BAB +5; saves of 5/3/10; and gains no further abilities to the familiar.</font>

<font color=#111199>Compare with a Wiz 5/ Fighter 1/ Eldritch Knight 5:
Cast Wiz spells as an 9th lvl caster, BAB +7; saves of 7/2/5; familiar gains no further abilities and no fighter feat progression outside of the initial feat granted.</font>

<font color=#111199>I think that the PrC is okay, but a bit powerful as it stands now. The continuation of some cleric/druid abilities is balanced by the loss of spellcasting. The finishing touch for me would be either reducing skill points to 2+INT or reducing the HD to D6.</font>


Now specifically with Robhim:
Taking Practiced Spellcaster twice will make the caster level for the spells of each type 11 (still as a 7th level caster for spells per day.  Taking Natural Bond brings the animal companion up to 11th level.  (Robhim's 3rd feat is unspecified and human feat is Alertness).  With his charisma of -1, he'll have two turn attempts per day.  He will add 14 skill points for being a human and 22 skill points for his +2 intelligence (total of 86).  He will have an additional 22 hit points from his +2 constitution (total of 80).  His total saves will be 9/5/13.

Note that the two future (5th and 10th level PotW) missing +1/+1 spellcasting is NOT made up by having practiced spellcaster.

----