Let's Not Turn This Blackguard Into A Polar-Opposite-Paladin
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Despite the possibility of dreaded inconsistencies with pen-and-paper rules, I'd like to suggest that Overhaul NOT ruin the Blackguard for me by just making it an Evil Paladin with Harm Touch instead of Lay on Hands. I'd be bored to death with such a thing, and would probably just roll a Berserker instead. I'd much prefer it if the Blackguard could do interesting things like raise some undead, add a cold damage-over-time to his weapon attacks a few times per day. Just SOMETHING more creative than a Paladin who harms instead of heals.
Discuss.
Discuss.
8
Comments
To go more on that though could add a small x2 backstab multiplier, poisoned weapons, and stat reducing diseases.
Thieves can only use 1-hand swords, short swords, daggers, staves, katana, and maces I believe for backstabbing, while also preventing anything that says that a thief cannot get proficiency points in or is disallowed by the item restriction.
Such as Dazzu stated the Staff of the magi has a requirement of "Mage only", but if you say changed that status in an editor a rogue would be able to backstab with it.
But if you did the same thing to Carsomyr it would not backstab due to single class thieves being unable to use or put proficiency points into 2-hand swords without cheating via "Use Any Item" or class ability editing.
Other suggestions for the blackguard include:
1. A passive aura surrounding the Blackguard at all times at higher levels that lowers all saves by 1 while an enemy is in it.
2. Fear spell or aura
3. Should a blackguard go good his blackguard powers remain, but be unable to level up further into the class and auto dual class to a base fighter regardless of race.
4. Spell traps that deal damage/apply various status effects when stepped on.
5. Spell to Negate healing on a target
6. Modest sized spellbook
7. Lowered thac0 and APR gain and make a larger spellbook/spellpower say 2-3 APR max at higher end levels, but up to 5-6 spellbook levels, 1/2 to 2/3 spell levels where as a paladin would reach higher thac0, 5 APR, and level 4 spellbook and 1/4 the spell levels.
Just some suggestions that are similar to the DnD Blackguard class, and maybe something different feeling than just an evil paladin.
I don't think Blackguard is a Paladin kit. I think it's a Fighter one.
Why?
The argument is simple. Half-Orcs can't be Paladins, so they can't take Paladin kits either, and i think it's impossible to change the code so you can take a kit only from a specific class. So i think Blackguard is a fighter.
What i think he's about :
He has some spells i imagine, cleric ones like paladin, but with more necromancy involved, either spells or special abilities.
I imagine he has either backstab or poison abilities as well. Not the classical backstab of rogues, something like a special attack that catches you unprepared, maybe ignoring armor, or causing side effects, like bleeding, or slow or an attack that could make your opponent run in fear.
Additionally i think his number one ability is infusing his weapon with black magic, making it something like a runeblade. Maybe the Blackguard has a sword that gains abilities as well when he levels up.
Who knows, the possibilities are endless.
The only thing that makes me uncertain about being Paladin or Fighter kit, is that, i get the feeling Blackguards are about swords mostly maybe, so he couldn't dual class properly into cleric. Unless he doesn't need a sword but can infuse any weapon, OR if he is the only class that allows for a cleric to use swords only.
Edit: DOH i forgot Undead Minions! Of course he would be able to animate dead :]
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20030413e
This would confirm that he has an aura, can command undead and has some kind of backstab.
I don't necessarily want the 3.5 Blackguard. I want a dark knight with sinister powers. They can do whatever they like with the kit, as long as it gets that feeling across.