Shadowsoul Base Class

[Raistlin]

Here's a base class I designed a while back, meant to be what I imagined the D&D Warlock to be before Wizards of the Coast came up with their variant (which didn't quite follow most lore I've read on them). There are certain spells that I think are a bit underpowered, so I'd appreciate any and all feedback.

Thanks,

R

Attachments:

[Accomplice]

I really like this class, and the magic system you made to go with it. I could easily see soul magic replacing regular arcane magic in a campaign if it were flushed out a bit more.

That being said, however, I do have some qualms with the Drain Soul line of spells. As written, they require a melee touch attack. That's generally considered to be suicide when you have d4 hit die and no armor. Second, they deal a very minor amount of damage, and if that doesn't kill the opponent, you have to concentrate. This ends with the caster sitting around during combat unable to cast any spells, hoping his companions can manage to kill the opponent without him. I would also perhaps increase the soul shard gain upon death of an opponent. As is it could two days of preparing nothing but soul drain spells to replenish a low-level caster's supply.

[Apples]

I really enjoy this class. As I posted in comment on the Shardblade, I think I want to design a class myself based around the soul shard idea, and I'd love to see a campaign, or even just a party of PCs, based around it.

I agree with Accomplice's qualms. It seems like in order to gather soul shards the Shadowsoul has to pretty much risk a swift death. I'd increase the range, or make the damage sustainable or something. Possibly both, though you may have to tone down the damage a bit if you make it ranged and sustainable. I'm not the best with determining the balance of spell casters, but I can say that for as dramatic an idea of ripping pieces of someone's soul apart and taking them into your own body it seems to be anticlimactic to poke them for minor damage and then sit there thinking while they hack at you until either you die or your allies kill them. Now, pointing your finger at them from across the room and watching them try to battle their way past your allies while screaming in agony as you yank on the very core of their existence until they collapse in death throes as you finally break part of their soul free.... that seems more fitting.

[Apples]

Posted this on the Shardblade but it was pointed out that it fits more here as originally the Soul Shard idea was your work. If a creature has soul shards removed from it, how much does that damage its soul? Is the damage so extreme that it cannot be resurrected? Or is it so small that it has either no effect upon resurrection, or a relatively minor one (-1 con per removed shard or some such)?