laserllama
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Vessel Class v3.0.0!
🕑 Added 2024-11-17 15:27:52 +0000 UTCHello everyone!
I asked and you answered, so today I’ve got a pretty sizable update for my Vessel Class! A unique take on a half-caster, this occult warrior fights alongside an otherworldly Spirit sealed within them!
Mechanically, the Vessel is a mix of Barbarian, Monk, and a Warlock-style half-caster. As always, let me know what you think of the class in the comments!
~laserllama
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VESSEL CLASS v3.0
It’s been over a year since I’ve updated this class, so a lot of feedback and play testing when into this round of revisions. A lot of mechanical clarifications, rewrites for clarity, and some strategic buffs for v3.0
Spirit Mantle:
From 1st level, you can manifest your Spirit’s power in minor ways. While active you gain powerful unarmed strikes and a unique unarmored defense!
Unsealed Aspects:
You now start with TWO Aspects, you gain more as you level up, and you can replace them when you learn a new Aspect.
Vessel Magic:
To bring the Vessel into-line with my more magic leaning half-casters (Artificer and Bard), the Vessel now gets Cantrips! You also gain the same spell slot progression as a Warlock (as far as total slots, not level).
Sealed Spirits:
Though this choice is crucial to your character, I’ve moved the actual selection back to 3rd level. Just makes for a smoother class/level build. You can still flavor your Spirit Mantle as the Sealed Spirit you will choose at 3rd.
Archon Form:
Your Spirit Mantle’s unarmored defense carries over into this new form, with some Archon’s granting you an additional bonus to AC.
Sealed Spirits:
Not a ton of major changes here - mostly just clarifications and adjustments to mechanics to make you feel more like your chosen Spirit.
The Ascended now gets access to the Wizard spell list.
The Cataclysm gets more potent elemental abilities and powerful Archons.
The Cursed is now a true terror to behold in battle with Barbarian-powers.
The Fallen is a true celestial crusader with a powerful taunt-type ability.
The Formless is now the king of 5e grappling (and draining life from foes).
The Trickster may be the slipperiest subclass I've ever designed.
The Mythic Hero (Patrons Only) is the most martial option for the Vessel with access to medium armor, shields, and The Fighter's Martial Exploits!
Archmage Commissions:
In an unprecedented move I also decided (or was convinced) to update all NINE Archmage Commission Sealed Spirits with this update, all of which can be found in the Archmage Commission Directory.
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Vessel Change Log v2.2 -> v3.0
CLASS
Proficiencies // Cut medium armor.
Proficiencies // Simplified weapon proficiencies (cut random ones).
Proficiencies // Replaced Stealth with Religion.
Spirit Mantle // NEW ! includes Iridescent Strikes and Spiritual Armor.
Spirit Mantle // Iridescent Strike // You can make one as a BA when you attack. It’s set to deal radiant damage, but some subclasses modify this.
Spirit Mantle // Spiritual Armor is not 10 + CHA + CON.
Unsealed Aspects // Start with 2 and can replace when you gain a new one.
Unsealed Aspects // You now get more (total of 8)!
Unsealed Aspects // See below for Unsealed Aspect changes!
Vessel Magic // You now get Cantrips!
Vessel Magic // Spell Slots // You now get more!
Sealed Spirit // Subclass moved back to 3rd level. 20th level subclass feature was moved up to 18th level (swapped with Twin Soul).
Sealed Spirit // Archon Form // Explained why subclasses have statblock.
Sealed Spirit // Sealed Magic // Subclass spells + Iridescent Strike mods.
Archon Form // Rewrote this feature for clarity. You now gain your Vessel Aura benefits (including Armor Class)! Archons now give a buff to AC.
Archon Form // Transformation now lasts for 10 minutes.
Extra Attack // Rewritten to match my “half-caster” Extra Attack features.
Controlled Transformation // Transform into Archon form on initiative.
Twin Consciousness // Only triggers when you fail.
Unchained Power // Rewritten for clarity.
Twin Soul // Moved back to 20th level.
The Ascended
Ancient Knowledge // Reworked to give you Wizard spells and rituals.
Ascended Archon // Armor Class Bonus +0
Ascended Archon // Damage resistance switched to all spells.
Ascended Archon // Astral Step & Arcane Blast // Reworked.
Ascended Magic // Replaced magic missile with arcane lance.
Potent Magicks // Now +CHA to spell damage once per turn.
Ascended Arcanum // Grants you 1/long rest 6th & 7th level Wizard spells.
Archmage Reborn // Reworked with new features.
The Cataclysm
Elemental Affinity // Moved note about Archon Form here.
Cataclysm Magic // Now includes a second spell list for each Elemental Affinity in place of “choose your own” Affinity Spells. (includes Cantrips).
Elder Power // Damage resistance/immunity abilities moved into Archons.
Elemental Eruption // Reworked to be an actual eruption of power.
Cataclysm Reborn // Last bullet replaced with at will Elemental Eruption.
Air Archon // Armor Class Bonus +0
Air Archon // Nature replaced with Stealth
Air Archon // Bluster // Only 10 feet, not limited to once per turn, no save.
Air Archon // Gaseous // Renamed (Air Form).
Earth Archon // Armor Class Bonus +3
Earth Archon // Skills replaced with Athletics and Intimidation
Earth Archon // Damage resistances changed to B/P/S
Earth Archon // Rock Solid // Not limited to once per turn, no save.
Earth Archon // Siege Monster // Now effects all bludgeoning damage.
Fire Archon // Armor Class Bonus +0
Fire Archon // Acrobatics replaced Nature
Fire Archon // Ignite // Reworked (hopefully simpler to run)
Water Archon // Armor Class Bonus +0
The Cursed
Malignant Aura // Reworked to grant the Striking Presence Aspect for free.
Cursed Archon // Armor Class Bonus +1
Cursed Archon // Athletics replaced Religion.
Cursed Archon // Savage Strikes // Removed Savage Strikes (see Frenzy)
Cursed Archon // Frenzy // NEW feature.
Cursed Archon // Infernal Drain // Linked to fire damage. CHA mod THP.
Hellfire // Now also prevents healing.
Infernal Claws // CUT //
Dark Sacrifice // Now a flat 10 hit point reduction.
Lord of Darkness // You gain a bonus Iridescent Strike when you attack.
Lord of Darkness // 1/turn auto-frighten when you deal fire damage.
The Fallen
Blades of Judgment / Celestial Sight // Merged into one feature.
Celestial Warrior // NEW feature // Marital weapons, Insight, and the ability to empower your weapon attacks into Iridescent Strikes.
Fallen Archon // Armor Class Bonus +2
Fallen Archon // Celestial Ward // Rewritten for clarity.
Fallen Archon // Radiant Wrath // CUT (this feature was WONKY).
Fallen Archon // Divine Challenge // NEW “taunt” feature for the Archon.
Fallen Magic // Ethereal Anchor replaced Shield of Faith.
Condemnation // CUT.
Holy Zeal // NEW feature. Thrown/returning weapons. Expanded Crit range.
Heavenly Warrior // CUT.
Celestial Wings // NEW feature.
Divine Avenger // Renamed (Divine Revelation). Completely reworked.
The Formless
Amorphous Shape // Free Ethereal Tendril Aspect. Cut damage resistances.
Formless Magic // Hold Person replaced Ray of Enfeeblement.
Formless Archon // Armor Class Bonus +1
Formless Archon // Pseudopod // Rewritten for clarity.
Formless Archon // Sticky Slime // Rewritten for clarity.
Drain Vitality // Renamed (Consume Vitality). Now also effects creatures under the effect of your subclass spells.
Primordial Hunger // Replaced final bullet point with big pseudopod attack.
The Trickster
Seeds of Chaos // Cut proficiencies, added at-will Disguise Self.
Trickster Magic // Dimension Door replaced Greater Invisibility.
Trickster Archon // Armor Class Bonus +0
Trickster Archon // Stealth replaced Sleight of Hand.
Trickster Archon // Stolen Memory // Renamed (Disappearing Act). Clarified.
Illusory Appearance // Combined with Seeds of Chaos.
Illusory Strikes // Costs a bonus action to use.
Lord of the Mischief // Only creates two Illusory Strike duplicates.
Spell List
Overall // Streamlining of spell list to focus flavor.
Spells // Removed from doc, links to the laserllama Spell Compendium.
Cantrips // NEW addition to the Vessel Class!
CUT // (1st) compelled duel, detect magic, detect evil & good, entangle, false life, fog cloud (2nd) crown of madness, warding wind, web (3rd) blink, intellect fortress, speak with dead, (4th) confusion, divination, elemental bane (5th) contagion, geas, scrying, skill empowerment
NEW // (1st) ensnaring strike, (4th) dire wail, (5th) spiritual sundering.
Unsealed Aspects
General // Removed prerequisites from 2nd level Aspects. Changed level prerequisites to match the new levels you gain Unsealed Aspects.
Disarming Voice // CUT // Reworked into Striking Presence.
Ethereal Tendril // Rewritten for clarity. Reach doubled with Vessel Aura.
Opalescent Armor // Now requires a bonus action, not dependent on THP.
Shimmering Lance // Now has a range of 30/90.
Spirit Sense // You also gain detect magic benefits with Vessel Aura.
Striking Presence // NEW Unsealed Aspect.
Uncanny Strength // CHA mod bonus to Athletics check with Vessel Aura.
Ethereal Grasp // Only works while Vessel Aura is active.
Evoke Spirit // You can now cast it as a ritual without material components.
Minor Magick // Reworked into a 1/long rest Spirit Spell.
Otherworldly Maw // Moved to 6th. Reworked to be in place of an attack.
Piercing Gaze // 2nd part now only works with Vessel Aura.
Dazzling Burst // Increases range to 100/300. Damage is now d8s.
Primeval Thirst // Reworked.
Sundering Strike // Once per turn per creature. Don’t need to hit twice.
Twilight Steps // NEW. Temporary at-will spectral passage.
Aether Wings // Connected to your Vessel Aura.
Colossal Archon // Renamed (Titanic Archon) Clarified.
Lord of Spirits // NEW Aspect. Summon a thematic ally!
Primordial Bulwark // BA now grants a flat damage reduction.
Comments
laserllama
Correct the BA attack would always need to be an unarmed strike (for balance reasons). Could always reflavor it as a hilt strike, etc!
Jeff Potato
I haven't gone through in great detail, but I recall thinking that good aspect picks would be key to making a Vessel work well, so it's nice to see a few more aspects available. Thanks for the update. "Also, whenever you take the Attack action, you can make one unarmed Iridescent Strike as a bonus action." Do I correctly understand that if a Mythic Hero makes weapon-attack Iridescent Strikes, then wants to attack as a bonus action, the BA attack would have to be unarmed? It feels a bit odd, but I guess it only makes a major difference if they're using a ranged weapon (and one might not want too many longbow attacks happening at low levels).
Bhaer
Makes sense. Thanks for the quick clarification.
laserllama
Well its "an ethereal cloak of spiritual power" which I think would be visually disturbing when you walk into a pub. A lot of your abilities key off the Mantle, so you've gotta turn it on. I guess you could walk around with it on constantly, but as a DM I would have people react really strongly to that.
Bhaer
I may have missed it, but why would a vessel ever have their spirit mantle not active? There seem to be a lot of things that key off of "when the mantle is active," but there doesn't seem to be any restriction on keeping it permanently active.
Lore Keeper
Gave me an idea for a character to use for my Bloodborne campaign. Thanks.
