Undead Paragon, Boneclaw Hybrid (3.5e Racial Paragon Class)

-- Under Construction. All users must wear hard hats. --

Undead Paragon (Boneclaw Hybrid)
After this point, Undead Paragon (Boneclaw Hybrid) is referred to as Boneclaw Hybrid.

The original Boneclaw Hybrids were created by a powerful necromancer who liked the abilities of the Boneclaw, however they lacked many abilities that the necromancer liked in other undead. The original Boneclaw Hybrid was initially a Vampire, but after the necromancer was finished with him, he had become much more.

The Hands of the Boneclaw Hybrid change slightly, keeping the appearance of the creature's original hands, but the skin on the tip of the finger is missing, exposing the now razor-sharp bone. When the claws are extended, they look like a standard Boneclaw's claws.

Becoming a Boneclaw Hybrid
There are several methods to create Boneclaw Hybrids, but the cheapest and most well-known method is when a spellcaster casts Create Undead on a currently animate Undead for the purpose of making a Boneclaw Hybrid. Because the undead is already animate, there is no material component for this casting of Create Undead.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Boneclaw Hybrid.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Boneclaw Hybrids gain proficiency in their own Natural Weapons, and Medium and Light armor.

Levels in Boneclaw Hybrid are considered levels in Fighter for meeting prerequisites for feats for claw attacks. (For example, a Boneclaw Hybrid 3/Fighter 1 could take Weapon Specialization (Claws), but not Weapon Specialization (Broadsword).)

 : The Boneclaw Hybrid gains a pair of claw Natural Weapons, dealing damage appropriate for their size. If the Boneclaw Experiment already has Natural Weapons for their hands, its damage increases by one step and becomes a claw attack if it was not a claw attack already. These claws are considered magic weapons and have an enhancement bonus equal to +1 per four character levels (maximum +5). In addition, the Boneclaw Hybrid can enchant their claws with up to +5 worth of magical weapon properties. Enchanting both claws costs as much as enchanting one weapon, and for the purposes of determining the cost of the upgrade, the weapon has a +1 enhancement bonus.

At third and fifth level, the damage dealt by the claw attacks increase by one step.

 : Starting at second level, when the Boneclaw Hybrid hits an opponent with both of their claw attacks, it latches to it's opponent and rends his flesh, automatically dealing twice its claw + two times its strength modifier damage.

 : At second level, the Boneclaw Hybrid gains immunity to cold attacks. If the Boneclaw Hybrid already had cold immunity, well then that's too damn bad.

 : Upon reaching third level, the true ability of the Boneclaws are unlocked. The Boneclaw Hybrid's claws can now instantly expand and contract at will. The Boneclaw Hybrid's Boneclaws gain the Reach Weapon property, however unlike most other weapons with reach, it can be used against an adjacent foe.

 : At third level, the Boneclaw Hybrid's Charisma modifier replaces their Constitution modifier for determining bonus hit points. If the Boneclaw Hybrid already has Unholy Toughness, they gain a bonus fighter or monstrous feat.

 : Starting at fourth level, the physical stature of Boneclaw Hybrids lets them function in many ways as if they were one size category larger. Whenever a Boneclaw Hybrid is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), the Boneclaw Hybrid is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to the character. A Boneclaw Hybrid is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect him. A Boneclaw Hybrid can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, the space and reach of a Boneclaw Hybrid remain those of a creature of their actual size. The benefits of this racial trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject's size category.

 : Not to be confused with the Draconomicon feat. At fifth level, the Boneclaw Hybrid can make an additional two attacks with claw attacks at a -2 penalty for the first two attacks and -7 to the second pair of attacks. For the purpose of the Rend ability, they are seperate. (A Boneclaw Hybrid who hits only with his first and fourth claw attacks does not get to use the rend ability)

Playing a Boneclaw Hybrid
Religion: When undead are intelligent enough to make decisions of their own, including which deities to worship, generally choose gods of evil, death and undeath. That is, if they even decide to worship a god.

Other Classes: Boneclaw Hybrids can be effective melee warriors, and can fit into a group's position as one, however, most are created by a necromancer, so they can also become a bodyguard for an individual necromancer.

Combat: Boneclaws, regardless if they are full or hybrid, excel in melee combat. Their reach attacks give them a tactical advantage over other creatures.

Advancement: Boneclaw Hybrids do not have any one particular class that they take after Boneclaw Hybrid. They generally go with melee combat classes, such as Fighter or Blackguard.

Resources: Most Boneclaw Hybrids are found under the command of a Necromancer as lieutenants or other commanding officers, so they can potentially have the backing of an entire army.

Boneclaw Hybrid Lore
Characters with ranks in Religion or Arcana can research Boneclaw Hybrids to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.