Spellbinder (3.5e Class)

Author: Ideasmith (talk) Date Created: August 2011 Status: Playable? Editing: Clarity edits only please

Low - Moderate - High - Very High

Ratings for this homebrew: Average: NA / 4  0 users favored it (4/4).  0 users liked it (3/4).  1 were neutral on it (2/4).  0 users disliked it (1/4).  0 users opposed it (0/4).

Rate this article Your rating for this article: Favor Like Neutral Dislike Oppose Submit | Cancel Discuss this article

Spellbinder

A spontaneous arcane caster with lots of spells known.

Making a Spellbinder

Alignment: Any.

Table: The Spellbinder

Hit Die: d6

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spells per Day
		Fort	Ref	Will		0	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th
1st	+0	+0	+0	+2	Bonus Feat, Spellbinder’s Staff, Always Learning, Mystic Style	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2nd	+1	+0	+0	+3	Metamagic Alacrity	5	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
3rd	+1	+1	+1	+3	Bonus Feat	5	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th	+2	+1	+1	+4	-	5	3	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
5th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Bonus Feat	5	4	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
6th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Metamagic Intensity -1	5	5	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
7th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Bonus Feat	5	5	4	1	—	—	—	—	—	—
8th	+4	+2	+2	+6	Spell Trance	5	5	5	2	—	—	—	—	—	—
9th	+4	+3	+3	+6	Bonus Feat	5	5	5	3	—	—	—	—	—	—
10th	+5	+3	+3	+7	Timeless Body	5	5	5	4	1	—	—	—	—	—
11th	+5	+3	+3	+7	Bonus Feat	5	5	5	5	2	—	—	—	—	—
12th	+6/+1	+4	+4	+8	Metamagic Intensity -2	5	5	5	5	3	—	—	—	—	—
13th	+6/+1	+4	+4	+8	Bonus Feat	5	5	5	5	4	1	—	—	—	—
14th	+7/+2	+5	+4	+9	Spellbane	6	5	5	5	5	2	—	—	—	—
15th	+7/+2	+5	+5	+9	Bonus Feat	6	6	5	5	5	3	—	—	—	—
16th	+8/+3	+5	+5	+10	Tongue of the Sun and Moon	6	6	6	5	5	4	1	—	—	—
17th	+8/+3	+5	+5	+10	Bonus Feat	6	6	6	6	5	5	2	—	—	—
18th	+9/+4	+6	+6	+11	Metamagic Intensity -3	6	6	6	6	6	5	3	—	—	—
19th	+9/+4	+6	+6	+11	Bonus Feat	6	6	6	6	6	6	4	—	—	—
20th	+10/+5	+6	+6	+12	Improved Spellbane	6	6	6	6	6	6	5	—	—	—
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Int), Listen (Wis) Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha),

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Spellbinder.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A spellbinder is proficient with all simple weapons. They are not proficient with any type of armor or shield. Armor of any type interferes with a spellbinder’s gestures, which can cause his spells with somatic components to fail.

Spells: A spellbinder casts arcane spells, which are drawn from the druid, cleric, and sorcerer spell lists. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time. To learn or cast a spell, a spellbinder must have a Wisdom score equal to at least 10 + the spell. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a spellbinder’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the spellbinder’s Wisdom modifier.

Like other spellcasters, a spellbinder can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. His base daily spell allotment is given on Table: The Spellbinder. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Wisdom score. When Table: Spellbinder Spells Known indicates that the spellbinder gets 0 spells per day of a given spell level, he gains only the bonus spells he would be entitled to based on his Wisdom score for that spell level.

The spellbinder’s selection of spells is slightly limited. A spellbinder begins play knowing sixteen 0-level spells of your choice. At each new spellbinder level, he gains more new spells, as indicated on Table: Spellbinder Spells Known. (Unlike spells per day, the number of spells a spellbinder knows is not affected by his Wisdom score; the numbers on Table: Spellbinder Spells Known are fixed.)

Table: Spellbinder Spells Known

Level	Spells Known
	0	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th
1st	8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2nd	9	6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
3rd	10	7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th	10	7	6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
5th	10	8	7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
6th	10	8	7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
7th	10	8	8	6	—	—	—	—	—	—
8th	10	8	8	7	—	—	—	—	—	—
9th	10	8	8	7	—	—	—	—	—	—
10th	10	8	8	8	6	—	—	—	—	—
11th	10	8	8	8	7	—	—	—	—	—
12th	10	8	8	8	7	—	—	—	—	—
13th	10	8	8	8	8	6	—	—	—	—
14th	10	8	8	8	8	7	—	—	—	—
15th	10	8	8	8	8	7	—	—	—	—
16th	10	9	8	8	8	8	6	—	—	—
17th	10	9	9	8	8	8	7	—	—	—
18th	10	9	9	9	8	8	7	—	—	—
19th	10	9	9	9	9	8	8	—	—	—
20th	10	9	9	9	9	9	8	—	—	—

As noted above, a spellbinder need not prepare his spells in advance. He can cast any spell he knows at any time, assuming he has not yet used up his allotment of spells per day for the spell’s level. If the spell’s components include DF, the spell instead requires a spellbinder’s staff as a focus.

Spellbinder’s Staff: A spellbinder can create a spellbinder’s staff using the magic item creation rules.

Spellbinder’s Staff A spellbinder’s staff acts as a focus for arcane spells with the DF component. Moderate evocation; CL 1st; spellbinder; Price 25 gp; Weight 6 lb.

Always Learning:A spellbinder can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows. In effect, the spellbinder “loses” the old spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell’s level must be the same as that of the spell being exchanged, and it must be of a level spellbinder spell the spellbinder can cast. Each attempt to swap a spell takes 10 minutes.

To attempt to swap a spell, the spellbinder must either examine a magic item which has that spell as a prerequisite, or have the assistance of a creature who can cast the spell or use it as a spell-like ability. No matter what the spell’s source, the spellbinder must spend 10 minutes studying the spell. At the end of that time, he must make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + spell’s level). If the check succeeds, the spellbinder understands the spell and can swap it as described above. The process leaves the item or creature that was learned from unharmed.

If the check fails, the spellbinder does not understand the spell. She cannot attempt to learn that spell again until a day has passed.

Bonus Feats: At every odd-numbered level, a spellbinder gains a bonus feat. At each such opportunity, he can choose a metamagic feat or an item creation feat. The spellbinder must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including caster level minimums.

These bonus feats are in addition to the feat that a character of any class gets from advancing levels. The spellbinder is not limited to the categories of item creation feats and metamagic feats when choosing these feats.

Mystic Style: At 1st level, the spellbinder gains a special ability of his choice from among the following options. Upon reaching 4th level, and at every third spellbinder level after that (7th, 10th, and so on), a spellbinder can choose to learn a new mystic style in place of one he already knows. In effect, the spellbinder “loses” the old mystic style in exchange for the new one.

Each mystic style provides at least one special ability.

Each mystic style gives the spellbinder a knack with certain spells. A knack provides a +2 competence bonus to any Concentration check while casting or maintaining spells which the caster has a knack for, a +2 competence bonus to Spellcraft checks to identify a spell which to caster has the knack for, or to identify the effect of a spell which the caster has a knack for, and a +2 competence bonus to Use Magic Device checks to use an item built from a spell which the user has a knack for, or to use an item built from multiple spells, all of which the user has a knack for.

Most mystic styles allow the spellbinder to craft a knack item. When casting spells the spellbinder has a knack for (see above), a spellbinder with the appropriate knack item does not require any divine focus nor any arcane focus whose gold piece value exceeds 25 times the spellbinder’s class level. The mystic styles are described below.

Metamagic Alacrity: At 2nd level, when the spellbinder uses metamagic, the spell’s casting time is not therefore increased.

Spell Intensity: At 6th level, the spellbinder gains a +1 DC to all spellbinder spells cast. This improves to +2 at 12th level and +3 at 18th level.

Spell Trance: Starting level, at 8th when making a Concentration check, a spellbinder may take 10 even if stress and distractions would normally prevent him from doing so.

Timeless Body(Ex): Upon attaining 10th level, a spellbinder no longer takes penalties to her ability scores for aging and cannot be magically aged. Any such penalties that she has already taken, however, remain in place. Bonuses still accrue, and the spellbinder still dies of old age when her time is up.

Spellbane (Su): Starting at 14th level, a spellbinder adds his Wisdom bonus to dispel checks.

Tongue of the Sun and Moon (Ex): A spellbinder of 16th level or higher can speak with any living creature.

Improved Spellbane: Starting at 20th level, a spellbinder who performs a counterspell does not use up the spell slot.

Mystic Styles

Animal Friend Animal Companion: The spellbinder gains an animal companion as a ranger of the same level. May not be chosen at 1st level.

Knack List:

. All druidic spells of the Enhantment school.

. All druidic spells of the Transmutation school.

. All druidic spells of the Conjuration (calling) (summoning), and (teleport) subschools.

Animal Friends Holly & Mistletoe:

An animal friends holly & mistletoe functions as a knack item for spellbinders with the animal friend style.

Moderate Enchantment; CL 1st; dominator; Price 25 gp; Weight --.

Dominator

Sap will: (Su) The spellbinder’s magic is laced with despair. When a spell’s target fails a saving throw or chooses not to save, unless the spellbinder chooses otherwise at the time of casting, the target has a -1 penalty to any Will saves for the duration of the spell. This ability does not affect whether the spell in question is harmless.

Knack List:

. All spells of the Enchantment school.

. All spells of the pattern and phantasm subschools.

. All spells with the fear and/or mind-affecting descriptors.

Dominator’s Whip:

A dominator’s whip functions as a knack item for spellbinders with the dominator style.

Moderate Enchantment; CL 1st; dominator; Price 28 gp; Weight 6 lb.

DustWalker

Turn Undead: The spellbinder can turn undead as an good cleric of the same level, using his spellbinder’s staff in place of a holy symbol. If the spellbinder also has turn undead form another source, the abilities stack. The spellbinder’s form of this ability is not affected by alignment or relationship with deity.

Knack List:

. All clerical spells of the Evocation school.

. All clerical spells of the Transmutation school.

Dustwalker’s Hourglass:

A dustwalker’s hourglass functions as a knack item for spellbinders with the dustwalker style.

Moderate evocation; CL 1st; dustwalker; Price 37 gp; Weight 5 lbs.

Grim Harvester

Rebuke Undead: The spellbinder can rebuke undead as an evil cleric of the same level, using his spellbinder’s staff in place of a holy symbol. If the spellbinder also has rebuke undead form another source, the abilities stack. The spellbinder’s form of this ability is not affected by alignment or relationship with deity.

Knack List:

. All cleric, druid, and sorcerer spells of the Necromancy school.

. All cleric, druid, and sorcerer spells with the cold, darkness, and/or death descriptors.

Grim Harvester’s Sickle

A grim harvester’s sickle functions as a knack item for spellbinders with the grim harvester style.

Moderate necromancy; CL 1st; grim harvester; Price 43 gp; Weight 10 lb.

Guardian Reassuring Bravery: The spellbinder is immune to fear, and each ally within 10 feet of him gains a +4 morale bonus against fear effects. This ability functions while the spellbinder is conscious, but not if he is unconscious or dead.

Knack List:

. All spells of the Abjuration school.

. All spells of the healing subschool.

. All spells with the force descriptor.

Guardian’s Amulet:

A guardian’s amulet functions as a knack item for spellbinders with the guardian style.

Moderate Enchantment; CL 1st; guardian; Price 28 gp; Weight 6 lb.

Herald

Summon Familiar: A spellbinder with this special ability can obtain a familiar in exactly the same manner as a sorcerer can.

Knack List:

. All spells of the calling, summoning and teleport subschools.

. All spells with the air, electricity, sonic and/or water descriptors.

Herald’s Horn:

A herald’s horn functions as a knack item for spellbinders with the herald style.

Moderate Conjuration; CL 1st; herald; Price 30 gp; Weight 3 lb.

Smithmage

Routine Item Creation: A smithmage can create some magic items in a given year without expending personal energy. The smithmage can gain item creation points which, when spending XP on item creation, substitute for XP on a 1 for 1 basis. The ceremony to gain these points has verbal and somatic components, and takes an hour or uninterrupted time. It can only be performed if a year has passed or the smithmage has gained a level since the last time he performed this ritual. The ritual produces 50*level item creation points per each time he performs it.

Knack List:

. All spells Evocation school that lack descriptors.

. All spells of the creation subschool that lack descriptors.

. All spells with the acid, earth, and/or fire descriptors.

Smithmage’s Artisan’s Tools:

A smithmage’s artisan’s tools functions as a knack item for spellbinders with the smithmage style.

Moderate evocation; CL 1st; smithmage; Price 37 gp; Weight 5 lbs.

Seer

Lore: The spellbinder knows relevant information as the bard ability bardic knowledge, using the spellbinder’s spellbinder level in place of her bard level. If the spellbinder also has bardic knowledge, the abilities stack.

Knack List:

. All spells of the Divination school.

. All spells with the language-dependant and/or light descriptors.

Seer’s Mirror:

A seer’s mirror functions as a knack item for spellbinders with the seer style.

Moderate divination; CL 1st; seer; Price 35 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.

Thaumaturge

Prestidigitator (Sp): The spellbinder can perform simple magical tricks as if he had cast the spell prestitigitation. If the ability is dispelled or negated, bringing it back up is a standard action with verbal and somatic components which provokes an attack of opportunity.

Nothing Up My Sleeves (Sp): When casting spells, the spellbinder does not require any divine focus nor any focus whose gold piece value exceeds 25 times the spellbinder’s class level. There is no spell slot penalty for this ability.

knack list:

. All sorcerer spells of the Transmutation school that don't have descriptors.

. All cleric, druid, and sorcerer spells of the figment, glamer and shadow subschools.

. All cleric, druid, and sorcerer spells with the air, electricity, sonic and/or water descriptors

. All cleric, druid, and sorcerer spells which are Universal.

Trickster

Skill Mastery: As the rogue ability of the same name, except that the spellbinder’s Wisdom modifier is used in place of his Intelligence modifier.

knack list:

All spells.

This mystic style does not enable crafting a knack item.

---

Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Classes → Base Classes