Pyromaniac (3.5e Class)

Author: Eiji-kun (talk) Date Created: 7-2-11 Status: Complete Editing: Mechanical changes on Talk please.

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Pyromaniac

Fire: the most primal of elements, both there and not, energy and source of heat, life, and death alike... fire is a complex thing. For some, fire is a fearful thing; for others, it is useful and a symbol of progress. For pyromaniacs, they have fallen in love with fire, perhaps beyond what is healthy. They've honed their magical abilities and focused it on one thing and one thing alone: to bring their beautiful flame to all things.

Making a Pyromaniac

Abilities: While not spellcasters in the traditional sense, they are still magic users who use their strong (and often fiery) personalities to control their element of choice. Charisma controls their supernatural powers' spell DCs, while Dexterity helps them aim their burning blasts and survive with little more than light armor. Constitution is important for any build, and Intelligence will help with their selection of skills. Strength helps those who wish to take advantage of their medium BAB. Wisdom is least important, though many would argue that they'd wish pyromaniacs were wiser in what they decide to set aflame.

Races: Any.

Alignment: Any, though most strongly favor chaotic alignments.

Starting Gold: 5d4×10 gp (125 gp).

Starting Age: As fighter.

Table: The Pyromaniac

Hit Die: d6

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Ignitions Known
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+0	+0	+2	+2	Fire Bolt, Fire Focus, Fire Resistance, Ignitions (Least)	1
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+3	Elemental Summoning	2
3rd	+2	+1	+3	+3	Fast Movement +10 ft.	3
4th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Burning Weapon (Flaming)	3
5th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Searing Flame	4
6th	+4	+2	+5	+5	Everything Burns, Fast Movement +20 ft.	4
7th	+5	+2	+5	+5	Ignitions (Lesser)	5
8th	+6/+1	+2	+6	+6	Burning Weapon (Flaming Burst)	5
9th	+6/+1	+3	+6	+6	Fast Movement +30 ft., Nimbus	6
10th	+7/+2	+3	+7	+7	Fire Adaptation, Phlogiston Aura	6
11th	+8/+3	+3	+7	+7	Fire Immunity	7
12th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+8	Fast Movement +40 ft., Unquenchable Flame	7
13th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+8	Ignitions (Greater)	8
14th	+10/+5	+4	+9	+9	Elemental Body	8
15th	+11/+6/+1	+5	+9	+9	Fast Movement +50 ft., Heat Death	9
16th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+10	Phoenix Flame	9
17th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+10	Burning Haven	10
18th	+13/+8/+3	+6	+11	+11	Fast Movement +60 ft.	10
19th	+14/+9/+4	+6	+11	+11	Ignitions (Final)	11
20th	+15/+10/+5	+6	+12	+12	Born of Fire	11
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Decipher Script (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (the planes) (Int), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Pyromaniac.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A pyromaniac is proficient with all simple weapons, plus all martial axes, all martial hammers, shuriken, and whips. Pyromaniacs are proficient with light armor and shields (except tower shields). Although the pyromaniac uses spell-like abilities, they are affected with arcane spell failure if wearing anything more than light armor. A pyromaniac wearing medium or heavy armor or using a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure. A multiclass pyromaniac still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Bonus Languages: A pyromaniac knows Ignan, the language of various fire-type beings, which he learns upon becoming a 1st-level pyromaniac. Ignan is a free language for a pyromaniac; that is, he knows it in addition to his regular allotment of languages and it doesn’t take up a language slot.

Fire Bolt (Sp): As a standard action, the pyromaniac can launch a bolt of flame which deals 1d6 points of fire damage per class level as a ranged touch attack. The bolts have a range increment of 60 feet. Spell resistance applies to each bolt separately. Fire Bolt counts as eldritch blast for the purpose of prerequisites.

Fire Focus: Levels in pyromaniac are added to the caster level, initiator level, manifester level, or meldshaper level of any [Fire] spells, maneuvers, powers, and soulmelds you know. This does not grant additional spells, maneuvers, powers, or soulmelds known. In addition, all [Fire] spells and powers are considered to be on your class list for the purpose of creating and activating magic items, such as wands and scrolls.

Fire Resistance (Ex): A pyromaniac does not survive his mania without being resistant to it. The pyromaniac gains fire resistance equal to his class level ×3.

Ignitions: The pyromaniac receives several spell-like abilities identical in nature to the warlock's^CA invocations. He may use these ignitions at will, though he must still pay any relevant gold and experience costs, and they are affected by arcane spell failure in medium and heavy armor and with shields. Ignitions do not provoke attacks of opportunity. Ignitions come in three types: shapes, which alter the shape and spread of his Fire Bolt class feature; essences, which augment his fire bolt feature with a rider effect; and ignitions, which duplicate spells or have other, sometimes longstanding effects.

At 1st level, he can select one ignition known, and an additional ignition at 2nd and every odd level. At first, he may only select from least ignitions. At level 7, you may select from least or lesser ignitions. At level 13, you may select from least, lesser, or greater ignitions. Finally, at level 19th and beyond, you may select from least, lesser, greater, or final ignitions. At every even level, you may choose to switch out one of your ignitions known for another, so long as the ignition swapped is the same or lower level ignition as the original. You may only swap out one ignition at each even level. Any saving throws are Charisma-based. Essences which force a save against an effect only need one save each round, regardless of how many times you hit. Pyromaniacs choose their ignitions from the following list.

Least — beguiling influence^CA, breath of the night^CA (as smoke), burning knuckle, eldritch flurry, eldritch glaive^DM, eldritch spear^CA, endure exposure^DM (allies immune to fire bolt instead), entropic warding^CA, eternal flame, hammer blast^CM, hideous blow^CA, leaps and bounds^CA, magic insight^DM, miasmic cloud^CA (as smoke), scalding gust^DM, sickening blast^CA, smoke blast, thermal prescience

Lesser — baneful blast^CM, beshadowed blast^CA, cauterizing blast, deteriorating blast^DM, drain heat, eldritch chain^CA, fell flight^CA, fire lash, flashfire, heat sink, heat wave, mind roast, relentless dispelling^CM, salamander's cloak, voracious dispelling^CA

Greater — aura of flame^DM, blazing tower, caustic mire^CM (deals fire damage), chilling fog^DM (deals fire damage), devour magic^CA, eldritch cone^CA, eldritch line^DM, melt earth, noxious blast^CA, penetrating blast^DM, repelling blast^CA, wall of perilous flame^CA (deals hellfire damage)

Final — binding blast^CM, caster's lament^CM, dark discorporation^CA (as fire motes, deals fire damage), eldritch doom^CA, eldritch riverflow, infernal cloud, instill vulnerability^DM, meteor fist, meteor wing, plasma disc, soul scorch, summon phoenix, wall of plasma

Elemental Summoning: At 2nd level, a pyromaniac can take a full-round action to call on the Elemental Plane of Fire and summon any [Fire]-subtyped creature with a CR equal to ½ his HD. This behaves like a summon monster spell, except the duration is 1 hour/class level. He may use this ability 1/day.

Fast Movement (Ex): At 3rd level, a pyromaniac gains the furious speed and rush of a fire elemental. His base land speed increases by +10 feet, and he can choose to leave footprints of harmless flame in his wake, which go out 1 round later.

At 6th level and every three levels beyond, he gains another +10 bonus to his base land speed.

Burning Weapon (Su): At 4th level, a pyromaniac can channel the power of fire into the weapons he wields (including the fire bolt and eldritch/fire glaive, and any other effect which requires an attack roll). The weapon gains the flaming enhancement, dealing an additional 1d6 points of fire damage on impact. This stacks with the actual flaming enhancement.

At 8th level, this ability duplicates flaming burst, dealing additional damage on a critical hit.

Searing Flame (Su): At 5th level, a pyromaniac's flames are so hot that they can even set fire... to fire. Any fire damage a pyromaniac deals, both from class features and other things such as spells or items, ignore the effect of fire resistance. Creatures which are normally immune to fire now take half damage from the pyromaniac's fire attacks.

Everything Burns (Su): At 6th level, a pyromaniac can set anything on fire, even water. This has two effects, the first being that any fire damage a pyromaniac deals has a chance to set an opponent on fire if they fail a DC 15 Reflex save. Regardless of how many times they have been hit in a round, a creature only needs to save once per round. If they fail the save, they catch on fire and take 1d6 fire damage a round until they extinguish themselves.

Secondly, a pyromaniac may choose to set fire to something not normally flammable, such as water. It will ignite with the same vigor and energy as if igniting a piece of wood. However, such fires only last for 1 round/level and eventually go out on their own. Removing oxygen from the fire, removing the fuel source, and other methods to quench the flame function normally.

Nimbus (Su): At 9th level, a pyromaniac can use a swift action to set himself aflame. These flames do not harm the pyromaniac or damage his gear. Any creature making a melee attack, using a natural weapon, or grappling the pyromaniac will take 2d6 points of fire damage each time. Toggling this ability on and off is a swift action.

Fire Adaption (Ex): At 10th level, a pyromaniac starts gaining partial traits of a fire elemental. He gains 25% fortification as his vitals are transformed into flame, and he becomes immune to sleep and poison, and no longer needs to sleep or breathe, though he must still eat.

Phlogiston Aura (Su): At 10th level, a pyromaniac can manipulate flames which aren't even his own. The pyromaniac effectively grants spell resistance equal to 10 + this HD to himself and all allies within 30 feet, but only against effects which deal fire damage. If an opponent fails to breach this spell resistance, the pryomaniac takes control and can shape the fire as he sees fit, placing holes, channels, and other parts of safety and suppressing flames completely while in the aura. Flames so suppressed return once out of range of your aura if their duration has not expired. It can suppress unquenchable flames, but cannot dispel them.

Mundane flames can be manipulated this way, automatically failing against the spell resistance as they have no caster level.

Fire Immunity (Ex): At 11th level, a pyromaniac becomes immune to fire. Allies benefiting from his phlogiston aura still gain the pyromaniac's class level ×3 in fire resistance.

Unquenchable Flame (Ex): At 12th level, a pyromaniac's fires are very hard to put out. The save to avoid catching on fire from the pyromaniac's attacks becomes 10 + ½ HD + Charisma. In addition, the fires now deal 2d6 damage a round, and they cannot be quenched for at least 1 round/level, even by methods and spells which normally stop burning. After 1 round/level is up, it may be quenched as any normal fire.

Elemental Body (Su): At 14th level, a pyromaniac gains stronger elemental traits. He gains 50% fortification, does not need to eat, and becomes immune to stunning and paralysis.

Heat Death (Sp): At 15th level, a pyromaniac may boil someone from the inside, causing spontaneous combustion. As a full-round action, the pyromaniac may select a target within 60 ft and begin to boil them, forcing them to make a Fortitude save DC 10 + ½ HD + Charisma or die as they burst into flames and turn completely to ash. Creatures which make their saving throw and creatures with the [Fire] subtype do not die, but still take 5d6 fire damage from the conflagration. This ability may be used at will, but if the creature saves, they are immune to this effect for 24 hours. This counts as an 8th-level spell.

Phoenix Flame (Su): At 16th level, a pyromaniac may choose to self-destruct dramatically and take the enemy down with him. As an immediate action, he explodes, dealing 1d10 points of fire damage per HD in a 20 ft. radius burst with himself as center, Reflex save for half (DC 10 + ½ HD + Charisma). This destroys the pyromaniac utterly and ignites the surrounding area in unquenchable flames that deal 2d6 fire damage for those standing in the area. However, 1 minute after detonating, the pyromaniac re-appears at half health and otherwise unharmed, purged of any positive or negative status effects, and with all of his gear as it was at the time of the explosion. The pyromaniac may trigger this as a result of a blow or attack which would otherwise kill him. He may perform this 1/week.

Burning Haven (Sp): At 17th level, a pyromaniac gains the ability to use genesis as a spell-like ability which does not have a material or xp cost. However, he may only perform it on the Elemental Plane of Fire, and the created demiplane is subject to limitations. It may only have properties either found on the Elemental Plane of Fire, the Material Plane, or the Astral Plane. Its temperature can never drop below 50 degrees naturally, always feeling unusually warm. It technically exists as part of the Elemental Plane of Fire and will always have at least one active portal there, though it may be guarded or sealed. The caster also gains another portal as usual, typically to his home plane.

As a standard action, the pyromaniac may use plane shift to transport himself and willing allies to his demiplane or the Elemental Plane of Fire, and back to the last location he used this ability from. He may use this at will, and cannot send the unwilling.

Born of Fire: At 20th level, a pyromaniac becomes one with the flame, effectively a fire elemental in a shell of mortal skin. He becomes immune to critical hits and sneak attacks, his type changes to Elemental with the augmented subtype, and he gains the Burn ability of a fire elemental. He may count as his original type when beneficial, and may be raised and revived as normal. Finally, his flames become so hot they act more like hellfire. No amount of resistance or immunity can reduce the damage of his fire attacks.

Epic Pyromaniac

Table: The Epic Pyromaniac

Hit Die: d8

Level	Special	Ignitions Known
21st	Fast Movement +70 ft.	12
22nd		12
23rd		13
24th	Fast Movement +80 ft.	13
25th		14
26th		14
27th	Fast Movement +90 ft.	15
28th		15
29th		16
30th	Fast Movement +100 ft.	16
4 + Int modifier skill points per level.

Fast Movement: The epic pyromaniac continues to gain 10 feet of speed at 21st and every three levels beyond.

Ignition: The epic pyromaniac continues to gain ignitions at 21st and every odd level after. They may choose from the least, lesser, greater, or final lists.

Human Pyromaniac Starting Package

Weapons: Longspear

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 5 + Int modifier.

Skill	Ranks	Ability	Armor Check Penalty
Bluff	4	Cha	—
Concentration	4	Con	—
Knowledge Arcana	4	Int	—
Spellcraft	4	Int	—
Use Magic Device	4	Cha	—

Feat: Improved Initiative

Bonus Feats: Dodge

Gear: Chain Shirt.

Gold: 20 gp.

Campaign Information

Playing a Pyromaniac

Religion: Gods of fire, gods of chaos, and primal elemental forces are the favored gods of pyromaniacs. After all, they've seen the good things fire has to offer.

Other Classes: With their often unhealthy love for flame and the desire to set all things ablaze, they bother others who are focused on protecting or doing things subtly, especially paladins and rogues. Barbarians can appreciate that they are strong and up front, even if they use magic instead of muscle. Sorcerers also find kindred in them, though wizards find them to be mindless evokers, all flash and no tactics.

Combat: Pyromaniacs are a sort of specialized blaster mage. The typical weaknesses of fire soon do not apply to them, allowing them to rain burning death on their enemies with various ignitions, either augmenting their fire bolt, or giving them various other powers.

Advancement: The pyromaniac ignitions and fire bolt abilities much resemble the warlock. Like the warlock, the pyromaniac can use classes which advance arcane spellcasting to advance its acquisition of new ignitions and the caster level for all its class features, including the fire bolt. Unlike the warlock's eldritch blast, fire bolt's damage is based on your caster level, so multiclassing is more of a valid option if you wish to keep your main gun.

Pyromaniacs in the World

“	Fire is a a woman, you know. She's beautiful, enchanting, playful... and dangerous, burning you if you get too close, quick with her emotions. Ah, but if you know how to please her, then my peche, you will learn why my heart belongs to fire.	”
—Fheon Ashford, Human Pyromaniac

Daily Life: Every day is a challenge... a challenge not to set something or someone important on fire. Some of them even succeed at it!

Notables: Fheon Ashford has taken up the unusual role of fireman, using his resistances to walk into burning buildings unharmed, and preventing fire from spreading by igniting the fuel in controlled conditions.

Organizations: While rarely organized, pyromaniacs do show up with other spellcasters. They consider what they do and what they are to be a highly specialized form of sorcery.

NPC Reactions: Due to the potential for high property damage and loss of life, pyromaniacs are not well-received by others. It is best if the knowledge of their trade is kept under wraps.

Pyromaniac Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Arcana) can research pyromaniacs to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge Arcana

DC	Result
10	Pyromaniacs are masters of flame, able to shoot out gouts of fire at will and summon forth powerful fire creatures.
15	Pyromaniacs are highly resistant, if not outright immune, to fire. Their fires are so hot that they can even set fire to a fire elemental!
20	Powerful pyromaniacs are practically fire elementals themselves. They can cross between here and the plane of fire as easily as walking.
30	Those that reach this level of success can research specific pyromaniacs, their whereabouts, motives, and other lore surrounding them.

Pyromaniacs in the Game

Adaptation: It's easy to change the pyro- part into another element. Instead of 1d6 fire damage for its various abilities like fire bolt, cold damage deals the same but involves Fortitude saves instead of Reflex saves where appropriate. The elements of electric and acid should deal 1d6−1 damage, and sonic damage should deal 1d4 damage.

In addition, ignitions are, in effect, warlock invocations. Consider allowing warlock invocations which fit the fire theme of the class, changing elemental damage to fire as appropriate.

To convert Pyromaniac into a High balance level class: Drop fire bolt progression to 1d6 per 2 levels and cut fast movement bonuses in half.

Sample Encounter: The city is on fire! Evil pryomaniacs are on the loose, preparing to open a gate to the Elemental Plane of Fire right in the city! Stop them!

EL 10: PENDING

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