Vessel Class v3.0.0!

Hello 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.