Min/Max Forum: Storm Shelter

• Weapon and Armour Proficiency: Arcane Swashbuckler are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and light, medium and heavy armour, as well as shields. Armor above light interferes with An Arcane Swashbuckler’s movements, which can cause her spells with somatic components to fail.
  
• Sneak Attack: At level 1, the Arcane Swashbuckler gains 1d6 sneak attack. This increases by +1d6 at levels 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20.
  
• Spells: An Arcane Swashbuckler casts arcane spells, which are drawn from the sorcerer spell list. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time. To learn or cast a spell, An Arcane Swashbuckler must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against An Arcane Swashbuckler’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the Arcane Swashbuckler’s Charisma modifier. Like other spellcasters, An Arcane Swashbuckler can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. His base daily spell allotment is given on Table: The Arcane Swashbuckler. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Charisma score. When Table: Arcane Swashbuckler Spells Known indicates that the Arcane Swashbuckler gets 0 spells per day of a given spell level, he gains only the bonus spells he would be entitled to based on his Charisma score for that spell level. Upon reaching 5th level, and at every third Arcane Swashbuckler level after that (8th, 11th, and so on), An Arcane Swashbuckler can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows. In effect, the Arcane Swashbuckler “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. An Arcane Swashbuckler may swap only a single spell at any given level, and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the same time that he gains new spells known for the level. As noted above, An Arcane Swashbuckler 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. He does not suffer from arcane spell failure when wearing light armour.
  
• Trapfinding: Arcane Swashbuckler can use the Search skill to locate traps when the task has a Difficulty Class higher than 20. Finding a nonmagical trap has a DC of at least 20, or higher if it is well hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it. Arcane Swashbuckler can use the Disable Device skill to disarm magic traps. A magic trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it. An Arcane Swashbuckler who beats a trap’s DC by 10 or more with a Disable Device check can study a trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with her party) without disarming it.
  
• Combat Style (Ex): At 2nd level, An Arcane Swashbuckler must select one of two combat styles to pursue: archery or two-weapon combat. This choice affects the character’s class features but does not restrict his selection of feats or special abilities in any way. If the Arcane Swashbuckler selects archery, he is treated as having the Rapid Shot feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat. If the Arcane Swashbuckler selects two-weapon combat, he is treated as having the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat. The benefits of the Arcane Swashbuckler’s chosen style apply only when he wears light or no armor. He loses all benefits of his combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
  
• Evasion (Ex): An Arcane Swashbuckler can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the Arcane Swashbuckler is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless Arcane Swashbuckler does not gain the benefit of evasion.
  
• Trap Sense (Ex): An Arcane Swashbuckler gains an intuitive sense that alerts her to danger from traps, giving her a +1 bonus on Reflex saves made to avoid traps and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attacks made by traps. These bonuses rise to +2 when the Arcane Swashbuckler reaches 6th level, to +3 when she reaches 9th level, to +4 when she reaches 12th level, to +5 at 15th, and to +6 at 18th level. Trap sense bonuses gained from multiple classes stack.
  
• Uncanny Dodge (Ex):An Arcane Swashbuckler can react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She retains her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if she is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, she still loses her Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized. If An Arcane Swashbuckler already has uncanny dodge from a different class she automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead.
  
• Improved Combat Style (Ex): At 6th level, An Arcane Swashbuckler’s aptitude in his chosen combat style (archery or two-weapon combat) improves. If he selected archery at 2nd level, he is treated as having the Manyshot feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat. If the Arcane Swashbuckler selected two-weapon combat at 2nd level, he is treated as having the Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat. As before, the benefits of the Arcane Swashbuckler’s chosen style apply only when he wears light or no armor. He loses all benefits of his combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
  
• Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): An Arcane Swashbuckler of 8th level or higher can no longer be flanked. This defense denies another Arcane Swashbuckler the ability to sneak attack the character by flanking her, unless the attacker has at least four more Arcane Swashbuckler levels than the target does. If a character already has uncanny dodge from a second class, the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead, and the levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum Arcane Swashbuckler level required to flank the character.
  
• Combat Style Mastery (Ex): At 11th level, An Arcane Swashbuckler’s aptitude in his chosen combat style (archery or two-weapon combat) improves again. If he selected archery at 2nd level, he is treated as having the Improved Precise Shot feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat. If the Arcane Swashbuckler selected two-weapon combat at 2nd level, he is treated as having the Greater Two-Weapon Fighting feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat. As before, the benefits of the Arcane Swashbuckler’s chosen style apply only when he wears light or no armor. He loses all benefits of his combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
  
• Special Abilities: On attaining 9th level, and at every three levels thereafter (12th, 15th, and 18th), An Arcane Swashbuckler gains a special ability of her choice from among the following options.
  
  • Crippling Strike (Ex): An Arcane Swashbuckler with this ability can sneak attack opponents with such precision that her blows weaken and hamper them. An opponent damaged by one of her sneak attacks also takes 2 points of Strength damage. Ability points lost to damage return on their own at the rate of 1 point per day for each damaged ability.
    
  • Defensive Roll (Ex): The Arcane Swashbuckler can roll with a potentially lethal blow to take less damage from it than she otherwise would. Once per day, when she would be reduced to 0 or fewer hit points by damage in combat (from a weapon or other blow, not a spell or special ability), the Arcane Swashbuckler can attempt to roll with the damage. To use this ability, the Arcane Swashbuckler must attempt a Reflex saving throw (DC = damage dealt). If the save succeeds, she takes only half damage from the blow; if it fails, she takes full damage. She must be aware of the attack and able to react to it in order to execute her defensive roll—if she is denied her Dexterity bonus to AC, she can’t use this ability. Since this effect would not normally allow a character to make a Reflex save for half damage, the Arcane Swashbuckler’s evasion ability does not apply to the defensive roll.
    
  • Improved Evasion (Ex): This ability works like evasion, except that while the Arcane Swashbuckler still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks henceforth she takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless Arcane Swashbuckler does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.
    
  • Opportunist (Ex): Once per round, the Arcane Swashbuckler can make an attack of opportunity against an opponent who has just been struck for damage in melee by another character. This attack counts as the Arcane Swashbuckler’s attack of opportunity for that round. Even An Arcane Swashbuckler with the Combat Reflexes feat can’t use the opportunist ability more than once per round.
    
  • Skill Mastery: The Arcane Swashbuckler becomes so certain in the use of certain skills that she can use them reliably even under adverse conditions. Upon gaining this ability, she selects a number of skills equal to 3 + her Intelligence modifier. When making a skill check with one of these skills, she may take 10 even if stress and distractions would normally prevent her from doing so. An Arcane Swashbuckler may gain this special ability multiple times, selecting additional skills for it to apply to each time.
    
  • Slippery Mind (Ex): This ability represents the Arcane Swashbuckler’s ability to wriggle free from magical effects that would otherwise control or compel her. If An Arcane Swashbuckler with slippery mind is affected by an enchantment spell or effect and fails her saving throw, she can attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. She gets only this one extra chance to succeed on her saving throw.
    
• Improved Legerdemain (Su): An Arcane Swashbuckler can perform the following class skills at a range of 30 feet: Disable Device, Open Lock, Sleight Of Hand, and Search. If desired, the Arcane Swashbuckler can take 10 on the check. Any object manipulated during the skill check must weigh 100 pounds or less. Alternatively, the Arcane Swashbuckler can use improved legerdemain to make one melee sneak attack against any creature within 30 feet. The Arcane Swashbuckler executes the sneak attack (or death attack, if applicable) as if attacking from a flanking position. If the attack is successful, the victim is dealt the appropriate sneak attack damage despite the fact that the Arcane Swashbuckler and his or her weapon do not physically cross the intervening distance. An Arcane Swashbuckler can use improved legerdemain once per day.
  
• Adjust Probability (Su): The Arcane Swashbuckler gains the ability to affect probability twice per day. The Arcane Swashbuckler can force a reroll of one attack roll, check, or saving throw that it just made. The Arcane Swashbuckler can find out whether the attack roll, check, or save would have succeeded before using this ability. She must take the second roll, whether it’s better or worse than the original roll. The use of this ability takes place outside the normal initiative order, but the Arcane Swashbuckler can’t use it if he or she is flat-footed or unable to see the situation resulting in the roll. The Arcane Swashbuckler must decide whether to reroll as soon as the result of the attack roll, check, or save is known.
  

Precedence how?

In addition to being two completely different concepts, the 3.0 PrC was the "Shadow Mind", two words, as opposed to CAdv's "Shadowmind" one word, if you want to get pedantic about the differences.

I'll just play your homebrew, nothing to worry about there!

the cache version of your thread lists 11 prc's, the only one of which I havcent been able to nab is the forgesouled guardian.  I found twilight walker

I would recommend checking out the multiplayer then. The campaign has the problem that armies will rarely be evenly matched, but in MP both sides get about the same amount of resources for building their troops. There's also the scenario battles.

I like playing dorfs. Money grubbing murder midgets. I just don't like dem orcs. I also like playing as Chaos; it's like playing orcs but civilized barbarity.

It's slow, and directing guys in battle isn't exciting but neither is just auto-fighting.

• Arcane Focus: The chosen cohort gains the ability to prepare and cast arcane spells, which may be chosen from the wizard spell list. He prepares and casts these spells just as a wizard does, including the use of a spellbook (Commander's cohorts often use stolen or borrowed spellbooks; see page 178 of the Player's Handbook for details). His spells per day are noted on Table 2. He gains bonus spells for a high Intelligence score, just as a wizard does. When Table 2 indicates that he get 0 spells per day of a given spell level, he gains only the bonus spells he would be entitled to based on his Intelligence score for that spell level. His caster level is equal to his character level. He also gains a +2 competence bonus on Knowledge (arcana) checks and Spellcraft checks and a +2 bonus on Will saves. These bonuses improve by +2 every 4 cohort levels (at 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th).
  
• Combat Focus: The chosen cohort gains proficiency with all martial and exotic weapons, increases his maximum hit points by +3 per cohort level, and increases his base attack bonus to that of a fighter. He gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves, and chooses one of the following: a +2 bonus on attack rolls, a +2 bonus on weapon damage rolls, or damage reduction 2/-. All of these bonuses (including the damage reduction) improve by +2 every 4 cohort levels (at 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th). He then chooses one of the following:
  • Combatant: At 1st level, he gains a bonus feat, chosen from the list of fighter bonus feats. He must meet the prerequisites for this feat. At 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th level, he gains an additional bonus feat.
  • Initiator: He gains access to a single martial discipline (See Tome of Battle). His initiator level is equal to his cohort level, while his maneuvers known, readied, and the maximum level known are all given on Table 4. He recovers maneuvers as a Warblade does.
• Divine Focus: The chosen cohort gains the ability to prepare and cast divine spells, which may be chosen from the cleric spell list. He prepares and casts these spells just as a cleric does, except that he cannot spontaneously cast spells. He can only prepare new divine spells at sunrise. His spells per day are noted on Table 2. He gains bonus spells for a high Wisdom score, just as a cleric does. When Table 2 indicates that he 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. His caster level is equal to his cohort level. He also gains a +2 competence bonus on Knowledge (religion) checks and a +2 bonus on Fortitude and Will saves. These bonuses improve by +2 every 4 cohort levels (at 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th).
  
• Stealth Focus: The chosen cohort increases his maximum hit points by +1 per cohort level, and gains trapfinding (see page 50 of the Player's Handbook), uncanny dodge (see page 26 of the Player's Handbook), a +2 competence bonus on Disable Device, Hide, Move Silently, Open Lock, and Search checks, and a +2 bonus on Reflex saves. These bonuses improve by +2 every 4 cohort levels (at 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th). He gains Sneak Attack +1d6 for every three cohort levels (1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18). At 1st level, he gains the ability to go invisible twice per day. At 4th level, he gains two additional uses and treat his invisibility as invisibility, greater. At 8th level, he gains two additional uses and can become ethereal. These effects last for one round per point of competence bonus. At 12th level, he gains Hide in Plain Sight (as per the shadowdancer ability). At 16th level, he ignore any immunity a creature might have that prevents sneak attacks or similar effects.
  
• Wild Focus: The chosen cohort increases his maximum hit points by +2 per cohort level, and gains wild empathy (see page 35 of the Player's Handbook; treat his druid level as equal to his cohort level), woodland stride (see page 36 of the Player's Handbook), a +2 competence bonus on Climb, Handle Animal, Jump, Knowledge (nature), and Survival checks, and a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves. These bonuses improve by +2 every 4 cohort levels (at 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th). In addition, he may choose either the following Favoured Enemy or Wild Shape ability.
  
  • Favoured Enemy: choose a favoured enemy, as per the ranger class ability, at 1st level. At 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th, choose an additional favoured enemy. The bonus against favoured enemies is equal to the bonus on Fortitude saves this ability provides.
  • Wild Shape: At 4th level, the cohort gains Wild Shape, as per the druid class ability, useable twice per day. At 8th level, he gains two additional uses of Wild Shape, and the ability to change into Large, Tiny, or Plant creatures. At 12th level, he gains two additional uses of Wild Shape, and the ability to change into Huge creatures. At 16th level, he gains two additional uses of Wild Shape, and the ability to change into Elemental, and Huge Elemental creatures.
• Psionic Focus: The chosen cohort gains the ability to learn and manifest powers, which are chosen from the psion power list (this does not given him access to discipline powers). He manifests these powers just as a psion of his level does. His power points/day and powers known are indicated on Table 3. He gains bonus power points for a high Intelligence score, just as a psion does. His manifester level is equal to his cohort level. Once he has chosen his powers known for the day, even if he subsequently refocus his aptitude, they remain his powers known until the next day. He also gains a +2 competence bonus on Autohypnosis, Knowledge (psionics), and Psicraft checks and a +2 bonus on Will saves. These bonuses improve by +2 every 4 cohort levels (at 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th).
  

• Energy Shield: Any creature striking the commander or his ally with a natural attack or a nonreach melee weapon is dealt 2 points of energy damage for each point of his aura bonus. The energy type is chosen when creating the aura from acid, cold, electricity, or fire.
  
• Power: Bonus on melee damage rolls equal to his aura bonus.
  
• Presence: Bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate checks equal to his aura bonus. Also, any creature viewing someone affected by the aura must make a Will save against DC 10 + 1/2 commander level + commander's charisma modifier or be fascinated until he can no longer see anyone under the effect of this aura.
  
• Resistance: Resistance to acid, cold, electricity, or fire damage equal to 5 for every two points of his aura bonus (min 5).
  
• Senses: Bonus on Listen and Spot checks, as well as on initiative checks, equal to his aura bonus. In addition, all creatures under the effect of this aura receive a bonus on saves against dazzling, blindness, and deafeness equal to 2 per point of aura bonus.
  
• Toughness: DR 1/magic for each point of his aura bonus.
  
• Vigor: Fast healing 1 for every 2 points of his aura bonus, but only affects characters at or below one-half their full normal hit points.
  
• Attack: Bonus on melee attack rolls.
  
• Care: Bonus to Armor Class.
  
• Urgency: Allies’ base land speed is increased 5' for every two points of his aura bonus (min 5').
  
• Resilient Troops: Bonus on all saves equal to 1 for every two points of his aura bonus (min 1).
  
• Steady Hand: Bonus on ranged attack rolls.
  
• Accuracy: Bonus on ranged damage rolls equal to his aura bonus.
  
• Alliance: If an ally makes an attack of opportunity against an enemy, one other allied creature per two points of aura bonus in melee range of the enemy may make a free attack against that creature with a -4 penalty. The commander chooses which creature.
  
• Dogpile: If an ally successfully critical hits an enemy, one other allied creature per two points of aura bonus in melee range of the enemy may make a free attack against that creature with a -4 penalty. The commander chooses which creature.
  
• Transfer of Power: Allied magic users in the aura receive a +1 bonus to caster level (or appropriate) for every 4 points of aura bonus.
  
• Resist the Inevitable: Allies in the aura gain spell resistance equal to 10 + 2 per point of aura bonus.
  
• Countering Blows: All allies in the aura are treated as if they had the Combat Reflexes feat, except the number of Attacks of Opportunity is increased by 1 for every 4 points of aura bonus.
  

• Evasion: As an immediate action, the commander grants his allies evasion for one minute.
  
• Rage: The commander grants his allies the benefits of the barbarian's rage ability, for 1 round plus 1 round per point of (newly improved) constitution modifier.
  
• Smite: The commander grants his allies the benefits of the paladin's smite ability for 1 round. They may add their Charisma bonus (if any) to the attack roll and deal 1 extra point of damage per character level.
  
• Sudden Strike: The commander grants his allies the ability to deal an extra 1d6 points of damage per two character levels any time the target would be denied its Dexterity bonus. This lasts for one round.
  
• Skirmish: The commander grants his allies (for one round) the ability to deal an extra 1d6 points of damage on all attacks they make during any round in which they move at least 10 feet away from where they were at the start of your turn. The extra damage applies only to attacks made after they have moved at least 10 feet. The skirmish ability cannot be used while mounted. The extra damage applies only to attacks taken during their turn. This extra damage increases by 1d6 for every four character levels gained above 1st (2d6 at 5th, 3d6 at 9th, 4d6 at 13th, and 5d6 at 17th level). The extra damage only applies against living creatures that have a discernible anatomy. Undead, constructs, oozes, plants, incorporeal creatures, and creatures immune to extra damage from critical hits are not vulnerable to this additional damage. The affected allies must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. They can apply this extra damage to ranged attacks made while skirmishing, but only if the target is within 30 feet. At their 3rd character level, they gain a +1 competence bonus to Armor Class during any round in which they move at least 10 feet. The bonus applies as soon as they have moved 10 feet, and lasts until the start of their next turn. This bonus improves by 1 for every four levels gained above 3rd (+2 at 7th, +3 at 11th, +4 at 15th, and +5 at 19th level). They cannot use this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load.