Editing Abstruse Cardshark (3.5e Class)

{{author
|author_name=Foxwarrior
|date_created=5/5/10
|status=Just started
|balance=Rogue
}}
<div class="blank">
{{#set:Summary=A versatile caster with a casting system much like the Crusader's. This one uses actual suits.
|Length=20
|Minimum Level=1
|Base Attack Bonus Progression=Poor
|Fortitude Save Progression=Poor
|Reflex Save Progression=Good
|Will Save Progression=Good
|Class Ability=Alternate Magic
|Class Ability Progression=Full
}}
{{#set:Allowed Alignments=Lawful Good}} {{#set:Allowed Alignments=Lawful Neutral}} {{#set:Allowed Alignments=Lawful Evil}} {{#set:Allowed Alignments=Neutral Good}} {{#set:Allowed Alignments=Neutral}} {{#set:Allowed Alignments=Neutral Evil}} {{#set:Allowed Alignments=Chaotic Good}} {{#set:Allowed Alignments=Chaotic Neutral}} {{#set:Allowed Alignments=Chaotic Evil}}
</div>

==Abstruse Cardshark==

The Abstruse Cardshark is a channeler of the powerful energies of a well-shuffled deck.

===Making a Abstruse Cardshark===

The Abstruse Cardshark has much of the advantages of a more conventional caster, but none of the practicality.

'''Abilities:''' Wisdom and Charisma are required for effective casting practices. Intelligence and Dexterity can give your Abstruse Cardshark other capacities.

'''Races:''' Halflings, Elves, and Gnomes are particularly likely to join in this class, due to its abstruse and sly nature.

'''Alignment:''' Any.

'''Starting Gold:''' 100; 4d4&times;10 gp 

'''[[SRD:Race Descriptions#Starting Age|Starting Age]]:''' Moderate

{| class="zebra d20"
|+
<div>{{Anchor|Table: The Abstruse Cardshark}}</div>
Hit Die: d6
|-
! rowspan="2" | Level
! rowspan="2" | [[BAB|Base<br/>Attack Bonus]]
! colspan="3" | [[SRD:Saving Throw|Saving Throw]]s
! rowspan="2" | Special
! rowspan="2" | [[#Cards|Maximum Card Denomination]]
! rowspan="2" | [[#Base Hand Size|Base<br/>Hand Size]]
|-
! [[SRD:Saving Throw#Fortitude|Fort]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Reflex|Ref]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Will|Will]]
|-
|1st||class="left" | +0 || +0 || +2 || +2
| class="left" |  || Ace (Low) || 1 
|-
|2nd||class="left" | +1 || +0 || +3 || +3
| class="left" |  || Two || 1 
|-
|3rd||class="left" | +1 || +1 || +3 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Mulligan|Mulligan]] || Three || 1 
|-
|4th||class="left" | +2 || +1 || +4 || +4
| class="left" |  || Three || 2
|-
|5th||class="left" | +2 || +1 || +4 || +4
| class="left" |  || Four || 2
|-
|6th||class="left" | +3 || +2 || +5 || +5
| class="left" |  || Five || 2
|-
|7th||class="left" | +3 || +2 || +5 || +5
| class="left" |  || Six || 2
|-
|8th||class="left" | +4 || +2 || +6 || +6
| class="left" |  || Seven || 2
|-
|9th||class="left" | +4 || +3 || +6 || +6
| class="left" |  || Eight || 2
|-
|10th||class="left" | +5 || +3 || +7 || +7
| class="left" |  || Eight || 3
|-
|11th||class="left" | +5 || +3 || +7 || +7
| class="left" |  || Nine || 3
|-
|12th||class="left" | +6/+1 || +4 || +8 || +8
| class="left" |  || Ten || 3
|-
|13th||class="left" | +6/+1 || +4 || +8 || +8
| class="left" |  || Ten || 4
|-
|14th||class="left" | +7/+2 || +4 || +9 || +9
| class="left" |  || Jack || 4
|-
|15th||class="left" | +7/+2 || +5 || +9 || +9
| class="left" |  || Queen || 4
|-
|16th||class="left" | +8/+3 || +5 || +10 || +10
| class="left" |  || Queen || 5
|-
|17th||class="left" | +8/+3 || +5 || +10 || +10
| class="left" |  || King || 5
|-
|18th||class="left" | +9/+4 || +6 || +11 || +11
| class="left" |  || Ace (High) || 5
|-
|19th||class="left" | +9/+4 || +6 || +11 || +11
| class="left" |  || Ace (High) || 6
|-
|20th||class="left" | +10/+5 || +6 || +12 || +12
| class="left" |  || Ace (High) || 7
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
'''Class Skills ([[Skill Points::4]] + [[SRD:Intelligence|Int]] modifier per level, &times;4 at 1st level)'''<br/>
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Appraise Skill|Appraise}} ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Bluff Skill|Bluff}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration}} ([[SRD:Constitution|Con]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Craft Skill|Craft}} ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Decipher Script Skill|Decipher Script}} ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Disguise Skill|Disguise}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Forgery Skill|Forgery}} ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Knowledge (Arcana) Skill|Knowledge (Arcana)}} ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Profession Skill|Profession}} ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive}} ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Sleight of Hand Skill|Sleight of Hand}} ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Use Magic Device Skill|Use Magic Device}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]).
|}

====Class Features====

All of the following are class features of the Abstruse Cardshark.

'''Weapon and Armor Proficiency:''' Abstruse Cardsharks are proficient with Daggers, Darts, [[Throwing Cards (3.5e Equipment)|Throwing Cards]], and light armor, although they suffer from arcane spell failure while wearing it.

'''{{Anchor|Cards}}:''' Abstruse Cardsharks cast spells using a special deckbuilding scheme. After a full 8-hour rest, the Abstruse Cardshark summons sequential sets of cards from up to four different [[3.5e Suits|suits]]. In order to summon a higher card, he must have the card immediately lower to it in his deck, of the same suit (with the exception of the Ace, of course, since it's the lowest). He cannot summon more than one of each card. He then shuffles those cards together, says some magical words on them, and draws a number of cards equal to his maximum hand size (normally his Base Hand Size plus his Charisma modifier).

The Abstruse Cardshark can only play cards that are in his hand. Whenever he plays a card, that card disappears in a puff of smoke and he may draw a new card from the deck as a move action (unless he has Quick Draw or some other such ability). It is physically impossible to draw a card from the deck while there are a number of cards equal to his maximum hand size out of it.

Playing a card is a [[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Spell-like|spell-like ability]].

Although the Ace is listed as both Ace (Low) and Ace (High), there is only one of it per suit (the Ace), and which effect you want to make happen is up to you when you play it from your hand (although, of course, you can't choose to play it as an Ace (High) until you reach level 18.

The Save DC's for an Abstruse Cardshark's cards are equal to 10 + half his Hit Dice + his Wisdom modifier.

'''{{Anchor|Mulligan}}:''' At third level, the Abstruse Cardshark gains the ability to Mulligan once per day. To do so, he shuffles his hand into his deck and draws up to his maximum hand size as a full-round action.

====Epic Abstruse Cardshark====

{{quote|I declare war.|orig=Abbot Primarius d'Absolutus, Abstruse Cardshark and High Priest}}

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ class="epic" |
<div>{{Anchor|Table: The Epic Abstruse Cardshark}}</div>
Hit Die: d6
|-
! Level !! Special
|- 
| 21st || class="left" | [[#Topdeck|Topdeck]]
|- 
| 22nd || class="left" | +1 Maximum Hand Size
|- 
| 23rd || class="left" | [[#Unlimited Suits|Unlimited Suits]]
|- 
| 24th || class="left" | +1 Maximum Hand Size
|- 
| 25th || class="left" | [[#Duplicate Suits|Duplicate Suits]]
|- 
| 26th || class="left" | +1 Maximum Hand Size
|- 
| 27th || class="left" | [[#Unlimited Casting|Unlimited Casting]]
|- class
| 28th || class="left" | +1 Maximum Hand Size
|- class
| 29th || class="left" | [[#Card Searching|Card Searching]]
|- class=
| 30th || class="left" | +1 Maximum Hand Size
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
4 + [[SRD:Intelligence|Int]] modifier skill points per level.
|}

'''Cards:''' The Abstruse Cardshark's maximum hand size increases by 1 every even numbered level.

'''{{Anchor|Topdeck}}:''' At level 21, the Abstruse Cardshark can, without looking at it, declare that he will cast the top card of his deck. He ignores all XP and component costs for that card, and casts it as a swift action.

'''{{Anchor|Unlimited Suits}}:''' At level 23, the Abstruse Cardshark may put any number of suits into his deck.

'''{{Anchor|Duplicate Suits}}:''' At level 25, the Abstruse Cardshark may put copies of the same suit into his deck.

'''{{Anchor|Unlimited Casting}}:''' At level 27, whenever the Abstruse Cardshark casts a card, a new copy of the card appears on the bottom of the deck.

'''{{Anchor|Card Searching}}:''' At level 29, instead of drawing a card, the Abstruse Cardshark may spend 1 minute searching through his deck for a card and putting it into his hand. He then shuffles the deck.

====[[Gokiburi (3.5e Race)|Gokiburi]] Abstruse Cardshark Starting Package====

'''Weapons:''' Dagger or dart.

'''Skill Selection:''' Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + [[Int]] modifier.

{| class="zebra d20"
|-
! class="left" | Skill || Ranks || Ability || Armor<br/>Check<br/>Penalty
|- class=
| class="left" | Appraise || 4 || Int || &mdash;
|- class=
| class="left" | Sense Motive || 4 || Wis || &mdash;
|- class=
| class="left" | Sleight of Hand || 4 || Dex || &mdash;
|- class=
| class="left" | Concentration || 4 || Con || &mdash;
|}

'''Feat:''' Skill Focus (Sleight of Hand).

'''Gear:''' Leather armor, deck of ordinary playing cards.

'''Gold:''' 70.

'''Deck:''' [[Rainbows (3.5e Suit)|Rainbows]] (Ace), [[Crystals (3.5e Suit)|Crystals]] (Ace), [[Flames (3.5e Suit)|Flames]] (Ace), and [[Scripts (3.5e Suit)|Scripts]] (Ace).

===Campaign Information===

====Playing an Abstruse Cardshark====

'''Religion:''' Abstruse Cardsharks are more likely than other casters to worship a deity, particularly one that influences luck.

'''Other Classes:''' Abstruse Cardsharks are looked down upon by Wizards and Clerics for their idiotic casting method. Bards tend to see more similarity with them.

'''Combat:''' Abstruse Cardsharks tend to throw out spells continuously, in the hopes that they will draw one appropriate to the situation.

'''Advancement:''' Abstruse Cardsharks are casters, so they are a real pain to multiclass.

====Abstruse Cardsharks in the World====

{{quote|How's this Nine of Rainbows going to help me fight an army of rabid blind monks? It'll just make me blind too!|orig=Ilobmit Tsaginarsa, Brownie Abstruse Cardshark}}

Abstruse Cardsharks often become prophets, fortunetellers, and gamblers.

'''Daily Life:''' An ordinary Abstruse Cardshark gambler might use the Four of Rainbows to steal some poor gamblers' money, or the Seven of Crystals to smuggle people across borders.

'''Notables:''' Ilobmit Tsaginarsa, famous savior of the rotting, generally ignored flying city of Sucifirakiabilasli.

'''Organizations:''' Most con men don't organize very strongly, and more often than not end up turning on one another when the pot gets too tempting.

'''NPC Reactions:''' Abstruse Cardsharks have established a reputation of being cardsharks and con men, so NPC's are unlikely to regard them with a great deal of respect, nor trust.

====Abstruse Cardshark Lore====

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

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ Knowledge (Arcana) or Profession (Casino Operator)
! DC || class="left" | Result
|- 
| 5 || class="left" | Abstruse Cardsharks wield the magic of cards to call forth powerful energies.
|- 
| 10 || class="left" | Abstruse Cardsharks tend to gamble and cheat.
|- 
| 15 || class="left" | Abstruse Cardsharks have to hope that they draw the right card for the situation.
|- 
| 20 || class="left" | Information on specific Abstruse Cardsharks.
|}


====Abstruse Cardsharks in the Game====

Abstruse Cardsharks fulfill the caster role.

'''Adaptation:''' The Tarot Mage, who is functionally identical. The Abstruse Dicemonger, who gets different spells on different rolls of colored d6's.


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