Spell Progression for Hexblades, Paladins, and Rangers

D&D 3e (3.0/3.5) Rules

by Azrael Macool

Hexblades, paladins, and rangers all have some spellcasting, though it is not a primary feature of these classes. Well, what if someone wants to play a paladin who joins the Knights of Solamnia? He would do fine as a Crown Knight, but would not have optimal performace among the Sword and Rose Knights, on account of spellcasting being a primary feature of these classes. Normally, the character would probably just take a level in cleric, but with this rule, anytime a paladin, ranger, or hexblade takes a level in a prestige class that gives them +1 spellcasting progression, paladins get to advance their spellcasting like a cleric, rangers like a druid, and hexblades like a sorcerer. It would almost be like taking a level in that class, except they don't have to. They don't get any abilities from that class, such as increased familiar progression or turn/rebuke undead attempts. For ezample, a Hexblade 10/Thorn Knight 5 would have the spellcasting equivalent of a Hexblade 10/Sorcerer 5. If using the mystic paladin or ranger classes, then the character advances like a mystic, but paladins choose spells from the cleric list, and rangers choose spells off the druid's list.

Other classes, and some prestige classes, can make use of this variant rule as well. For example, a kender nightstalker who takes levels in citadel mystic would advance in spellcasting as a mystic.

Other spellcasting progressions for the same class are possible, too. For instance, a Hexblade can choose to gain the progression of a Battle Sorcerer, or Savage Bard (both from Unearthed Arcana).

A final note is that bards, or any other class that gains greater spellcasting progression than a paladin or ranger but worse than a full caster, like a wizard or cleric, may not take an enhanced spell progression from a prestige class.

This item has been published here with permission from the author(s) and may not be reproduced without permission. This is a fan submission and its contents are completely unofficial. Some characters, places, likenesses and other names may be copyright Wizards of the Coast.