A substitution level is a level of a given class that you take instead of the level described for the standard class. Selecting a substitution level is not the same as multiclassing — you remain within the class for which the substitution level is taken. The class features of the substitution level simply replace those of the standard level.
Essentially, each set of substitution levels presents a racially flavoured variant standard class. The DM may add more racial substitution level options (such as half-elf clerics or half-orc rogues) at his option, using these as guidelines.
To qualify for a racial substitution level, you must be of the proper race. For instance, to select a racial substitution level of half-orc barbarian, you must be a half-orc.
Of the four races featured in this book — human, half-elf, half-orc and illumian — substitution levels are offered here only for half-elves and half-orcs. Humans are far too generalized to take advantage of racial substitution levels, while illumians already possess the capability to adapt their racial abilities to specific classes by choosing particular power sigils.
For each class with racial substitution levels, you can select each substitution level only at a specific class level. When you take a substitution level for your class at a given level, you give up the benefits gained at that level for the standard class, and you get the substitution level benefits instead. You can’t go back and gain the benefits for the level you swapped out — when you take your next level in the standard class, you gain the next higher level as if you had gained the previous level normally. For instance, if you are a 5th-level bard and take the half-elf bard substitution level for 6th level, you forever lose the benefits normally provided to a standard 6th-level bard (gaining instead the racial substitution benefits for a 6th-level bard). When you gain another level in bard, you gain the 7th-level benefits of the standard bard class.
Unless otherwise noted in the description of a racial substitution level benefit, a character who takes a racial substitution level gains spellcasting ability (increases in spells per day and spells known, if applicable) as if he had taken this level in the standard class.
A character need not take all the substitution levels provided for a class. For instance, a half-orc barbarian might decide to take only the racial substitution level at 2nd level, ignoring the other substitution levels.
The description of each substitution level benefit explains what occurs to the standard class ability not gained, if that ability would normally increase at a specific rate (such as the gnome ranger’s favoured enemy).
When a substitution level changes the base class’s Hit Die or class skill list, the change applies only to the specific substitution class level, not to any other class levels. A half-orc who takes the half-orc druid substitution level as a beginning character gains 10 hit points (from the substitution level’s d10 Hit Die), and gains an additional 1d10 hit points for each additional half-orc druid substitution level she takes later in her career, but she gains only the normal d8 Hit Die for each of her standard druid levels.
Blessed with a smooth grace and demeanor that many find appealing, the half-elf bard is a common sight. The half-elf bard gives up some of her performance abilities to become more well versed in social interaction and negotiation.
Class: Bard.
Hit Die: d6.
To take a half-elf bard substitution level, a character must be a half-elf about to take her 1st, 6th or 8th level of bard.
Half-elf bard substitution levels have the class skills of the standard bard class.
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier (or four times this number as a beginning character).
| Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special | Spellcasting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +2 | +2 | Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +1, Soothing Voice | Same as bard |
| 6th | +4 | +2 | +5 | +5 | Command | Same as bard |
| 8th | +6/+1 | +2 | +6 | +6 | Inspire Courage +2, Secrets of the Diplomat | See text |
All the following are features of the half-elf bard’s racial substitution levels.
Soothing Voice (Su): A 1st-level half-elf bard with 3 or more ranks in Diplomacy can spend one daily use of her bardic music to use a composed, steady voice and reason to calm the emotions in others around her. This ability works in much the same way as the half-elf bard’s fascinate ability, with the following differences.
The creature to be soothed must be within 30 feet of the bard and must be able to understand the language she is speaking. To use this ability, the half-elf bard makes a Diplomacy check. Her check result is the DC for each affected creature’s Will save against the effect. On a success, the creature is affected as if by the calm emotions spell. The effect lasts as long as the creature listens to the bard, although the creature may wander off on its own if there is nothing to keep its interest.
This benefit replaces the standard bard’s ability of countersong.
Command (Sp): A 6th-level half-elf bard with at least 9 ranks in Diplomacy may spend one daily use of her bardic music to issue a command (as the spell) to a creature within 30 feet. Alternatively, the command can affect all creatures that the bard has affected with her soothing voice or fascinate ability. A Will saving throw (DC 11 + bard’s Charisma modifier) negates the effect.
This benefit replaces the standard bard’s ability of suggestion.
Secrets of the Diplomat: At 8th level, a half-elf bard adds the following spells to her spells known: 1st - command; 2nd - zone of truth; 4th - sending.
This benefit replaces the 4th-level spell learned by a standard bard at 8th level. From now on, the bard knows one fewer 4th-level bard spell than normal (not counting the spells she learned from this substitution feature).
Lacking the bonus feat of humans and the high Dexterity of elves, half-elf fighters are not particularly common. Those who do take up a life of the blade often become talkative swashbucklers who blend quick swordplay with a sharp tongue. They seek to confuse and demoralize foes, rather than overcoming them with brute force.
Class: Fighter.
Hit Die: d8.
To take a half-elf fighter substitution level, a character must be a half-elf about to take her 1st, 2nd or 6th level of fighter.
Half-elf fighter substitution levels have the class skills of the standard fighter class, plus Bluff, Diplomacy and Sense Motive.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier (or four times this number as a beginning character).
| Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Blade Focus |
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Main-Gauche |
| 6th | +6/+1 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Confusing Banter |
All the following are features of the half-elf fighter racial substitution levels.
Blade Focus (Ex): The half-elf fighter focuses his combat talents on fighting with slender blades. At 1st level, the half-elf fighter gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls with the longsword and rapier.
This bonus does not stack with the bonus from Weapon Focus, but is treated as the equivalent of Weapon Focus for the purposes of qualifying for feats, prestige classes and so on that require the feat. For example a half-elf fighter with this ability could take Weapon Specialization (Rapier) without selecting Weapon Focus (Rapier) as a separate feat.
This benefit replaces the standard fighter’s 1st-level bonus feat.
Main-Gauche (Ex): At 2nd level, the half-elf fighter learns how to fight using a dagger in his off-hand in defence as well as offence. The half-elf fighter is treated as having the Two-Weapon Fighting feat when wielding a longsword or rapier in one hand and a dagger in his other hand. In addition, the half-elf fighter gains a +1 bonus to AC during any round that fights defensively while wielding weapons in this manner.
This bonus is treated as the equivalent of Two-Weapon Fighting for the purposes of qualifying for feats and prestige classes that require the feat.
This benefit replaces the standard fighter’s 2nd-level bonus feat.
Confusing Banter (Ex): The 6th-level half-elf fighter combines defensive tactics with a stream of wordplay aimed at tricking his opponent into letting his guard down. Whenever a half-elf fighter fights defensively, he may attempt a Bluff or Diplomacy check as a free action, opposed by his opponent’s Sense Motive check (the opponent may also add his base attack bonus on this check). If the half-elf fighter wins, he gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls against that creature until the end of his next turn. This ability only functions against creatures with Intelligence scores of 3 or higher. It is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability.
This benefit replaces the standard fighter’s 6th-level bonus feat.
Not all rangers spend their entire lives in the untamed wilds of the forests and hills. Some half-elves find a mix of rural and urban life to their taste, and temper their wilderness lore with the ability to interact well with a wide range of individuals. The half-elf ranger is the ultimate investigator and bounty hunter. She finds social skills just as important for survival as fighting prowess.
Class: Ranger.
Hit Die: d8.
To take a half-elf ranger substitution level, a character must be a half-elf about to take her 1st, 4th or 13th level of ranger.
Half-elf ranger substitution levels have the class skills of the standard ranger class, plus Gather Information and Speak Language.
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier (or four times this number as a beginning character).
| Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special | Spellcasting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +2 | +0 | 1st Favoured Enemy, Urban Tracking, Wild Empathy | — |
| 4th | +4 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Animal Companion, Street Magic | Same as Ranger |
| 13th | +13/+8/+3 | +8 | +8 | +4 | Skill Mastery | Same as Ranger |
All the following are features of the half-elf ranger racial substitution levels.
Urban Tracking (Ex): The half-elf ranger gains Urban Tracking as a bonus feat. An 8th-level ranger with Urban Tracking can cut the time required per Gather Information check to 30 minutes without taking the normal -5 penalty on the check. (This benefit augments, but does not replace, the standard 8th-level ranger class feature of swift tracker.)
This benefit replaces the Track feat normally gained as a bonus feat by a standard 1st-level ranger.
Street Magic: At 4th level, a half-elf ranger adds the following spells to her class spell list:
A ranger who selects this substitution feature loses the following spells from her class spell list:
Skill Mastery (Ex): At 13th level, a half-elf ranger 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.
This benefit replaces the standard ranger’s camouflage ability.
Most half-orcs are raised in harsh lands, far from civilization. They tap into their inner anger and power to become devastating berserkers who charge into combat with relish. Those who grew up among orcs are particularly fond of huge, cleaving weapons that can reap terrible destruction. This substitution allows a half-orc barbarian to sacrifice some of his intuitive defences to become more aggressive in combat.
Class: Barbarian.
Hit Die: d12.
To take a half-orc barbarian substitution level, a character must be a half-orc about to take his 2nd, 5th or 7th level of barbarian.
Half-Orc barbarian substitution levels have the class skills of the standard barbarian class.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier (or four times this number as a beginning character).
| Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Reckless Charge |
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Insightful Rage |
| 7th | +7/+2 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Two-Handed Strike |
All the following are features of the half-orc barbarian racial substitution levels.
Reckless Charge (Su): At 2nd level, the half-orc barbarian gains a +4 bonus on attack rolls when making a charge, but takes a -4 penalty to AC. These values replace the normal bonus and penalty accorded to a charging character.
This benefit replaces the standard barbarian’s uncanny dodge ability. If the barbarian would later gain improved uncanny dodge as a barbarian class feature, he gains uncanny dodge instead.
Insightful Rage (Ex): While raging, a half-orc barbarian of 5th level or higher gains a +4 bonus on Will saves to disbelieve illusion spells.
This benefit replaces the standard barbarian’s improved uncanny dodge ability.
Two-Handed Strike (Ex): The half-orc barbarian focuses his combat talents towards massive, two-handed melee weapons. At 7th level, the half-orc barbarian gains a +2 bonus on damage rolls with any two-handed melee weapon.
This benefit replaces the standard barbarian’s damage reduction 1/— gained at 7th level. From this point forward, the half-orc barbarian’s damage reduction is treated as one point less than the noted value (1/— at 10th level, 2/— at 13th level and so forth).
While most orcs revere their primary deity, Gruumsh, others are drawn to the primal brutality of nature. Half-orc druids are noted for their brute strength and force of will, summoning animals that are more powerful than normal and fighting with impressive physical prowess.
Class: Druid.
Hit Die: d10.
To take a half-orc druid substitution level, a character must be a half-orc about to take her 1st, 4th or 6th level of druid.
Half-orc druid substitution levels have the class skills of the standard druid class, plus Intimidate.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
| Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special | Spellcasting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +0 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Tough Animal Companion, Nature Sense, Wild Empathy | Same as Druid |
| 4th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Bully Animal | Same as Druid |
| 6th | +4 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Augmented Nature’s Allies | Same as Druid |
All the following are features of the half-orc druid racial substitution levels.
Tough Animal Companion (Ex): The half-orc druid tends to attract physically powerful specimens. Her animal companion gains Toughness as a bonus feat.
Bully Animal (Ex): Beginning at 4th level, when the half-orc druid uses her wild empathy ability, she adds her Strength modifier to the check instead of her Charisma modifier.
This benefit replaces the standard druid’s resist nature’s lure ability.
Augmented Nature’s Allies (Su): Starting at 6th level, any animal summoned by a half-orc druid with a summon nature’s ally spell gains a +4 bonus to Strength and Constitution. These bonuses don’t stack with those granted by the Augment Summoning feat.
This benefit replaces the standard druid’s ability to use wild shape one additional time per day. From this point on, the half-orc druid’s number of daily wild shapes is reduced by one (2/day at 7th level, 3/day at 10th level, and so on).
At first glance, the concept of a half-orc paladin seems a contradiction in terms. But those rare half-orcs with the necessary dedication to law and goodness become the most zealous protectors of righteousness.
Class: Paladin.
Hit Die: d12.
To take a half-orc paladin substitution level, a character must be a half-orc about to take his 1st, 3rd or 6th level of paladin.
Half-Orc paladin substitution levels have the class skills of the standard paladin class, except that Diplomacy is dropped and Intimidate is added.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier (or four times this number as a beginning character).
| Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special | Spellcasting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Righteous Fury 1/day | — |
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +1 | +1 | Aura of Awe, Divine Health | — |
| 6th | +6/+1 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Remove Fatigue 1/week | Same as Paladin |
All the following are features of the half-orc paladin racial substitution levels.
Righteous Fury (Ex): A half-orc paladin can fly into a fury of righteous fervour once per day, dealing powerful blows to his enemies. Entering a righteous fury is a free action. While in a righteous fury, the half-orc paladin gains a +2 morale bonus on melee weapon damage rolls. This bonus increases by 1 for every four class levels, to
+3 at 4th level, +4 at 8th level, up to a maximum of +7 at 20th level. The half-orc remains in this fury for 1 round plus 1 round per point of Charisma bonus (minimum 1 round).
At 5th level, and at every five class levels thereafter, the half-orc paladin may enter this righteous fury one additional time per day.
This benefit replaces the standard paladin’s smite evil ability. A half-orc paladin who selects this substitution feature never gains any daily uses of smite evil.
Aura of Awe (Su): Beginning at 3rd level, a half-orc paladin is immune to fear (magical or otherwise). In addition, evil creatures within 10 feet of the character take a -2 penalty on saves against fear effects (or on checks made to resist his Intimidate attempts).
This substitution feature replaces the base paladin’s aura of courage ability.
Remove Fatigue (Sp): At 6th level, a half-orc paladin can remove the fatigued condition from all allies within a 30-foot burst centred on him. (This has no effect on exhausted allies.) He can use this ability one additional time per week for every three levels after 6th (twice per week at 9th, three times per week at 12th and so forth).
This benefit replaces the standard paladin’s remove disease ability. A half-orc paladin who selects this substitution feature never gains any weekly uses of remove disease.
Source: Races of Destiny (Page 156)