This is a prestige class for a mounted spellcaster that I'd started some time ago, and never quite got around to finishing. I'm posting it here to get some feedback and see if I can't finally get it fleshed out properly.
Order of the Spell Skirmisher
by Andrew TheisenThe Order of the Spell is an Ylari organisation of mounted spellcasters. They are trained to cast spells and fight from horseback.
Hit Die: d6
Requirements: To qualify as an Order of the Spell Skirmisher, a character must fulfil all the following criteria:
Base Attack Bonus: +3
Feats: Mounted Combat, Combat Casting
Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Ride 4 ranks
Spellcasting: Arcane caster level 3Table X-X: The Order of the Spell Skirmisher
Lvl BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spellcasting 1 +0 +0 +2 +2 Arcane Insight, concentration bonus, share spells +1 level of existing arcane class 2 +1 +0 +3 +3 Ride bonus +2, touch spells +1 level of existing arcane class 3 +1 +1 +3 +3 +1 level of existing arcane class 4 +2 +1 +4 +4 Superior Concentration +1 level of existing arcane class 5 +2 +1 +4 +4 Ride bonus +4 +1 level of existing arcane class 6 +3 +2 +5 +5 +1 level of existing arcane class 7 +3 +2 +5 +5 +1 level of existing arcane class 8 +4 +2 +6 +6 Ride bonus +6 +1 level of existing arcane class 9 +4 +3 +6 +6 +1 level of existing arcane class 10 +5 +3 +7 +7 +1 level of existing arcane class CLASS SKILLS
The Order of the Spell Skirmisher's class skills (and the key ability for each) are Concentration (Con), Craft (any) (Wis), Handle Animal (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (any) (Int), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), and Spot (Wis).Skill Points at Each Level: 2+Int mod
CLASS FEATURES
Weapon and Armour Proficiency: Order of the Spell Skirmishers gain no new proficiencies in either armour or weapons.
Arcane Insight (Ex): An Order of the Spell Skirmisher may add 1 point of Intelligence bonus (if any) per Order of the Spell class level to attack rolls made with spells or spell-triggered devices (such as wands). Thus a 3rd level Order of the Spell Skirmisher with an Intelligence of 15 (+2 bonus) could add +2 to his attack roll. This bonus only applies while mounted.
Concentration Bonus (Ex): An Order of the Spell Skirmisher receives a bonus to Concentration checks when casting while mounted. This bonus is equal to his Order of the Spell Skirmisher level.
Share Spells (Ex): An Order of the Spell Skirmisher may share his spells with his mount, in the same manner a wizard shares spells with his familiar.
Ride Bonus (Ex):
Touch Spells (Ex): An Order of the Spell Skirmisher may deliver touch spells through his mount, in the same manner a wizard may deliver touch spells through his familiar.
Superior Concentration (Ex): At this level, an Order of the Spell Skirmisher may always take 10 on Concentration checks while mounted, even under adverse conditions.
Still fairly barebones, and in need of work. I'd toyed with the notion of having a class ability that actually makes the Skirmisher's mount (horse, usually) become his familiar, but I think the version above (giving some familiar-like abilities) is what I settled on instead. I don't really recall.I gave it a full spellcasting progression since the classes abilities are useful only in certain conditions (effectively, while mounted). Since not a lot of campaigns will take place while on horseback, I figured it's a suitable tradeoff for the specialisation.
I'll probably throw in a couple of bonus feats related to riding (such as Trample and Ride-By Attack). In particular, with the latter, I'll likely do a Skirmisher-unique "Ride-By Casting" ability that will do the same thing, but with spellcasting (or use of a Spell Triggered item) rather than an attack.
Of course, I'll also change some of the abilities to have some more interesting names (rather than the bland "concentration bonus" for example).
I'll also likely change the class name to something more specific- referring to the "elite" members of the Order of the Spell (i.e., there are lower level members who are essentially initiates; these guys are the hardcore dedicated group and get special training and benefits beyond what others have).