Lot of back and forth in the discussion, mostly about whether or not implementing new abilities is feasible or against the "flavour" of the class.
Let's boil it down to the basics.
One side is saying that the class isn't good at the one thing that it should be good at, which is hunting monsters. The other side is saying "Well the
flavour of the class is what's important. You should take this class because it's so cool and don't you want to be a Monster Hunter? So cool."
Now I'm not gonna go on and on about new abilities and new coding and all that good stuff, because frankly I don't know diddly-squat about how the NWN engine works. So I'm going to do my best to point out the flaws and possible fixes for this class without resorting to a whole bunch of coding, using what's currently available in the system to accomplish the goal of making the class somewhat worthwhile.
So we're going to compare the class to two other classes. The first is obvious. It's the Ranger. The second might not be quite so obvious. It's the Bard. Why? Well the Monster Hunter is supposed to be a jack of all trades with a sprinkling of spells to make things interesting. Regardless of the opinions of our esteemed devs/dms (Which I wholeheartedly respect), what's more important in my own opinion is gameplay balance. A class can have all the cool fluff it wants, but if it isn't at least mechanically
interesting (not necessarily powerful), then no one's going to put in the time to pick it up, hence it's simply time wasted by the devs in creating a class that no one wants.
What I'm going to do is compare the classes at various points in their careers using the raw numbers. We're not including gear or even ability scores in our calculations, just whatever it is the class gives you. If anyone would like to debate the points presented below, please let me know, and I'd be more than happy to go further into the math rather than the simple sledgehammer explanations given below.
Level 3, The minimum level you can get into Monster Hunter.Fighter 2/Monster Hunter 1HP: 26
BAB: +2
Fort: +3
Ref: +0
Will: +2
Skills: 14
Spells: 0 1st,
Special: Favored Enemy I
Caster Level: 1
Ranger 3HP: 24
BAB: +3
Fort: +3
Ref: +3
Will: +1
Skills: 36
Spells: None
Special: Trackless Step, Dual Wield, Endurance, Favored Enemy I
Caster Level: NA
Bard 3HP: 18
BAB: +2
Fort: +1
Ref: +3
Will: +3
Skills: 36
Spells: 3 0th, 1 1st
Special: Bardic Knowledge +3, Bard Song 3/day
Caster Level: 3
Summary: How does the Monster Hunter hold up as a Hunter of Monsters at level 3? Well, it isn't really the best at anything except for HP, and that's because it was a Fighter before it was a Monster Hunter. It does have access to a 1st level spell now, and a favoured enemy bonus of +1 vs one creature type. Honestly, you'd get more bang for your buck by taking a Wizard level here. More spells per day, more versatility with those spells, and you even get a familiar (And we'd all pick one that gives Improved Invis). But we're not comparing the Monster Hunter to the Wizard, we're comparing him to the Bard and Ranger.
When comparing him to a Ranger, the Ranger has 2 fewer HP, but is rewarded with having more skills, generally better saving throws, and better BAB. The Monster Hunter can of course negate this small penalty by casting Magic weapon.
In comparison to the Bard, the Bard has 8 fewer HP, but comes out as an equal combatant (Perhaps even better through the use of bardsong), is a better skillmonkey, and a better spellcaster. Things aren't looking good for our Monster Hunter, and we've only just begun.
Level 5, Electric BoogalooFighter 2/Monster Hunter 3HP: 38
BAB: +4
Fort: +4
Ref: +1
Will: +3
Skills: 22
Spells: 1 1st, 0 2nd
Special: Favored Enemy I, Turn Undead
Caster Level: 3
Ranger 5HP: 40
BAB: +5
Fort: +4
Ref: +4
Will: +1
Skills: 48
Spells: 0 1st
Special: Trackless Step, Dual Wield, Endurance, Favored Enemy II
Caster Level: 5
Bard 5HP: 18
BAB: +3
Fort: +1
Ref: +4
Will: +4
Skills: 48
Spells: 3 0th, 3 1st, 1 2nd
Special: Bardic Knowledge +5, Bard Song 5/day
Caster Level: 5
Summary: Take a look above, and you'll see that already, the Monster Hunter is falling behind quickly. Even with Turn undead, they simply can't match the power of Bard Song -or- the Ranger's skills and combat prowess. Why? Because Monster Hunters are MAD (Multiple Ability Dependant) as it is. Most of them can't afford to put a decent score into Cha, and they have no in-class method of increasing their charisma score either. Their turning level is also low, and since all undead on this server has turn resistance, the chances of them actually turning anything even remotely level appropriate is almost zero. All they can really use it for is divine feats. Of course, since they can't pump up their charisma too good, those divine feats are going to be pretty much worthless. Especially when compared to Bardsong.
In comparison to the Ranger, the Monster Hunter has more spells (but the spell list itself is pretty garbo, so it's not winning any points with me there), and a better will save, but loses out everywhere else. Heck, the Ranger even has a better caster level.
In comparison to the Bard, the Monster Hunter has 8 more HP and a better Fort save, but loses out everywhere else. Combat prowess is equal, but the Bard's a better spellcaster and has more skills to back up whatever he's doing.
Level 7, Things are getting interesting..... For every other classFighter 2/Monster Hunter 5HP: 50
BAB: +5
Fort: +4
Ref: +1
Will: +4
Skills: 30
Spells: 1 1st, 1 2nd, 0 3rd
Special: Favored Enemy II, Turn Undead
Caster Level: 5
Ranger 7HP: 56
BAB: +7/+2
Fort: +5
Ref: +5
Will: +2
Skills: 60
Spells: 1 1st
Special: Trackless Step, Dual Wield, Endurance, Favored Enemy II, Animal Companion
Caster Level: 7
Bard 7HP: 42
BAB: +5
Fort: +2
Ref: +5
Will: +5
Skills: 60
Spells: 3 0th, 3 1st, 2 2nd 0 3rd
Special: Bardic Knowledge +7, Bard Song 7/day
Caster Level: 7
Summary: The Monster hunter gets a decent boost in spell power here with the addition of 3rd level spells. Unfortunately like before, it doesn't have much in the way of useful 3rd level spells besides GMW (and that won't get good for 3 more levels). As usual, it's lagging far behind in terms of skills, and it's multi-class bonus to saving throws is now becoming less and less relevant.
In comparison to the Ranger, it is lagging behind severely. It has fewer HP, and the lack of a 2nd attack per round isn't doing it any favours. What's worse, is that the only raw stat area it's beating the Ranger in is it's Will Save. However, the Monster Hunter is still a "Higher level" spellcaster, even with it's poor spell list.
In Comparison to the Bard, oh dear. The Bard is trouncing the Monster Hunter. It's losing out in HP and Fortitude saves, but no where else. Unlike the Monster Hunter, a Bard has a decent spell list, so although the Monster Hunter has "caught up" in regards to maximum spell level, it still loses out due to the Bard's higher caster level and sheer power of their spellcasting.
Level 9, I've got too much time on my hands. I could be levelling up right now.Fighter 2/Monster Hunter 7HP: 62
BAB: +7/+2
Fort: +4
Ref: +2
Will: +5
Skills: 38
Spells: 2 1st, 1 2nd, 1 3rd 0 4th
Special: Favored Enemy III, Turn Undead
Caster Level: 7
Ranger 9HP: 72
BAB: +9/+4
Fort: +6
Ref: +6
Will: +3
Skills: 72
Spells: 1 1st, 0 2nd
Special: Trackless Step, Dual Wield, Endurance, Favored Enemy II, Animal Companion, Improved two weapon fighting, Keen Senses, Evasion
Caster Level: 9
Bard 9HP: 54
BAB: +7/+2
Fort: +3
Ref: +6
Will: +6
Skills: 72
Spells: 3 0th, 3 1st, 3 2nd 2 3rd
Special: Bardic Knowledge +9, Bard Song 9/day
Caster Level: 9
Summary: The Monster Hunter has a small window here where he's got the highest level spells, but unless he's invested heavily in his Intelligence, he's unlikely to get much use out of it.
In Comparison to the Ranger, the Monster Hunter has fewer HP, lower BAB, lower saves (except Will), fewer skills, more spells, fewer class abilities, and a lower caster level. However, they did manage to get a 2nd attack per round, so that's not too bad (Now if only they're able to hit anything with it.)
In Comparison to the Bard, the Monster Hunter has more HP, the same BAB, a better Fort Save, worse Reflex and Will Saves, Fewer skill points, higher level spells, fewer spells per day, less useful class abilities, and a lower caster level. At this point, the Bard can pretty much close the gap between it and the Monster Hunter in terms of raw stats by using Bard Song. Can a Bard go toe to toe with a Ranger? Hell no. But it's not supposed to.
Level 12, Jesus, are you still reading this? No? Just skimming through? Alright.Fighter 2/Monster Hunter 10HP: 80
BAB: +9/+4
Fort: +5
Ref: +3
Will: +7
Skills: 50
Spells: 2 1st, 2 2nd, 2 3rd 1 4th
Special: Favored Enemy IV, Turn Undead
Caster Level: 10
Ranger 12HP: 96
BAB: +12/+7/+2
Fort: +8
Ref: +8
Will: +4
Skills: 90
Spells: 1 1st, 1 2nd, 1 3rd
Special: Trackless Step, Dual Wield, Endurance, Favored Enemy III, Animal Companion, Improved two weapon fighting, Keen Senses, Evasion
Caster Level: 12
Bard 12HP: 72
BAB: +9/+4
Fort: +4
Ref: +8
Will: +8
Skills: 90
Spells: 3 0th, 3 1st, 3 2nd 3 3rd, 2 4th
Special: Bardic Knowledge +12, Bard Song 12/day
Caster Level: 12
Summary: Well we're at the end of the line. Level 10 in Monster Hunter with an ECL of 12. As you can see above, the Ranger is quickly catching up in spell power, in two more levels he'll also have 4th level spells, and his caster level will continue to increase while the Monster Hunters will be stuck at 10 forever. Bards are back on top in terms of spell power, but other than that, nothing else has changed. The Bard will continue to grow in power, while the Monster Hunter stagnates in both Mundane and Mystical pursuits.
Nice work, fat boy. Now what do we do about it?So now that we've had the problem broken down on a level by level basis, the question is, how do we fix it? I see the Monster Hunter as being akin to a mixture of the Archivist from Heroes of Horror and the Ranger Class. Giving them a Bardsong-like ability that relies on Lore fits with the flavour and intent of the class. He knows how best to fight monsters and can direct his allies on how to combat them as well. I see the Monster Hunter as a leader in the fight against the night, but as it stands, he's not fit to fight men, let alone monsters.
Proposed Changes (That include the Bardsong like ability)BAB: Good
New Ability: Dark Knowledge/Foe Knowledge/Whatever you want to call it: The Monster Hunter is able to better direct his allies on how to handle their foes, granting them the following bonus based upon his Monster Hunter Level and skill bonus in Lore. These bonuses last for 3 rounds (Not affected by lingering song)
Monster Hunter Level 2 and 5 Ranks in Lore: +1 Bonus to Attack and Damage Rolls
Monster Hunter Level 5 and 9 Ranks in Lore: +1 Bonus to Saving Throws
Monster Hunter Level 6 and 10 Ranks in Lore: +1 Bonus to AC
Monster Hunter Level 8 and 13 Ranks in Lore: +2 (Total) bonus to Attack and Damage Rolls
Monster Hunter Level 9 and 15 Ranks in Lore: +2 (Total) bonus to Saving Throws and AC
Spell ListLevel 1
Alarm
Disrupt Undead
Light
Magic Weapon
Protection from Evil
Grease
Mage ArmourLevel 2
Flame Weapon
Knock
Light Step
See Invisibility
Ultravision
Eagle's SplendorLevel 3
Diminish Undead
Dispel Magic
Halt Undead
Magic Circle against Evil
Blade Thirst
Invisibility PurgeLevel 4
Heroism
Hold Monster
Improved Invisibility
Remove Curse
True Seeing
Bane BowProposed Changes (No Bardsong Like Ability)As above, only we bump up their Fortitude Saves as well, maybe toss in a bonus feat or two at levels 2 and 8 just to keep things interesting. Heck, maybe they can get some free warding gestures.
tl;dr
The class isn't very good. We should probably fix it.