Author Topic: Discussion and Suggestion Thread  (Read 224337 times)

Offline DonQuixote

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 2946
  • What is sickness to the body of a knight errant?
    • View Profile
    • The Spellshaping Codices (Homebrew Board)
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #520 on: August 13, 2012, 09:41:47 PM »
Yeah, I think I'm going to go with VennDygrem on this one.  Thing is, it's mostly a fluff-based subtype gain--I don't really see much to be gained by getting it at 1st level, and it fits the flavor much more at 10th level.

I may change my mind.  The dragonheart adept and the sublime shaper are also, technically, going to get a revision pass--don't know if I'll actually change anything, but I'll at least look--since they're going to be included in the Appendix on spellshapers and martial adepts.  Said appendix will also include things like a variant that lets martial adepts take incantations.  Possibly other things.  Who knows?
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline VennDygrem

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4587
  • Exceptionally Average
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #521 on: August 13, 2012, 10:46:46 PM »
Well, I'd prefer if they got it at level 1, since it would help me in SirP's game, and it also makes sense with the Draconic abilities they're beginning to gain. However, I was just playing Devil's Advocate, explaining where I could see contention to the idea.

So all I did was spell my own doom! :o

Offline DonQuixote

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 2946
  • What is sickness to the body of a knight errant?
    • View Profile
    • The Spellshaping Codices (Homebrew Board)
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #522 on: August 13, 2012, 10:49:56 PM »
Well, I'll be honest, that was just me seeing an excuse to be lazy when you were opposed.  I'll give it an actual look at this point.

Edit: Yeah, sure, why not.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2012, 10:54:01 PM by DonQuixote »
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline VennDygrem

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4587
  • Exceptionally Average
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #523 on: August 13, 2012, 10:56:38 PM »
Thing is, it's mostly a flavor thing. There are hardly any mechanical benefits. Much like the Earth subtype, or Augmented (Whatever).

Online Nanshork

  • Homebrew Reviewer
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 13402
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #524 on: August 13, 2012, 11:18:53 PM »
Thing is, it's mostly a flavor thing. There are hardly any mechanical benefits. Much like the Earth subtype, or Augmented (Whatever).

It can allow you to get some feats/ prestige classes.

Offline VennDygrem

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4587
  • Exceptionally Average
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #525 on: August 14, 2012, 01:12:33 AM »
There are really very few feats or prestige classes it truly qualifies you for, in the grand scheme of things. Most of the things it qualifies you for, you already get through DhA levels anyway (such as the dragon wings or dragon tail feats), and if your DM won't let you retrain those feats later on when you get the abilities from the class, then you're out of luck.

Besides, if a DfA or similar class can access any of those things at early levels, I don't see why a DhA shouldn't.

Just my two-cents.

Offline DonQuixote

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 2946
  • What is sickness to the body of a knight errant?
    • View Profile
    • The Spellshaping Codices (Homebrew Board)
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #526 on: August 14, 2012, 01:15:55 AM »
Well, as I tried to hint three hours ago, I already changed it.
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline sirpercival

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 10855
  • you can't escape the miles
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #527 on: August 14, 2012, 07:09:30 AM »
Yay!  Mechanical coherency!  Lol.  My players shall thank you ;)
I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Online Nanshork

  • Homebrew Reviewer
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 13402
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #528 on: August 14, 2012, 11:46:36 AM »
There are really very few feats or prestige classes it truly qualifies you for, in the grand scheme of things. Most of the things it qualifies you for, you already get through DhA levels anyway (such as the dragon wings or dragon tail feats), and if your DM won't let you retrain those feats later on when you get the abilities from the class, then you're out of luck.

Besides, if a DfA or similar class can access any of those things at early levels, I don't see why a DhA shouldn't.

Just my two-cents.

I didn't say it could do a lot, just that it could qualify you for something.   :p

Offline DonQuixote

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 2946
  • What is sickness to the body of a knight errant?
    • View Profile
    • The Spellshaping Codices (Homebrew Board)
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #529 on: August 14, 2012, 02:04:13 PM »
There are really very few feats or prestige classes it truly qualifies you for, in the grand scheme of things. Most of the things it qualifies you for, you already get through DhA levels anyway (such as the dragon wings or dragon tail feats), and if your DM won't let you retrain those feats later on when you get the abilities from the class, then you're out of luck.

Besides, if a DfA or similar class can access any of those things at early levels, I don't see why a DhA shouldn't.

Just my two-cents.

I didn't say it could do a lot, just that it could qualify you for something.   :p

True, but--as VennDygrem pointed out--there's very little brokenness in getting it early.  Especially since the Exhaled Barrier feat won't work with formulae, which would have been the most concerning combo.  Entangling Exhalation is still somewhat concerning, but I'm going to roll with it unless it proves to actually be truly problematic.
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline phaedrusxy

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 10717
  • The iconic spambot
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #530 on: August 14, 2012, 02:08:21 PM »
There are really very few feats or prestige classes it truly qualifies you for, in the grand scheme of things. Most of the things it qualifies you for, you already get through DhA levels anyway (such as the dragon wings or dragon tail feats), and if your DM won't let you retrain those feats later on when you get the abilities from the class, then you're out of luck.

Besides, if a DfA or similar class can access any of those things at early levels, I don't see why a DhA shouldn't.

Just my two-cents.

I didn't say it could do a lot, just that it could qualify you for something.   :p

True, but--as VennDygrem pointed out--there's very little brokenness in getting it early.  Especially since the Exhaled Barrier feat won't work with formulae, which would have been the most concerning combo.  Entangling Exhalation is still somewhat concerning, but I'm going to roll with it unless it proves to actually be truly problematic.
All you need for Entangling Exhalation is a breath weapon, right? So that's not really an issue.
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Online Nanshork

  • Homebrew Reviewer
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 13402
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #531 on: August 14, 2012, 02:09:00 PM »
There are really very few feats or prestige classes it truly qualifies you for, in the grand scheme of things. Most of the things it qualifies you for, you already get through DhA levels anyway (such as the dragon wings or dragon tail feats), and if your DM won't let you retrain those feats later on when you get the abilities from the class, then you're out of luck.

Besides, if a DfA or similar class can access any of those things at early levels, I don't see why a DhA shouldn't.

Just my two-cents.

I didn't say it could do a lot, just that it could qualify you for something.   :p

True, but--as VennDygrem pointed out--there's very little brokenness in getting it early.  Especially since the Exhaled Barrier feat won't work with formulae, which would have been the most concerning combo.  Entangling Exhalation is still somewhat concerning, but I'm going to roll with it unless it proves to actually be truly problematic.

You misunderstand me.  I'm 100% for getting it at first level, I was just making a point.

Offline DonQuixote

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 2946
  • What is sickness to the body of a knight errant?
    • View Profile
    • The Spellshaping Codices (Homebrew Board)
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #532 on: August 14, 2012, 02:16:38 PM »
All you need for Entangling Exhalation is a breath weapon, right? So that's not really an issue.

A breath weapon and the dragonblood subtype.

You misunderstand me.  I'm 100% for getting it at first level, I was just making a point.

Fair enough!
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline VennDygrem

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4587
  • Exceptionally Average
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #533 on: August 14, 2012, 04:56:12 PM »
I don't think it's really anything of concern. Assuming a DhA wants to use Entangling Exhalation, they're using a single breath attack without using a major formula (they can obviously still manage any minor formulae), though I honestly don't think it's any more powerful than most 1st level major formulae. The only difference is they don't need to recover entangling exhalation. However,  they still need to wait 1d4 rounds to use their bw again. It pretty much evens out.

Offline DonQuixote

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 2946
  • What is sickness to the body of a knight errant?
    • View Profile
    • The Spellshaping Codices (Homebrew Board)
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #534 on: August 14, 2012, 05:09:51 PM »
...hrm.  My original interpretation of how the feat would work didn't actually preclude you from using it with major formulae.  It just says that you make the choice when you use your breath weapon.  Exhaled Barrier doesn't work because it specifically calls out that it just deals the damage normally dealt by your breath weapon--with no loophole into which you can insert formulae.  Entangling Exhalation, however, just notes that your breath weapon deals half its normal damage and entangles creatures in its area.

I'm going to go with the "Can't let you combine that with major formulae, Star Fox!" ruling, for the sake of my sanity.  I just hadn't realized that there was a case to be made there.
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline DonQuixote

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 2946
  • What is sickness to the body of a knight errant?
    • View Profile
    • The Spellshaping Codices (Homebrew Board)
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #535 on: August 14, 2012, 07:22:20 PM »
Trying like hell to come up with a new name for spellshape champion.  God, I'm bad at naming things.

To give you an idea of how bad I am at naming, the candidate currently in the lead is "thaumahos" (plural "thaumahoi"), a portmanteau of the Greek words for "miracle" (thauma) and "gladiator" (monomahos).

Any suggestions for this one?
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline sirpercival

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 10855
  • you can't escape the miles
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #536 on: August 14, 2012, 07:26:22 PM »
Trying like hell to come up with a new name for spellshape champion.  God, I'm bad at naming things.

To give you an idea of how bad I am at naming, the candidate currently in the lead is "thaumahos" (plural "thaumahoi"), a portmanteau of the Greek words for "miracle" (thauma) and "gladiator" (monomahos).

Any suggestions for this one?

Formulon, though that sounds more like some kind of monster.
I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Offline DonQuixote

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 2946
  • What is sickness to the body of a knight errant?
    • View Profile
    • The Spellshaping Codices (Homebrew Board)
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #537 on: August 14, 2012, 07:45:58 PM »
"Fear the wrath of the formulon!"

(click to show/hide)

 :P

Anyway, I think I can see how you got there--"formula" and "myrmidon"--but "formulon" does sound kind of weird.  I'll throw it into the pile of things to consider, but no promises.
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Online Nanshork

  • Homebrew Reviewer
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 13402
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #538 on: August 14, 2012, 07:46:58 PM »
Trying like hell to come up with a new name for spellshape champion.  God, I'm bad at naming things.

To give you an idea of how bad I am at naming, the candidate currently in the lead is "thaumahos" (plural "thaumahoi"), a portmanteau of the Greek words for "miracle" (thauma) and "gladiator" (monomahos).

Any suggestions for this one?

Formulon, though that sounds more like some kind of monster.

It makes me think of Voltron.

Offline VennDygrem

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4587
  • Exceptionally Average
    • View Profile
Re: Discussion and Suggestion Thread
« Reply #539 on: August 14, 2012, 10:16:10 PM »
Hmm, I was away from book at the time, I thought it was a special standard action or something. My bad.

Regardless, why do you need to rename Spellshape Champion? Just for something more unique to the class?