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Each deity holds sway over certain aspects of existence. For example, Erathis is the god of cities and nations. She often represents law, order, authority, and invention. Aspects of existence such as these are summed up in domains, spheres of divine influence. Each deity is associated with two or three divine domains.
More than thirty divine domains are presented in this chapter, and the domains of the deities from the Player's Handbook and the Dungeon Master's Guide are noted. Erathis, for example, is associated with the civilization, creation, and justice domains.
Quite excited by this preview, basically using feats to represent powers granted by your deitie's domains, split into 2 types.
(Divinity) Feats, same as per the PHB feats add new Channel Divinity powers
(Domain) Feats add a small bonus and alter specific at-will powers, similar to the feats shown in the Gladiator and Assassin articles on dragon.
Also, there does seem to be info on the evil deities - the Destruction Domain shared by Tharizdun and Gruumsh is in the preview. There is also mention of over 30 domains.
Fortunately this article has not convinced me to spend any more money as Divine Power was already on my to buy list....
I've always like spheres and domains. This seems like a neat way of focusing on aspects of a chosen Divine Entity. The feat sub-system seems like the open interface that all optional modules get bolted on to...
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I thought this looked really interesting, and I think it'll help avoid the feel that "all clerics are the same".
Differentiating between different gods (or even groups of gods) in this manner is going to make a huge difference to me. I'm currently playing a warforged cleric, and being able to rework him using this sort of system is going to mean he'll feel more, well, Kord-like than he does curently.
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I'm mildly irritated that they mention Tharizdun by name, even after they went to so much trouble not to mention him in the Player's Handbook.
Either (1) they think the cat is already out of the bag, (2) someone dropped the ball, or (3) it was only something they wanted kept secret early, not later. I think he was mentioned by name in the Manual of the Planes as well, so I'm thinking (1) or (3) now.
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The only aspect that I don't care for is associating the domain with one particular at-will prayer (per class). The benefit is general enough that it seems like you should be able to attach it to an at-will of your choice.
Prerequisite: Any divine class, must worship a deity of the destruction domain
Benefit: You gain a +2 feat bonus to Intimidate checks.
When you use a power associated with this feat and hit an unbloodied enemy with it, you gain a +2 bonus to the damage roll. The bonus increases to +3 at 11th level and +4 at 21st level.
Powers: ardent strike (paladin DP), bond of censure (avenger DP), grasping shards (invoker PH2), righteous brand (cleric PH)
Grasping Shards doesn't have a damage roll. It deals a fixed amount of damage based on the Invoker's ability mod.
Grasping Shards doesn't have a damage roll. It deals a fixed amount of damage based on the Invoker's ability mod.
Like I said, ugh.
An application of common sense makes this "problem" go away IMO.
What no one has commented upon is that with domains, WoTC is finally supporting evil divine characters outside of the DDI.
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What no one has commented upon is that with domains, WoTC is finally supporting evil divine characters outside of the DDI.
And thankfully and/or contradictorily, it's mostly support-by-proxy rather than "Doom Shadow von Evil class for butt-hooks who like to kill PCs" that has a habit of hurting campaigns.
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