Not to derail other thread, I will create a new one.
After seeing the College of Spirits Bard and the Circle of Shepherds Druid, I think it is high time for a full on "Spirits" class for 5e.
Bolting spirits onto existing full spellcasters with their own other class features really limits what could be done with spirits. Bards, Clerics, Druids,Warlocks, and Wizards already have so much going on with them. There is little design space within any of these classes to power a spirit theme in combat, exploration, social, and roleplay strength.
And besides, having Clerics and Druids represent all religious priests will really dilute the flavor of them if done too long. And it's kinda weird. And enforces too much Eurocentrism that the game already has.
As for what the shaman could do, There are a lot that could be done with spirits. With Channel Divinity, Bardic Inspiration, and Wildshape no longer a concern, a shaman could fully go the companion and guide route. In combat, spirits could fight on their own, support the shaman's attacks, empower the shaman's spells, or heal allies. In exploration, the class would be able control and summon spirits and utilize their skills and movement. And socially, the class would beable to contactand communicate with nearby fey, undead, and other spirits as well as draw on the knowledge of their own spirits.
As characters there would be several ways to go. A PC could be a classical fantasy shaman and be a religious priest. Another could be like a upgraded spirit bard, storing knowledge from contacted spirits. Another PC who just be a warrior haunted by the ghost of their dead ancestors. A shaman could be a chosen of a fallen power too dead to create warlocks but strong enough to bind with a single host. Or maybe the power it's dead but too weak to form a pact not a church and must stay with their follower closely. A wandering youth with strong spiritual awareness passed down in the family's blood hunting their the enemies of their household.
D&D already has many shaman and spiritual classes in its history. It can do a revival if it wishes. And it could sell from some sideline classes like 3e's binder and 4e's seeker.
So what do you think? Should D&D get a full on official spiritual class? Would you want one as a player? DM?
After seeing the College of Spirits Bard and the Circle of Shepherds Druid, I think it is high time for a full on "Spirits" class for 5e.
Bolting spirits onto existing full spellcasters with their own other class features really limits what could be done with spirits. Bards, Clerics, Druids,Warlocks, and Wizards already have so much going on with them. There is little design space within any of these classes to power a spirit theme in combat, exploration, social, and roleplay strength.
And besides, having Clerics and Druids represent all religious priests will really dilute the flavor of them if done too long. And it's kinda weird. And enforces too much Eurocentrism that the game already has.
As for what the shaman could do, There are a lot that could be done with spirits. With Channel Divinity, Bardic Inspiration, and Wildshape no longer a concern, a shaman could fully go the companion and guide route. In combat, spirits could fight on their own, support the shaman's attacks, empower the shaman's spells, or heal allies. In exploration, the class would be able control and summon spirits and utilize their skills and movement. And socially, the class would beable to contactand communicate with nearby fey, undead, and other spirits as well as draw on the knowledge of their own spirits.
As characters there would be several ways to go. A PC could be a classical fantasy shaman and be a religious priest. Another could be like a upgraded spirit bard, storing knowledge from contacted spirits. Another PC who just be a warrior haunted by the ghost of their dead ancestors. A shaman could be a chosen of a fallen power too dead to create warlocks but strong enough to bind with a single host. Or maybe the power it's dead but too weak to form a pact not a church and must stay with their follower closely. A wandering youth with strong spiritual awareness passed down in the family's blood hunting their the enemies of their household.
D&D already has many shaman and spiritual classes in its history. It can do a revival if it wishes. And it could sell from some sideline classes like 3e's binder and 4e's seeker.
So what do you think? Should D&D get a full on official spiritual class? Would you want one as a player? DM?