D&D 5E Xanathar: Path of the Zealot

[MiraMels]

The Barbarian-Paladin parallel idea they have been pushing really doesn't click with me.

Agreed. The parallel of a paladin is a bard.

 

[JPL]

I like this path. Play a divinely-inspired berserker who throws himself into glorious battle, eager to slay and be slain and abide forever in Valhalla.

 

[Valetudo]

I dont mind this subclass in theory. It sounds ok. But mearls just rambled in the video. It really put me off how he kept trying to attach alignment to the subclass.

 

[Valetudo]

I like this path. Play a divinely-inspired berserker who throws himself into glorious battle, eager to slay and be slain and abide forever in Valhalla.

I would describe it as a primal champion who calls upon the norse gods after his victories or defeats maybe?

 

[JPL]

I would describe it as a primal champion who calls upon the norse gods after his victories or defeats maybe?

That would work. I was thinking about the old 3.0 Book of Exalted Deeds and some of the chaotic good entities therein, which would be good options if you wanted to dial down the Vikingness a little.

A follower of Garagos would also be great. He's an orc or half-orc who experienced a religious epiphany and has turned away from the chaotic evil orc gods to worship . . . the chaotic neutral god of slaughter. No one else seems to get the fine distinctions, but he's a born-again killing machine.

 

[Istbor]

I dont mind this subclass in theory. It sounds ok. But mearls just rambled in the video. It really put me off how he kept trying to attach alignment to the subclass.

I try not to get caught up with the finer details of fluff WotC come up with. As a DM, that is more my job in concerns to my campaign, plus, I don't really feel like alignment has a large role in 5e so most of that can be glossed over anyhow.

I am glad this path got in. I really liked the concept, and felt it fit the barbarian well. Looking forward to seeing more of this in the future.

 

[gyor]

Good Deities in FR for Zealots, Garagos as you mentioned, Salvetim for Drow, any Orc God, the Bugbear deities, the Cat Lord, Sharess (Chaotic Good deity, but Celebrants of Sharess actually had a rage of the tigress ability, and she is a former War Goddess), many demon lords, Thardd Hard (God of Wild Dwarves), Tempus, Besheba, Loviatar (lawful goddess, but I can see the Sadomaschoism of Zealots appealing to her, and there is no alignment restrictions on Zealots), Bane (lawful evil, but I can see having hoard and mindless minions appealing to him).

 

[Charles Rampant]

I've had a Aasmir Zealot in my games for a while, great character in a lot of ways (mishandled a bit by the player but oh well)

I think they have one of the nastier rage abilities in the game with their damaging aura, but he's never used any of hit other Path abilities. Though the resurrection for zero cost got used less session.

Honestly, that single facet of the class has made them such a mythological group in the game, far more than any abilities they may have. These ancient, powerful warriors brought back from the dead time and time again to wage war on the enemies of their Goddess, only resting temporarily in their shallow, unmarked graves.

And, it was just pointed out to me, a rotating clergy with Gentle Repose can keep them ready to go at any time. It just has so much story potential that I can't stand it.

Well, that sounds unaccountably awesome. I think I know which recurring NPC to introduce in my next session!

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I remember the 3e Sohei aka Temple Guard (a class that was all over the place) had frenzy which was sort of like rage. If you take that aspect of the Sohei you got a Zealot, since the Sohei is rumoured to become mystic-inspired subclass of the Fighter. In my mind most Barbarians of lawful alignments would either be Zealots or Ancestral Guardians.

 

[Xeviat]

I’m really glad the Zealot made it in. It was the subclass during the play test that gave me the most inspiration for stories.

Imagine the players having to climb a mountain/cross a desert/whatever to reach a tomb of zealots that can be called upon when they’re needed.


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