Unearthed Arcana Unearthed Arcana: Barbarian and Monk

Unearthed Arcana makes an unexpected return (the last one was back in May) with a three-page PDF containing two subclasses -- Path of the Wild Soul for the barbarian, and Way of the Astral Self for the monk.

 

[Garthanos]

It was originally in the playtest, but people wanted a full Class.

To be honest Barbarians as ancestor channelers and other things like that are well also interesting.

 

[Hawk Diesel]

I don't like Magical Reserves. I think this would be a way more appropriate ability:

Soul of Magic
At 6th level, you can channel magic into greater, more purposeful effects. You learn the thaumaturgy cantrip. Additionally, whenever you finish a long rest you roll a d6 and gain the ability to use the cantrip from the table below. Unlike other forms of magic, you can use these cantrips even while you are raging.

Soul of Magic
d6 - Cantrip
1 - Dancing Lights
2 - Friends
3 - Mage Hand
4 - Mending
5- Message
6 - Minor Illusion

 

[Azzy]

This is just ridiculous, a Flumph, really? Whatever happened to Barbarians hating magic? The longer I play D&D the more its seems that classes are just a bunch of powers/classes features. They should just give players a race and a set number of points per level with which you can buy whatever features you want. Theyve already gotten rid of race and ability score requirements and max level restrictions; I think its time to get rid of the class system all together. Itd be interesting to see the class features from the PHB compiled by level with a numeric point buy assigned and see what a 3rd or 4th level character built from a few fighter, rogue, and wizard features would look and play like. This is something that Ive thought about doing for awhile but just havent.

May I interest you in the Hero System?

 

[Remathilis]

Yeah, to be honest that seems a fairly probable bit of "missing fluff" there.

Last year, we were presented with three subclasses: Brute fighter, invention wizards, and spore druids. At the time, everyone was freaking out about them (esp the invention wizards) but only a few people saw a connection between these subs and their eventual destination target: Ravnica. In the end, only one of these made it into the book (spores) while invention became a magic items and brute disappeared. When the UA were produced though, Ravinca wasn't on anyone's radar and only those with real deep reach into the MtG lore saw the connection between the Golgari and the spore druids.

My point: these subs might be another "names filed off" set of options for some future book we haven't even began dreaming about. I don't think its Eberron, but it might be. It could also be a 2020 Planar/Planescape book, a Xanathar 2 book, or something we haven't dreamed of yet.

I'd worry more about if the mechanics are sound rather than if these fit into Eberron or some other setting.

 

[TwoSix]

This is just ridiculous, a Flumph, really? Whatever happened to Barbarians hating magic? The longer I play D&D the more its seems that classes are just a bunch of powers/classes features. They should just give players a race and a set number of points per level with which you can buy whatever features you want. Theyve already gotten rid of race and ability score requirements and max level restrictions; I think its time to get rid of the class system all together. Itd be interesting to see the class features from the PHB compiled by level with a numeric point buy assigned and see what a 3rd or 4th level character built from a few fighter, rogue, and wizard features would look and play like. This is something that Ive thought about doing for awhile but just havent.

While I understand that other people play differently, I’ve never viewed classes as something that actually exists inside the game fiction. They’re always just packages of (hopefully) balanced ability progression that can be reskinned or adjusted to fit the actual character concept. I think I was exposed to the 2e DMG “create-a-class system” at too formative an age.

 

[Sacrosanct]

You say that like it's a bad thing. And really, if there's any class that should be able to leverage their stats in multiple ways, it's an uber-generic class like fighter. Using specific stats makes more sense for classes with very specific methodologies, like a wizard.

IMO, it is a bad thing. It would be like a wizard using their strength bonuses for spell save DC and spell damage.

Fighters are a martial class, using martial weapons, where their strength and agility directly impacts their fighting ability. Charisma has no impact on a person’s fighting skill. Let’s be real here. The only reason we saw things like a cha based fighter is because players wanted their cake and eat it too. A PC who was very charismatic AND be just as effective at fighting as a PC who put their highest stats in combat related attributes.

DND has always been about what areas you want to be good at, and what areas will be weaknesses. Doing things like adding CHA bonus to a non related area like your core theme (martial fighting) demeans the meaning of having different stats. It would be like rogues adding their CHA bonus to their thief skills and AC. Why have stats at all if you’re going to ignore what they actually mean and just want the bonuses?

 

[cbwjm]

While I understand that other people play differently, I’ve never viewed classes as something that actually exists inside the game fiction. They’re always just packages of (hopefully) balanced ability progression that can be reskinned or adjusted to fit the actual character concept. I think I was exposed to the 2e DMG “create-a-class system” at too formative an age.

This is why I don't require that a barbarian come from a barbarian tribe. The barbarian tribe is background, the barbarian class could be a warrior from civilisation that has learned to channel his internal energy for greater power.

Likewise, if I want to play a spellcaster whose magic comes from within but I don't like any of the current sorcerer subclasses, but I really like the illusion subclass for a wizard then I will happily play a wizard, I might not even use the spellbook, I'll just keep a list of my currently prepared spells. To me that character is still a "sorcerer" just not using the sorcerer class.

 

[Parmandur]

Last year, we were presented with three subclasses: Brute fighter, invention wizards, and spore druids. At the time, everyone was freaking out about them (esp the invention wizards) but only a few people saw a connection between these subs and their eventual destination target: Ravnica. In the end, only one of these made it into the book (spores) while invention became a magic items and brute disappeared. When the UA were produced though, Ravinca wasn't on anyone's radar and only those with real deep reach into the MtG lore saw the connection between the Golgari and the spore druids.

My point: these subs might be another "names filed off" set of options for some future book we haven't even began dreaming about. I don't think its Eberron, but it might be. It could also be a 2020 Planar/Planescape book, a Xanathar 2 book, or something we haven't dreamed of yet.

I'd worry more about if the mechanics are sound rather than if these fit into Eberron or some other setting.

Yup, these are for some product in progress that they are being cagey about: either for the Eberron book being finished, or something further down the line. Just pointing out, the timing is right for the Eberron book.

UA isn't for "balance" review, that's what their internal tests are for, these are trial balloons for whether the concept will get 70% approval (the cut-off for publication currentlyper Crawford). I give these a thumbs up, personally.

 

[TwoSix]

Fighters are a martial class, using martial weapons, where their strength and agility directly impacts their fighting ability. Charisma has no impact on a person’s fighting skill. Let’s be real here. The only reason we saw things like a cha based fighter is because players wanted their cake and eat it too. A PC who was very charismatic AND be just as effective at fighting as a PC who put their highest stats in combat related attributes.

Every stat IS a combat stat, it simply depends on which class you pick to make it so. I’d just prefer to see more classes be able to leverage more stats so we a greater range of concepts.

A heroic swordsman with dazzling showmanship with his blade? Cha fighter.

A wizard who specializes in transmutation and enhancement magic? Represented by his high Strength score.

In general, I prefer to think of the stats as signifying the character’s general approach (much like Fate Accelerated) and talents, rather than some inborn capability.

 

[Arilyn]

I read this barbarian subclass, and my mind went blank. I literally sat staring into space for a few minutes. I'm usually open to a variety of class ideas. I defend having lots of options because even strange wacky ones have their place. But colour changing magical barbarians vomiting up exploding Flumphs? I just can't.

The monk seems okay. I'm not drawn to it, but that's just subjective taste.

Flumphs dashing about randomly and then exploding. Can't get that out of my head.