Unearthed Arcana New Unearthed Arcana: Rune Knight, Swarmkeeper, The Revived

Another new Unearthed Arcana! "In today’s Unearthed Arcana, three classes each receive a playtest option. The fighter gets a Martial Archetype option: the Rune Knight. The ranger gains a Ranger Archetype option: the Swarmkeeper. And the rogue acquires a Roguish Archetype option: the Revived."

 

[cbwjm]

There were other Giants like Ocean Giants, Desert Giants, Death Giants and Eldritch Giants. But in 5e they might have gotten retconned into something that isn't a "True" Giant.

Oh yeah, I remember them. They might just be waiting on an update, but either way they can be a good basis for more runes. Could even be a way for a Rune Knight to learn a new rune by encountering a previously unheard of giant.

 

[Xenonnonex]

F'ing nice!

 

[Salthorae]

Looks like we're gonna need more giants. I actually thought it was quite cool how each rune was based on a type of giant which is great as a start and ties in with the giant growth theme, but the rune concept can definitely be expanded and I'm sure in a few days there'll be someone on reddit who has done exactly that.

There were other Giants like Ocean Giants, Desert Giants, Death Giants and Eldritch Giants. But in 5e they might have gotten retconned into something that isn't a "True" Giant.

Oh yeah, I remember them. They might just be waiting on an update, but either way they can be a good basis for more runes. Could even be a way for a Rune Knight to learn a new rune by encountering a previously unheard of giant.

Pretty sure they just used the "giant" race-related runes from Stormking's Thunder as the runes that are in here. I'm sure by the time this saw print there would be at least a few more options to choose among.

 

[Parmandur]

Pretty sure they just used the "giant" race-related runes from Stormking's Thunder as the runes that are in here. I'm sure by the time this saw print there would be at least a few more options to choose among.

Maybe, maybe not: depends on what they are doing. I'm pretty amped up, because whatever is in the pipeline looks creative as all get out.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

People saying the Rune Knight should be a Barbarian really need to re-read the actual abilities and theme. It's not really Barbarian-suitable at all. Only the turn-into-a-giant thing even seems vaguely like that in a sort of Incredible Hulk way, but even that is tenuous at best. You'd end up with some far more plain and passive if Barbarian was the base.

It's actually an extremely interesting class design, swapping out the steady power of other Fighter subclasses for actual utility (without losing Fighter flavour - the association between Giants, runes, and warriors is a one with a history so long even WoW noticed), whilst also giving tactically interesting short-rest abilities. It's very good design and I think a lot of people are missing that.

Swarmkeeper isn't quite as mechanically interesting but it's fantastic thematically, and solid mechanically. It's also perfect for a lot of the sort of players who actually want to play Rangers, particularly as the spirits can be anything, so as cutesy or creepy or creepy-cute as you like!

Revived is a natural thematic choice for a Rogue, I think. You could have a race like this but Rogue fits thematically with how such revived beings tend to act. I do think the death bolt is a bit clumsy or weird. Mechanically it's okay, but thematically it's... odd... even within the context of a revived being.

Seems like another strong UA. Looking forward to whatever book(s) this heralds.

 

[Xenonnonex]

We might go back to 5e with the swarmkeeper available. Our games will be consumed with bee-related memes. I am not complaining though.

 

[Salthorae]

People saying the Rune Knight should be a Barbarian really need to re-read the actual abilities and theme. It's not really Barbarian-suitable at all. Only the turn-into-a-giant thing even seems vaguely like that in a sort of Incredible Hulk way, but even that is tenuous at best. You'd end up with some far more plain and passive if Barbarian was the base.

It's actually an extremely interesting class design, swapping out the steady power of other Fighter subclasses for actual utility (without losing Fighter flavour - the association between Giants, runes, and warriors is a one with a history so long even WoW noticed), whilst also giving tactically interesting short-rest abilities. It's very good design and I think a lot of people are missing that.

I agree that fighter fits really well.

My first thought picture was a Mountain Dwarf Rune Knight all armored up with his weapon, shield, and armor all glowing with the light of his runes standing at the head of a dwarven phalanx or something.

Heck, even better would be a Duergar Rune Knight. His racial enlarge spell and the 3rd level class ability are basically perfect for each other.

 

[Charlaquin]

So, after having seen all the classes represented in this UA series, I think they’re for a manual of the planes type book.

 

[Undrave]

I do like the Rune Knight, though I would prefer the Rune's abilities effects be specific to what type of item they were "attached" to (offers a little incentive and flavor to change things up a bit, perhaps allowing the use of the same rune on two items for a more flavorful concept). I mean the versatility as written is nice too...but I suspect would become quite "samey" rather quickly (at least until reaching 3/4 runes known).

The way it currently is, limiting it just to weapons, shield and armor seems kinda/sorta oddly specific (I mean those are certainly common places to see etched runes and such)..."runestone" is a pretty common thing in fantasy gaming too (you're already limited in the number you can imbue...why restrict it yet further?)

Little interest in the Swarmkeeper, since I'm one of those that finds the Ranger remarkably underwhelming in 5e.

The Revived...that just doesn't feel "right" as a class-specific option. That feels a LOT more like it should be a race option.

Oh yeah, that too. It'd be cool if the active effects changed depending on if it was on a weapon (when hitting), armor (when being hit) or shield (others). Now it's basically just an equipment slot problem and offers no real interesting choices.

 

[Xenonnonex]

So, after having seen all the classes represented in this UA series, I think they’re for a manual of the planes type book.

They threw a few curve balls in there. But this batch of UAs in general was harder to hide what they were going for.