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."

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I think more than half of what Barbarian subclasses get could fall under the category of "Still isn't a rage" in concept. Barbarian subclasses are a loosely stapled together lot.

So looking at the strict mechanics of it, I see extra damage, adv on strength checks a saves, and increased durability all with a minute time limit as too close to the mechanics of Rage. I think Giant rage is very in line with, God Rage, Fire Rage, and Ghost Rage.

It can be, sure. But it doesn’t need to be, and niches don’t need to be jealously guarded.

 

[Kurotowa]

It can be, sure. But it doesn’t need to be, and niches don’t need to be jealously guarded.

That's where I'm at. Yes, the right Rune Knight build can get certain elements of a Barbarian Rage. But not the full package and with fewer uses and requiring multiple turns to fully activate. So for me that's distinct enough to not cause a fatal conflict.

Really, if you start looking at potential Rune Knight builds instead of just abilities in isolation, it's got some massive action bottlenecks. All the runes are eating up Bonus Actions, Reactions, or both. You've only got one of each of those per round, and it's not as if Fighters don't have uses for those action types from their base class features as well. Picking a set of runes you can actually use will be more than just grabbing the "strongest" set of them.

 

[BookBarbarian]

It can be, sure. But it doesn’t need to be, and niches don’t need to be jealously guarded.

I don't see it as jealously guarding as much just seeing where things fit more naturally. Similar to how the Scout moved from Fighter in UA to Rogue in print, and same for Monster Slayer from Fighter in UA to Monster Hunter Ranger in print.

Except that I'm not advocating for the whole of the Rune Knight to move over (anymore), as I see a natural delineation in both mechanics and fluff between the warrior who inscribes runes on weapons and armor and thus can mix and match and swap abilities, a the warrior who has runic magic buffing themselves independent of items and in my mind choses a class option and keeps it (not dissimilar to the Totem Warrior).

 

[Salthorae]

Would a halfing who became a rune knight and grew to 5 feet become a medium creature and be able to wield a 2H sword without disadvantage?

Since the ability says “if you’re smaller than large, you become large” they’d shoot way past 5’.

I can’t see how they could have disadvantage with a 2H sword at that point!

 

[Undrave]

Since the ability says “if you’re smaller than large, you become large” they’d shoot way past 5’.

I can’t see how they could have disadvantage with a 2H sword at that point!

Paul means the 10th level ability where you grow 3D4 inches.

 

[Salthorae]

Paul means the 10th level ability where you grow 3D4 inches.

Hehe, great point. And I'd say "why not?"

Given that Hill dwarves can be 3'10" based on the height/weight chart and they are medium, I have no idea why dwarves get to use 2H swords without disadvantage.

 

[Undrave]

Hehe, great point. And I'd say "why not?"

Given that Hill dwarves can be 3'10" based on the height/weight chart and they are medium, I have no idea why dwarves get to use 2H swords without disadvantage.

Extra bulk? Probably because they straddle the limit.

 

[Salthorae]

Extra bulk? Probably because they straddle the limit.

Well, to misappropriate and alter (slightly) the words of a wise man...

Austin:
No, I mean, literally, HOW could you do it? A 2H Sword is so long, the sheer mechanics of it are mind-boggling.

italics mine ;P

 

[Leatherhead]

Given that Hill dwarves can be 3'10" based on the height/weight chart and they are medium, I have no idea why dwarves get to use 2H swords without disadvantage.

That's due to their disproportionate arms and shoulders. Their "wingspan" is greater than their height.

 

[BookBarbarian]

That's due to their disproportionate arms and shoulders. Their "wingspan" is greater than their height.

That's how I always saw it. Dwarves having arms the size of, or even larger than, humans.