D&D 5E Fixing Channel Divinity: Twilight Sanctuary

[Northern Phoenix]

Again, you're purely focusing on power. Removing concentration spells or this from the clerics choices during combat is balanced, but not interesting or fun. I don't want the cleric feeling like healing everyone every round is the choice they need to make rather than using their most interesting spells (which require concentration). I feel like we got away from that choice in this edition, where the cleric no longer feels pressure to heal others with their action rather than cast their most interesting spells, and you'd have this cleric basically go right back to that situation. And it doesn't appear, in any way, to enforce the sub-class concept involved either - that choice doesn't feel "twilight" to me. It's purely a power balancing solution. And I appreciate it does accomplish that goal but I don't think it accomplishes the goals focused on making this a fun class to play.

The way the mechanics work, the cleric can always heal and attack, or always attack and heal. This choice is just about which way the scale is tilted. It is never all or nothing. in either direction.

 

[Mistwell]

The way the mechanics work, the cleric can always heal and attack, or always attack and heal. This choice is just about which way the scale is tilted. It is never all or nothing. in either direction.

Which is why I said "most interesting spells (which tend to require concentration)" and not "attack." It's balanced, but not fun, and not very twilight. I can see that mechanic for a life cleric making sense though.

I can tell you for the concentration version, I'd make the choice every time to simply give my allies 6+level temporary hit points prior to battle, or save it for turning undead, and that would be that. Because I simply wouldn't want to give up concentration spells. And I don't think most Twilight cleric players would find that choice "fun." I feel it just adds more burden than flavor to the sub-class.

 

[Dausuul]

How about this change?

As an action, you present your holy symbol, and a sphere of twilight emanates from you nearby areas of twilight become a sanctuary for your allies. The sphere is centered on you, has a 30-foot radius, and is filled with dim light. The sphere moves with you, and it This effect lasts for 1 minute or until you are incapacitated or die. Whenever a creature (including you) ends its turn in an area of dim light within 30 feet of you the sphere, you can grant that creature one of these benefits:

• You grant it temporary hit points equal to 1d6 plus your cleric level.
• You end one effect on it causing it to be charmed or frightened.

The idea is that you have to seek out areas of dim light and stay in them--and the enemy can mess you up either by extinguishing your light source or by bringing their own. I'm not sure if this would be enough, in practice, to balance the ability; but it would certainly play up the "twilight" flavor, and create more tactical considerations for both sides.

 

[Horwath]

Adding Concentration is a complete non-starter. It interferes heavily with the primary full caster abilities and spell selections of the cleric.

that is the point. Ability is too strong currently to be in tandem with a active concentration spell.

 

[Mistwell]

that is the point. Ability is too strong currently to be in tandem with a active concentration spell.

Everyone understands the point. You're not addressing why people think it's not a good way to address the issue. You're just repeating you don't like it. We all get it man, that's why I created the thread. Do you have any other thoughts on ways to address the issue?

 

[Mort]

Another option:

1st round: Effect works as stated

Subsequent rounds:
Cleric must use a bonus action to focus the soothing twilight on a target - granting the effects of the aura to that target (and only that target). Interferes with spells such as spiritual weapon, but that's the tradeoff.

 

[Zardnaar]

My suggestions (without concentration).

1. The ability only happens once and doesn't refresh on additional rounds.

2. Ability works as is but only a single target.

My twilight cleric doesn't use it that often due to action economy. She likes inflicting pain instead.

 

[Blue]

that is the point. Ability is too strong currently to be in tandem with a active concentration spell.

No, it's not, especially at higher levels. Taking concentration hobbles a cleric trying to use it because of how much of their thematic and effective casting is tied up with concentration. Requiring concentration makes it weak never-use except when out of spell slots. As opposed to something properly balanced you will want to use about one a short rest.

Concentration is a non-starter at my table.

 

[Northern Phoenix]

No, it's not, especially at higher levels. Taking concentration hobbles a cleric trying to use it because of how much of their thematic and effective casting is tied up with concentration. Requiring concentration makes it weak never-use except when out of spell slots. As opposed to something properly balanced you will want to use about one a short rest.

Concentration is a non-starter at my table.

That's fair, but surely at this table no change is needed at all?

 

[Blue]

That's fair, but surely at this table no change is needed at all?

You're really making assumptions about me that are not supported by what I said.

I'm in a thread about balancing the CD, and I even talked about how I want it to be properly balanced - something you'd use once (or later twice) a short rest. To jump from those to "oh, you don't need/want any changes" seems like a real rationalization for dismissal.

It's perfectly possible to be for rebalancing but saying that one suggestion, taking in context of the class, shifts it too much. It's like if someone thought sneak attack was too powerful and wanted it to take an extra bonus action - a bonus action for extra damage isn't bad, but in terms of the rogue who already has a crowded bonus action economy it wouldn't be a viable solution for one of their keystone abilities.