D&D 5E Unearthed Arcana: Drakewarden and Way of the Ascendant Dragon

Levistus's_Leviathan · Oct 27, 2020

Overall, I like these subclasses in theme, but not in mechanics. There's not a feature printed in this UA that I would not tweak in some way, or scrap and replace with something completely different. IMHO, the monk needs to scrap the "prof. bonus/long rest, then Ki," for its dragon breath and wings, and needs to be replaced with once a short rest and then ki fueling.

The ranger needs to decide whether or not it wants to have a dragon or a drake, and either needs its name changed or features changed to match them together. The drake is currently just a weaker, less impressive dragon, while other 5e drakes are ambushers or guards for the Cult of the Dragon. If the subclass wants to have a dragon, give it a "real" dragon, not this mutt. If the subclass wants a drake, give it a drake animal companion, similar to a guard drake. If the subclass wants to be named "Drake-Warden," both aspects of that name need to be mechanically fulfilled by this subclass. Currently, this does not really have a drake, and has no mechanical justification for "warden." The name is awesome, and I would love to keep this current name, but IMO, subclasses don't deserve a cool name unless their name is validated in their mechanics.

Mistwell · Oct 27, 2020

Meepo's Guide to Dragons

Levistus's_Leviathan · Oct 27, 2020

I'm nearly certain that a Draconomicon book will be named the Draconomicon. There've been multiple books of the same name in previous editions, and it works well.

Kurotowa · Oct 27, 2020

AcererakTriple6 said:
I'm nearly certain that a Draconomicon book will be named the Draconomicon. There've been multiple books of the same name in previous editions, and it works well.

See, I'd say that's a strike against it. The core three aside, 5e hasn't recycled a single book title from previous editions. They've even blazed new trails on naming conventions for their books. So I'd be astonished to see them turn around and copy a name like that.

Levistus's_Leviathan · Oct 27, 2020

Kurotowa said:
See, I'd say that's a strike against it. The core three aside, 5e hasn't recycled a single book title from previous editions. They've even blazed new trails on naming conventions for their books. So I'd be astonished to see them turn around and copy a name like that.

I would typically agree with you, but not for this book title. Other book titles (Iggwilv's Demonomicon, Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast, and the like), don't have much of a reason for being repeated, of course excluding the PHB, MM, and DMG. However, the Draconomicon is different from those other names. If they were to name the SCAG "Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast," that would paint WotC as copycats and unoriginal. If they were to do it for the Draconomicon, that would instead be viewed as honoring tradition, repeating a good name that has worked 4 times already, and creating a book for the creature type this game is named after. IMO, to reuse "Draconomicon" is recycling, while reusing Iggwilv's Demonomicon or a different title, would be just uninspired.

Flamestrike · Oct 27, 2020

They've finally gotten the 'Beast pets' down pat.

Its taken them a few goes at it, but its turn going immediately after your turn, bonus action to command it (or it Dodges) and the ability to do whatever it wants if you're incapacitated hits the sweet spot for mine (as does the whole calculating its abilities, DC's and bonuses and HP via your level and proficiency bonus.

Kurotowa · Oct 27, 2020

Flamestrike said:
They've finally gotten the 'Beast pets' down pat.

Its taken them a few goes at it, but its turn going immediately after your turn, bonus action to command it (or it Dodges) and the ability to do whatever it wants if you're incapacitated hits the sweet spot for mine (as does the whole calculating its abilities, DC's and bonuses and HP via your level and proficiency bonus.

It's a design that's moderately incompatible with Hunter's Mark, where there's steep competition over Bonus Actions and the pet's attacks don't benefit from it. But Hunter's Mark was never exactly compelling gameplay, so if the power budget of these new Ranger pet subclasses is set to not expect Hunter's Mark as a default then I'm totally fine with that.

It does make me really curious if the Favored Enemy alternative class feature that makes it into Tasha's Cauldron will still be free Hunter's Mark spells or not. I remember that one being a bit more contentious, what with the Concentration-free clause, so I wouldn't be totally surprised to see a different version make it in. I suppose we'll find out in just a couple weeks.

Rikka66 · Oct 27, 2020

Whizbang Dustyboots said:
I don't know MTG, but the knights and faeries setting people keep mentioning as a possible contender for a D&D setting -- how are they set on dragons? Do they appear there at all?

They exist on a few cards, but that's the extent of it.

Guest 6801328 · Oct 27, 2020

Whizbang Dustyboots said:
Meepo's Draconomicon, or we riot.

Meepo is one of my favorite NPCs. Largely because when we played through that module (on roll20 at the beginning of the pandemic) Meepo started off timid and unassuming. But then he kept rolling critical hits at clutch moments, and his self-image grew with every killing blow.

Undrave · Oct 27, 2020

Kurotowa said:
Okay, we're all grasping at straws here but speculation is fun so why not. After letting it stew I think I've got a prediction for what sort of book this is for. This UA is dragons, the previous UA was undead, what's that point to? The next book in the Volo's and MToF series. Something with sections on the big mastermind and campaign arch-villain types, but instead of having racial type player options it'll have a modest selection of thematic subclasses.

It's still a bit of a longshot pick, but I'm putting it out there. If the next UA offering fits the pattern too I'll commit to it more heavily.

ooh... what other boss monster theme would there be to mine for subclasses?