D&D 4E 4e Multiclassing structure and Weapons of Legacy, Dragonmarks, etc.

[AtomicPope]

Many of the Dragonmarks have noncombat effects. As for those marks, who really cares? The only real concern should be for combat effects. Relegating the Houses to fluff economic functions doesn't change Eberron in the least.

There was a major problem in 3e with Dragonmarks and Sorcerers that had to be fixed by adding the Marks as spells on their list. When you consider that a Spell-like ability once per day is rather weak to a spontaneous caster, something must be done. Now with the Multiclassing feats there's probably another fix in the works. I would guess an At Will power for the weaker abilities while a Daily power for the strongest ones.
There are power feats that add new encounter abilities already like I'maneuter (or whatever the hell it's called).

Broken? Doesn't have to be.

Kewl? Why not?

 

[small pumpkin man]

Many of the Dragonmarks have noncombat effects. As for those marks, who really cares? The only real concern should be for combat effects. Relegating the Houses to fluff economic functions doesn't change Eberron in the least.

It's not that hard to add a bunch of rituals that can only be used dragonmarked characters.

 

[Boarstorm]

I dunno how they're going to pull it off, but I imagine they're going to be testing the waters with the Forgotten Realm's new spellmarks. I predict those'll give a glimpse into how the dragonmarks will work a year before the Eberron setting is released.

 

[Graf]

I dunno how they're going to pull it off, but I imagine they're going to be testing the waters with the Forgotten Realm's new spellmarks. I predict those'll give a glimpse into how the dragonmarks will work a year before the Eberron setting is released.

Good point. I'd completely forgotten about that.

 

[Khaalis]

Just as a mental exercise, here is an example of how Dragonmark feats might work if using the Multiclass feats as template of power level.

Least Dragonmark (of Detection)
Prerequisites: Half-Elf, House Medani
• +1 bonus to Spot skill checks
• Arcana skill as trained skill
• Gain Mark of Detection Ritual Casting

Lesser Mark: (of Detection)
Prerequisites: Half-Elf, House Medani, Least Mark, 4th Level
• Swap one encounter power with a Mark of Detection encounter power. (with 1-3 to choose from)

Intermediate Mark: (of Detection)
Prerequisites: Half-Elf, House Medani, Least Mark, Lesser Mark, 8th Level
• Swap one utility power with a Mark of Detection utility power. (with 1-3 to choose from)

Greater Mark: (of Detection)
Prerequisites: Half-Elf, House Medani, Least Mark, Lesser Mark, Intermediate Mark, 10th Level
• Swap one daily power with a Mark of Detection daily power. (with 1-3 to choose from)

You could then even go into deeper detail with adding something like House Archon as a Paragon Path.

 

[Wolfwood2]

Just as a mental exercise, here is an example of how Dragonmark feats might work if using the Multiclass feats as template of power level.

Least Dragonmark (of Detection)
Prerequisites: Half-Elf, House Medani
• +1 bonus to Spot skill checks
• Arcana skill as trained skill
• Gain Mark of Detection Ritual Casting

Lesser Mark: (of Detection)
Prerequisites: Half-Elf, House Medani, Least Mark, 4th Level
• Swap one encounter power with a Mark of Detection encounter power. (with 1-3 to choose from)

Intermediate Mark: (of Detection)
Prerequisites: Half-Elf, House Medani, Least Mark, Lesser Mark, 8th Level
• Swap one utility power with a Mark of Detection utility power. (with 1-3 to choose from)

Greater Mark: (of Detection)
Prerequisites: Half-Elf, House Medani, Least Mark, Lesser Mark, Intermediate Mark, 10th Level
• Swap one daily power with a Mark of Detection daily power. (with 1-3 to choose from).

I like this. My only criticism is that I don't think the mark feats should be prerequisites for each other (other than the basic Least Dragonmarked feat). I don't see any reason to force someone to take the Intermediate mark if they want to take the Greater Mark. I know that's how it was in 3rd edition Eberron, but I don't think it would shake the fluff up too if we alter it.

 

[Graf]

I like this. My only criticism is that I don't think the mark feats should be prerequisites for each other (other than the basic Least Dragonmarked feat). I don't see any reason to force someone to take the Intermediate mark if they want to take the Greater Mark. I know that's how it was in 3rd edition Eberron, but I don't think it would shake the fluff up too if we alter it.

That -is- how it was in Eberron. It would significantly alter the fluff.

 

[Ulthwithian]

While I like the system for Dragonmarks, issues like grafts should be handled with rituals. It's very analogous to magic item enchantment.

 

[Graf]

Also, if you make a feat that acts as a "greater" feat and lets someone from Lyrander use lightning bolt as a daily power then they've invested 4 feats to get to that point, making it significant cost. If you just can take one "entry level" feat and then take lightning bolt?

But, personally, I don't like the whole "swapping" thing. Multiclassing was a massive abusable loophole in 3.5, so they have to be careful. Dragonmarks are much more limited in scope and haven't been a problem in the past (if anything they've generally been pretty weak). So? Personally? I'd say KIS (just one 'S'!)

 

[Mort_Q]

It's a question of power levels.

I think Eberron's greatest flaw is the notion that everything in D&D has a place in Eberron.

Some cool and unique things get obscured by the more familiar stuff of other campaigns. The Eberron stuff felt like it was tacked on, because it had to balance with all that other stuff from all the other books.

The multiclass approach, albeit untested, I think allows for a much more powerful and flavourful look at some things.

As Graf suggested though, the price may be too steep.

Perhaps more that one approach can work. You can have a graft, or a Legacy graft. A magic weapon, or a Legacy weapon.

I don't know. I do know that I'm both excited about starting a campaign where I don't have to feel like an ass for saying all the stuff in column A is banned, or nervous that when the official stuff comes out, I'll like that better.