4th Herbalist

[WYT]

I was thinking in a new class to introduce in my setting campaign, the herbalist. It would be a leader/controller class, fighting with potions and magical plants and giving aid to its party allies.

I would want to know where can I find some information about herbalism in D&D 4th in order to start the class creation.

What do you think about?

 

[TheLordWinter]

This sounds really interesting. There is a sorta technological bend to this character archetype in the Artificer, but I think a more naturalist approach would be good, particularly something martial power sourced.

I'd also suggest taking a look at the alchemical items section from the beginning of Adventurer's Vault. It is, without fail, my favorite section of that book, and many of those types of items could be potentially spun into powers usable by an alchemist.

 

[WYT]

This sounds really interesting. There is a sorta technological bend to this character archetype in the Artificer, but I think a more naturalist approach would be good, particularly something martial power sourced.

I thought in primal like power source, for they come from nature and plants' essence.

I'd also suggest taking a look at the alchemical items section from the beginning of Adventurer's Vault. It is, without fail, my favorite section of that book, and many of those types of items could be potentially spun into powers usable by an alchemist.

I'll look that book to search something about alchemical items.

Thanks for your reply (^_^)

 

[chronoplasm]

I would certainly go with a primal power source for this, and give it Ritual Casting as a bonus feat.

 

[Siberys]

Actually, this sounds a lot like the Artificer. That's an Arcane Leader / Controller that fights with potions and constructs; just reflavor the constructs to plants and the power source to primal. Could save you a whole lot of work.

 

[TheLordWinter]

Personally, I'm leery of what each power source will truly be like until we've seen stuff from Wizards. The Barbarian pre-release seems to indicate a lot of spiritual magic mixed into the sort of furious attacking aspects of the Barbarian, which is very different than what I had in mind. Still, nothin' saying that your primal power source has to work just like theirs.

What types of things did you have in mind for the leader function of the class?

 

[chronoplasm]

Hey, you know how other some classes get a beast companion or a familiar? Perhaps the Herbalist could get an animate plant companion?
The player can choose their plant companion from one of the following categories:
Ginkgo
Conifer
Flower
Moss

 

[WYT]

I was thinking in include a leader build and a controller one.

The leader would have powers to heal, to raise defenses and accuracy, things like that, like a buffer, and the controller would have poison, burning potions and some plant based attacks.

Leader example:

Ointment of Healing - Herbalist Recipe 1
A green liquid shines in the bottle. You or an ally drink it, as you shine and feel restored.
At Will * Primal, Healing.
Especial: This power can be used two times per encounter on the same target.
Standard
Target: You or an ally
Effect: The target can use a healing surge and regain an additional amount of HP equal to your WIS modifier.


Controller example:

Intoxication dust - Herbalist Recipe 1
You are rounded by a cloud of dust that damages to enemies who inhale it.
At will * Primal, Poison.
Standard - Burst 1
Target: Creatures in the burst.
Attack: Wisdom vs. Fortitude
Hit: Target takes an amount of poison damage equal to your WIS modifier.
Effect: Target takes 1 + lvl/2 poison ongoing damage (save ends)

It's only a base, I was wondering if these powers are overpowered or underpowered as herbalist is the first class I make. I would apreciate your help to balance them and your advices.

I'll look the artificer too to search inspiration.

Thanks for your help guys

 

[WYT]

Hey, you know how other some classes get a beast companion or a familiar? Perhaps the Herbalist could get an animate plant companion?
The player can choose their plant companion from one of the following categories:
Ginkgo
Conifer
Flower
Moss

It sounds pretty nice. I was thinking in temporal plant companions by planting magical seeds.

Greenleaf warrior seed - Herbalist Recipe
After you plant an ancient powerfull seed, a greanleaf warrior spawns from the soil.
Daily*Primal, conjuration.
Target: An empty square on the grid adyacent to the herbalist.
Effect: A greenleaf warrior spawns and fights on your side until the end of the encounter.

It could even be a third build based on the seeds.

 

[chronoplasm]

I like the seeds idea.
Perhaps in addition to companions you could have seeds that grow into healing plants, like a flower that gives all allies within its aura regeneration, a shrub that gives allies in its aura a bonus to their saves, or a tree that gives allies in its aura a bonus to AC.

I think you should take that idea and really run with it. Instead of making it a build option, maybe make it the source of all the Herbalists power and use the build options for different ways of using seeds (healing plants vs. animate plants, etc.)