Alternate Power Sources - Divine Druid

[malcolm_n]

Design Goal: Create an alternative power source option for each source/class combination. These will maintain the feel of the original class while giving them an exotic appeal with a few changed abilities/features. Each class gives tips and suggestions on how to make the character feel more like the alternate power source without sacrificing (too much) power. Take the psionic barbarian, for example. It suggests that the barbarian character wield a staff to take advantage of it as an implement with the provided powers (which also allow other weapons at a cost). A staff is not usually an optimal weapon for a barbarian, but it functions as one just fine. With the option, you can also use it to greater effect as an implement, which ties in nicely if you multiclass into something like monk, or even wizard.

Why?: Better story tie-ins for some characters. Alternate Power Sources allows better blending into multiclass or hybrid. Alternatively, it gives the character a way to act like a class of a different power source without actually multiclassing/using hybrid.

Rules Clarification: The only way to gain the features/powers explained are half-elf Dilletante or choose the alternate power source class. The class features and traits are balanced against each other. Ultimately, such classes will have their own hybrid and multiclass options which would open up the original class powers while granting the reflavored power/feature.
Example: Because you are still a barbarian, you cannot multiclass into psionic barbarian to get the weakened Indomitable Will class feature. Similarly a hybrid barbarian cannot also hybrid psionic barbarian or choose Indomitable Will (hybrid) as a hybrid talent option.

Evangelion
[FONT=&quot]Whereas most druids revere all things in nature equally, the divine druid has chosen a deity to hold above all else. It is to this deity that the divine druid prays for help in protecting the forests of the world. The gift bestowed upon a sage for such piety is the angelic form.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[sblock=MODIFIED CLASS TRAITS]Replace the appropriate text from the Druid Class Traits in the PH2 with the following.

Power Source: [FONT=&quot]Divine. Your patron deity blesses you with angelic prowess and appearance which you can use to strike fear into your foe.[/FONT]

Trained Skills: Religion. From the Druid class skill list, choose 3 more trained skills at 1st level.

Class Features: Balance of Nature, Divine Aspect, Ritual Casting, Transcendence[/sblock]
[sblock=DIVINE DRUID CLASS FEATURES]Divine Aspect
[FONT=&quot]Instead of tapping into an aspect of the Primal Beast, you tap into the divine connections of your nature deity. These ties grant you the Angelic Hunter divine aspect.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Angelic Hunter: This feature counts as the Primal Predator druid feature when a power would refer to it. You gain the Channel Divinity – Winged Step power.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]TRANSCENDENCE[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This feature acts in all ways like wild shape, except that you take on the form of an angel. Your wings are vestigial until you use your winged step power.[/FONT][/sblock][sblock=DIVINE DRUID POWERS] [FONT=&quot]Evangelions have access to all druid powers. In addition, you can choose the following powers to better represent yourself as a divine class.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot] Consider taking powers with the beast form keyword and flavoring them as powerful strikes dealt by your angelic weapon.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Transcendence [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Evangelion Feature[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]You assume an aspect of a powerful angel or return to your humanoid form.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]At-will * Divine, Polymorph[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Minor Action (Special) Personal[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Effect:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] As the wild shape druid class feature.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Channel Divinity: Winged Step [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Evangelion Feature[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Wings appear at your back as if from nowhere and you are able to fly a short distance before they fade.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Divine[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Move Action Personal[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Requirement:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] You cannot use this power while wearing heavy armor.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Effect:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Fly your speed. If you don’t end your move on solid ground, you float to the ground without taking falling damage.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Savage Blade [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Evangelion[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Attack 1[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]A mystical sword appears within your grasp as powerful wings sprout and your feet fade away into a tail of radiance.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]At-will * Beast Form, Divine, Implement, Radiant[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Standard Action Melee [/FONT][FONT=&quot]touch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] One creature[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Wisdom vs. Reflex[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 1d8 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage, and you deal radiant damage equal to your Dexterity modifier to all enemies adjacent to the target.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Level 21:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 2d8 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Valor’s Shield [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Evangelion Attack 1[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]As one of your arms becomes a dangerous weapon, the other takes form as a shield as big as you are.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Beast Form, Divine, Implement[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Standard Action Melee[/FONT][FONT=&quot] touch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] One creature[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Wisdom vs. Reflex[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 2d6 + Wisdom modifier damage. Until the end of your next turn, you gain a +2 power bonus to all defenses if you remain in transcendence.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Angelic Calling [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Evangelion Utility 2[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Your words move your allies to join you as they come closer.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Beast Form, Divine[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Minor Action Ranged[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 10[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] One or two allies[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Effect:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] You pull each target 3 squares.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Improved Valor’s Shield [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Evangelion Attack 13[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]As one of your arms becomes a dangerous weapon, the other takes form as a shield as big as you are.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Beast Form, Divine, Implement[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Standard Action Melee[/FONT][FONT=&quot] touch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] One creature[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Wisdom vs. Reflex[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 3d6 + Wisdom modifier damage. Until the end of your next turn, you gain a +3 power bonus to all defenses if you remain in transcendence.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Greater Valor’s Shield [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Evangelion Attack 27[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]As one of your arms becomes a dangerous weapon, the other takes form as a shield as big as you are.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Encounter * Beast Form, Divine, Implement[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Standard Action Melee[/FONT][FONT=&quot] touch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Target:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] One creature[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Attack:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Wisdom vs. Reflex[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hit:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 4d6 + Wisdom modifier damage. Until the end of your next turn, you gain a +3 power bonus to all defenses if you remain in transcendence.[/FONT][/sblock]As always, I appreciate any thoughts/feelings on these.

Here is the list of other APS classes I've done to date, with other work I have done previously.

 

[Cwheeler]

As usual, well executed and well conceived.

Now I want to play one...

 

[malcolm_n]

Thank you, it's been a bit since I'd worked on one, so I was hoping it'd turn out nicely.