Dargon Shaman...broken?

[Gundark]

I have kicked off my AoW campaign. One of the players is running a Dragon Shaman (from the PH2). Those aura's are pretty darn good. He uses the fast healing aura. Okay at the level the group is at fast healing 1 isn't a huge deal in combat. But one of the challenges (for the players) of playing DnD (IMHO) is being worn down as the dungeon/adventure continues. What I've seen happening is the group resting for a few minutes while the aura heals all the party, no healing spells used, no potions drunk, and overall very little resources used. I got looking at the other abilities they get, breath weapon, auras, wings, high HD, etc. I'm kinda going "wow" they are a little too good.

 

[Kvantum]

You are aware that that fast healing aura only works on people at 50% of their max HP or below, correct? Once they hit 50% +1, no more fast healing for them. They need to heal the rest through other means.

The fast healing aura does help ease the job of the cleric/druid/paladin/bard/rogue with a wand of cure light wounds, but it can't restore anyone to more than half max hp.

 

[Mistwell]

I like them, but from a power pespective they get a bit dry at higher levels. You are right though, the fast healing bit for low levels will be a big boost.

I personally think this is no problem. Spells running low should be the thing that camps the party for the night, not hit points. This just lets the game continue going a bit longer without the nasty and usually boring interuption of resting at night.

 

[Crothian]

It does sounf like you are doing the fast healing wrong. Once you fix that they should be fine.

 

[Kunimatyu]

Whatwhatwhat?!?

Like others have said, as long as you're remembering that fast healing only applies to characters below half health, the Dragon Shaman is far from broken, even with some Draconomicon metabreath feats.

 

[Gundark]

You are aware that that fast healing aura only works on people at 50% of their max HP or below, correct? Once they hit 50% +1, no more fast healing for them. They need to heal the rest through other means.

The fast healing aura does help ease the job of the cleric/druid/paladin/bard/rogue with a wand of cure light wounds, but it can't restore anyone to more than half max hp.

ah okay, that seems a lot better. The player playing the character is our resident Rules lawyer, I'm surprised he missed it. I took a look at the class myself and missed it. Ah well, that's what Enworld is for (or at least one of the reasons)

 

[I'm A Banana]

In general principle, if characters are standing around scratching themselves and healing, that's usually a good time to toss in a minor encounter just to throw things up.

Not all the time. But if it's a common strategy, after they beat up the goblin mob that swarmed upon them, whatever was CHASING the goblin mob shows up a few rounds later.

You could also consider designing adventures that are more time-sensitive.

And either way, a full day's worth of walkin' around will get anyone tired enough to be fatigued if they don't rest (check out the forced march rules for it).

 

[Psychic Warrior]

Whatwhatwhat?!?

Like others have said, as long as you're remembering that fast healing only applies to characters below half health, the Dragon Shaman is far from broken, even with some Draconomicon metabreath feats.

That's about the only thing I'd add to the class (far from broken - it seems a touch on the weak side to me) a free Metabreath feat every 5 levels. All prereqs still need to be met however (keeps some of the really powerful metabreath feats out).

 

[Dave Turner]

ah okay, that seems a lot better. The player playing the character is our resident Rules lawyer, I'm surprised he missed it. I took a look at the class myself and missed it. Ah well, that's what Enworld is for (or at least one of the reasons)

Are you sure that the Rules Lawyer "missed it"?

 

[Simplicity]

In general principle, if characters are standing around scratching themselves and healing, that's usually a good time to toss in a minor encounter just to throw things up.

Not all the time. But if it's a common strategy, after they beat up the goblin mob that swarmed upon them, whatever was CHASING the goblin mob shows up a few rounds later.

You could also consider designing adventures that are more time-sensitive.

And either way, a full day's worth of walkin' around will get anyone tired enough to be fatigued if they don't rest (check out the forced march rules for it).

It's fast-healing 1. They aren't waiting around. It takes 6 seconds to heal a hitpoint.
For level 1 characters, your party barbarian is full up in a minute-and-a-half!

Player 1: "Ugh... I feel like crap. There's a sword in my spleen. Can we rest for a minute or two?"
Player 2: "NO! Last time we rested for a minute, an orc found us!"
Player 3: "Onward!"
Player 4: "Wait, I still haven't searched these bodies!"
Player 2: "No searching! That's a ten minute action! Are you nuts? Why not open a tavern while you're at it? Craft some freaking swords in the middle of the dungeon, why don't you? Tick, tick, tick!"
Player 1: "Thanks, I needed that tirade. I feel better already! Let's go!"