Dragon #308 previews new ranger and barbarian!

[ragefearmadness]

Druid Info

Does anyone have the info on the 3.5 Druid?

 

[Caliban]

Unless I'm missing something, it wasn't really away. That's the effect of the animal frienship spell, after all.

I think that spell goes away in 3.5, which is why the ranger now get's the animal companion as a class ability.

 

[Caliban]

As has been already pointed out, "tank armor" is a fallacy in D&D 3e (and probably 3.5e too).

I don't know, my 11th level "tank armor" dwarf is nearly unhittible in most combats. His AC starts at 28, and can reach 50 when I need it to. +1 full plat, +2 shield, +2 ring of protection, +1 amulet of natural armor, +1 Dex bonus, +1 dwarven defender bonus, +1 dodge, mobility, +5 expertise, +4 boots of speed, and +7 for casting shield off a scroll when needed (not very often).

Heavy armor isn't the only thing you need, but it's a major part of the equation for a low-dex fighter. He has a lower damage output than a barbarian or a fighter who focused on strength and damage feats, but he can stand toe to toe with creatures that force them to retreat after a few rounds. The "living wall" concept functions very well at higher levels, as it can give the rest of the party the time they need to get their mojo working.

 

[Ashardalon]

I think that spell goes away in 3.5,...

That is certainly a possibility.

 

[ragefearmadness]

Druid Info PLEASE!!!

Does anyone have the info on the 3.5 Druid?

PLEASE!!! I AM DYING TO KNOW!!!!

 

[Lela]

Balance wise, Evasion sounds fine to me. I will admit that I cringed a little when I read it though. It just doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the class. Uncanny Dodge (at least the Dex bonus to AC part) does fit. I doubt I would add Cannot be Flanked or the Trap stuff (which i think is useless most of the time anyway) but the Dex Bonus fits with the rest of the class: Surprise them without being surprised yourself.

 

[Mercule]

I'm not sure if adding Uncanny Dodge to the Ranger's class features is any better than Evasion.

Barbarians and rogues already have this feature. Too many classes with the same features is not interesting.

If you're saying they shouldn't have either, I can see your point.

If you mean Rangers should have Evasion and not Uncanny Dodge because two classes already have UD, I don't think you've got a good case. Two classes also have Evasion (Monk & Rogue). If either ability fits the Ranger, it's UD.

 

[Saeviomagy]

As has been already pointed out, "tank armor" is a fallacy in D&D 3e (and probably 3.5e too).

What are you talking about? If you mean Base Attack Bonus, they have the same "to-hit" chances as the ranger and barbarian. If you mean overall bonuses, a barbarian's rage will give Strength bonuses that the fighter will be hard-pressed to match.

Do you use rolled stats or point buy? Either way, that dex you need to use to make up for your light or medium armour is taking away from your strength and con. Dex is no more free than enhancement bonuses. Apart from that, the fighter's bonuses tend to equal or exceed the benefits of the barbarian. Combat feats are not something to be scoffed at. Rage benefits and penalties tend to even out, and rage is (IMHO) at best worth a feat. Uncanny dodge balances out the lack of heavy armour (in most situations - backstabbing rogues are the main exception).

In fact, the primary thing that the barbarian has over the fighter is his skill list and skill points.

 

[ragefearmadness]

Re: Druid Info PLEASE!!!

Does anyone have the info on the 3.5 Druid?

PLEASE!!! I AM DYING TO KNOW!!!!

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!

PLEASE I JUST WANT THE DRUID INFO!!!! AAAAAAAARGH!!!

 

[thalmin]

Sorry, WotC hasn't given out much, if any, info on the new druid, other than to say it is in the category of receiving moderate changes to the class.