Dragon 370 - Invoker Preview

[Rechan]

Angel Summoner. Now all that we need is a BMX Bandit.

Made me laugh.

 

[Nahat Anoj]

You mean like Stinking Cloud, which is 'sustain minor' but still is a zone?

I had Web and Ice Storm in mind, but yeah, Stinking Cloud is one of those "sustain minor zones" (of which there are a few more, such as Evard's Tentacles or Cloudkill). It's not as cut and dry as I made it out to be.

Although, looking at 'Wall of Fog', it is also not a zone, and is another sustain minor wall.

Wall of Ice, though, lasts for a while. I guess the main difference between zone and wall is that a zone is generally an area while a wall is, well, a series of squares that must share a side but share no more than two sides. So You could duplicate an area reasonably well with a wall, but it has the benefit of "stretching out".

 

[Rechan]

I didn't even catch that! A bummer, really... other than flavor of saying there's a giant fire angel fighting on your behalf, how is summoning any different than what could be done with a sustained zone or something of that effect?

To be fair, the summoning that the cleric does is also similar. They are sustain effects that basically provide help. So it's at least precedent with what we have.

To be honest, I want to play one of these guys for the sheer thrill of roleplaying a guy that walks around going "I HAVE A GOD'S POWER IN ME, SUCK IT *Blast/Burst*"

But when it comes down to it, I think Controllers on par are just weaker. Looking at the various powers between controllers, they are on par relatively, but controllers compared to everyone else are kinda eh. I do think the Druid is more intriguing than the Invoker, but I like both more than the wizard.

 

[Nahat Anoj]

BTW, did anyone else get the feeling that the favored soul was the 3e antecedent to the invoker? I certainly did.

Ah, that's it! I was wondering why the class felt familiar to me and I think it's because I got a strong favored soul vibe.

 

[Rechan]

BTW, did anyone else get the feeling that the favored soul was the 3e antecedent to the invoker? I certainly did.

The Favored Soul was more about combat, though, and they got wings (?).

I think a 3e version of the Invoker would likely be a Sorcerer that picks divine spells, and has access to a domain.

 

[thecasualoblivion]

Looking at the Invoker, it seems on the surface to be a combination of Blaster Wizard and Tactical Warlord.

 

[bert1000]

I'd have to agree. The whole thing just feels a bit..."meh." Sure, they seem to be good at controlling, but this class would definitely benefit from just a bit more fluff to give us an idea what they're all about.

But really, I felt the same way about the Wizard. Maybe Controllers just don't lend themselves to having that certain something. (shrug)

It's not fluff for me. The fluff is actually pretty different. But this class doesn't seem to have any new mechanic to call its own:

Druid: beast mode
Barbarian: rage
Articifer: infusions or whatever they are called in 4e
Bard: multiple multi classes

Maybe it's lots of summons, but not much to indicate that in L1-3.

 

[Rechan]

Articifer: infusions or whatever they are called in 4e

I think the artificer differs in one way: its healing functions by making a token before combat, and handing it to someone, who can then use it. Similar to making a temporary healing potion.

Also, it looks like the artificer has summon-like abilities (creationg temp allies and things that he moves around the battlefield).

Interestingly, the artificer seems to be Leader(Controller), with some of his effects.

Bard: multiple multi classes

Also, out-of-combat powers. And a lot of 'slide ally around'.

 

[Kishin]

Neat concept. Fun stuff. Attack names sound like tracks on a Rhapsody of Fire album.

I have a hard time getting into Controllers though. They're just a little limp wristed and dull compared to everything else. Druid was a nice spin on it, but the Invoker is fairly straightforward.

 

[Scholar & Brutalman]

It's not fluff for me. The fluff is actually pretty different. But this class doesn't seem to have any new mechanic to call its own:

Yeah. Mechanically, it feels like a lot like a re-badged wizard. I would like to see summoning take much more of a role.

(And as someone playing a wizard, seeing both the new controllers getting leather and hide prof for free is extremely irritating! I call on all wizards to protest the leather armour feat-tax!)