Dragon Shaman to be worked on.

[jimbobbrowningstein]

Dragon Shaman seem a little too weak for me, they just don't have anything that just makes them nearly as good as a druid or something of the sort. So I propose making Dragon Shaman have full attack bonus and weak fort. or will save. I know alot of you might think its overpowered like this but I don't think its any better or even as good as Druid even moded like so. The only reason I even bothered to mess with it is, there's a player who is wanting to play one really bad, and in its current state I feel he'll be rerolling his character in no time. Anyways what do you guys think about making them just a bit better?




-Jimbob

 

[shilsen]

I do think the dragon shaman could use a little improvement. A fairly useful but less powerful option would be giving the class proficiency with martial weapons.

 

[Legildur]

I too thought they were a little weak... if you are trying to build a front line tank....

I think that the Draconic Auras are pretty useful in being unlimited uses, at will, as a swift action. I see the DS as more of a support character, something similar to a Bard or Marshall.

And the additional powers (improving natural armor, limited healing, other special abilities and some (albeit weak) bonus feats) aren't to be scoffed at.

I have just created a Lizardfolk Dragon Shaman 7 for a game on the boards here. I have geared him around a tank role as that is what was required of him. I'm looking forward to seeing how he stands up (the natural armor and racial ability bonuses of the lizardfolk certainly help in this regard, even at the cost of 3 character levels).

If I were to change anything about the class though, I would start looking at the weapon and armor proficiencies, and leave the BAB alone.

 

[jimbobbrowningstein]

If I were to change anything about the class though, I would start looking at the weapon and armor proficiencies, and leave the BAB alone.

Yeah, I think you guys are right. I knew giving them full BAB would be a bit much but I was just trying to throw some stuff out there to get the ball rolling. The whole thing about the weapon and armor prof. is a good idea. Because full BAB with the breath weapon could be a little brutal. So yeah. Thanks guys.




P.S. Feel free to post any other general ideas about the class here.




-Jimbob

 

[Dracomeander]

The biggest problem I see with the dragon shaman I am currently running is the short list of class skills and lack of skill points.

As far as weapon choices are concerned, simple weapons are fine with me. Rather than expanding the dragon shaman's choices to martial weapons, I'd consider allowing them to develope natural weapons that increase in die size as they gain levels to more closely simulate the dragons they are trying to emulate.

 

[RigaMortus2]

I've been wanting to try a Marshal for a long time, but every time I look at them, I am less than impressed. Same thing with the Dragon Shaman. I just have no interest in playing "support" characters (Bard, DS, Marshal). I get bored easily with them.

 

[Kurotowa]

Because full BAB with the breath weapon could be a little brutal.

While I'm not in favor of full BAB, I must point out that it has no effect on the breath weapon. There's no attack roll, just a save, and you don't get multiple uses with a full attack.

With simple weapons the DS can use a crossbow or longspear to provide support from behind the front line. For a more agressive type grab a spear or morningstar, medium armor and a shield means they can make a passable go at front line support. If they really want to mix it it's even worth taking Heavy Armor Prof, since heavy armor doesn't actually hamper their powers.

A lot of people are overlooking that the DS gets free Skill Focus feats. I think the favored skills may actually be the most important part of the totem dragon choice. A lot of them have Bluff (works well with a high Cha for Touch of Vitality), or Hide and Move Silently. Picking the right totem gives you a lot of flexability in your skills.

 

[jimbobbrowningstein]

While I'm not in favor of full BAB, I must point out that it has no effect on the breath weapon. There's no attack roll, just a save, and you don't get multiple uses with a full attack.

Well I know that. I was just saying he could be a very dangerous melee threat plus he could just throw in a very nasty breath weapon for lots of extra damage.

 

[Kurotowa]

Well I know that. I was just saying he could be a very dangerous melee threat plus he could just throw in a very nasty breath weapon for lots of extra damage.

Ahso. Your wording wasn't clear, and I've seen enough people make that mistake with the Warlock's Eldritch Blast that I wanted to be sure. Carry on, then!

 

[shilsen]

I've been wanting to try a Marshal for a long time, but every time I look at them, I am less than impressed. Same thing with the Dragon Shaman. I just have no interest in playing "support" characters (Bard, DS, Marshal). I get bored easily with them.

I think that's a major factor in many of those classes being seen as underpowered. The power of a support class isn't in what it can do but in what it can enable other PCs and the group as a whole to do. And the support classes are also much more effective the larger the group is, so their utility is even more dependent on context than for the other classes. Lastly, like RigaMortus2, many players don't like to play support characters.