Nightstorm
First Post
I asked this on another board. Why must a favored Soul worship a diety? It bogs down the class making it less desirable in my opinion. Why does a cleric not have to but a Favored Soul?
Favored Soul
- Thread starter Nightstorm
- Start date
Nonlethal Force
First Post
Okay, this isn't a game mechanics answer but ... Favored by whom, then?
From a game mechanics perspective, they are a class that receives their power directly from a deity - even moreso than a cleric. But then again, I've never bought into the fact that a cleric can get away without worshipping a deity either. In my games - to weild divine spells means to revere a deity. Even a deity of Nature (like Obad-hai) works for me.
Good luck finding an answer that suits you.
From a game mechanics perspective, they are a class that receives their power directly from a deity - even moreso than a cleric. But then again, I've never bought into the fact that a cleric can get away without worshipping a deity either. In my games - to weild divine spells means to revere a deity. Even a deity of Nature (like Obad-hai) works for me.
Good luck finding an answer that suits you.
Nonlethal Force said:
Precisely.
Favored Souls get a lot of benefits:
1) All saves are best saves
2) More spells known than Sorcerers (gaining 3 new known spells when you acquire a new level is huge for a spontaneous caster)
3) More spells per day than a Cleric
4) Spontaneous Casting of all spells (not just Cure spells)
5) Spontaneous Metamagic
The only real downsides compared to a Cleric are that they do not get as many spells known as a Cleric and they do not get their next level spells at odd levels.
The other areas (like Domain abilities and Turn Undead versus Energy Resistance and bonuses with weapons) tend to be a wash.
Taking away their "deity limitations" allows the class to run amok.
Shin Okada
Explorer
IMHO, basically as a concept and flavor. That is same as monks being lawful and paladin being LG. Favored Souls are meant to be people chosen by some deity.
Game-mechanic wise, if there is no deity, there is no favored weapon. So the class do not work without a patron deity. Available deity (and one's favored weapon) may vary in campaign world and each gaming group.
My play group love "do it yourself" tradition of good old D&D. So, DMs tend to allow a player design one's PCs patron deity by himself. DMs require somewhat detailed write-ups regarding that deity. Usually, we allow any martial or simple weapon as player-made deity's favored weapon. Non-power-gaming exotic weapons (say, double-weapon) are usually accepted, too.
FYI, regarding clerics, our play group has no problem on choosing alignment cleric, or a cleric worshipping a pantheon. Japan is pantheism in culture. Most Japanese people are either Buddhists or Shinto-ismists (usually, both). In both pantheism (buddhism and shinto-ism), priests admire all the deity of their religion. Though a certain temple or shrine may have some "main deity", it is not uncommon to have several of them at once, or having different main deities for each buildings (or even for each rooms) of the same temple complex. A priest is, usually, not a "priest of deity xxx". So alignment or pantheon cleric seems quite natural for us.
Game-mechanic wise, if there is no deity, there is no favored weapon. So the class do not work without a patron deity. Available deity (and one's favored weapon) may vary in campaign world and each gaming group.
My play group love "do it yourself" tradition of good old D&D. So, DMs tend to allow a player design one's PCs patron deity by himself. DMs require somewhat detailed write-ups regarding that deity. Usually, we allow any martial or simple weapon as player-made deity's favored weapon. Non-power-gaming exotic weapons (say, double-weapon) are usually accepted, too.
FYI, regarding clerics, our play group has no problem on choosing alignment cleric, or a cleric worshipping a pantheon. Japan is pantheism in culture. Most Japanese people are either Buddhists or Shinto-ismists (usually, both). In both pantheism (buddhism and shinto-ism), priests admire all the deity of their religion. Though a certain temple or shrine may have some "main deity", it is not uncommon to have several of them at once, or having different main deities for each buildings (or even for each rooms) of the same temple complex. A priest is, usually, not a "priest of deity xxx". So alignment or pantheon cleric seems quite natural for us.
Infiniti2000
First Post
I am very confused. The tone on your first question implies that you don't feel that favored souls should worship a deity. Then, your next question implies that clerics, who clearly derive power from a deity, should be favored souls. Wha...?Nightstorm said:
BASHMAN
Basic Action Games
Jdvn1 said:
LOL! My Epic favored soul is easily the most powerful caster in the party, and the entire party is casters! Miracle really evens the odds between a high level favored soul and a wizard.
Now, not having turn undead can be a pain, especially when you have that high charisma score going to waste. That's why multiclassing with Paladin is a good idea-- gives you massive boost to your saves from divine grace, and gives you turn undead, which you can use to fuel divine shield and divine might.
Nonlethal Force
First Post
Jdvn1 said:
Depending on how you build your FS. Typically, casters who suffeer the most from MAD are ones who must have high DCs to power their offensive spells. My summoning/planar ally/healing FS rocks as the party's all around necessary character. She doesn't do much damage herself ... but she is easily capable of granting the fighter-type and rogue characters flanking by a well placed summoning. She can heal after the battle (or during, but that makes me mad). She can use planar ally to get agents to do hard stuff. Add in 5 levels of thaumaturgist PrC to avoid the wings (which I dislike) and she'll soon really be a great character!
EDIT: Oh, and ... holy thread necromancy, Jdvn1!
