Marshal or Dragon Shaman?

[Aleolus]

OK, I'm not exceptionally knowledgeable about the Marshal, introduced in the Miniatures Handbook, but I do know about the Dragon Shaman in the PHB2. And from what I know of the Marshal, it seems as though they are akin to each other, with the Martial being, obviously, more martially oriented than the DS. I'm wondering if this is actually the case, and if so, which one most people tend to favor. I personally quite like the Dragon Shaman, since they get the majority of the Draconic Heritage feats by leveling up, without needing to actually take them as feats! They just strike me as quite cool.

 

[blargney the second]

I just played my first dragon shaman today, and it was seriously fun. The auras are strong and varied enough to be useful all the time, and the breath weapon wasn't a haymaker but certainly appreciable! While his AC wasn't a showstopper, he had more hps than the rest of the group.

What's really neat about the class is that it's about as non feat-hungry as you could hope for, which left me free to try out a dragonmark for the first time. I suspect I'll just go straight DS the whole game.

On the other side of the coin, I have yet to see a player take up marshal. I think it's because they don't get many sexy abilities, although the auras are undeniably useful (and very powerful!).
-blarg

 

[Darklone]

I long to play a marshal/bard as a knight in white satin guy. Pretty, charming, powerful commander. The bigger the group, the better.

Dragon shaman rock, even though I like the dragonfire adepts a bit more.

Dragon shaman lack a bit the draconic flavor (I mean,... dragons don't have auras, right?).

The marshal looks a bit bland in comparison to most other classes, still I think about building a singleclass one with some Draconic Heritage stuff... perhaps adding Draconic auras with feats.

 

[lukelightning]

I don't know anything about marshalls, but I like dragon shamans. First I thought they were kind of lame, but I warmed up to the idea; it's not that they are emulating draconic powers (as Darclone mentioned, dragons don't have auras other than their frightful presence, nor are dragons known for their healing ability)—rather the dragon shamans are tapping into draconic magic/energy/metaphysical whatsits. There are already plenty of other classes that adopt more literal dragon abilities.

One think I like about the dragon shaman is that it seems to be a well thought-out class; the abilities are clear and easy to implement, and would be good for a starting D&D player. I just wonder: has there ever been a player who decides on a white dragon shaman? I'd only take that dragon if the DM said the campaign is set on a polar ice cap. And even then I'd probably go for a fire breathing dragon.

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

Marshalls are a great dip class. Overall, I think the Dragon Shaman takes the aura concept one step beyond the Marshall.

 

[pawsplay]

Marshal is just a tad weak past 4th level. They start off good; medium BAB, heavy armor, nice combat bonuses, Skill focus (Diplomacy). The thing is, they can only run one minor and one major aura at a time, so there does reach a point of diminishing returns; one you have two major auras and handful of minor ones, there is less reason to stick with the class.

now, there is some reason. Their major aura bonus does continue to creep upward, and it can be formidable, particular in conjunction with clerical or bardic buffs. The ability to grant move actions is not to be sneezed out.

However, in general, I find marshal 4/fighter 4/some knightly class to be more potent.

 

[Piratecat]

I think the marshal is so good as a dip class that it's broken! A high level paladin takes one marshal level, and they can constantly grant all allies their charisma bonus (probably +6 or higher) to will saves. Or to all wisdom checks, including spot. Or to all dex skills; it's like getting every party member a slotless cloak and boots of elvenkind for free.

And yet, for an average charisma character, the marshal is probably underpowered and could use full BAB. It's an odd balance.

If I was going to do it again, I'd cap the bonus.

 

[pawsplay]

I think the marshal is so good as a dip class that it's broken! A high level paladin takes one marshal level, and they can constantly grant all allies their charisma bonus (probably +6 or higher) to will saves. Or to all wisdom checks, including spot. Or to all dex skills; it's like getting every party member a slotless cloak and boots of elvenkind for free.

And yet, for an average charisma character, the marshal is probably underpowered and could use full BAB. It's an odd balance.

If I was going to do it again, I'd cap the bonus.

Maybe something like the cap on canny defense?

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

I think the marshal is so good as a dip class that it's broken! A high level paladin takes one marshal level, and they can constantly grant all allies their charisma bonus (probably +6 or higher) to will saves.

*cough*

Malachite

*cough*

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I long to make a character named Marshall the Marshal, and his cohort, Manuel of the Planes.