Marshal - Quick Question

[Piratecat]

Actually, I like marshal a lot; I think it's a neat idea and a good niche. I suspect that the later iterations of auras in the divine mind (CPsi) and dragon shaman (PHB2) do a better job, though.

My main objection is that the class is ripe for just dipping in and grabbing stuff. For instance, the lvl 21 paladin in my game has a charisma bonus of something like +9. It's a no-brainer to take a level or two so that you can gain +9 to will saves for your whole party! Likewise, one of the minor (ha!) auras gives charisma bonus to spell penetration checks vs spell resistance. This can be ludicrously powerful, enough so that I moved that aura from minor to major.

Over all, though, I'm a fan of the class. I think the "let the party move as an immediate action" ability is really cool.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Marshal is one of my favorite classes to play, actually. I'm a big fan of "Aiding and Abetting", as it were. Also explains my enjoyment of Wizards (over Sorcs) and Bards.

Unfortunately, I think the Marshal needs a rewrite ... because I've never felt the need to go full-class with it. It's along the lines of the Fighter weakness, where most Fighters are a 4-level dip before moving on to greener pastures. It's a wonderful dip for a cleric, however. Best marshal I built was an FR cleric of The Red Knight. Paladins do well too, but suffer a bit from the lowered BAB.

--fje

 

[Tonguez]

I love Marshals and practically every character I've played since it came out has been a Marshall (usually Marshal/Psychic Warrior). Marshalls have some great auras which help the whole party (and also work on themselves) but as already mentioned work best as a 'dip class'.

 

[Wrathamon]

If it had full BAB it would be a great dip...

I think the PHB II lvl 4 substitution ability is much better than the move action

But, I agree it doesnt have staying power.

An potential fix (but would be a lot of work) is too make the aura's three or four tiers, instead of 2.

Something like the Warlock Invocations.

That way there is something to shoot for

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

I agree.

It would be much better if the auras scaled to higher levels and if an additional level of auras were added beyond 10-12 level.

 

[Fishbone]

There are too many null levels. 11 nulls is garbage. Not having full BAB is garbage, too. They're pretty fun to play, I reccomend a pegasus cohort, Spirited Charge, and the aura that boosts charging damage. Seriously weak sauce, though.

 

[boolean]

Unfortunately, I think the Marshal needs a rewrite ... because I've never felt the need to go full-class with it.

Possibly tie the minor auras to a maximum of the character's Marshall levels? So, for example, if the 18 Cha Paladin wants to give everybody +4 to will saves, or initiative checks, he needs to take four levels in the class.

 

[brehobit]

Possibly tie the minor auras to a maximum of the character's Marshall levels? So, for example, if the 18 Cha Paladin wants to give everybody +4 to will saves, or initiative checks, he needs to take four levels in the class.

This is a good idea. Then give the class something else. Maybe bonus feats at levels 5, 10, 15 and 20. Maybe +2 CHR at levels 7 and 14. I don't know, but something. There is very little good reason to take more than 3 or 4 levels in it.

Gestalt-wise, the class is huge. A must-have for a CHR-based gestalt character.

Mark

 

[shilsen]

Possibly tie the minor auras to a maximum of the character's Marshall levels? So, for example, if the 18 Cha Paladin wants to give everybody +4 to will saves, or initiative checks, he needs to take four levels in the class.

I've actually applied that as a blanket house rule for many classes/PrCs that provide an unusual stat-based bonus (Cha to saves, Int to damage, etc.). That removes any incentive to grab a single level in a class for a big bonus.

 

[Drowbane]

King Obould Many-Arrows... eat your heart out!

I have a Uber-Level Orc Warlord type I can't wait to unleash on some unsuspecting PCs...

Gestalt - Marshal 20 | Bbn 1 / Fi 4 / War Chief (MHB) 10 / Orc Warlord 5... with a 1/2 Ogre Barbarian War Hulk as his Cohort.

Mwa_ha_ha_ha_ha!