Martial characters and rituals

[Kobold Avenger]

Which rituals do you see a martial character using if they got the ritual casting feat?

I guess I could see them using the magic weapon creation ritual, since that's quite a fighterish thing to do, forge your own legendary weapon.

But beyond that what else do you think you'd see them using, if hypothetically every member in the party had ritual casting?

Do you see them casting Alarm or Firetrap?
What about Commune?
Or Phantom Steed?
Or Locate Creature?

Do you think they'll have new more martially orientated rituals, possible ones like 'Blood Oath' or 'Decree of Vengeance'?

 

[mach1.9pants]

It is an interesting point. Will rituals be classified by power source and, therefore, relate flavour-wise to the 'casters' class? Or will all rituals be available to all classes (with the right feat)?
IMO all rituals will be available to all classes/power sources. This allows for things such as high level fighters not needing to keep a wizard around to ensure his keep is protected from teleportation etc. I also think this is the case as clerics and wizards get the feat as a bonus. If rituals were power source related then this distinction of the learned casters already knowing rituals would not be needed.
If you want your martial character to have nothing to do with esoteric powers that rituals give (and the use of rituals would go against the character concepts of many martial types) just don't take the feat

 

[mrtomsmith]

I like the concept of martial rituals. Blood Oath and Decree of Vengeance would be fun.

Declare Allegiance: Gain benefits of a political faction (listed separately).
Recruit: Gain 1d6 followers, based on Leadership feat rules.
Meditate on Void: Removes any status effects on you.
Meditate on Stance: Increase effect of one Stance until you rest.
Practice Speech in Front of Mirror: +5 to Intimidate or Diplomacy until you rest.
Spread Rumors: Target gets -5 on all CHA checks against whoever you talk to.

 

[Revinor]

I personally think that rituals are magic. 4e gets away from unneeded symmetry and trying to find a solution for martial rituals is something which is not really needed IMHO.

Said that, I was considering how rituals could work - and I don't think they have to be tied to power sources at all. At least not in the way that your combat class completely determines your access to rituals.

For example, I would see religious/divine rituals tied to the faith and church hierarchy more than divine combat class. This way, by climbing the ladder of hierarchy, you could get access to more potent/secret divine rituals - but this has nothing to do with fact if you can heal people in combat and throw divine lances around every round. Same way, I could see a brilliant rogue pickup up a lot of wizard rituals by being a trusted servant of one - without sacrificing 'roguesness' in combat.

I don't think there is a need for martial rituals. I think that rituals can be the way to think out of the box and I see them more as a plot tool rather then function of combat class.

 

[Domon]

maybe katas

 

[DreamChaser]

I think that any martial character that specifically takes the Ritual Caster feat (speculation: and presumably has the ranks in Arcana required to make use of this feat) is going to be using mystical / magical rituals.

If the idea was to separate rituals into different power sources (with divine, martial, and arcane rituals) I would expect that warlords would start with the ability to use rituals as well, as they are the most likely class to be "defined" by martial "mysticism"

No...i think rituals are definitely magical.

DC

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I think non-magical characters will be able to select feats to gain Ritual Casting. Though I suspect there will be bonuses for a ritual if you belong to its category, as well as making it harder or easier depending on if your skill points high enough.

I think any character should be allowed to use any kind of ritual. I know for instance I want to create a magic-oriented Rogue, who steals ritual books from wizards for his own purposes.

So yeah all rituals for all characters.

I do hope there will be "mundane rituals/practises" that everyone can do right off the bat, and do more successfully based of skills, feats, occupations/background feats (if there are any) these would be things like crafting, weapon practise, professions, etc.

 

[The_Fan]

remember that martial is "not entirely non-magical." It's a world permeated with magic, it stands to reason martial characters would at least be acquainted with it. The feat just means they know how to use it in rituals.

As for which ones seem most useful to a martial character...probably all the same rituals that would be useful to others. Item creation does stand out in particular as something a fighter or warlord would do, though.

 

[Irda Ranger]

What? Fighters don't need to Identify, Speak with Dead or Teleport? I think they'll use most of the Rituals that Wizards use. Now you won't need a Wizard or Cleric for lots of things you used to need them for.

In fact, one of the first house rules I intend on implementing is getting rid of the Ritual Casting Feat and simply grant access to Rituals as part of being Skill Trained in Arcana or Religion.

 

[muffin_of_chaos]

If Martially-powered classes don't get rituals, they should get something else to compensate. Such as stimulants.
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Why do we forget Warlocks? Because we want to!!