Non-Ranger 3.5E Changes

[Mercule]

Re: Re: Non-Ranger 3.5E Changes

I actually tossed in a house rule for my campaigns that allow Druids to uses a scythe. Easy fix, really, but I do understand that some people like an "official" voice on the issue. Wouldn't mind it, but it wouldn't affect my games if they didn't change it.

Likewise. Scythe seems much more "druid" than scimitar, IMHO.

 

[the Jester]

I don't know why, I just really want to see a new Energy Type [Solar] descriptor - it will make judging spells that have a dramatic effect on sun-averse creatures a bit easier... I know, probably won't happen. And may not come up as much in other ppl's games.. just seems to always come up in ours (yes, spells that DO have it noted in the description, just some people like to interpret certain other spells that should even though it does not say it does).

I'm a big fan of new descriptors and subtypes- I think there should be a time descriptor, too.

 

[Merlion]

The Solar descriptor IS a neat idea. at the absolute least they need to change the name of "daylight". Its called daylight and it creates the visual effect thereof....but has none of the special effects. I say Greater Light or back to Continual Light

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

I think the best way to improve the Monk would be to classify most of their abilities as "chi powers." Instead of a set progression, Monks choose a chi power at every level. Instead of having spell levels, chi powers would have a minimum Monk level as a prerequisite. In addition to making Monks much more customizable, we would begin to see new chi powers in d20 supplements.

Then, throw in martial arts styles and a bonus martial arts feat every 5 levels or so, and you've got a pretty cool Monk.

I like this idea. Why not make them "Chi Feats" and give them a fighter's bonus feat progression with exclusive access to these chi feats as well as martial arts type feats? Or did you have something in mind more along the lines of those high-level "special abilities" like Opportunist that rogues get?

I am of the opinion that druids kick butt and need no loving, and my player group feels the same. We are mystified by the fact druids are getting love. And for the record, the best druid weapon is the longspear. Not the scimitar. Reach weapons own joo.

Hey, I've got nothing but love for the druid. And spears are very underrated. But neither longspears nor scimitars have a very druidy feeling to them. I don't know. Maybe I need to watch History Channel more.

BTW, I gotta can it with the "druidy". "Druidic" just sounds too stuffy. "Druish" maybe?

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

Does anyone know, where did scimitar even come from (as a druidic weapon, anyhow)?

 

[Saeviomagy]

I think it may have started out as a proxy for a sickle.

The druid weapons need a serious overhaul. As is, they're just... wierd. There's no real balance mechanism there (a longspear or scimitar are viable weapon choices for a fighter, so they're arguably more powerful that the weapons allowed to other classes already - or any other druid weapon - the only place where the druid actually suffers for his weapon list is in ranged combat). If the argument is 'flavour', then really it shouldn't exist in a base class - prestige classes are for flavour.

Something of the same goes for armour - with the upcoming arms and equipment guide, the 'natural armour only' rule will stop being a balancing factor, and start being a flavour-only rule. To me, that's reason enough to ditch it. At the very least, I'd change it from the druid losing all his powers for the next 24 hrs to having the druid stop being able to use specific powers (wildshape, trackless step, woodland stride) while wearing non-natural armour. That means you CAN do it, you just pay the price. The current rule is too much like the old "the following classes can't use armour, period" in that it's extremely severe, and not well explained.

 

[Chun-tzu]

I like this idea. Why not make them "Chi Feats" and give them a fighter's bonus feat progression with exclusive access to these chi feats as well as martial arts type feats? Or did you have something in mind more along the lines of those high-level "special abilities" like Opportunist that rogues get?

Yeah, you could do them as special feats. By core rules only, this might seem a little weird; there are no core feats that grant spell-like or supernatural abilities. Still, we've seen them in other books (like FRCS, the one that allows characters a few cantrips because they grew up in a high magic society), and it works fine.

Using a separate mechanic would help newbies better understand that Monks are hardly as powerful as they first look on paper. If you saw the Fighter gaining bonus feats every other level, and the Monk gaining more powerful (spell-like and supernatural) bonus feats every level, you'd think it's highly unbalanced. On the other hand, compare Chi Powers to spells: you only gain one ability, instead of gaining new spells every level (and high spell levels every other level).

But it would work fine as a feat system, if the feat system were a bit more extensive (like, if other classes had certain abilities translated into class-specific feats).

 

[Gargoyle]

BTW, I gotta can it with the "druidy". "Druidic" just sounds too stuffy. "Druish" maybe?

Druish princess? Funny. She doesn't look druish.

 

[Taluron]

"Druid weapons should be eased up on. The fact is, I've yet to see a player of mine play a druid and NOT get a scimitar. It's the best weapon of the bunch by far. Why can't they use a scythe? That seems to be a very druidy type of weapon, at least as much as a scimitar is."

Hmph. What about a Flail. It's based on a tool for breaking grain kernels.

 

[officeronin]

Something of the same goes for armour - with the upcoming arms and equipment guide, the 'natural armour only' rule will stop being a balancing factor, and start being a flavour-only rule. To me, that's reason enough to ditch it. At the very least, I'd change it from the druid losing all his powers for the next 24 hrs to having the druid stop being able to use specific powers (wildshape, trackless step, woodland stride) while wearing non-natural armour. That means you CAN do it, you just pay the price. The current rule is too much like the old "the following classes can't use armour, period" in that it's extremely severe, and not well explained.

How about -1 caster level per 5 lbs of metal on the druid's person? Hmmm. All that gold....

Harsh, perhaps... I like the sound of "harsh".

Maybe give the first few pounds free.

OfficeRonin