PHB II Dragon Shaman - Power Level

[Elephant]

So, what does everyone who has the PHB II think of the Dragon Shaman class? Is it overpowered, underpowered, or balanced with respect to the core PHB classes?

Edit: My campaign is delving into the World's Largest Dungeon. How well can this class work in an almost exclusively dungeon-crawling environment?

 

[Victim]

It seems a little on the weak side. For a melee class, it has weak attack bonus, weapon selection and armor choice. While the auras are nice - especially for the group support - they hardly compare to the buffs available to clerics or psi-wars which are other 3/4ths guys. The Breath weapon starts off slowly, and seems weaker than eldritch blast - which isn't exactly great without extras. If metabreath feats are allowed, then it becomes more worthwhile.

 

[RangerWickett]

I think it's awesome as a back-up character for a group. We're playing Eberron with a barbarian 3, a dragon shaman 3, a cleric 3, and my ninja 2/psion 1. The healing aura of the dragon shaman has really taken the pressure off the cleric to dump all her spells whenever we're hurt. When we're in social situations, the shaman switches to the one that gives us bonuses to Intimidate and Diplomacy. When we're fighting weenies, we get DR. It's awesome.

It's like a bard, without the silliness of having to sing in combat.

 

[Sejs]

It's like a bard, without the silliness of having to sing in combat.

That's been my general take on it as well. Great support class, like the bard, without having to deal with the implied social focus, or having to deal with spellcasting.

And yeah, the healing aura is indeed very handy.

 

[Aaron L]

The power level looks fine as far as I can tell. But its still just... bizzare.

 

[lukelightning]

I like dragons and all, but I think the game needs to stop deifying them. You're supposed to fight and kill dragons in D&D. They are supposed to be the enemy, not some supernatural being that grants powers.

 

[Psion]

It's like a bard, without the silliness of having to sing in combat.

That sounds about right.

Except I think the fluff's a bit way weak. I came away from the class not knowing exactly WHY this character gets these powers. They really built no society, no culture, nor any metaphysics behind them. They just dig dragons and get powers like them.

So, in short, I wouldn't worry about it too much for balance reasons, but I won't be using them for "vacuous concept" reasons.

 

[Odhanan]

So, what does everyone who has the PHB II think of the Dragon Shaman class? Is it overpowered, underpowered, or balanced with respect to the core PHB classes?

Seems weak to me, and the treatment doesn't do it for me flavorwise.

 

[Andor]

*shrug* When they give us lots of fluff we complain bitterly. If it's weak fluff, make it your own. Match it to your campaign. Heck, by the RAW you can cast flame strike and miracles because you venerate the idea of the perfect taco, the Dragon Shaman doesn't seem like too much of a stretch compared to that.

 

[Psion]

*shrug* When they give us lots of fluff we complain bitterly. If it's weak fluff, make it your own. Match it to your campaign.

Well, see it's like this to me: I am conservative about new classes in my campaign. If you don't give me a reason to belong, then I don't feel obligated to make one up for you unless you are already a good fit or otherwise cool.

Sometimes things just don't fit. Unlike Dragon Shaman, I actually want to include the hexblade in my game. I have yet to come up with a good flavor justification for their existence as a base class, however.

Heck, by the RAW you can cast flame strike and miracles because you venerate the idea of the perfect taco, the Dragon Shaman doesn't seem like too much of a stretch compared to that.

Let's just say, not in my game. If there is no taco god or spirit in my game that you forge a spiritual connection to through such beleifs, you are SOL. Your flame strike is going to be limited to the limits of your extra spicy hot sauce.


Venerate the perfect taco... snicker...