Purple Dragon Knight Retooled as Banneret in D&D's Heroes of Faerun Book

The much-maligned Purple Dragon Knight Fighter subclass is being retooled towards its original support origins in the upcoming Heroes of Faerun book. Coming out of GenCon, an image of a premade character sheet of a Banneret is making its way around the Internet. The classic support-based Fighter subclass appears to have replaced the Purple Dragon Knight subclass, which received a ton of criticism for not resembling the Purple Dragon Knight's traditional lore.

The Banneret's abilities includes a Level 3 "Knightly Envoy" ability that allows it to cast Comprehend Language as a ritual and gain proficiency in either Intimidation, Insight, Performance, or Persuasion (this appears unchanged from the Purple Dragon Knight UA), plus a Group Recovery ability that allows those within 30 feet of the Banneret to regain 1d4 Hit Points plus the Banneret's Fighter Level when the Banneret uses its Second Wind ability. Scrapped is the Purple Dragon companion that the UA version of the subclass had, which grew in power as the Purple Dragon Knight leveled up.

The Banneret was the generic name for the Purple Dragon Knight in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. The Banneret/Purple Dragon Knight was originally more of a support class that could provide the benefits of its abilities to its allies instead of or in addition to benefitting from them directly. For instance, a Banneret's Action Surge could be used to allow a nearby ally to make an attack, and Indomitable could allow an ally to reroll a failed saving throw in addition to the Banneret.

 

[mellored]

They mentioned the dragon is no longer part of the subclass.

Source?

 

[GarrettKP]

Source?

GenCon. I attended and played a preview adventure using the Banneret. They lost their dragon pet.

 

[Remathilis]

And now it seems they have the worst of both worlds - the lore changed, and the class is, to my eye, plain Jane vanilla and boring.

I've been harsh on it so far, but we haven't seen what the higher level abilities are. It might still be good, but the level 3 abilities don't fill me with hope. Not when compared to my pet dragon.

But in the larger picture, you are absolutely right: we are getting the lore change but we aren't getting the mechanical support. I guess that's a win if your plan was to ignore the lore change (harder to do if a whole subclass is built around it) but for anyone who thought ripping the subclass apart based on the lore rational was going to undo the lore is getting a pyrrhic victory.

I am imagining there is going to be a lot of popcorn moments when that adventure guide gets released.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Maybe we will get the real PDK with the pet in one of the DLCs. One based on Forth Wing if WotC have any commercial sense.

Since the people who hate lore change are generally the same people as hate digital content, there won’t be anything to complain about, will there?

 

[GarrettKP]

Maybe we will get the real PDK with the pet in one of the DLCs. One based on Forth Wing if WotC have any commercial sense.

Since the people who hate lore change are generally the same people as hate digital content, there won’t be anything to complain about, will there?

Having talked to people from WotC at GenCon, I would not expect a Dragon Riding Fighter subclass. The main reason for the change is less “the lore change is bad” and more “Fighters shouldn’t be reliant on a pet to fight good,” from my understanding.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Having talked to people from WotC at GenCon, I would not expect a Dragon Riding Fighter subclass. The main reason for the change is less “the lore change is bad” and more “Fighters shouldn’t be reliant on a pet to fight good,” from my understanding.

Fighters aren’t allowed anything to fight good.

 

[Azzy]

Having talked to people from WotC at GenCon, I would not expect a Dragon Riding Fighter subclass. The main reason for the change is less “the lore change is bad” and more “Fighters shouldn’t be reliant on a pet to fight good,” from my understanding.

That's interesting... and disappointing.

 

[bedir than]

Having talked to people from WotC at GenCon, I would not expect a Dragon Riding Fighter subclass. The main reason for the change is less “the lore change is bad” and more “Fighters shouldn’t be reliant on a pet to fight good,” from my understanding.

Drakewardens exist!

A small update for 2024 is all that's needed (and not really needed at all)

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Drakewardens exist!

A small update for 2024 is all that's needed (and not really needed at all)

Yeah, but the PDK was way better.

Also, I want dragon rider subclasses for all classes, to do a dragon rider themed campaign.

 

[mellored]

Also, I want dragon rider subclasses for all classes, to do a dragon rider themed campaign.

Wouldn't that be better as a feat (chain) then?