Racial Powers I: Dragonborn

[Morrus]

This is a *very* rough start. It will need a lot of tweaking, but it gives a general idea of what I'm working on. It's not very good yet, but I'll be doing quite a bit more work on it, balancing it out.

When I finish this, I expect I'll sell it as a PDF. But you're welcome to take a look at it as it stands now.

Ignore the fluff text - I'll probably rewrite it all. Just wanted to get some words on paperl

(The art piece is by Claudio Pozas).

 

[weem]

Looks cool

I'm not a rules/balance guy so I can't speak towards that (and as you said, you are still working on those aspects), but I like the idea of highlighting the individuality of each Dragonborn (or the potential to do so with this) via powers like these.

The only thing that sticks out to me is, for example, having wings, but only being able to "use" them in a given fashion once per encounter - as with the "Gliding Hop" ability for example. For things that are more "magical" in nature I guess it's easier to understand - but with things that are physically there always (wings in this case) for them to only function a limited amount of times is a little odd to me. I understand of course why these things work that way, it just sticks out (to me).

With that said though, and as I mentioned above, I like it and look forward to seeing it come together. It's definitely a good start!

---edit---

Also wanted to mention that future books of this nature I would also love to see (as you plan on doing them), especially the Halflings... poor guys get such a bad wrap, maybe you can make them appealing to more people (I don't mind them at all)

 

[malcolm_n]

**Edit** never mind, i read the section on switching powers from a class.

it definitely brings out some cool traits on the race. I'll look forward to seeing more as it moves along.

 

[Morrus]

I've updated the original attachment with a new version - just a few minor fixes and an extra power.

 

[Garthanos]

Just a quick response, I like the artwork and the idea.

 

[FireLance]

Looks pretty good, Morrus. One thing you might want to watch out for with respect to the attack powers is to include some kind of to hit bonus that scales by tier to make up for the lack of an enhancement bonus from a weapon or an implement (see the base dragon breath racial power for an example).

 

[Mengu]

I like the idea. I didn't look through everything but I did look through the lower level powers. Here is some feedback:

Create some new keywords to make your text a bit cleaner.

1. DA: Dragonbreath Attack (instead of str+2 or dex+2 or con+2, increase to +4/+6 etc wording)
2. [d]: Dragonbreath damage die
3. [N]: Natural weapon damage die
4. Dragonbreath Type: instead of acid, cold, fire, etc.

Snarling Bite: Way too powerful as an at-will power. Add Twin Strike or Dual Strike into the mix, and you could be attacking 4 times a round. Here is a different idea:

Snarling Bite Dragonborn Attack 1
At-will Melee 1
Standard Action
Target(s): 1 creature.
Attack: DA vs. Reflex
Hit: 1[N]. Your next DA attack against the target before the end of your next turn deals an additional [d] damage if it hits.

Draconic Rage: Seems a bit weak for a daily. I'd be tempted to make it a close burst 2, and change damage to [d]+Constitution.

Dragon Spit: To give you an example of how much simpler this power could look:

Dragonspit Dragonborn Attack 1
You spit of glob of energy at a distant opponent.
Encounter ● Dragonbreath Type
Minor Action Ranged 5
Target(s): One creature
Attack: DA vs. Reflex
Hit: 1[d] + Constitution modifier damage.

On a related note, you could make an addendum to this power and similar ranged powers that says if you have Hurl Breath feat, increase range by 5 squares.

Elemental Hide: Seems a little too powerful as an encounter power with a sustain. I'd either get rid of the sustain, or make it a daily power.

That's about all I have time for at the moment, maybe I'll take a look at the rest later. Hope this was helpful.

Edit: Grrr, I don't know why it keeps converting ["D"] to [d].

 

[sammy]

Nice work. Just some encouragement to keep going, I am interested in this and what else you come up with.

Sammy

 

[Morrus]

Snarling Bite: Way too powerful as an at-will power. Add Twin Strike or Dual Strike into the mix, and you could be attacking 4 times a round.

Maybe. I was trying to make folks have a reason to take it - otherwise it's no better than a basic attack. Maybe reducing the damage to just Strength modifer?

Draconic Rage: Seems a bit weak for a daily. I'd be tempted to make it a close burst 2, and change damage to [d]+Constitution.

You think? I played with that one a bit. Essentially, I needed a daily attack of that level (only level 1). Perhaps increasing the damage (but remember the secondary effect also), but I'm not sure about the burst 2; as a melee attack I'd rathe rkeep it burst 1.

Elemental Hide: Seems a little too powerful as an encounter power with a sustain. I'd either get rid of the sustain, or make it a daily power.

Yeah, perhaps. Bear in mind the energy type is locked in from character creation. But dropping the sustain might be a good idea.

 

[Mengu]

Maybe. I was trying to make folks have a reason to take it - otherwise it's no better than a basic attack. Maybe reducing the damage to just Strength modifer?

Even then, as long as you keep it a minor action, every dragonborn rogue would take this power. 3 chances to deal sneak attack damage? Nothing beats that. Some of the rogue and ranger encounter powers from MP that allow an attack as a minor action are on the high end of the power curve. Giving an at-will attack as a minor action is definitely too powerful in any form.

You think? I played with that one a bit. Essentially, I needed a daily attack of that level (only level 1). Perhaps increasing the damage (but remember the secondary effect also), but I'm not sure about the burst 2; as a melee attack I'd rathe rkeep it burst 1.

Without the bump to damage, I don't think it's a very attractive option. And because it's an immediate reaction, it may be very difficult to get optimal bang for the power if it's a close burst 1. That's why I suggested bumping up the radius. You want dailies to reliably do something good. I think as long as you up the damage, burst 1 may still be ok, needs testing, though it's still not something I'd pick at first level.