Shamanism Domain for 5E Cleric: Critique Requested

[CM]

Couple of other things I have been pondering:

• Should the Spirit World Ambassador's sanctuary effect extend to fey as well? They are often heavily associated with spirits.
• Should the companion be fey or undead? Does the monster manual have any incorporeal creatures that aren't undead? (I haven't gotten my copy yet).
• Should the spirit type and boon be swappable during a short rest instead of long? Or should that be tacked on to the feat?
• Will probably add language to the Stalker Spirit's description stating that it can use the Help action to aid a creature's attack roll or physical skill check only.

Side note: I wonder if the Hinder action or some variation will be returning in the DMG? I was fond of that.

 

[Connorsrpg]

I had another read of your Shaman Domain. What a neat idea. Personally I couldn't see past the shaman being a whole new classe, or at least a Druid archetype (and may still look to do one), but I like what you have done.

A couple of things I thought I would mention. May be a little too good?
1. Boar/Wolverine resistant to all damage (+ Con saves). Seems a little much when the companion above is getting 1 hp/level, these guys are effectively getting that on a 2hp attack. An 8 hit point attack means they are 4 hp better off. Not sure of this one. Perhaps instead, the board gets a 'death' save at 0 hps. If it passes it stays and continues to make the save each rd until healed or it fails.
2. Harrier spirit also seems too good, esp if the party are fighting a lot of 'solos' or small groups. Just having the spirit (which can't do damage) next to the enemy is going to grant it disadvantage every round?
2.

 

[CM]

I had another read of your Shaman Domain. What a neat idea. Personally I couldn't see past the shaman being a whole new classe, or at least a Druid archetype (and may still look to do one), but I like what you have done.

A couple of things I thought I would mention. May be a little too good?
1. Boar/Wolverine resistant to all damage (+ Con saves). Seems a little much when the companion above is getting 1 hp/level, these guys are effectively getting that on a 2hp attack. An 8 hit point attack means they are 4 hp better off. Not sure of this one. Perhaps instead, the board gets a 'death' save at 0 hps. If it passes it stays and continues to make the save each rd until healed or it fails.
2. Harrier spirit also seems too good, esp if the party are fighting a lot of 'solos' or small groups. Just having the spirit (which can't do damage) next to the enemy is going to grant it disadvantage every round?
2.

Thanks. I have yet to do any playtesting with it, unfortunately. Hopefully the folks who are already using it in play can chime in eventually. I suspect it may be too durable at lower levels and too fragile at mid-high levels but don't have any evidence of that yet. I just picked up a monster manual this week so maybe if I get some time this weekend I'll compare some same-level monster stats through 20th level.

As for the Harrier Spirit boon, it does only apply to one attack per round, not a whole attack routine, so that's one thing. If it's still too strong I might switch it to requiring a successful attack roll (wisdom bonus + proficiency bonus) against the enemy's AC in order to impose disadvantage. A third option would be a flat attack roll penalty (-2? or -1d4?) rather than disadvantage. As I browse the MM I'll check to see if enemies will be able to quickly kill off the spirit if it proves too annoying.

 

[CM]

With the Monster Manual out I'm going to be updating the language of some of the spirit's stats:

Traits (General)

• Incorporeal Movement: The spirit can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
• Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage from nonmagical weapons
• Damage Immunities: Poison
• Condition Immunities: Poisoned Condition
• Saves: The spirit companion adds your proficiency bonus to its Dexterity and Wisdom saves
• Senses: Passive Perception 12

 

[erf_beto]

I really like this Domain, but the one thing that rubs me the wrong way is the name.
To me, "Shamanism" reads more like a "skill/ability", instead of "stuff of Creation".
I'll probably rename it to "Spirit Domain" or something.

 

[Khaalis]

As an incorporeal spirit, I'd look at adding:

• Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning, thunder;
• Damage Immunities cold
• Condition Immunities grappled, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained
• Senses darkvision 60 ft.