Showdowdark Class Design: The Paladin! Live with Kelsey Dionne.

[DarkCrisis]

I like the named sword but it's so hard to make something like that work in a D&D type game because there is always another and better magic sword around the corner.

I'd probably allow the Paly to transfer the magic from a found sword to his Named Blade or something.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I'm not a fan of that design, honestly. It means the Paladin would have to forego one of their core abilities in order to use a magic weapon they find, and...let's be honest...finding magic weapons is one of the best parts of RPGs for most people. (Before any of you outliers argue, please recognize that you are an outlier.)

I'm not arguing, but I can see a player giving up that thrill to enjoy the paladin class fantasy in Shadowdark.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I like the named sword but it's so hard to make something like that work in a D&D type game because there is always another and better magic sword around the corner.

I'd probably allow the Paly to transfer the magic from a found sword to his Named Blade or something.

There was definitely something to be said, at least in concept, for 3e's Weapons of Legacy.

 

[Bill Zebub]

I'm not arguing, but I can see a player giving up that thrill to enjoy the paladin class fantasy in Shadowdark.

Sure. I might even do it myself. But I don't think the tradeoff is necessary; it could be designed in a way that doesn't force it.

EDIT: Such as....

1. Design Named Blade such that if neither Fighter nor Paladin has a magic weapon, the Fighter is still "better at combat" by a sufficient margin to protect their niche
2. Allow the Paladin, with some time/effort, to turn a found weapon into their Named Blade, with the benefits stacking
3. Solved

Personally, I would not put any straight up +'s on the Named Blade. I think that "counting as a magic weapon" is a good start, but it should have other attributes that don't contribute directly to damage output. For example, some of their other features (e.g. morale checks on undead) might only work while wielding their Named Blade.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

If I had a paladin in my Shadowdark campaign -- and the new class has been received well on our end, so maybe -- if the paladin loses their sword, it'll be because I've got a holy quest locked and loaded for the next adventure.

Speaking of which, this is probably a great choice for said quest, depending on the paladin.