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

[Bill Zebub]

Perhaps the Paly could have a stat requirement. Like must roll a 14 CHA to play a Paly.

That's not really in the spirit of Shadowdark, but I could see leaning more heavily into Cha for more than just one ability.

Maybe....your Named Blade bonus can never be greater than your Cha bonus....

 

[Scribe]

Which maxes out at +6, right?

EDIT: I just realized that I forgot about talents, and while Fighters only get +1 to their attack rolls for their 3-6 talent, Paladins get +1/+1.

So assuming both Paladin and Fighter rolled a 3-6 for every talent, the Paladin would max out at 10th level with +8/+8, while the Fighter would max out at +11/+6.

Of course, the Fighter could also have a magic sword on top of that.

So maybe the Paladin talent should be identical to the Fighter talent. +1 to attacks, not +1/+1 to Named Blade.

Can't the Paladin also get a Magic weapon though and bond with it?

I'm on my phone, near death post workout..

Edit, no, I don't think so. So there is that.

 

[darjr]

Can't the Paladin also get a Magic weapon though and bond with it?

I'm on my phone, near death post workout..

not now apparantly. Which I'm OK with, talent '2' is a random magic sword ability on the named blade.

 

[Piperken]

View attachment 401128

May I say Inspiring Presence is gobs of flavor? As soon as I read it, it reminded me of many old movies about Arthurian knights.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

May I say Inspiring Presence is gobs of flavor? As soon as I read it, it reminded me of many old movies about Arthurian knights.

Alternately, some goof at your table is going to warble "I'm not dead yet" when the paladin helps them recover from near-certain death.

 

[sevenbastard]

As this was my first exposure to Paladin I'm OK with the horse....

 

[Micah Sweet]

I think it's too good compared to the fighter. I might limit it's availability.

Just like the AD&D paladin.

 

[Scribe]

OK, now that I am post gym, post food, post shower, with a recovery drink in hand...lets look at this.

 

[Scribe]

Fighter vs Paladin Thoughts.

Weapons - I see that the Paladin gained a few options, including the Crossbow. Fine. Edge - Fighter
Armour - Same
HD - Same

Oath - Play like a Good and Lawful Paladin should, or you lose your perks. Good.

Inspiring Presence - Cool ability, but not really broken, unless you are stacking your Charisma, in which case you are not stacking Str/Con, or you already have and its late levels. Or you rolled well. Fine. The anti-morale immunity remains a great idea.

Mount - The point of contention in terms of its flavour, but with the new Lance, its at least got a purpose now, to line up a glorious charge, lower that Lance, and hope for a crit.

Named Blade - OK, I didnt realize this had changed at first, as I was taken with the Lance upgrades. This is not even close to the Fighter Bonus, AND you are locked in to the Named Blade. So, no bonus for Magic Weapons. Even the Magic is Random.

Talents? Same. Named Blade only. Thats a meaningful consideration, and I think considering Weapon Mastery applies to multiple weapons depending on Talent roll? I dont think Paladin wins this.

--

So, do I think it replaces the Fighter? No. Fighter is still the "Master of Weapons and Armor" its still there to hit things.

As to the gear slots?

Warhorse - Str - +3
Gear Slots - 15

Plate Armour = 3
Player = 10

So...2 gear slots? A Fighter is going to have more than +2 Con, probably, because they dont need anything but Str.

So, do I feel the Fighter is being replaced after looking at this really? No. Do I think that the Paladin is pretty great? Yeah.

Good class, well designed.

 

[darjr]

Fighter vs Paladin Thoughts.

Weapons - I see that the Paladin gained a few options, including the Crossbow. Fine. Edge - Fighter
Armour - Same
HD - Same

Oath - Play like a Good and Lawful Paladin should, or you lose your perks. Good.

Inspiring Presence - Cool ability, but not really broken, unless you are stacking your Charisma, in which case you are not stacking Str/Con, or you already have and its late levels. Or you rolled well. Fine. The anti-morale immunity remains a great idea.

Mount - The point of contention in terms of its flavour, but with the new Lance, its at least got a purpose now, to line up a glorious charge, lower that Lance, and hope for a crit.

Named Blade - OK, I didnt realize this had changed at first, as I was taken with the Lance upgrades. This is not even close to the Fighter Bonus, AND you are locked in to the Named Blade. So, no bonus for Magic Weapons. Even the Magic is Random.

Talents? Same. Named Blade only. Thats a meaningful consideration, and I think considering Weapon Mastery applies to multiple weapons depending on Talent roll? I dont think Paladin wins this.

--

So, do I think it replaces the Fighter? No. Fighter is still the "Master of Weapons and Armor" its still there to hit things.

As to the gear slots?

Warhorse - Str - +3
Gear Slots - 15

Plate Armour = 3
Player = 10

So...2 gear slots? A Fighter is going to have more than +2 Con, probably, because they dont need anything but Str.

So, do I feel the Fighter is being replaced after looking at this really? No. Do I think that the Paladin is pretty great? Yeah.

Good class, well designed.

Thanks for that.