D&D 5E (2014) Thoughts on a Darksun Cleric

[neogod22]

Darksun should probably trim some classes.

Warlocks don't really fit at least as PC options. Sorcerers as well.

2e didn't have them, same for paladins.

 

[Zardnaar]

2e didn't have them, same for paladins.

I know in 2E I think the only class I added was the Barbarian and even then only some kits.

2E races, only ones I would add would be Genasi from the modern era. No Dragonborn (maybe a Dray subrace with sidebar only allowed in XYZ timeline). Maybe Yuan Ti.

You would replace some phb classes with the psionic ones. Templars would just be clerics with maybe some normal domains depending on Sorcerer King (probably war as default). Or a new domain like power, monarch etc.

 

[Arnwolf666]

I completely agree with the editing and removing of classes. But their seems to be a move away from telling players no even though it doesn’t fit the setting. In fact building setting with limitations seems to be a big no these days.

 

[touc]

You can probably use what's already there with slight adjustment. I spent a few months working on a Dark Sun conversion with some other DMs (and there's likely a professional DM Guild project ongoing atm). Here's the conversion.

Note: the optional rules on initiative and vitality, not needed in any way to play Dark Sun, have been revised. Also, I'd consider a replacement for the Psion as the UA version, thru playtest, has been found to be a bit difficult. I can't speak from experience on it.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Darksun should probably trim some classes.

Warlocks don't really fit at least as PC options. Sorcerers as well.

I've always felt that Dark Sun Templars are pretty much exactly 5e warlocks.

 

[Zardnaar]

I've always felt that Dark Sun Templars are pretty much exactly 5e warlocks.

Except they don't use arcane magic. They were a priest using stolen elemental power.

Sorcerer King domain with a few boom spells like lightning bolt and martial weapons would cover them.

Pact magic on Athas is priestly not arcane. The elemental clerics get their magic via pacts sortas well.

Warlocks don't really fit mechanically, thematically or how Templars are portrayed in the DS fiction.

Other types of arcane magic do exist on Athas but it really should be NPC only or post prism pentad.

You read what Darksun was and what they added later via freelancers who were allowed to do whatever they wanted.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Except they don't use arcane magic.

5e doesn't really make a hard distinction between divine and arcane magic.

They were a priest using stolen elemental power.

Stolen power is exactly what warlocks use.

Warlocks don't really fit mechanically, thematically or how Templars are portrayed in the DS fiction.

Something similar to pact of the blade hexblade is: medium armour, shields, melee weapons, spells.

 

[Coroc]

For the Mystic of Athas UA 33 quite does the job if you exclude hexblade and Wu Jen. You get left with three psionic subclasses which suplement 2e take o npsionic quite well.

I to see Templars rather as warlocks, their spells are better suited than cleric spells and a sorcerer king is a defiler / mystic undergone a metamorphosis, but still a living being not a god. If a sorcerer king would be a god then Templars would not loose their spells if his physical form dies like with Kalak.

Since Templars are NPCs in my point of view it does not matter that much, give them any divine spell you need, but mechanically run them as warlocks rather.

 

[keynup]

Not to side track(too much), but I've always been curious about defilers leaving Darksun to other realms, and wizards traveling to Darksun.

 

[Coroc]

Not to side track(too much), but I've always been curious about defilers leaving Darksun to other realms, and wizards traveling to Darksun.

See, that is another reason to leave Darksun isolated. No game mechanic could resolve this properly.