Warlord Homebrew Collaboration (+) (Create a 5e Warlord)

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I wish there was a way to embed mini-polls within threads. Then it would be possible to do quick straw polls on topics (like what to call the "pool of points" resource).

Yeah, that would help.

Yeah,I agree. We've spent some time talking about the cogs and wheels, so lets put the dang machine together and see what it looks like. I think it'll be easier to talk about scale and balance when we can see the abilities and whatnot set side by side, and least the first couple of levels worth. I think that's mostly ready anyway.

I think it's worth following the general pattern of rocks, ribbons, ans subclass abilities too, at least as closely as is practical.

We could use the like as an alternate poll mechanic for ideas if we wanted. Thumbs up for yes, sad face for no. Just a thought.

Yeah, lets get 1-3 figured out today, if possible. Even if it's still orange.

I'm not opposed to this.

So using some basic synonyms, just to try and finalize this, I get these ideas for the shared resource name:
Valor
Audacity
Mettle
Fortitude
Cojones
Moxie
Guts
Spirit
Daring
Courage (courageousness, etc.)
Bravery

So, cojones isn't going to work. Guts is way too informal. I'm partial to audacity ... but that's just me.

I have to say ... moxie. Moxie is kind of cool, and exotic, and is also a soft drink.

Seriously, though, moxie might be a great name, and I don't think it's used in anything else in D&D.

Moxie isn't bad. I definitely like it more than anything else on the list.


Is it possible to add a poll to the OP, delete it, add a new poll, rinse repeat?

 

[Fenris-77]

I gotta say I don't like moxie, but mostly because I've always heard it in the context of stories set the 1920's so it just rings wrong to me. I'll happily go along with the group decision though.

My favorite so far is actually the pretty plain 'Tactical Dice". I think it's eminently descriptive and pretty baggage free.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[TwoSix]

I would lean towards less flavor imbedded in the term, simply because the flavor between subclasses is going to vary. A tactician doesn't grant bonuses in the same way, narratively, than the warden does (despite the mechanics being the same). "Moxie" might fit the vanguard, but does it fit a tactician?

 

[Tonguez]

So using some basic synonyms, just to try and finalize this, I get these ideas for the shared resource name:
Valor
Audacity
Mettle
Fortitude
Cojones
Moxie
Guts
Spirit
Daring
Courage (courageousness, etc.)
Bravery

So, cojones isn't going to work. Guts is way too informal. I'm partial to audacity ... but that's just me.

I have to say ... moxie. Moxie is kind of cool, and exotic, and is also a soft drink.

Seriously, though, moxie might be a great name, and I don't think it's used in anything else in D&D.

Dont forget Pluck
Pluck Is more British term for moxie and originally Fighters slang for courage (pluck up courage)

also given the battlefield tactics of the Marshal I wonder if Rally is appropriate (viz Rallying points)

ie the Warden gave a Rallying cry to rally the Morale of his forces

 

[TwoSix]

2) I don't know if at-will attack trading is a good idea or not. I do kinda want it in, but I worry about it. Perhaps 1/turn at will, but you can spend ki from level 5 on to do it with both attacks granted by the attack action?
I also am not sure about whether it should take the ally's reaction or be added to their attack action on their next turn. I'm not afraid of giving rogue's more DPR, especially as their reaction is a huge part of how they survive in combat from level 5 on. But I know others are quite worried over it.

lastly, I want there to be room for the tactician to specialise in granting attacks, with at will attack trading and the ability to key gambits off of using their attack to grant an attack.

I would argue for these key concepts for attack granting:

1) It should be a key feature of the class, although it doesn't have to be a Tier 1 feature. It shouldn't come online for any subclass later than early tier 2, levels 5-7. I would argue for granting it at-will, but I could see tying it to a ki point expenditure if it also grants an additional bonus.

2) It should explicitly be tied into the Attack action and sacrificing one or more of the warlord's personal attacks. Making it always require an action and making it a variant of one of the core rules actions prevents abuse, and makes it tie into the game rules more easily as a whole.

3) It should be especially useful for the tactician. Tacs should get it at Tier 1, and the ability to grant two attacks at Tier 2 after Extra Attack. Many of their ki point options should tie into granting an attack. Tacticians should almost certainly get at least one attack grant as an at-will.

4) I strongly favor the "grant an additional attack on the targeted character's turn." It's more elegant, and it has an overall lower budget (less nova strike capability, no rogue or off-turn damage source shenanigans, doesn't stack with other attack granters like haste).

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I gotta say I don't like moxie, but mostly because I've always heard it in the context of stories set the 1920's so it just rings wrong to me. I'll happily go along with the group decision though.

My favorite so far is actually the pretty plain 'Tactical Dice". I think it's eminently descriptive and pretty baggage free.

I, otoh, like that option the absolute least of all the real contenders.

I like Morale and Mettle, because they seem perfectly cromulent and appropriate to all possible archetypes, to me.

Tactical requires putting “points” at the end of it, and I don’t want the feature to be “X Points”.

but let’s just keep it where it is until we at least have level 3 figured out.

level 3, btw, should be a second archetype feature, and the ability to warn of an impending attack to help an ally avoid it.

 

[TwoSix]

level 3, btw, should be a second archetype feature, and the ability to warn of an impending attack to help an ally avoid it.

Level 3 seems like a smart place to put a ki point spender (note: I'm calling them ki points till a name is finalized), as the marshal will have just gotten their 3rd ki point and will have more opportunities to spend them.

Making it a defensive ability seems smart, too. Maybe reaction abilities here?

 

[lowkey13]

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