Aura Ideas [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Aura Ideas [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gamlin08
05-15-06, 07:26 PM I'm currently in the process of constructing a low-magic, high renaissance/age of exploration world, and I'm building two classes which make use of the aura system wizards created with the Marshal--the Saint, and a souped up version of the Aristocrat.

I think the aura subsytem (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20030906b) is one of the most interesting things Wizards has produced in some time--it's a class-building mechanic with the potential to provide built-in customizability of a kind only previously available with spellcasting and psionics. Unfortunately, it's never (to my knowledge, anyway) been used outside of the Marshal, so there's not much of a real knowledge base to determine things like balance and playability when coming up with new auras.

That's where you guys come in. I'm trying to come up with fleshed-out, interesting and balanced aura lists for the two classes, and if there's one thing I know this board is obsessed with, it's balance. :D

Here are the two concepts:
(Sidenote: I'm trying to build two class-specific lists, but it's with an eye towards building up the system as a whole, so feel free to suggest auras which don't really fit either concept.)

The Saint is built towards filling the gap left by the cleric, specifically, (Remember, low magic. For the purposes of this campaign, that means no Wizards, Druids, Sorcerors, Clerics or anybody else with spells that go over 7th level.) without simply being a bland, nerfed walking band-aid. To that end I've gone with a divinely protected wonder-worker/peacemaker with a decent array of defenses, a very limited form of spellcasting through special abilities rather than a normal progession, and a puny smattering of offensive abilities. (Though I couldn't resist sticking in Call Lightning. It just made too much sense.) The Aura progession is worse that the Marshal's, with a maximum of 5 minor auras and 3 major auras. The major auras can reach a total of +3.

The list I've got so far is this:
Minor Auras: Demand Fortitude, Encourage Tranquility, Fast Recovery, Force of Will, Motivate Constitution, Motivate Strength, Motivate Wisdom

Major Auras: Great Healers, Hardy Soldiers, Motivate Care, Muffled Blows, Resilient Troops

I'd prefer to call "Hardy Soldiers" and "Resiliant Troops" something more in keeping with the flavor, but in order to avoid confusion and needless explanation, I've left them as they are.

Fast Recovery: Bonus to Hit Points Healed Per Day
Encourage Tranquility: Bonus to Diplomacy checks, level checks against Intimidation, saves against fear and taunts.
Great Healers: Bonus on heal checks and to hitpoints healed by all forms of magical healing
Muffled Blows: All combatants within range recieve damage reduction equal to major aura bonus, regardless of status as "allies".

The Aristocrat is pretty simple. In addition to half the aura advancement of the Marshal, (think the spell advancement of Rangers and Paladins here) he gets Leadership for free at sixth level and bonuses to his leadership score, six skill points per level and 5 bonus feats. The feats have a primary emphasis on social interaction and management, with a couple combat related ones available in keeping with the expectation that he still be some sort of military leader, such as Mounted Combat and Weapon Focus (Longsword). (These are changeable depending on culture/race. If there were elves in this campaign, for instance, Mounted Combat could be replaced with Stealthy or Weapon Focus (Longbow))

The Aura list I've got right now is even more barebones than the Saint's.
Minor Auras: Canny Negotiators, Force of Will, Motivate Charisma, Motivate Intelligence, Motivate Wisdom, Over the Top (just like with the combat feats, Over the Top is cultural--the aristocracy is supposed to be mounted and leading daring cavalry charges. Those theoretical elven aristocrats would probably replace this with Steady Hands or somesuch.)
Major Auras: Motivate Ardor, Motivate Attack

Canny Negotiators: Bonus on Appraise, Bluff, Diplomacy, Forgery, Intimidate and Sense Motive checks.

So.
Ideas?
Gamlin08
05-16-06, 11:57 AM *Bump*
No interest at all? As fascinating as I'm sure yet another CoDzilla debate must be, could I get just a little help here? Y'know, just a smidge?
DarkTouch
05-17-06, 10:53 PM Well. It looks like you got your wish. Both the Dragon Shaman in PHB II and the Divine Mind in the Complete Psionic are using Auras.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gamlin08 05-15-06, 07:26 PM	I'm currently in the process of constructing a low-magic, high renaissance/age of exploration world, and I'm building two classes which make use of the aura system wizards created with the Marshal--the Saint, and a souped up version of the Aristocrat. I think the aura subsytem (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20030906b) is one of the most interesting things Wizards has produced in some time--it's a class-building mechanic with the potential to provide built-in customizability of a kind only previously available with spellcasting and psionics. Unfortunately, it's never (to my knowledge, anyway) been used outside of the Marshal, so there's not much of a real knowledge base to determine things like balance and playability when coming up with new auras. That's where you guys come in. I'm trying to come up with fleshed-out, interesting and balanced aura lists for the two classes, and if there's one thing I know this board is obsessed with, it's balance. :D Here are the two concepts: (Sidenote: I'm trying to build two class-specific lists, but it's with an eye towards building up the system as a whole, so feel free to suggest auras which don't really fit either concept.) The Saint is built towards filling the gap left by the cleric, specifically, (Remember, low magic. For the purposes of this campaign, that means no Wizards, Druids, Sorcerors, Clerics or anybody else with spells that go over 7th level.) without simply being a bland, nerfed walking band-aid. To that end I've gone with a divinely protected wonder-worker/peacemaker with a decent array of defenses, a very limited form of spellcasting through special abilities rather than a normal progession, and a puny smattering of offensive abilities. (Though I couldn't resist sticking in Call Lightning. It just made too much sense.) The Aura progession is worse that the Marshal's, with a maximum of 5 minor auras and 3 major auras. The major auras can reach a total of +3. The list I've got so far is this: Minor Auras: Demand Fortitude, Encourage Tranquility, Fast Recovery, Force of Will, Motivate Constitution, Motivate Strength, Motivate Wisdom Major Auras: Great Healers, Hardy Soldiers, Motivate Care, Muffled Blows, Resilient Troops I'd prefer to call "Hardy Soldiers" and "Resiliant Troops" something more in keeping with the flavor, but in order to avoid confusion and needless explanation, I've left them as they are. Fast Recovery: Bonus to Hit Points Healed Per Day Encourage Tranquility: Bonus to Diplomacy checks, level checks against Intimidation, saves against fear and taunts. Great Healers: Bonus on heal checks and to hitpoints healed by all forms of magical healing Muffled Blows: All combatants within range recieve damage reduction equal to major aura bonus, regardless of status as "allies". The Aristocrat is pretty simple. In addition to half the aura advancement of the Marshal, (think the spell advancement of Rangers and Paladins here) he gets Leadership for free at sixth level and bonuses to his leadership score, six skill points per level and 5 bonus feats. The feats have a primary emphasis on social interaction and management, with a couple combat related ones available in keeping with the expectation that he still be some sort of military leader, such as Mounted Combat and Weapon Focus (Longsword). (These are changeable depending on culture/race. If there were elves in this campaign, for instance, Mounted Combat could be replaced with Stealthy or Weapon Focus (Longbow)) The Aura list I've got right now is even more barebones than the Saint's. Minor Auras: Canny Negotiators, Force of Will, Motivate Charisma, Motivate Intelligence, Motivate Wisdom, Over the Top (just like with the combat feats, Over the Top is cultural--the aristocracy is supposed to be mounted and leading daring cavalry charges. Those theoretical elven aristocrats would probably replace this with Steady Hands or somesuch.) Major Auras: Motivate Ardor, Motivate Attack Canny Negotiators: Bonus on Appraise, Bluff, Diplomacy, Forgery, Intimidate and Sense Motive checks. So. Ideas?
Gamlin08 05-16-06, 11:57 AM	Bump No interest at all? As fascinating as I'm sure yet another CoDzilla debate must be, could I get just a little help here? Y'know, just a smidge?
DarkTouch 05-17-06, 10:53 PM	Well. It looks like you got your wish. Both the Dragon Shaman in PHB II and the Divine Mind in the Complete Psionic are using Auras.