Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Joseph_Silver 01-09-07, 08:11 PM	Hello, I've been away from the Wizards.com forums for a few months, and I'm a bit rusty on my powergaming skills. So, has anyone managed to break the dragon shaman from the Player's Handbook 2? The search function is still broken, so I need some help here. :)
Timlagor 01-10-07, 07:43 AM	The closest I've seen was using a whole bunch of Feats from one of the Draconic books to boost the breath weapon. Anything with a Breath Weapon could do that though.
jameswilliamogle 01-10-07, 12:10 PM	Nobody has broken it, but optimization is possible. Usually, its a weaker melee type, or a backup healer/buffer. It makes for a pretty decent gestalt character, though, although there's even better choices for that. I suggest looking into the Dragonfire Adept if you really like the Draconic flavor; they're much more breakable.
Valdrax 01-10-07, 12:48 PM	Speaking of breakage, gestalts, and Dragonfire Adepts... There's nothing that I can find in the description of DFA breath effects that limit them to only being applied to the breath weapon granted by the DFA class. In a gestalt game, there's no reason why you can't play a Dragonborn Dragon Shaman/Dragonfire Adept that lays down breath attacks nearly every round. Of course, many DMs might consider multiple breath attacks to fall under the gestalt rules of "class features that two classes share" which must advance only one at the faster rate. Others might rule that they are different since DFAs are limited to fire breaths (using breath effects to modify the energy type) but can breath lines or cones as they see fit and since DSs can choose to be limited to any energy type and cone/line distinction that any of the standard 10 true dragons have. It's kind of like the Rogue/Ninja sneak attack/sudden strike debate that way. It's not an optimal gestalt since many of the two classes abilities overlap, but throwing down modified breath attacks every round is a little degenerate, especially when combined with status-ailment breaths. Alternately, consider a DS/Sorceror gestalt with an emphasis on breath spells. However, a DFA/Sorceror is a more potent combo for that.
WombleHunter 01-10-07, 12:49 PM	They're a fairly poor class, all in all I think. The one trick I remember for breaking them, though, is the fact that some Metabreath feats from the Draconomicon can be applied more than once to the same use of a breath weapon. Was it Empower Breath or something? So you would unleash a single breath weapon for hundreds of damage, then wait for hours while it recharged.
Tweedledope 01-10-07, 12:51 PM	It was broken when WotC forgot about exponential values. Anything that is Y x X is going to get really big...really quick. The multiplicity terms for his healing ability is just awesome. Furthermore, as everyone has said, you have to focus on your breath weapon. Clinging Breath + Empower Breath is just awesome. -=TD=-
Exavian 01-10-07, 01:00 PM	A lot of Metabreath feats can be applied multiple times, such as Clinging Breath (breath sticks to targets and continues to do damage for as many rounds as you use the feat), Heighten Breath (boosts the DC save by 1 for everytime you use the feat).
Timlagor 01-10-07, 01:01 PM	They're a fairly poor class, all in all I think. The one trick I remember for breaking them, though, is the fact that some Metabreath feats from the Draconomicon can be applied more than once to the same use of a breath weapon. Was it Empower Breath or something? So you would unleash a single breath weapon for hundreds of damage, then wait for hours while it recharged. I think it's a very good class. The fact that is can't be broken is a good think. It's actually extremely well thought out. I would have liked it to be a little more powerful but it's strong enough.
Surreal 01-10-07, 01:18 PM	There are a couple links in my library with builds focusing on breath attacks. Then there's my weird one focusing on being a heal-bot support battery.
WombleHunter 01-10-07, 01:19 PM	A lot of Metabreath feats can be applied multiple times, such as Clinging Breath (breath sticks to targets and continues to do damage for as many rounds as you use the feat), Heighten Breath (boosts the DC save by 1 for everytime you use the feat).Ah, Clinging Breath! That's the one I was thinking of. I think it's a very good class. The fact that is can't be broken is a good think. It's actually extremely well thought out. I would have liked it to be a little more powerful but it's strong enough. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't talking about whether it can be broken or not. I just dont think that it has enough to offer to be really interesting. IMO, it needs one of the following: full BAB, to make it into a real warrior type; or more skill points and a better range of skills, to let them emulate dragon abilities more.