Help with a Dragon Shaman [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help with a Dragon Shaman [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
tdsaw111
04-26-08, 12:18 PM Hey guys. Looking for a bit of help. I have started to play a Dragon Shaman and find it fun but was wondering if there were any PrC that worked well with the Dragon Shaman in mind. Seems all the Dragon related classes are either sorceror or spellcaster oriented and the few fighter ones are not very appealing. Am I missing something? Anyone have any suggestions?
Wraithwin
04-26-08, 02:18 PM Honestly? I don't think so.

There are two I can think of that would work, but one requires a specific situation to get to. I'll get to those in a moment, but consider this;

If you jump into a prestige class, you'll heinously gimp your abilities as a Dragon Shaman. Believe me as somebody who's played one and experimented with a few others as NPCs, you'll be much happier if you take Dragon Shaman all the way - remember that just because PrCs exist doesn't mean you should always use them. :)

Now, to your question on Prestige Classes, there are two that work ok:

First up is the "Uncanny Trickster"
This one is a bit tough, considering the requirements to enter (four skills at 8 ranks and 4 skill tricks). Also, you take a 4-point hit to your HD for 3 levels (d6). There are a couple benefits here though. First and most important of these benefits, is that this class grants "+1 level of existing class" at two of the three levels - meaning at 2 of the 3 levels, your abilities increase as if you leveled Dragon Shaman. Booyah. Second is the skill boost. Dragon Shaman only get 2+Int skills per level, and Intimidate is a skill they can benefit from. There's a skill trick that lets you AoE your indimidate checks, the Uncanny Trickster lets you use it more than once per encounter, and you get 8+Int skill points for those level with a huge skill list to boot, not to mention the Bonus Tricks and a boost to your Reflex saves.

Second up is "The Legacy Champion"
This one is really tricky, most of all, because it requires your DM to use (or at the very least let you use for this purpose) the rules for an item from Weapons of Legacy (doesn't need to be a weapon). Average attack value, ten levels, d8 HD, high will save, 4+ Skill Points at each level, benefits at each level, and all but 2 of the ten levels give "+1 level of existing class features". Attunes you WAY better with a legacy item than you could normally. It's pretty nice if you got some such item. For a Dragon Shaman, I'd as the DM to make it a shield. :)

I'm not sure if there are more, but possibly any other class that gives "+ level of existing class features" would work well with a Dragon Shaman. If there's more than those two, I'd love to know what they are! :) But my overall opinion on the matter is that if the PrC doesn't increase your Dragon Shaman abilities (which none specifically do), then avoid it.

In fact, with some character twisting and DM permission, you could do both Uncanny Trickster and Legacy Champion. Might be kinda cool.

I still say go straight shaman though. :)
If you want to touch it up, consider Meta-breath feats... :D
tdsaw111
04-26-08, 05:46 PM The DM didnt seem too keen on the meta-breath feats. I guess I will just plan on sticking with DS for now, though I am thinking about dipping either Warlock or maybe Totemist, not sure. Just doesn't feel like there is much bang for the buck to staying DS. But since I just finished unleashing the Charger build on my unsuspecting DM, I suppose taking a less optimal route can't hurt in the long run.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
tdsaw111 04-26-08, 12:18 PM	Hey guys. Looking for a bit of help. I have started to play a Dragon Shaman and find it fun but was wondering if there were any PrC that worked well with the Dragon Shaman in mind. Seems all the Dragon related classes are either sorceror or spellcaster oriented and the few fighter ones are not very appealing. Am I missing something? Anyone have any suggestions?
Wraithwin 04-26-08, 02:18 PM	Honestly? I don't think so. There are two I can think of that would work, but one requires a specific situation to get to. I'll get to those in a moment, but consider this; If you jump into a prestige class, you'll heinously gimp your abilities as a Dragon Shaman. Believe me as somebody who's played one and experimented with a few others as NPCs, you'll be much happier if you take Dragon Shaman all the way - remember that just because PrCs exist doesn't mean you should always use them. :) Now, to your question on Prestige Classes, there are two that work ok: First up is the "Uncanny Trickster" This one is a bit tough, considering the requirements to enter (four skills at 8 ranks and 4 skill tricks). Also, you take a 4-point hit to your HD for 3 levels (d6). There are a couple benefits here though. First and most important of these benefits, is that this class grants "+1 level of existing class" at two of the three levels - meaning at 2 of the 3 levels, your abilities increase as if you leveled Dragon Shaman. Booyah. Second is the skill boost. Dragon Shaman only get 2+Int skills per level, and Intimidate is a skill they can benefit from. There's a skill trick that lets you AoE your indimidate checks, the Uncanny Trickster lets you use it more than once per encounter, and you get 8+Int skill points for those level with a huge skill list to boot, not to mention the Bonus Tricks and a boost to your Reflex saves. Second up is "The Legacy Champion" This one is really tricky, most of all, because it requires your DM to use (or at the very least let you use for this purpose) the rules for an item from Weapons of Legacy (doesn't need to be a weapon). Average attack value, ten levels, d8 HD, high will save, 4+ Skill Points at each level, benefits at each level, and all but 2 of the ten levels give "+1 level of existing class features". Attunes you WAY better with a legacy item than you could normally. It's pretty nice if you got some such item. For a Dragon Shaman, I'd as the DM to make it a shield. :) I'm not sure if there are more, but possibly any other class that gives "+ level of existing class features" would work well with a Dragon Shaman. If there's more than those two, I'd love to know what they are! :) But my overall opinion on the matter is that if the PrC doesn't increase your Dragon Shaman abilities (which none specifically do), then avoid it. In fact, with some character twisting and DM permission, you could do both Uncanny Trickster and Legacy Champion. Might be kinda cool. I still say go straight shaman though. :) If you want to touch it up, consider Meta-breath feats... :D
tdsaw111 04-26-08, 05:46 PM	The DM didnt seem too keen on the meta-breath feats. I guess I will just plan on sticking with DS for now, though I am thinking about dipping either Warlock or maybe Totemist, not sure. Just doesn't feel like there is much bang for the buck to staying DS. But since I just finished unleashing the Charger build on my unsuspecting DM, I suppose taking a less optimal route can't hurt in the long run.