Dragon Shaman? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dragon Shaman? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
tyrandor
01-06-08, 04:03 AM What an oddball, weirdly built class.

I'm having a hard time figuring what's the point of it exactly?

Seem there's nothing they do that some other class couldn't do better, that they're few unique power are kinda 'meh' and that overall... they're kinda pointless.

Cool idea, bad implementation?
Kraik
01-06-08, 09:35 AM I, personally, kinda like them, though i can see where your coming from.

They buff, but their not as good at it as Bards, they heal, but nowhere near the standard of casters, they can fight a little, but most others are better than them at it. The good points are that these abilities affect all allies within 30ft (60 at higher levels?)

I mainly like the fluff i think and the other abilities they gain, e.g. breath weapon, wings etc, their a pretty cool class, but i gotta admit, their not really the best class, but their not the worst either.

So yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with you on the good idea, bad implementation but, they can be useful if used properly, though i've never seen it happen. I can live in hope *sigh* :D.

-Kraik
CelineSSauve
01-06-08, 09:55 AM I'm playing in a game with a Dwarven T-W Fighter, a "human" Psion (apparently she's cursed to be a were-creature:eek:), a Goliath Dragon Shaman and my Lizardfolk Sorcerer who has just begun the Dragon Disciple PrC.

Overall, the party appears to be well balanced (even with the fact that the Dwarf has one PC Level over the rest of us) and the Shaman is quite useful. This is especially due to the fact that our Psion Healer manages her healing mostly by taking our wounds upon herself. The Shaman's aura of healing gets her back to 1/2 HP with nothing more than a little time so that she has to use less PP to get herself back to full HP after she's done healing the rest of us (also getting us up to 1/2 HP so that she needs to use less PP to get us up to full).

Actually, I find some bits of it slightly overly powerful. A half-Dragon can only use their breath weapon once per day, but a Dragon Shaman can use his every 1d4 rounds. It's not that important that the Shaman's range is smaller since most enemies tend to close in anyway.

So my view is that it's an interesting Class, especially for a group which is not made up of exactly the "roles" 4th edition will be based around... (Though the Dwarf is our tank, Lizardfolk's the arcane caster, Psion's the Healer, and the Shaman is a boost to just about everyone.)
DrMorganes
01-06-08, 12:14 PM Don't underestimate the usefulness of the draconic auras. Dragon Shamans don't share the same limitations as other magic-using classes, and nearly all of their auras aid allies in some manner just by getting close.

All in all, I think this is another "4th Edition playtest" class; playing one requires a bit of a paradigm shift in your thinking.
wizarddog
01-06-08, 05:17 PM I find them analogous to Diablo 2 Paladins that have auras that affect the allies. It has a more "arcade" feel.
DarkRhystar
01-06-08, 06:59 PM I'm playing in a game with a Dwarven T-W Fighter, a "human" Psion (apparently she's cursed to be a were-creature:eek:), a Goliath Dragon Shaman and my Lizardfolk Sorcerer who has just begun the Dragon Disciple PrC.

Overall, the party appears to be well balanced (even with the fact that the Dwarf has one PC Level over the rest of us) and the Shaman is quite useful. This is especially due to the fact that our Psion Healer manages her healing mostly by taking our wounds upon herself. The Shaman's aura of healing gets her back to 1/2 HP with nothing more than a little time so that she has to use less PP to get herself back to full HP after she's done healing the rest of us (also getting us up to 1/2 HP so that she needs to use less PP to get us up to full).

Actually, I find some bits of it slightly overly powerful. A half-Dragon can only use their breath weapon once per day, but a Dragon Shaman can use his every 1d4 rounds. It's not that important that the Shaman's range is smaller since most enemies tend to close in anyway.

So my view is that it's an interesting Class, especially for a group which is not made up of exactly the "roles" 4th edition will be based around... (Though the Dwarf is our tank, Lizardfolk's the arcane caster, Psion's the Healer, and the Shaman is a boost to just about everyone.)

You find it powerful because your entire perception of power is below the curve.

The fact that you pretend to be an arcane caster with RHD, LA, and Dragon Disciple levels (probably the worst prestige class ever made for the Sorcerer) shows that.
Hot_Sauce
01-06-08, 07:20 PM Quick question to anyone who's played one: what feats do you like for your Dragon Shaman? My friend is playing his first campaign as one and isn't sure what he wants to take.
Napoleon_the_Clown
01-06-08, 08:06 PM It depends on what you want to do with it and what your DM allows.

For example, if you've got the Draconomicon and the DM will allow it, metabreath weapons can be useful for a DS. Maximizing your breathweapon, being able to increase the save DC, adding on half again as many dice of damage... Sure you've got a minimum Con score for these feats, but it should be a pretty good Con to begin with.

Keep in mind that the breathweapon won't compete with casters in terms of damage or flexibility. However, you can use it once every 1d4 rounds infinitely.

Other than metabreath feats, it's entirely dependent on what kind of build is being aimed for.
calronmoonflower
01-06-08, 08:29 PM Their primary role is support. The larger the party the greater the impact that they will have.

They also act as back-up healers, melee, and blasters allowing other in those roles to branch out more.
Hot_Sauce
01-06-08, 08:40 PM Since the party only really has one other melee character at this point (a barb), he is most likely going try to fit into this role. However, we are somewhat limited in the blasting department (and a buddy of mine just picked of the Dracnomicon:w00t:), so those breath feats may be an option as well. He has a Con of 16 IIRC, so most of them shouldn't be a problem.

So, melee feat suggestions would be nice, but otherwise I'll definitely look into the breath weapons.

Of course, this is all taken with a grain of salt since the class is clearly geared towards versatility.
calronmoonflower
01-06-08, 09:26 PM Heavy Armor Proficiency, and perhaps a weapon profiency.

Vigor aura followed by Senses and Power auras.
Ariakus
01-07-08, 02:02 PM I played a Dragon Shaman once, we began him at 4th level. And he was one helluva warrior in his own right, I gave him the Heavy Armor Proficiency and bought him full plate and a spiked shield of the Lion. I gave him Weapon Focus with battle axe, and when in combat, no one touched him. With his high AC from the platemail, his draconic aura's in place, and his weapon focus, he rarely was even touched before dispatching his enemy. Plus he was a Bronze Shaman, which gave him the ability to breath under water so he never worried about swim checks, he would just sink and walk out. And if you ****** him off properly, he would vomit acid breath on you :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
tyrandor 01-06-08, 04:03 AM	What an oddball, weirdly built class. I'm having a hard time figuring what's the point of it exactly? Seem there's nothing they do that some other class couldn't do better, that they're few unique power are kinda 'meh' and that overall... they're kinda pointless. Cool idea, bad implementation?
Kraik 01-06-08, 09:35 AM	I, personally, kinda like them, though i can see where your coming from. They buff, but their not as good at it as Bards, they heal, but nowhere near the standard of casters, they can fight a little, but most others are better than them at it. The good points are that these abilities affect all allies within 30ft (60 at higher levels?) I mainly like the fluff i think and the other abilities they gain, e.g. breath weapon, wings etc, their a pretty cool class, but i gotta admit, their not really the best class, but their not the worst either. So yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with you on the good idea, bad implementation but, they can be useful if used properly, though i've never seen it happen. I can live in hope sigh :D. -Kraik
CelineSSauve 01-06-08, 09:55 AM	I'm playing in a game with a Dwarven T-W Fighter, a "human" Psion (apparently she's cursed to be a were-creature:eek:), a Goliath Dragon Shaman and my Lizardfolk Sorcerer who has just begun the Dragon Disciple PrC. Overall, the party appears to be well balanced (even with the fact that the Dwarf has one PC Level over the rest of us) and the Shaman is quite useful. This is especially due to the fact that our Psion Healer manages her healing mostly by taking our wounds upon herself. The Shaman's aura of healing gets her back to 1/2 HP with nothing more than a little time so that she has to use less PP to get herself back to full HP after she's done healing the rest of us (also getting us up to 1/2 HP so that she needs to use less PP to get us up to full). Actually, I find some bits of it slightly overly powerful. A half-Dragon can only use their breath weapon once per day, but a Dragon Shaman can use his every 1d4 rounds. It's not that important that the Shaman's range is smaller since most enemies tend to close in anyway. So my view is that it's an interesting Class, especially for a group which is not made up of exactly the "roles" 4th edition will be based around... (Though the Dwarf is our tank, Lizardfolk's the arcane caster, Psion's the Healer, and the Shaman is a boost to just about everyone.)
DrMorganes 01-06-08, 12:14 PM	Don't underestimate the usefulness of the draconic auras. Dragon Shamans don't share the same limitations as other magic-using classes, and nearly all of their auras aid allies in some manner just by getting close. All in all, I think this is another "4th Edition playtest" class; playing one requires a bit of a paradigm shift in your thinking.
wizarddog 01-06-08, 05:17 PM	I find them analogous to Diablo 2 Paladins that have auras that affect the allies. It has a more "arcade" feel.
DarkRhystar 01-06-08, 06:59 PM	I'm playing in a game with a Dwarven T-W Fighter, a "human" Psion (apparently she's cursed to be a were-creature:eek:), a Goliath Dragon Shaman and my Lizardfolk Sorcerer who has just begun the Dragon Disciple PrC. Overall, the party appears to be well balanced (even with the fact that the Dwarf has one PC Level over the rest of us) and the Shaman is quite useful. This is especially due to the fact that our Psion Healer manages her healing mostly by taking our wounds upon herself. The Shaman's aura of healing gets her back to 1/2 HP with nothing more than a little time so that she has to use less PP to get herself back to full HP after she's done healing the rest of us (also getting us up to 1/2 HP so that she needs to use less PP to get us up to full). Actually, I find some bits of it slightly overly powerful. A half-Dragon can only use their breath weapon once per day, but a Dragon Shaman can use his every 1d4 rounds. It's not that important that the Shaman's range is smaller since most enemies tend to close in anyway. So my view is that it's an interesting Class, especially for a group which is not made up of exactly the "roles" 4th edition will be based around... (Though the Dwarf is our tank, Lizardfolk's the arcane caster, Psion's the Healer, and the Shaman is a boost to just about everyone.) You find it powerful because your entire perception of power is below the curve. The fact that you pretend to be an arcane caster with RHD, LA, and Dragon Disciple levels (probably the worst prestige class ever made for the Sorcerer) shows that.
Hot_Sauce 01-06-08, 07:20 PM	Quick question to anyone who's played one: what feats do you like for your Dragon Shaman? My friend is playing his first campaign as one and isn't sure what he wants to take.
Napoleon_the_Clown 01-06-08, 08:06 PM	It depends on what you want to do with it and what your DM allows. For example, if you've got the Draconomicon and the DM will allow it, metabreath weapons can be useful for a DS. Maximizing your breathweapon, being able to increase the save DC, adding on half again as many dice of damage... Sure you've got a minimum Con score for these feats, but it should be a pretty good Con to begin with. Keep in mind that the breathweapon won't compete with casters in terms of damage or flexibility. However, you can use it once every 1d4 rounds infinitely. Other than metabreath feats, it's entirely dependent on what kind of build is being aimed for.
calronmoonflower 01-06-08, 08:29 PM	Their primary role is support. The larger the party the greater the impact that they will have. They also act as back-up healers, melee, and blasters allowing other in those roles to branch out more.
Hot_Sauce 01-06-08, 08:40 PM	Since the party only really has one other melee character at this point (a barb), he is most likely going try to fit into this role. However, we are somewhat limited in the blasting department (and a buddy of mine just picked of the Dracnomicon:w00t:), so those breath feats may be an option as well. He has a Con of 16 IIRC, so most of them shouldn't be a problem. So, melee feat suggestions would be nice, but otherwise I'll definitely look into the breath weapons. Of course, this is all taken with a grain of salt since the class is clearly geared towards versatility.
calronmoonflower 01-06-08, 09:26 PM	Heavy Armor Proficiency, and perhaps a weapon profiency. Vigor aura followed by Senses and Power auras.
Ariakus 01-07-08, 02:02 PM	I played a Dragon Shaman once, we began him at 4th level. And he was one helluva warrior in his own right, I gave him the Heavy Armor Proficiency and bought him full plate and a spiked shield of the Lion. I gave him Weapon Focus with battle axe, and when in combat, no one touched him. With his high AC from the platemail, his draconic aura's in place, and his weapon focus, he rarely was even touched before dispatching his enemy. Plus he was a Bronze Shaman, which gave him the ability to breath under water so he never worried about swim checks, he would just sink and walk out. And if you ****** him off properly, he would vomit acid breath on you :)