Thaneborn Barbarian Speculations - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Thaneborn Barbarian Speculations

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
philosofool
Oct 18, 2008 19:19:06 Thaneborn will have more powers that rely on charisma to sap/nerf enemies, along with doing considerable damage. (Enemy suffers penalty equal to your cha modifer to attack, for example. All enemies within a number of square equal to your cha modifier are slowed.... Etc.)

There will be at least one power that incorporates intimidate.

There will be a fourth at-will that uses charisma in some way. My guess: a Str. vs. Fort attack that does 1[w] + str and gets a bonus to damage equal to Cha modifier while raging.

They will be less good than Ragebloodies because they are STR/CHA characters, which means they won't be able to take weapon specializing feats without investing in a third stat. With the rampage class feature, Axe Mastery (or similar) is a no-brainer. But Thaneborn won't be able to take it without spreading thin in ability scores (spliting between Cha and another score.)
#2
Duskweaver
Oct 19, 2008 2:48:33 If I didn't consider gambling to be immoral, I'd put money on there being at least one utility power (or class feature or paragon path feature) that adds your Cha modifier to saving throws. The thaneborn is supposed to be "a living example of the power of one's will to shape one's fate". Shrugging off magical effects through sheer force of will seems like the sort of thing this guy/gal would do and would be a nice contrast to the rageblood's ability to shrug off physical damage through THPs.

To me, the thaneborn is the Conan of Robert E. Howard, while the rageblood is closer to Conan the movie version.

"...destined to wear the jeweled crown of Aquilonia on a troubled brow..."
#3
kegas76
Oct 19, 2008 3:46:29 A traditional thegn(thane) was of a more noble class. Considering that the playtest points out that Rageblood tends to lean towards defender as a secondary role, I hope that the Thaneborn brings some leadership skills to the table. A secondary focus on CHA would be fitting for someone that wants to rally those under him.

Granted, it doesn't fit with the opening line for the class's role in the playtest but I would like to see a handful of "evocations" that involved heavy thrown attacks. These could be the focus instead of the charging skills of the rageblood. Possibly a PP feature to allow for certain two handed weapons to be used as heavy thrown(axes and spears). Without the focus on Con they might want to be a bit more cautious, then again they are still barbarians so maybe not:D
#4
karldark_dup
Oct 19, 2008 4:37:50 I fully expect thaneborn to inspire his allies to join in his bloodlust. I could also go for some weakening powers as it's clearly an underutilized effect.
#5
cadfan
Oct 19, 2008 9:42:44 I wouldn't automatically conclude that they will be worse than Rageblood due to the Str/Cha combo not helping them with weapon feats. For one, they'll have a better Will defense, which never hurts. And since they're not tied to Con, they're free to take Fullblades, and get that lovely +3 weapon proficiency bonus.

Personally I'm hoping that they're well suited for using Greatspears. Somebody needs to be good at reach weapons, and I like the imagery.
#6
el_tommo
Oct 19, 2008 16:21:06 Barbarians + reach weapons? Mmm...did someone say Tratnyr-wielding Dragonborn Barbarians?
#7
the_badger_02
Oct 19, 2008 19:01:18 I didn't think Tratnyr's were Reach. I thought they were more like a beefed Javelin.
#8
Duskweaver
Oct 20, 2008 2:48:54
I didn't think Tratnyr's were Reach. I thought they were more like a beefed Javelin.

You thought correctly.
#9
el_tommo
Oct 20, 2008 16:02:57 Whoops! That's what I get for posting off the top of my head! Lulz
#10
the_cheeseman
Oct 23, 2008 22:19:07 Personally, I am hoping for some Cha- and Intimidate- based powers that can inflict negative status effects or attack penalties on nearby enemies. Something similar to a frightful presence that would help offset the barbarian's dubious Armor Class.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 philosofool Oct 18, 2008 19:19:06	Thaneborn will have more powers that rely on charisma to sap/nerf enemies, along with doing considerable damage. (Enemy suffers penalty equal to your cha modifer to attack, for example. All enemies within a number of square equal to your cha modifier are slowed.... Etc.) There will be at least one power that incorporates intimidate. There will be a fourth at-will that uses charisma in some way. My guess: a Str. vs. Fort attack that does 1[w] + str and gets a bonus to damage equal to Cha modifier while raging. They will be less good than Ragebloodies because they are STR/CHA characters, which means they won't be able to take weapon specializing feats without investing in a third stat. With the rampage class feature, Axe Mastery (or similar) is a no-brainer. But Thaneborn won't be able to take it without spreading thin in ability scores (spliting between Cha and another score.)
#2 Duskweaver Oct 19, 2008 2:48:33	If I didn't consider gambling to be immoral, I'd put money on there being at least one utility power (or class feature or paragon path feature) that adds your Cha modifier to saving throws. The thaneborn is supposed to be "a living example of the power of one's will to shape one's fate". Shrugging off magical effects through sheer force of will seems like the sort of thing this guy/gal would do and would be a nice contrast to the rageblood's ability to shrug off physical damage through THPs. To me, the thaneborn is the Conan of Robert E. Howard, while the rageblood is closer to Conan the movie version. "...destined to wear the jeweled crown of Aquilonia on a troubled brow..."
#3 kegas76 Oct 19, 2008 3:46:29	A traditional thegn(thane) was of a more noble class. Considering that the playtest points out that Rageblood tends to lean towards defender as a secondary role, I hope that the Thaneborn brings some leadership skills to the table. A secondary focus on CHA would be fitting for someone that wants to rally those under him. Granted, it doesn't fit with the opening line for the class's role in the playtest but I would like to see a handful of "evocations" that involved heavy thrown attacks. These could be the focus instead of the charging skills of the rageblood. Possibly a PP feature to allow for certain two handed weapons to be used as heavy thrown(axes and spears). Without the focus on Con they might want to be a bit more cautious, then again they are still barbarians so maybe not:D
#4 karldark_dup Oct 19, 2008 4:37:50	I fully expect thaneborn to inspire his allies to join in his bloodlust. I could also go for some weakening powers as it's clearly an underutilized effect.
#5 cadfan Oct 19, 2008 9:42:44	I wouldn't automatically conclude that they will be worse than Rageblood due to the Str/Cha combo not helping them with weapon feats. For one, they'll have a better Will defense, which never hurts. And since they're not tied to Con, they're free to take Fullblades, and get that lovely +3 weapon proficiency bonus. Personally I'm hoping that they're well suited for using Greatspears. Somebody needs to be good at reach weapons, and I like the imagery.
#6 el_tommo Oct 19, 2008 16:21:06	Barbarians + reach weapons? Mmm...did someone say Tratnyr-wielding Dragonborn Barbarians?
#7 the_badger_02 Oct 19, 2008 19:01:18	I didn't think Tratnyr's were Reach. I thought they were more like a beefed Javelin.
#8 Duskweaver Oct 20, 2008 2:48:54	I didn't think Tratnyr's were Reach. I thought they were more like a beefed Javelin. You thought correctly.
#9 el_tommo Oct 20, 2008 16:02:57	Whoops! That's what I get for posting off the top of my head! Lulz
#10 the_cheeseman Oct 23, 2008 22:19:07	Personally, I am hoping for some Cha- and Intimidate- based powers that can inflict negative status effects or attack penalties on nearby enemies. Something similar to a frightful presence that would help offset the barbarian's dubious Armor Class.