Modifying Divine Strike

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

paulstrait

Jan 17, 2015 19:30:41

I have a player who would like his paladin's Divine Strike ability to apply to ranged weapon attacks.  How game-breaking would it be if I said yes?

#2

AaronOfBarbaria

Jan 17, 2015 19:38:08

I'm not sure that the restriction to melee weapons is a balance concern. I think it is just there to enforce the paladin archetype, which is that of a melee-focused combatant with divinely-enhanced prowess (possibly because face-to-face is "the most honorable way to fight").

#3

cowleymen

Jan 17, 2015 21:05:46

I dont think it would be game breaking at all, am am working on making an Arcane Archer class out of the Paladin and ranger spell list and abilities.

#4

Coredump00

Jan 17, 2015 21:39:41

I don't know.... I tend to be a bit more conservative with changes... but ranged attacks are inherrently more powerful than melee attacks since you can use them from farther out, you can switch targets much faster, you can stay in cover, etc.....

 

I think it is a balance issue....

#5

Psikerlord

Jan 18, 2015 3:14:35

I agree, the main paladin balancing factor is poor ranged. I wouldnt allow the change.

#6

tubadancross

Jan 18, 2015 6:45:19

I allowed a player to trade their melee smite for ranged smite. It made sense in RP puropses because their god's favored weapon is a bow. 

It hasn't been a big problem, but a restriction I put on it is that their target must be at least 10 feet away, so no using their bow at melee range. 

This method seems to be balanced, but more testing is needed.

#7

BRJN

Jan 18, 2015 17:53:29

Maybe the smite has a shorter range than the arrow?  Say 20/60 (for half damage) like hand-thrown weapons.  This will prevent him from just artillery-ing the enemy from a safe distance.

 

OTOH if this works and does not overshadow the other PCs, you could set up a situation where the Paladin, Ranger, and Wizard need to work together to create an Artillery Barrage ritual.  Paladin improved smite + ranger Conjure Volley spell + wizard to research / create / cast the ritual.  (This should be the kind of thing that defeats a BBEG and enables a level-up.)