Weeks: This challenge will go until Feb. 8th. There will be about a week for an initial vote, then a week for finalizing the top XX builds (Depending on overall involvement), and then the final week of the month we will have the community vote.
The prize: I am going to pick up a Deluxe DM screen and / or a set of dice for the winner. I know, not fantastic prizes, but if this idea picks up and WoTC likes it, hopefully they might spot me more than the change in my piggy bank ;)
This months challenge: Tanks true threat is not in their damage, but in the way they mark enemies and punish them for attacking their allies
Fighters mark all the enemies that they hit
Knights and Cavaliers have an aura
Swordmages and Paladins and unaugmented battleminds mark specific targets and focus on them
Augmented battleminds and wardens can mark multiple targets as a free action.
My challenge is to create a new class that marks differently than the rest.
The rules:
This class must be presented in another post. This is so that this post doesn't get cluttered with comments of what changes should be made to a class to make it more effective, or just rudeness about how someone doesn't like a class. Posts in this thread should specifically be
"My class is _______: Here is the link. "
What must be in my thread?:
A very good question indeed.
This thread must be laid out like this:
Class Name:
Shadow Dancer
Class power:
Shadow (Derp)
Main Class Stats:
Con, Cha, Int
Brief overview of class concept:
This class uses it's allies shadows to protect them. It bends the light, and thus makes enemies more prone to missing. They also use the strength of their own shadow to take damage in scenarios that their allies would be hurt.
Brief overview of how the mark works:
This class marks allies rather than enemies. The -2 bonus applies to any enemy that attempts to attack that specific ally, rather than having the mark work for all allies but only select enemies. This makes them highly effective at watching specific targets. If the target is hit, they can choose a number of hit points, up to the total damage taken, and take that amount themselves rather than the ally. This damage cannot be reduced in any way.
Any additional information you would like to add about your class:
This mark would not be effective on any class that had the ability to mark at will (Quite a few classes have random powers that allow them to mark, but this clause saves you from marking another tank and just being OP'ed). By allowing them to choose the amount of damage absorbed, it will make it easier on the healer.
Other information:
Please, be respectful of other peoples ideas. As the internet put it, "It's someones fetish. No exceptions."
Please, limit the posts on this thread. I want this to be more about just collecting all the ideas in one place, not about "I hope jonny wins!" Please post such things in their actual post; I'm sure they'd love the encouragement!
Understand that sometimes, people have similar thoughts. Just because you are the first person to ever think of a class based on candy and love doesn't mean no one has. Please respect that you can collaborate on an idea, and I'm sure most people would be ok with (Constructive) criticism.
To reiterate this one more time, post in the Homebrew forum your new class idea. You can title it anything you'd like, but if you want more views, label it with (Feb. CC) at the end. This will let people know that you entered this idea in the challenge, and will help bring popularity to the idea!
Lastly, please understand that even though you may win this, it doesn't mean that Wizards will pick up your idea overnight and suddenly your class is made. Think of this as an online character builder, or a beta of a new idea. This could flop horridly, or as I feel the OCB might, it could turn out to be a fantastic new invention
Let the battle begin!
Hmm hmm.
This might actually persuade me to complete my writeup of the Shadowlash class I was working on for that Shadow Done Right thread. Except that I'm pretty certain that new classes will not be accepted for Dragon.
Hmm hmm.
Well feel free to type it up! You never know, just because a Dragon only class might not be feasible anymore doesn't mean (If this contest works out well) that a book isn't that impossible of a dream. Or if it kicks off well, there might be a monthly article added in. Who knows?
Can you use stuff you've posted on these boards before? I designed a new Defender class months (years?) ago that's floating around here somewhere, I could update it maybe use it for the challenge.
Yes and no. If you posted a class, and everyone thought it was grossly overpowered, try to rework it a little before posting it. I'm not saying people always are right, but there are a lot of character optimizers out there who would love to get their hands on something completely unbalanced.
Just remember to post the class name and the link to the forum you have. You don't have to have the full class write up just yet; you won't be marked down anything for that at all, just know it's not a requirement. Just keep a class summery like how I had it for the first post, and you can post any additional information in the rest of the thread. I'm trying to keep a little bit of similarity between posts, just so people browsing have an easier time comparing and contrasting.
I really hope you both take an interest and repost your links below, and the best of luck to you! :]
Class Name:
Shadow Dancer
Brief overview of how the mark works:
This class marks allies rather than enemies.
Although this is definitely an interesting mechanic, I think in any final write-up you would want to avoid reference to "mark" for this, since there are a lot of mechanics that are default for marks (e.g. only one mark per target) that would interfere with or confuse your intended use. Perhaps "shadow ward" would cover it, or even generic "ward" which could be applied to allies for defender roles and be subject to similar restrictions (e.g. you can only be warded by one ally at a time etc)
Class power: Shade Caster (Mark, two options, SHadow Veil or Shadow Switch), Lashing Shade (Punishment
Main Class Stats: WIS//DEX/STR
Brief overview of class concept: The intial concept was for a ranged defender using the shadow power source, but this later expanded to include both a melee and a ranged build. The class works by detaching a portion
Brief overview of how the mark works: There are two marking options, one which marks an enemy at takes half the damage from his attacks against allies, and one which marks an ally and takes half the damage done to him. Both allow punishment of the enemy dealing the damage.
Link: community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...
I just realised quite how similar this is to the example in the OP. Shows you great minds think alike I guess. Or fools seldom differ, but I'd hope to have hit the former.
Class Name:
Shadow Dancer
Class power:
Shadow (Derp)
Main Class Stats:
Con, Cha, Int
Brief overview of class concept:
This class uses it's allies shadows to protect them. It bends the light, and thus makes enemies more prone to missing. They also use the strength of their own shadow to take damage in scenarios that their allies would be hurt.
Brief overview of how the mark works:
This class marks allies rather than enemies. The -2 bonus applies to any enemy that attempts to attack that specific ally, rather than having the mark work for all allies but only select enemies. This makes them highly effective at watching specific targets. If the target is hit, they can choose a number of hit points, up to the total damage taken, and take that amount themselves rather than the ally. This damage cannot be reduced in any way.
Any additional information you would like to add about your class:
This mark would not be effective on any class that had the ability to mark at will (Quite a few classes have random powers that allow them to mark, but this clause saves you from marking another tank and just being OP'ed). By allowing them to choose the amount of damage absorbed, it will make it easier on the healer.
Shadow Dancer
Class power:
Shadow (Derp)
Main Class Stats:
Con, Cha, Int
Brief overview of class concept:
This class uses it's allies shadows to protect them. It bends the light, and thus makes enemies more prone to missing. They also use the strength of their own shadow to take damage in scenarios that their allies would be hurt.
Brief overview of how the mark works:
This class marks allies rather than enemies. The -2 bonus applies to any enemy that attempts to attack that specific ally, rather than having the mark work for all allies but only select enemies. This makes them highly effective at watching specific targets. If the target is hit, they can choose a number of hit points, up to the total damage taken, and take that amount themselves rather than the ally. This damage cannot be reduced in any way.
Any additional information you would like to add about your class:
This mark would not be effective on any class that had the ability to mark at will (Quite a few classes have random powers that allow them to mark, but this clause saves you from marking another tank and just being OP'ed). By allowing them to choose the amount of damage absorbed, it will make it easier on the healer.
Class Features: Interpose, Touch of Hesitation, Martyr's Retribution, Martyr's Mark, Martyr's Defenses
Main Class Stats: Charisma, Constitution
Brief overview: The Martyr does not wish to hurt anyone. Most of his powers don't deal damage. He defends by making enemies hesitate to attack at all, and by literally jumping in front of any and all attacks made against people around him.
His main source of damage output is that he deals damage to enemies whenever they attack him, not his allies. Normally this would be pointless for a Defender... except for the "I jump between my ally and your blade" part.
It's mostly complete for the first few levels, should give you a clear idea how it works. Note that it's pretty old work already, but feel free to ressurrect the thread
Link: community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...
I actually prefer the shadow lasher concept to my build, it looks like you've got an idea more than just thought out!
The Martyr class seems to be more of an MMO tank; one that actually takes a lot of damage, and is more of a sponge. Switching from video games to D&D, the difference was huge. I like the build as it is a bit more familiar in that aspect.
Thinking about it, this is a pretty big first challenge. A whole class writeup, especially a tanking class, is going to be something a lot of people don't just have in their back pocket. I think that for later challenges, I might stick to something a bit different, or at least wait till this whole thing gains some steam before trying to jump straight to classes again. So far, however, I am very very impressed :D
I am a little disappointed that only two people decided to post, but hopefully in time more will :D
Anyway, I have a submission coming but I'm not sure I'll have it entirely presentable in time. Is the deadline the end of Feb 8th, or the beginning?
EDIT: Here's my submission: The Knower. It's not quite done yet, but I'm too sleepy to think straight right now. I'll try to finish it in the morning.
Bump for great justice: what's happening with this, Jamazing? =)
community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...
Welp, this week was supposed to be the week of writing a further layout of your class, however each one of you guys already has a pretty through write up. So here is the voting post lol.
Don't worry, I didn't forget about this, just have had a lot going on. A new game store just opened up near by, and work with trying to swing by there as much as possible with college has kind of ruined my fourms time.
The people have spoken, however, and this is their responce:
1.) Shadowlasher
2.) Knower
3.) Marytr
I hope that future competitions grow a bit more interest, but I was absolutly shocked by the fantastic write ups. Everyone that posted an idea, including Malisteen, I really enjoyed the class mechanics of each.
Spaceinvader, as creepy as this may sound, I need you to Pm me your address so I can get this Dm screen ordered and sent to you asap!