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3 years ago ::
Jun 26, 2010 - 6:19PM
#1
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Date Joined:
Jun 22, 2010
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I have recently fallen in love with the Dragon Shaman class in 3.5 and i don't feel like waiting for Wizards to bring them to 4e. So I've been working on a 4e variation over the past... hour. I mainly just have the basics for the build and the class features done. One of the things i'm not quiet sure of is the role. My friend thinks it would be a leader because of the draconic auras {they'll be utilities in here} where as i think they'd be a defender cause my 3.5 dragon shaman is quiet the meat-shield. Anyways, here it is. Edit: 7/1 Class Traits
- Role: Leader. After years of devotion to the dragons, you use your skills to make both you and your allies harder, better, faster, and stronger.
- Power Source: Primal. You call upon the primal force of the dragons to power your attacks while in battle.
- Key Abilities: Constitution, Charisma, Intelligence
- Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Hide, light shields
- Weapon Proficiencies: Simple melee, Hammers, Maces
- Implements: Rods, Totems
- Bonus to Defenses: +1 Fortitude, +1 Will
- Hit Points at 1st level: 10 + Constitution Score
- Hit Points per Level Gained: 5
- Healing Surges per Day: 6 + Constitution Modifier
- Trained Skills: Nature. From the class skills list below, choose four more trained skills at first level
- Acrobatics (Dex) Athletics (Str), Bluff (Cha), Endurance (Con), Heal (wis), Intimidate (Cha), Perception (Wis), Stealth (Dex)
- Class Traits: Draconic Aura, Healing Aura, Ritual Casting
Dragon Shaman Builds Spoiler:
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Cataclysmic Dragon Shaman
- Draconic Aura: Allies receive a +2 power bonus to AC against Opportunity Attacks
- Suggested Feat: Sickening Breath
- Suggested At-will Powers: Lead the Charge, Tail Slap
- Suggested Encounter Power: Roar of the Dragon
- Suggested Daily Power: Breath of Slumbers
Chromatic Dragon Build
- Draconic Aura: Allies receive a +2 power bonus to damage rolls
- Suggested Feat:
- Suggested At-Will Powers: Lead the Charge, Wing Slam
- Suggested Encounter Power:
- Suggested Daily Power: Vengeance of a Thousand Wounds
Metallic Dragon Build
- Draconic Aura: Allies receive a +2 power bonus to saving throws
- Suggested Feat: Increase Dragon Aura
- Suggested At-Will Powers: Dragon's Mark, Prepare for Battle
- Suggested Encounter Power: Large and In Charge
- Suggested Daily Power
What is a line? A line is defined as any attack that targets one adjacent square and continues in that direction a certain amount of squares indicated by the range of the attack. Draconic Aura You are constantly projecting an Aura 6. You and your allies receive a bonus as determined by your build. At any time during your turn, you can switch out this Aura for another Aura as whatever action listed. After the effect of the new Aura ends, it returns to the default Aura. Any aura automatically ends when you are dropped to 0 hit points or become unconscious Gift of Vitality Gift of Vitality - Dragon Shaman Feature A dragon can do many things; wield magic, slaughter innocents, rule nations, and dragons can also heal wounds.Encounter * Primal, Healing
Minor Action Burst 5 (10 at 11th level, 15 at 21st level) Target: One ally in Aura Effect: target can spends a healing surge and gains 1d6 additional hit points. Level 6: 1d6 additional hit points Level 11: 1d6 additional hit points Level 16: 1d6 additional hit points Level 21: 1d6 additional hit points Level 26: 1d6 additional hit points Special: You can use this ability twice per encounter, but only once a round. At level 16, you can use it three times per encounter, but only once a round Level 1 Powers Spoiler:
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At-Wills
Dragon's Mark - Dragon Shaman Attack 1
You strike your enemy and weaken him, making him the perfect target for your allies
At-will * Primal, Weapon
Standard Action Melee
Target: One creature
Attack: Constitution vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Constitution Modifier damage and the next ally to attack the target gets a bonus to attack rolls equal to your intelligence modifier. If no one attacks the target by your next turn, the bonus is lost.
Increase to 2[W] + Constitution modifier at 21st level
Lead the Charge - Dragon Shaman Attack 1
A Dragon Shaman is many things, but he must never forget the thing he was meant to do: Fight.
At-will * Primal, Weapon
Standard Action Melee
Special: Before the attack, you can shift up to 2 squares
Target: One creature
Attack: Constitution vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Constitution Modifier damage and allies adjacent to you before the shift can shift 1 square and receive a +2 bonus on their next attack roll.
Increase to 2[W] + Constitution Modifer at 21st level
Tail Slap - Dragon Shaman Attack 1
Though you may or may not have a tail as mighty as the dragon, you primal connection allows you to do just fine.
At-will * Primal
Standard Action Melee
Target: One creature
Attack: Constitution vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Constitution Modifier damage and you can slide the target 1 square
Increase to 2[W] + Constitution Modifier at 21st Level
Wing Smash - Dragon Shaman Attack 1
Primal Wings seem to grow out of your back and strikes out at two enemies, disappearing as quickly as they appeared
At-will * Primal
Standard Action Melee
Target: One or two creatures
Attack: Constitution vs. AC
Hit: 1d6 + constitution modifier damage
Increase to 2d6 + constitution modifier at 21st level
Prepare for Battle - Dragon Shaman Attack 1
With enemies all around you, the power behind your aura surges, filling your allies with a new found vigor.
At-Will * Primal, Aura
Standard Action Aura 3
Target: Allies in Aura
Effect: Until the end of your next turn, allies within the aura gain temporary hit points equal to your charisma modifier.
Encounters
Dragon Breath - Dragon Shaman Attack 1
Once one of the most powerful weapons a dragon could have is now a weapon that you too may hurl at opponents.
Encounter * Primal, Fire
Standard Action Line 4
Target: Each creature in line
Attack: Constitution vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d6 + Constitution Modifier fire damage
Special: If you have taken the Totem Dragon feat, you may switch the fire key word and damage type with that of the keyword associated with your Totem Dragon.
Large and In Charge - Dragon Shaman Attack 1
You may not be as large as the dragons you worship, but your aura allows you to compensate the difference.
Encounter * Primal, Aura
Immediate Reaction Aura 3
Trigger: An enemy moves adjacent to you or an ally within your Aura
Effect: Make a melee basic attack
Aftereffect: On a hit, the target is pushed back 3 squares and his movement is ended.
Metallic Build: The number of squares the target is pushed back is equal to 2 + Charisma Modifier.
Roar of the Dragon - Dragon Shaman Attack 1
You look at your foes and roar an ear splitting cry that terrorizes your enemies and lowers their defenses.
Encounter * Primal, Fear
Standard Action Close Blast 5
Target: Each enemy in the blast
Attack: Charisma vs. Will
Hit: Targets are pushed back 3 squares and take a -2 to all defenses until the end of your next turn.
Cataclysmic Build: the number of squares the targets are pushed back is equal to 2 + Charisma Modifier.
Dailies
Breath of Slumbers - Dragon Shaman Attack 1
Not all Dragon Breaths kill you with fire.
Daily * Primal, Sleep
Standard Action Line 4
Target: Each enemy in the line
Attack: Charisma vs. Will
Hit: The target is slowed (save ends). If the target fails its first saving throw against this power, the target becomes unconscious (save ends).
Miss: The target is slowed (save ends).
Vengeance of a Thousand Wounds - Dragon Shaman Attack 1
Tiamat, draconic goddess of greed and revenge, powers your attacks to strike down your foes and make your vengeance all the sweeter.
Daily * Primal, Weapon
Standard Action Melee Weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Constitution vs. AC
Hit: 3[W] + Constitution Modifier damage and allies get a +2 power bonus to attack and damage rolls against the creature.
Miss: Half damage. Dragon Shaman Feats Spoiler:
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Heroic
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- Dragon Scales
- Prerequisite: Dragon Shaman
- When wearing cloth or leather armor, receive a +1 bonus to AC. increase the bonus to +2 at level 11 and +3 at level 21.
- Dragon Skills
- Prerequisite: Dragon Shaman
- You receive a +2 bonus on Diplomacy, History, Insight, and Streetwise checks
- Increased Dragon Aura
- Prerequisite: Dragon Shaman, Draconic Aura class feature
- You increase you Draconic Aura from an Aura 3 to an Aura 6
- Shape Breath
- Prerequisite: Dragon Shaman or Dragonborn
- Attacks with breath in its name can become a close blast 3 or a line 4
- Sickening Breath
- Prerequisite: Dragon Shaman or Dragonbron
- When you score a critical hit on an attack with Breath in its name, target receives a -2 on his next attack and damage rolls.
- Totem Dragon
- Prerequisite: Dragon Shaman
- Choose one of the following dragons: Black (Acid), Blue (Lightning), Green (Poison), Red (Fire), White (Cold), Brass (Fire), Bronze (Lightning), Copper (Acid), Gold (Fire), Silver (Cold), Blizzard (Cold), Earthquake (Force), or Volcanic (Fire). You get a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls on attacks with the same keyword associated with your totem dragon.
Paragon
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- Focused Aura
- Prerequisite: Level 11, Dragon Shaman, Draconic Aura class feature
- Auras that require a minor action to maintain now only require a free action.
- Greater Shape Breath
- Prerequisite: Level 11, Shape Breath feat
- Attacks with breath in its name can become a close blast 5 or line 6
- Resist the Power
- Prerequisite: Level 11, Dragon Shaman
- You gain a resist of 10 + one half your level to fire damage
- Special: if you have taken the totem dragon feat, you can replace the fire resistance to a resistance of the keyword associated with your totem dragon. Resistance must be chosen at the taking of this feat.
Epic
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- Double Draconic Aura
- Prerequisite: Level 21, Dragon Shaman, Draconic Aura class feature
- You can have two Auras activated at the same time instead of one.
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3 years ago ::
Jun 27, 2010 - 3:06AM
#2
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Date Joined:
Aug 22, 2007
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First off, you might need to pick a role before you go any further. If the defining characteristic of the Dragon Shaman is the Aura and providing buffs to his allies, I'd go with leader. Just makes more sense than giving him a marking mechanic to be a defender. A melee leader, but a leader nonetheless. Second, I think a Str/Cha might be more appropriate than int. So Str/Cha or Str/Con. Dunno how you want to turn those into a couple distinct build options. Third, the weapon/implement proficiencies are a bit odd. Do they need implements at all? Giving rods and all the weapons they're proficient in seems odd, and overpowered unless the dragon shaman is going to be doing lots of ranged blasts, when you seemed to want him to be a melee guy. Fourth, Totem Dragon and Draconic adaptation can be the same class feature. Its a lot of fluff, but no sense listing the dragon type choices twice if you really only choose once. Furthermore, for Draconic Adaptation it might be simpler to give out things like icewalk or a swim speed equal to your speed, rather than bonuses to skill checks when possible. You might consider ditching these specific options and going toward draconic archetypes instead, such as the dragon as king, dragon as beast, dragon as hoarder... Fifth, I'd like to see Touch of Vitality turned into the Healing Word-type power, possibly with the option of ditching the extra healing for saving throws, or giving off a different type of effect depending on the aura that is up, like the runepriest. Lastly, the dragon breath and scales could be ditched. Breath as an encounter power seems to step on the toes of the Dragonborn's power, and scales just seem like unnecessary scailing defense. Consider wrapping the dragon breath into a number of encounter powers, and put the dragon auras into the daily powers. Interesting take though. Have you looked for other adaptations yet: www.myth-weavers.com/showthread.php?t=79...
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3 years ago ::
Jun 27, 2010 - 9:52AM
#3
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You could roll all of the class features into a single choice, similar to the sorceror.
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3 years ago ::
Jun 27, 2010 - 1:56PM
#4
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I'm not sure Arcane is really appropriate. I'd rather go with Elemental, or something non-WotC like Dragon. Synergy problems given current rules, but more appropriate.
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3 years ago ::
Jun 27, 2010 - 5:06PM
#5
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Date Joined:
Jun 22, 2010
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it's power source was something else i was debatable with. Arcane or Primal. both were from the same reason. Primal was because they'd be getting their power from the primal forces that are dragons, and arcane because they were attempting to mimic the dragons magical powers.
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3 years ago ::
Jun 28, 2010 - 9:58AM
#6
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One thing that I've found when I've tried to design classes that I want to play for myself is that it becomes VERY hard to look at its power level objectively, which becomes a problem when you start designing powers from scratch. I'm not saying there's anything overpowered here, just that it's something to consider. I would suggest that if you want to build a dragon shaman (I played one too in 3.5, they're sweet) I would first make a list of all of the features you want to include throughout your build and then first look at which powers from other classes would be most appropriate. For example, you could match the Dragon Scales flat armor bonus with the Sorcerer's Scales of the Dragon power (+2 to AC when first bloodied for the rest of the encounter.) Touch of Vitality can be the Paladin's Lay on Hands, except change out the Wisdom modifier for one of the dragon shaman's modifiers (charisma or constitution, maybe.) In my opinion, primal would be a good power source to choose from, since the totem dragon feels very, very primal already. You're just choosing to worship a different type of totem spirit than the normal druid. Also, it would lend a bit of flavor to the class, since there really isn't a strong "primal dragon" class already, while arcane feels a bit of overlap thematically with sorcerer. You'll have to be careful with using the auras as utilities; I'd have to see some examples of what you have in mind, since they can affect the entire power and quickly get out of control if not balanced.
There's a lot more I could say on the topic, but for now, let me simply state that I think it's a cool idea and I wish you luck in your attempt.
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3 years ago ::
Jun 28, 2010 - 10:48AM
#7
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Date Joined:
Jun 22, 2010
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I'm about to do update it. I switched out int for cha and tweaked out aura's worked as well as his healing encounter. Touch of vitality's gone and i replaced it with a healing aura. You'll see how it works when i post the update. I also have a couple feats but they're not much. Also, i'm tweaking the dragon breath so hopefully it's it's own breath weapon without being too much like the dragonborn's breath weapon.
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3 years ago ::
Jun 28, 2010 - 1:13PM
#8
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Date Joined:
Oct 26, 2004
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Question: Wouldn't it be simpler to take the existing Shaman class and intro Dragon SHaman as a new build? That way you only have to come up with class features based on the regular shaman and a handful of powers.
If no then May I suggest that instead of making a different dragon shaman for each individual dragon strain you instead make a build for each major clan: chromatic, metallic, and catastrophic.
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3 years ago ::
Jun 28, 2010 - 1:15PM
#9
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Question: Wouldn't it be simpler to take the existing Shaman class and intro Dragon SHaman as a new build?
Aside from the shared name, 3.5 Dragon Shamans had nothing to do with traditional Shamans of any of the other 3.5 types.
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3 years ago ::
Jun 28, 2010 - 1:18PM
#10
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Date Joined:
Oct 26, 2004
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No it didn't but this 4e version is already a primal leader so I thought the idea was worth mentioning.
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