You know... that's an interesting thought. I've always been of the "once chosen, always chosen" aspect of Barbarian Totems... but I could see that as the Barbarian began to work with their powers that they could choose where to go with it. Sure, it makes it homebrew, but when they choose to Rage they could choose which spirit to embody for that rage. Or once per day choose which totem they are following. I'll have to test how that works. In doing a DNDBeyond Character sheet... yeah, that's a nightmare, but with paper sheets and choosing an option it wouldn't be bad. Especially if they choose Bear for the day and had to follow that spirit path all day long until they could rest and commune with the spirits again, and Wolf another day or whatever. That would certainly change how you played the class without making it all just about the best thing at the moment and would have some of the other options that are rarely used come into play more often.
Hey quick question, sorry if its an obvious one. When you reach 6th level and have the option to choose a second spirit animal, do you think it would fair if you could choose to switch to its former ability instead?
So for example if my Barb choose bear for 3rd, and wolf for 6th, could i then choose to use the 3rd level ability of the wolf instead of the 6th? Or am i stuck using 3rd bear and 6th wolf unless i spend aforementioned long rest to change them into different totems entirely? Because honestly, im not personally really a fan of any of the level 6 totem abilities. Would it be to op to choose two 3rd options instead of one 3rd option, bear and one 6th option, wolf? My DM would probably be cool with this change it but i want other peoples opinion on it before i bring it to him.
At 6th level, you must use a 6th level option. None of the 6th level options are combat features. They are supposed to be out-of-combat "adventuring" skills. Choosing a 3rd level ability at 6th would result in a character with significantly more combat power than one choosing a 6th level option.
Whether it would be OP is open to discussion, and your DM can allow what they want, but it is not the way the subclass is supposed to work. If that was a choice, I think few people would choose one of the 6th level options. I wouldn't allow it at my table, because the entire point of the 6th level ability is supposed to be to give you something out-of-combat, not something else to make you better at smashing things.
I am well aware of how the subclass is "supposed to work". Im not sure how my question gave you the impression that I did not understand how the subclass works but o well. I know how the subclass works my guy and that when you reach 6th level you are only supposed to and allowed to choose from one of the 6th level options. My entire question was weather or not it would be op, and or a fair choice, to allow a player the option to forgo their 6th level option for another 3rd level option instead. That's it. That's all i asked. I did not ask for a break down and a lecture of how the class is supposed to be played "rules as written" style.
I really just wanted other dm's opinions on if such a choice was game breaking or not, but instead I got told how to play the class -_-. It is like you guys did not even read my question at all and just jumped onto the keyboard for a chance to lecture someone. And I agree. I think if Wizards did give barbarians the choice to go for another third level feature over one of the 6th level features, then almost no one would go with the 6th level features. Because they are extremely situational at best, or outright pointless and useless at worst, depending on the setting. If for example you campaign is in a big city then 2 thirds of your level 6th options become outright useless. Pardon me but i thought D&D was about choices? If a player wanted to give up their utility ability for more combat options then im hard pressed to find a reason to tell them no other then it being potentially op/game breaking. The level 6th options, in my opinion, feel as if they were an afterthought tossed in last seconded because other sub-classes have level 6th class abilities. In some cases you could outright skip taking the level 6th feature and feel no loss in ability, or take one that is useless to your campaign and realize you gained nothing at all. But that is just of course my opinion and every table is different.
Now I asked another DM i know, and they actually answered my question at length. Amazing what can happen when people actually listen to your question, and then actually give you a straight answer for said question! Anyway, it was agreed that the 3rd level options were just to strong to allow a player to have 2 of them so early. We instead talked about how if a player wanted to sacrifice one of their 14th level abilities, the one that offers you bloody fly, for a 3rd level one that would be far more balanced as at that level another strong combat ability would make much more thematical sense. So. Question answered. Have a wonderful day good sir/madam, and next time? Try actually reading someone's question for help before trying to answer it mate ^_^.
Hey quick question, sorry if its an obvious one. When you reach 6th level and have the option to choose a second spirit animal, do you think it would fair if you could choose to switch to its former ability instead?
So for example if my Barb choose bear for 3rd, and wolf for 6th, could i then choose to use the 3rd level ability of the wolf instead of the 6th? Or am i stuck using 3rd bear and 6th wolf unless i spend aforementioned long rest to change them into different totems entirely? Because honestly, im not personally really a fan of any of the level 6 totem abilities. Would it be to op to choose two 3rd options instead of one 3rd option, bear and one 6th option, wolf? My DM would probably be cool with this change it but i want other peoples opinion on it before i bring it to him.
At 6th level, you must use a 6th level option. None of the 6th level options are combat features. They are supposed to be out-of-combat "adventuring" skills. Choosing a 3rd level ability at 6th would result in a character with significantly more combat power than one choosing a 6th level option.
Whether it would be OP is open to discussion, and your DM can allow what they want, but it is not the way the subclass is supposed to work. If that was a choice, I think few people would choose one of the 6th level options. I wouldn't allow it at my table, because the entire point of the 6th level ability is supposed to be to give you something out-of-combat, not something else to make you better at smashing things.
I am well aware of how the subclass is "supposed to work". Im not sure how my question gave you the impression that I did not understand how the subclass works but o well. I know how the subclass works my guy and that when you reach 6th level you are only supposed to and allowed to choose from one of the 6th level options. My entire question was weather or not it would be op, and or a fair choice, to allow a player the option to forgo their 6th level option for another 3rd level option instead. That's it. That's all i asked. I did not ask for a break down and a lecture of how the class is supposed to be played "rules as written" style.
I really just wanted other dm's opinions on if such a choice was game breaking or not, but instead I got told how to play the class -_-. It is like you guys did not even read my question at all and just jumped onto the keyboard for a chance to lecture someone. And I agree. I think if Wizards did give barbarians the choice to go for another third level feature over one of the 6th level features, then almost no one would go with the 6th level features. Because they are extremely situational at best, or outright pointless and useless at worst, depending on the setting. If for example you campaign is in a big city then 2 thirds of your level 6th options become outright useless. Pardon me but i thought D&D was about choices? If a player wanted to give up their utility ability for more combat options then im hard pressed to find a reason to tell them no other then it being potentially op/game breaking. The level 6th options, in my opinion, feel as if they were an afterthought tossed in last seconded because other sub-classes have level 6th class abilities. In some cases you could outright skip taking the level 6th feature and feel no loss in ability, or take one that is useless to your campaign and realize you gained nothing at all. But that is just of course my opinion and every table is different.
Now I asked another DM i know, and they actually answered my question at length. Amazing what can happen when people actually listen to your question, and then actually give you a straight answer for said question! Anyway, it was agreed that the 3rd level options were just to strong to allow a player to have 2 of them so early. We instead talked about how if a player wanted to sacrifice one of their 14th level abilities, the one that offers you bloody fly, for a 3rd level one that would be far more balanced as at that level another strong combat ability would make much more thematical sense. So. Question answered. Have a wonderful day good sir/madam, and next time? Try actually reading someone's question for help before trying to answer it mate ^_^.
Woah dude, way to flip out when people try to help you.
Note, I read your question. I explained what I would rule as a DM and why. I explained that I wasn't sure whether it would be overpowered.
If you didn't find that helpful, fine. But accusing people of not reading your question and attacking them when they have gone out of their way to try to answer your question and given up some of their free time to do so is a dick move. You are not owed and answer on here. Your attitude is likely to put people off trying to be helpful in future. It will certainly put people off helping you in the future.
Um.. No. No you did not. You neither directly answered my question nor really gave me an explanation. "I wouldn't allow it at my table, because the entire point of the 6th level ability is supposed to be to give you something out-of-combat, not something else to make you better at smashing things." That? Is not an explanation, nor a definitive answer. You are patting yourself on the back for supposedly helping me when you did no such thing, and then got all offended when I pointed that your attempt at helping was about as useful as a screendoor on the hull of a submarine. You did not "try to help me". You jumped at the chance to lecture me about how the class was supposed to work without ever really addressing my original question. My sincerest apologies if did not drop to all fours and worship the very ground you stood on for basking me with your presence, and precious, precious time of day. But im not one to be very thankful to someone who openly attempts to lecture me on very basic principles.
Now i fully admit I was far harsher then i needed to be. I could have just said, "Thank you for wasting my time, but that was not the answer i was looking for. Have a wonderful day." But I was sleep deprived and in a horrible mood already. So I sort of took it out on you and for that i am very sorry. Now. you then said "You are not owed and answer on here." And there you go again insulting my intelligence. Wow? Really? I had no idea the world didn't revolve around me good sir! Your really telling me people do not have to answer my questions on a open public forum? Wow thank you so much for that information! I now have a much firmer grasp of the bloody obvious. Please do tell me next time that the sky is blue and that water is wet <3
Now then. Before this escalates further and we drown this forum with out back and forth, why don't we go ahead and go our separate ways thinking the other person is a complete ****** bag and forget this whole thing ever happened?
Um.. No. No you did not. You neither directly answered my question nor really gave me an explanation. "I wouldn't allow it at my table, because the entire point of the 6th level ability is supposed to be to give you something out-of-combat, not something else to make you better at smashing things." That? Is not an explanation, nor a definitive answer. You are patting yourself on the back for supposedly helping me when you did no such thing, and then got all offended when I pointed that your attempt at helping was about as useful as a screendoor on the hull of a submarine. You did not "try to help me". You jumped at the chance to lecture me about how the class was supposed to work without ever really addressing my original question. My sincerest apologies if did not drop to all fours and worship the very ground you stood on for basking me with your presence, and precious, precious time of day. But im not one to be very thankful to someone who openly attempts to lecture me on very basic principles.
Now i fully admit I was far harsher then i needed to be. I could have just said, "Thank you for wasting my time, but that was not the answer i was looking for. Have a wonderful day." But I was sleep deprived and in a horrible mood already. So I sort of took it out on you and for that i am very sorry. " You are not owed and answer on here." And there you go again insulting my intelligence. Wow? Really? I had no idea the world didn't revolve around me good sir! Your really telling me people do not have to answer my questions on a open public forum? Wow thank you so much for that information! I now have a much firmer grasp of the bloody obvious. Please do tell me next time that the sky is blue and that water is wet <3
Now then. Before this escalates further and we drown this forum with out back and forth, why don't we go ahead and go our separate ways thinking the other person is a complete ****** bag and forget this whole thing ever happened?
You know what, after you escalated this from people trying to be helpful to insults and attacks, I'm not even going to take the time to fully read what is obviously yet another attack or to properly respond. Have a wonderful time trying to convince people to help you by attacking them. Good day.
You know... that's an interesting thought. I've always been of the "once chosen, always chosen" aspect of Barbarian Totems... but I could see that as the Barbarian began to work with their powers that they could choose where to go with it. Sure, it makes it homebrew, but when they choose to Rage they could choose which spirit to embody for that rage. Or once per day choose which totem they are following. I'll have to test how that works. In doing a DNDBeyond Character sheet... yeah, that's a nightmare, but with paper sheets and choosing an option it wouldn't be bad. Especially if they choose Bear for the day and had to follow that spirit path all day long until they could rest and commune with the spirits again, and Wolf another day or whatever. That would certainly change how you played the class without making it all just about the best thing at the moment and would have some of the other options that are rarely used come into play more often.
I am well aware of how the subclass is "supposed to work". Im not sure how my question gave you the impression that I did not understand how the subclass works but o well. I know how the subclass works my guy and that when you reach 6th level you are only supposed to and allowed to choose from one of the 6th level options. My entire question was weather or not it would be op, and or a fair choice, to allow a player the option to forgo their 6th level option for another 3rd level option instead. That's it. That's all i asked. I did not ask for a break down and a lecture of how the class is supposed to be played "rules as written" style.
I really just wanted other dm's opinions on if such a choice was game breaking or not, but instead I got told how to play the class -_-. It is like you guys did not even read my question at all and just jumped onto the keyboard for a chance to lecture someone. And I agree. I think if Wizards did give barbarians the choice to go for another third level feature over one of the 6th level features, then almost no one would go with the 6th level features. Because they are extremely situational at best, or outright pointless and useless at worst, depending on the setting. If for example you campaign is in a big city then 2 thirds of your level 6th options become outright useless. Pardon me but i thought D&D was about choices? If a player wanted to give up their utility ability for more combat options then im hard pressed to find a reason to tell them no other then it being potentially op/game breaking. The level 6th options, in my opinion, feel as if they were an afterthought tossed in last seconded because other sub-classes have level 6th class abilities. In some cases you could outright skip taking the level 6th feature and feel no loss in ability, or take one that is useless to your campaign and realize you gained nothing at all. But that is just of course my opinion and every table is different.
Now I asked another DM i know, and they actually answered my question at length. Amazing what can happen when people actually listen to your question, and then actually give you a straight answer for said question! Anyway, it was agreed that the 3rd level options were just to strong to allow a player to have 2 of them so early. We instead talked about how if a player wanted to sacrifice one of their 14th level abilities, the one that offers you bloody fly, for a 3rd level one that would be far more balanced as at that level another strong combat ability would make much more thematical sense. So. Question answered. Have a wonderful day good sir/madam, and next time? Try actually reading someone's question for help before trying to answer it mate ^_^.
Woah dude, way to flip out when people try to help you.
Note, I read your question. I explained what I would rule as a DM and why. I explained that I wasn't sure whether it would be overpowered.
If you didn't find that helpful, fine. But accusing people of not reading your question and attacking them when they have gone out of their way to try to answer your question and given up some of their free time to do so is a dick move. You are not owed and answer on here. Your attitude is likely to put people off trying to be helpful in future. It will certainly put people off helping you in the future.
Um.. No. No you did not. You neither directly answered my question nor really gave me an explanation. "I wouldn't allow it at my table, because the entire point of the 6th level ability is supposed to be to give you something out-of-combat, not something else to make you better at smashing things." That? Is not an explanation, nor a definitive answer. You are patting yourself on the back for supposedly helping me when you did no such thing, and then got all offended when I pointed that your attempt at helping was about as useful as a screendoor on the hull of a submarine. You did not "try to help me". You jumped at the chance to lecture me about how the class was supposed to work without ever really addressing my original question. My sincerest apologies if did not drop to all fours and worship the very ground you stood on for basking me with your presence, and precious, precious time of day. But im not one to be very thankful to someone who openly attempts to lecture me on very basic principles.
Now i fully admit I was far harsher then i needed to be. I could have just said, "Thank you for wasting my time, but that was not the answer i was looking for. Have a wonderful day." But I was sleep deprived and in a horrible mood already. So I sort of took it out on you and for that i am very sorry. Now. you then said "You are not owed and answer on here." And there you go again insulting my intelligence. Wow? Really? I had no idea the world didn't revolve around me good sir! Your really telling me people do not have to answer my questions on a open public forum? Wow thank you so much for that information! I now have a much firmer grasp of the bloody obvious. Please do tell me next time that the sky is blue and that water is wet <3
Now then. Before this escalates further and we drown this forum with out back and forth, why don't we go ahead and go our separate ways thinking the other person is a complete ****** bag and forget this whole thing ever happened?
You know what, after you escalated this from people trying to be helpful to insults and attacks, I'm not even going to take the time to fully read what is obviously yet another attack or to properly respond. Have a wonderful time trying to convince people to help you by attacking them. Good day.
Ditto. <3