I don't think Chaos Bolt is a good spell for rangers, or a dragon theme, due to the Necrotic, Force, Thunder, and Radiant damage from that spell. Yes, absorb elements is already on their spell list, but it's just a free spell that fits the theme (mostly). I think it's fine.
I agree with sfPanzer about fear being better than erupting earth for dragon-themed rangers. Polymorph isn't a good ranger spell, and neither is Immolation, and neither really fit the "dragon" theme better than Elemental Bane or Geas.
This whole problem could be solved if they made more dragon-themed spells.
As stated, I think fear is perfectly valid as an option, biggest problem for me and why I didn't take it is because I went with something that isn't concentration. I disagree that Polymorph isn't thematic to dragons given they can polymorph to humanoids, but I do really like elemental bane and think that could fit rather nicely as a way to supplement the drake damage and will swap it out, and Immolation feels pretty red dragon to me, you know the whole burning someone to death. Geas is just to weird and situational for me, I can see why you selected it, but I personally wold stick with my selection on that one. or Fear. I wasn't sure about Chaos bolt and may switch it up, but not to Absorb Elements. You eventually can use your reaction to cut damage anyway, so giving them a spell that they can choose already and eventually don't need at all seems unsatisfying. My original alt was Chromatic Orb
However you are correct about dragons being able to shapechange, it is only for metallic dragons. Immolation is good for the "light them on fire" theme, but not good for any dragons besides Red, Brass, and Gold Dragons. Chromatic Orb is better than Chaos Bolt, but I think infusing your weapons with elemental damage fits dragons better than just shooting a bolt of it. I understand the concentration for Fear, but its still a good spell situationally.
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Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
However you are correct about dragons being able to shapechange, it is only for metallic dragons. Immolation is good for the "light them on fire" theme, but not good for any dragons besides Red, Brass, and Gold Dragons. Chromatic Orb is better than Chaos Bolt, but I think infusing your weapons with elemental damage fits dragons better than just shooting a bolt of it. I understand the concentration for Fear, but its still a good spell situationally.
I think infusing you weapon is fine, but absorb elements requires you be hit with an element to infuse it, i was actually originally going to put acid stream, but Beyond only has that as a UA, once Tasha's comes out I will likely replace this with Tasha's Caustic Brew (updated version of Acid Stream).
I don't think Chaos Bolt is a good spell for rangers, or a dragon theme, due to the Necrotic, Force, Thunder, and Radiant damage from that spell. Yes, absorb elements is already on their spell list, but it's just a free spell that fits the theme (mostly). I think it's fine.
I agree with sfPanzer about fear being better than erupting earth for dragon-themed rangers. Polymorph isn't a good ranger spell, and neither is Immolation, and neither really fit the "dragon" theme better than Elemental Bane or Geas.
This whole problem could be solved if they made more dragon-themed spells.
As stated, I think fear is perfectly valid as an option, biggest problem for me and why I didn't take it is because I went with something that isn't concentration. I disagree that Polymorph isn't thematic to dragons given they can polymorph to humanoids, but I do really like elemental bane and think that could fit rather nicely as a way to supplement the drake damage and will swap it out, and Immolation feels pretty red dragon to me, you know the whole burning someone to death. Geas is just to weird and situational for me, I can see why you selected it, but I personally wold stick with my selection on that one. or Fear. I wasn't sure about Chaos bolt and may switch it up, but not to Absorb Elements. You eventually can use your reaction to cut damage anyway, so giving them a spell that they can choose already and eventually don't need at all seems unsatisfying. My original alt was Chromatic Orb
Fair enough about the reaction usage, however I have the same issues with Chromatic Orb I'd have with Chaos Bolt. I don't play Ranger to fling spells around. If I wanted to do that I'd be playing a proper caster class instead. Personally I feel like Ranger spells should focus on supplementing their martial fighting or help them with wilderness stuff like tracking down targets etc.
ok, so if you want to buff the martial ability you could slot in Thunderous Smite, but given the limited number of spells Rangers can cast, it wouldn't be my first choice, as I said above, once Tasha's is out I am going to put in Tasha's Caustic Brew, the updated Acid Stream
However you are correct about dragons being able to shapechange, it is only for metallic dragons. Immolation is good for the "light them on fire" theme, but not good for any dragons besides Red, Brass, and Gold Dragons. Chromatic Orb is better than Chaos Bolt, but I think infusing your weapons with elemental damage fits dragons better than just shooting a bolt of it. I understand the concentration for Fear, but its still a good spell situationally.
so because the spell Immolation only works for 3 dragon types it isn't thematic enough for you? Feel free to suggest an alternative, I like Elemental Bane and replaced Polymorph
As stated, I think fear is perfectly valid as an option, biggest problem for me and why I didn't take it is because I went with something that isn't concentration. I disagree that Polymorph isn't thematic to dragons given they can polymorph to humanoids, but I do really like elemental bane and think that could fit rather nicely as a way to supplement the drake damage and will swap it out, and Immolation feels pretty red dragon to me, you know the whole burning someone to death. Geas is just to weird and situational for me, I can see why you selected it, but I personally wold stick with my selection on that one. or Fear. I wasn't sure about Chaos bolt and may switch it up, but not to Absorb Elements. You eventually can use your reaction to cut damage anyway, so giving them a spell that they can choose already and eventually don't need at all seems unsatisfying. My original alt was Chromatic Orb
Drakewarden:
3rd Chromatic Orb
5th Dragon's Breath
9th Erupting Earth or Fear
13th Elemental Bane
17th Immolation
However you are correct about dragons being able to shapechange, it is only for metallic dragons. Immolation is good for the "light them on fire" theme, but not good for any dragons besides Red, Brass, and Gold Dragons. Chromatic Orb is better than Chaos Bolt, but I think infusing your weapons with elemental damage fits dragons better than just shooting a bolt of it. I understand the concentration for Fear, but its still a good spell situationally.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
I think infusing you weapon is fine, but absorb elements requires you be hit with an element to infuse it, i was actually originally going to put acid stream, but Beyond only has that as a UA, once Tasha's comes out I will likely replace this with Tasha's Caustic Brew (updated version of Acid Stream).
ok, so if you want to buff the martial ability you could slot in Thunderous Smite, but given the limited number of spells Rangers can cast, it wouldn't be my first choice, as I said above, once Tasha's is out I am going to put in Tasha's Caustic Brew, the updated Acid Stream
so because the spell Immolation only works for 3 dragon types it isn't thematic enough for you? Feel free to suggest an alternative, I like Elemental Bane and replaced Polymorph