I know the Banneret or the Purple Dragon Knight gets a bad rap but I'd like to power it up because I like the concept and I like the idea of a Charismatic Fighter leading at the front lines and being a royal terror. Pun intended. So please have a read and comment on what you think about the power-up options I'm suggesting.
The idea for the class is based on the optional Morale rules on the Combat Section of the DMG. Per those rules, when a monster becomes bloodied, you may roll a DC 10 Wisdom check in order to see if it flees combat under the following conditions:
Condition 1: more than half its allies are dead or Incapacitated and none of the opposing side are dead or Incapacitated
Condition 2: It has the Frightened Condition
(optional) Condition 3: Its side has no effective way to fight. (the PCs have taken zero or inconsequential damage over the last 3 rounds)
Of course, you only do this if the outcome is in question. You can always just say the monsters give up and leave or give up and surrender.
So. On to the Subclass Modifications. The Banneret was featured in the relatively recent Heroes of Faerun product from WotC.
Level 3: Knightly Envoy
Comprehension: you get this
Polyglot: Very flavorful. You get this, too.
Well Spoken: Yes, but remove Insight. The additional abilities will key off of Intimidation and Performance.
Level 3: Point of the Spear (replaces Group Recovery)
You are skilled at leading platoons and armies. Under your command, peasants become heroes, and enemy combatants flee.
When you use your Second Wind feature, you can choose any number of allies within a 30 foot emanation originating from yourself. Each of those allies regain 1d4 HP+your Fighter level.
In addition, if you have the Intimidation proficiency, you can force any number of target creatures within the emanation that can see you to make a Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened until the end of your next turn. The DC for the saving throw is 8+PB+Charisma modifier.
Alternatively, if you have the Performance proficiency, you can instead attempt to rally your own troops. You can remove the Frightened condition from any number of target creatures within the Emanation that can see you.
Level 7: Team Tactics
When you use Point of the Spear, each chosen ally...
Level 10: Rallying Surge
When you use your Action Surge, you can choose any number of allies in a 30 foot emanation. Each of those allies can use their Reaction to move their Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks. You can also choose any number of target creatures in the emanation to make a Wis saving throw against DC 8+PB+Charisma modifier or move half their speed away from you.
Level 15: Same
Level 18: Legendary Commander
You gain the following benefits:
Bolstered Rally: The area of effect for Rallying Surge is increased to 60 feet.
Unshakable Bravery: as listed. You are also immune to the Stunned condition.
Purple Dragon: Your battlefield presence is so powerful, you almost resemble a dragon to most mortals. When you use Point of the Spear, the area of effect of the emanation is increased to 120 feet. The Frightened effect duration is increased to 1 minute. Each ally that regains hitpoints may recover from the Frightened or Stunned condition, and is immune to both conditions for one minute.
I know the Banneret or the Purple Dragon Knight gets a bad rap but I'd like to power it up because I like the concept and I like the idea of a Charismatic Fighter leading at the front lines and being a royal terror. Pun intended. So please have a read and comment on what you think about the power-up options I'm suggesting.
The idea for the class is based on the optional Morale rules on the Combat Section of the DMG. Per those rules, when a monster becomes bloodied, you may roll a DC 10 Wisdom check in order to see if it flees combat under the following conditions:
Condition 1: more than half its allies are dead or Incapacitated and none of the opposing side are dead or Incapacitated
Condition 2: It has the Frightened Condition
(optional) Condition 3: Its side has no effective way to fight. (the PCs have taken zero or inconsequential damage over the last 3 rounds)
Of course, you only do this if the outcome is in question. You can always just say the monsters give up and leave or give up and surrender.
So. On to the Subclass Modifications. The Banneret was featured in the relatively recent Heroes of Faerun product from WotC.
Level 3: Knightly Envoy
Comprehension: you get this
Polyglot: Very flavorful. You get this, too.
Well Spoken: Yes, but remove Insight. The additional abilities will key off of Intimidation and Performance.
Level 3: Point of the Spear (replaces Group Recovery)
You are skilled at leading platoons and armies. Under your command, peasants become heroes, and enemy combatants flee.
When you use your Second Wind feature, you can choose any number of allies within a 30 foot emanation originating from yourself. Each of those allies regain 1d4 HP+your Fighter level.
In addition, if you have the Intimidation proficiency, you can force any number of target creatures within the emanation that can see you to make a Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened until the end of your next turn. The DC for the saving throw is 8+PB+Charisma modifier.
Alternatively, if you have the Performance proficiency, you can instead attempt to rally your own troops. You can remove the Frightened condition from any number of target creatures within the Emanation that can see you.
Level 7: Team Tactics
When you use Point of the Spear, each chosen ally...
Level 10: Rallying Surge
When you use your Action Surge, you can choose any number of allies in a 30 foot emanation. Each of those allies can use their Reaction to move their Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks. You can also choose any number of target creatures in the emanation to make a Wis saving throw against DC 8+PB+Charisma modifier or move half their speed away from you.
Level 15: Same
Level 18: Legendary Commander
You gain the following benefits:
Bolstered Rally: The area of effect for Rallying Surge is increased to 60 feet.
Unshakable Bravery: as listed. You are also immune to the Stunned condition.
Purple Dragon: Your battlefield presence is so powerful, you almost resemble a dragon to most mortals. When you use Point of the Spear, the area of effect of the emanation is increased to 120 feet. The Frightened effect duration is increased to 1 minute. Each ally that regains hitpoints may recover from the Frightened or Stunned condition, and is immune to both conditions for one minute.