Hi, I've been meaning to get any and all feedback I can on what can and can't maybe fly and be balanced when homebrewing for PC options using Plane Shift materials.
My initial jump is to appropriate druid features, then to class archetypes, or methods to simulate such.
I got a little helpful advice from the podcast Total Party Thrill's answer to my question on their Facebook page, suggesting to replace Wild Shape & Beast Spells with a reskinned Font of Magic from Sorcerer, add in a reskinned War God's Blessing (as I had primarily claimed Wild Shape as a universal/multiversal feature was inappropriate and mana ramping & temporary buffing were more so appropriate for a typical MTG druid, tho perhaps War God's Blessing could be one of a small list of selectable options at certain levels, much like the Sorcerer's Metamagic) Replace Archdruid with reskinned Sorcerous Restoration. Lastly, reincorporate the afforementioned features only if they are necessary for a player who desires to simulate the Totem Armor mechanic whilst roleplaying on Zendikar.
As for class archetypes, I've most recently considered that a lot must be done best by simply reflavoring/reskinning, or guiding the players and campaigns subtly (such as, besides optionally using the spell points system instead of spell slots, instead of making a RIDICULOUS land > mana bond > mana > color > spells > colored spells system, simply 1. Claim caster class characters have previously bonded with mana-providing lands prior to the campaign, just as a Wizard doesn't usually have to roleplay the time period of learning the fundamentals of magic and acquiring the initial spell slots at 1st level. 2. Guide players to a decision about what 1-2 (preferably) colors their character should generally identify with, and perhaps give a list of recommended spells that should flavorfully not violate the color(s) they chose for their character. 3. Perhaps request MINOR roleplaying between levelling up or other character development to reflect the character's growing mana pool or shifting colors.
On track about archetypes, maybe Lullmages can be played by learning Sleep and other such spells and during Roil events, treat the map as an invisible/intangible creature with stats necessary to succeed with Persuasion/Handle Animal/Sleep to "calm" Zendikar and neutralize the Roil. Make "Eldrazi" a valid Favored Enemy type for the Ranger, do the best possible at identifying Cleric Domains appropriate for the locally worshipped entities, and identities for Warlock patrons (Eldrazi or powerful pre-mending planeswalkers = Great Old Ones, Demons = Fiends, Omnath/Mul Daya elf spirit/Green-aligned geists/extinct elf undead or geists/The Great Conduit = Archfey) Necroalchemists or Stitchers could be replicated by Wizards who use rules similar to the ones that allow a Kaladesh PC to lifecraft animal constructs, etc.
What other notable character concepts for Zendikar/Innistrad/Kaladesh could deserve class archetypes, and maybe which of them could be done without a new archetype being made whole cloth?
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Hi, I've been meaning to get any and all feedback I can on what can and can't maybe fly and be balanced when homebrewing for PC options using Plane Shift materials.
My initial jump is to appropriate druid features, then to class archetypes, or methods to simulate such.
I got a little helpful advice from the podcast Total Party Thrill's answer to my question on their Facebook page, suggesting to replace Wild Shape & Beast Spells with a reskinned Font of Magic from Sorcerer, add in a reskinned War God's Blessing (as I had primarily claimed Wild Shape as a universal/multiversal feature was inappropriate and mana ramping & temporary buffing were more so appropriate for a typical MTG druid, tho perhaps War God's Blessing could be one of a small list of selectable options at certain levels, much like the Sorcerer's Metamagic) Replace Archdruid with reskinned Sorcerous Restoration. Lastly, reincorporate the afforementioned features only if they are necessary for a player who desires to simulate the Totem Armor mechanic whilst roleplaying on Zendikar.
As for class archetypes, I've most recently considered that a lot must be done best by simply reflavoring/reskinning, or guiding the players and campaigns subtly (such as, besides optionally using the spell points system instead of spell slots, instead of making a RIDICULOUS land > mana bond > mana > color > spells > colored spells system, simply 1. Claim caster class characters have previously bonded with mana-providing lands prior to the campaign, just as a Wizard doesn't usually have to roleplay the time period of learning the fundamentals of magic and acquiring the initial spell slots at 1st level. 2. Guide players to a decision about what 1-2 (preferably) colors their character should generally identify with, and perhaps give a list of recommended spells that should flavorfully not violate the color(s) they chose for their character. 3. Perhaps request MINOR roleplaying between levelling up or other character development to reflect the character's growing mana pool or shifting colors.
On track about archetypes, maybe Lullmages can be played by learning Sleep and other such spells and during Roil events, treat the map as an invisible/intangible creature with stats necessary to succeed with Persuasion/Handle Animal/Sleep to "calm" Zendikar and neutralize the Roil. Make "Eldrazi" a valid Favored Enemy type for the Ranger, do the best possible at identifying Cleric Domains appropriate for the locally worshipped entities, and identities for Warlock patrons (Eldrazi or powerful pre-mending planeswalkers = Great Old Ones, Demons = Fiends, Omnath/Mul Daya elf spirit/Green-aligned geists/extinct elf undead or geists/The Great Conduit = Archfey) Necroalchemists or Stitchers could be replicated by Wizards who use rules similar to the ones that allow a Kaladesh PC to lifecraft animal constructs, etc.
What other notable character concepts for Zendikar/Innistrad/Kaladesh could deserve class archetypes, and maybe which of them could be done without a new archetype being made whole cloth?