I love the new backgrounds like High Sorcery. The idea of backgrounds granting feats that can be progressed too really gave me a much needed boost for 5e.
One of my biggest issues with 5e is a lack of customization. Don't get me wrong, I love the game. It's just that after so many years, the characters have very little to offer in terms of game mechanics - especially at low levels.
Feats are one of the few ways to actually properly customize a character and you don't get many of those, especially when you need your ASIs too.
Ok on to the subject. The Knights of Solamnia BG is amazing, but possibly a balance issue. The BG gives any class Medium armor and martial weapons practically for free.
This is amazing for making atypical melee clerics (that lack martial weapons) or more importantly Battlemages!
Medium armor and martial weapon sorcerers.
Do you guys think this could be a balance problem? Many classes seem to deliberately have a hard time accessing BOTH good armor and martial weapons that this BG ignores.
I wouldn't mind it as DM and don't think it's that problematic, but what unseen problems do you think might arise?
Ps. I know these are setting specific but they are also playtest for fufure editions. We allow players to choose these BGs and reflavor them for our settings.
Though I know you mentioned it, these seem pretty setting-locked.
There is always flexibility though, I could easily see a Strixhaven alumni using the feats outside of a Strixhaven campaign. (Imagine being so stuck in your glory days you still have the mascot summon at a moment's notice?)
I have read the knight of solomnia background and all 4 if the feats associated with it. Where does it grant weapon or armor proficiency? I don't see it anywhere.
Not that there is a balance issue, gish are fun, but ultimately suboptimal compared to pure spell spinners. I just though it would be weird to make a "martial" background that benefits mages more than martials. But again, I can't see where that is the case anyway.
I have read the knight of solomnia background and all 4 if the feats associated with it. Where does it grant weapon or armor proficiency? I don't see it anywhere.
Not that there is a balance issue, gish are fun, but ultimately suboptimal compared to pure spell spinners. I just though it would be weird to make a "martial" background that benefits mages more than martials. But again, I can't see where that is the case anyway.
It's the Squire of Solamnia feat granted by the BG.
And the feat doesn't give much to fighters, paladins or rangers since they already get both profis. So I think this BG is not really even meant for them.
"Your training in the ways of the Knights of Solamnia grants you these benefits:
Martial Training. You gain proficiency with medium armor and martial weapons.
Defensive Rider. You have advantage on saving throws made to avoid falling off a mount.
Encouraging Rally. When another creature you can see within 30 feet of you makes a saving throw, you can use your reaction to inspire them. If the target can hear you and understand you, it gains advantage on the saving throw. Once you use this reaction, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest."
That was playtest material. The actual feat is different (I'm not gonna copy/paste the text for copyright reasons, but if you own the book here, you'll see the link).
Ah it's been revised. That explains. Thanks! I was reading the old UA version pdf.
Ah, that's what happened. Yeah, the version that actually got printed doesn't give proficiencies, just a precise strike that gives you advantage on an attack and bonus d8 damage PB times per day (and can mount a horse easier...).
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Hey,
I love the new backgrounds like High Sorcery. The idea of backgrounds granting feats that can be progressed too really gave me a much needed boost for 5e.
One of my biggest issues with 5e is a lack of customization. Don't get me wrong, I love the game. It's just that after so many years, the characters have very little to offer in terms of game mechanics - especially at low levels.
Feats are one of the few ways to actually properly customize a character and you don't get many of those, especially when you need your ASIs too.
Ok on to the subject. The Knights of Solamnia BG is amazing, but possibly a balance issue. The BG gives any class Medium armor and martial weapons practically for free.
This is amazing for making atypical melee clerics (that lack martial weapons) or more importantly Battlemages!
Medium armor and martial weapon sorcerers.
Do you guys think this could be a balance problem? Many classes seem to deliberately have a hard time accessing BOTH good armor and martial weapons that this BG ignores.
I wouldn't mind it as DM and don't think it's that problematic, but what unseen problems do you think might arise?
Ps. I know these are setting specific but they are also playtest for fufure editions. We allow players to choose these BGs and reflavor them for our settings.
Finland GMT/UTC +2
Though I know you mentioned it, these seem pretty setting-locked.
There is always flexibility though, I could easily see a Strixhaven alumni using the feats outside of a Strixhaven campaign. (Imagine being so stuck in your glory days you still have the mascot summon at a moment's notice?)
I have read the knight of solomnia background and all 4 if the feats associated with it. Where does it grant weapon or armor proficiency? I don't see it anywhere.
Not that there is a balance issue, gish are fun, but ultimately suboptimal compared to pure spell spinners. I just though it would be weird to make a "martial" background that benefits mages more than martials. But again, I can't see where that is the case anyway.
It's the Squire of Solamnia feat granted by the BG.
And the feat doesn't give much to fighters, paladins or rangers since they already get both profis. So I think this BG is not really even meant for them.
Finland GMT/UTC +2
Edit: removed the UA quote. Not sure if copypasting free playtest UA material is fordbidden, but just in case.
Finland GMT/UTC +2
That was playtest material. The actual feat is different (I'm not gonna copy/paste the text for copyright reasons, but if you own the book here, you'll see the link).
Ah it's been revised. That explains. Thanks! I was reading the old UA version pdf.
Finland GMT/UTC +2
Ah, that's what happened. Yeah, the version that actually got printed doesn't give proficiencies, just a precise strike that gives you advantage on an attack and bonus d8 damage PB times per day (and can mount a horse easier...).