First time posting! Hope this post is up to standards. I'm playing around with the idea of an aura damaging build. I realize the damage isn't exactly the best, but just wondering your guy's opinions on how to build this guy.
As far as sources for aura damage go, I've only found a handful. The Scourge Aasimar offers this trait:
Starting at 3rd level, you can use your action to unleash the divine energy within yourself, causing a searing light to radiate from you, pour out of your eyes and mouth, and threaten to char you.
Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, you shed bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet, and at the end of each of your turns, you and each creature within 10 feet of you take radiant damage equal to half your level (rounded up). In addition, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals your level.
Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Another source I've found is the Storm Herald Barbarian which has this when selecting the desert aura:
When this effect is activated, all other creatures in your aura take 2 fire damage each. The damage increases when you reach certain levels in this class, increasing to 3 at 5th level, 4 at 10th level, 5 at 15th level, and 6 at 20th level.
The last source I've come across is the Conquest Paladin which gains this at level 7:
If a creature is frightened of you, its speed is reduced to 0 while in the aura, and that creature takes psychic damage equal to half your paladin level if it starts its turn there.
I've got a VERY rough idea of what I want to do and I realize how relatively weak I'll be, but the idea of literally standing there and dealing damage kinda makes me laugh and I really want to explore the possibilities of this sort of build. If you know of other sources for this kind of damage, feel free to drop some knowledge on me. Thanks in advance for the help and replies!
If you go Paladin keep in mind that they have their own beneficial auras as well. This means if you are a Scourge Aasimar and they want to benefit from your Aura of Protection before level 18 they have to put themselves in range of your damaging aura which does not specify friendlies are unaffected.
Since there are few literal, damaging aura spells available, I think spells that punish an enemy for attacking you are a good option for fitting the theme. This way you also have more class options if you find Paladin or Cleric doesn't quite fit your character.
There are many beneficial aura spells that provide support/healing rather than damaging. You can homebrew these with your DM's help to provide a negative effect for your enemies.
With warlock invocations there are some new ones offered in XGtE.
Cloak of flies Grant's a 5ft aura of poison damage (cha modifier). Activated with a bonus action. 1x usage per short rest.
Great for melee hex blades. Not great for ranged casters unless in a pinch.
Not an aura but maddening hex 'pulses' any hex or curse on a hexed/cursed target within 30ft inflicting CHA Mod damage to it and any adjacent enemy within 5ft of it. Can be used each turn with a bonus action. No attack roll which is great.
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First time posting! Hope this post is up to standards. I'm playing around with the idea of an aura damaging build. I realize the damage isn't exactly the best, but just wondering your guy's opinions on how to build this guy.
As far as sources for aura damage go, I've only found a handful. The Scourge Aasimar offers this trait:
Another source I've found is the Storm Herald Barbarian which has this when selecting the desert aura:
The last source I've come across is the Conquest Paladin which gains this at level 7:
I've got a VERY rough idea of what I want to do and I realize how relatively weak I'll be, but the idea of literally standing there and dealing damage kinda makes me laugh and I really want to explore the possibilities of this sort of build. If you know of other sources for this kind of damage, feel free to drop some knowledge on me. Thanks in advance for the help and replies!
There is also the spirit guardians spell. You will have to be a level 7 cleric and not be raging though.
I think war/forge/tempest cleric, conquest paladin, scourge aasimar synergises well as a divine rage/force of nature build.
If you go Paladin keep in mind that they have their own beneficial auras as well. This means if you are a Scourge Aasimar and they want to benefit from your Aura of Protection before level 18 they have to put themselves in range of your damaging aura which does not specify friendlies are unaffected.
Other damaging/negative effect aura or aura-like spells. Crusader's Mantle, Warding Wind, Fire Shield, Armor of Agathys, Investiture of Flame, Investiture of Stone, Shadow of Moil.
Since there are few literal, damaging aura spells available, I think spells that punish an enemy for attacking you are a good option for fitting the theme. This way you also have more class options if you find Paladin or Cleric doesn't quite fit your character.
There are many beneficial aura spells that provide support/healing rather than damaging. You can homebrew these with your DM's help to provide a negative effect for your enemies.
With warlock invocations there are some new ones offered in XGtE.
Cloak of flies Grant's a 5ft aura of poison damage (cha modifier). Activated with a bonus action. 1x usage per short rest.
Great for melee hex blades. Not great for ranged casters unless in a pinch.
Not an aura but maddening hex 'pulses' any hex or curse on a hexed/cursed target within 30ft inflicting CHA Mod damage to it and any adjacent enemy within 5ft of it. Can be used each turn with a bonus action. No attack roll which is great.