I have created a Warlock using the Raven queen Patron. I love how it starts out, but then the level 6th ability is horrible it is essentially what you start off with, other than you plymorph into the raven. If it maybe allowed you to attack in that form it would be slightly different.
Does anyone have any suggestion on perhaps a different ability? I am looking to substitute it.
You're right, there would still be ways in which you could die or be killed, but it would restrict most, if not all, methods at that level, and still be productive by endgame as well.
Now a question as well, what would happen if I was hit in this form? Would it be like beast shape from the druid, that the Raven form would take the initial damage then I would fall out of this form, and then take the remaining damage?
Per the UA, the raven can't take damage when perched. It can't be targeted by any attack or harmful effect, nor can any spell be cast upon it other than by you. While you are merged, the you-raven is treated as if perched.
It's probably one of the reasons why it failed the playtest. That UA has been reprinted in official material, and the Raven Queen patron subclass didn't make the cut.
Can't help you there, not really good at the whole balancing thing.
But thanks for bringing this to my attention. I think if I make a Wondrous Object magic item based off of the Sentinel Raven feature it would work very well for one of the players in my campaign.
At 6th level, you gain the ability to merge with your raven spirit. As a bonus action when your raven is perched on your shoulder, your body merges with your raven’s form. While merged, you become Tiny, you replace your speed with the raven’s, and you can use your action only to Dash, Disengage, Dodge, Help, Hide, or Search. During this time, you gain the benefits of your raven being perched on your shoulder. As an action, you and the raven return to normal.
"You become tiny" You are still able to be attacked and would use your hit points, reverting to full size if you fall unconscious or die. (I'm seeing 'merge' as more flavour text, and as an explanation as to why you can't attack or take complicated actions). I can see it as good scouting tool, combat escape, prison escape, eavesdropping tool, getting into a locked building by an open window, etc. I see it as less of a combat ability and more a utility ability. Although it is similar to polymorph, you can use it an unlimited amount of times for as long as you want. That's how I'd run it personally.
As for being able to attack the Raven does 1 damage per attack, so not really useful in true combat.
Alternative?:
If the Raven is perched on your shoulder, you may transform into into a Swarm of Ravens (maintains general body mass as it's medium) and add your Charisma modifier to all damage rolls. You can do this a number of times equal to your charisma modifier (min. 1) and regain all uses on a long/short? rest. If the swarm falls to 0 hp you return to your original form, carrying over any excess damage. You gain the benefits of the sentinel raven being perched on your shoulder. (the raven remains perched until you return to your original form, and then it acts as normal) You can attack while in swarm form.
If for any reason one of the ravens in the swarm is further than 100ft from the main swarm, you take 1d8 necrotic damage straight to your character, but remain in the swarm form (the swarm also takes the same 1d8 damage {with no damage type, just straight damage})
Personally, I love the Level 6 ability. It's flavorful as heck, and great for exploring. Even got a great action movie moment out of it. The party was in this tower that suppressed magic inside it and a small radius around the outside. We were being attacked by werewolves on the ground, and of course I was useless while inside the tower. So I leaped out the top floor window, and once I was far enough away during my fall I transformed into the Raven to fly down to the ground where I could join the fight :)
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I read it as you gain the benefits you would gain if the raven was perched on your shoulder even though you are now merged with the raven.(cha mod bonus to your perception and passive perception as well as darkvision)
It can be read either way, but I honestly don't believe they intended for you to transform into an invulnerable incapacitated raven.
I have created a Warlock using the Raven queen Patron. I love how it starts out, but then the level 6th ability is horrible it is essentially what you start off with, other than you plymorph into the raven. If it maybe allowed you to attack in that form it would be slightly different.
Does anyone have any suggestion on perhaps a different ability? I am looking to substitute it.
I mean, it essentially makes you invincible for the duration, which is rather good. It's not a combat ability but a roleplay/get-outta-jail-free-card.
I wouldn't say invincible, but yes it is a good roleplay/get out of jail free card.
You're right, there would still be ways in which you could die or be killed, but it would restrict most, if not all, methods at that level, and still be productive by endgame as well.
Now a question as well, what would happen if I was hit in this form? Would it be like beast shape from the druid, that the Raven form would take the initial damage then I would fall out of this form, and then take the remaining damage?
Per the UA, the raven can't take damage when perched. It can't be targeted by any attack or harmful effect, nor can any spell be cast upon it other than by you. While you are merged, the you-raven is treated as if perched.
Yeah I was just reading that as well, so you are correct when saying that the warlock is invincible then
That's a little OP then
It's probably one of the reasons why it failed the playtest. That UA has been reprinted in official material, and the Raven Queen patron subclass didn't make the cut.
yeah, I know. But the campaign I am playing they have allowed it, and I want to change that ability even to something completely different
Can't help you there, not really good at the whole balancing thing.
But thanks for bringing this to my attention. I think if I make a Wondrous Object magic item based off of the Sentinel Raven feature it would work very well for one of the players in my campaign.
It's pretty cool I do enjoy it! Thanks for the responses
Hopefully someone will throw out an idea
I would say you're not invincible:
"You become tiny" You are still able to be attacked and would use your hit points, reverting to full size if you fall unconscious or die. (I'm seeing 'merge' as more flavour text, and as an explanation as to why you can't attack or take complicated actions). I can see it as good scouting tool, combat escape, prison escape, eavesdropping tool, getting into a locked building by an open window, etc. I see it as less of a combat ability and more a utility ability. Although it is similar to polymorph, you can use it an unlimited amount of times for as long as you want. That's how I'd run it personally.
As for being able to attack the Raven does 1 damage per attack, so not really useful in true combat.
Alternative?:
If the Raven is perched on your shoulder, you may transform into into a Swarm of Ravens (maintains general body mass as it's medium) and add your Charisma modifier to all damage rolls. You can do this a number of times equal to your charisma modifier (min. 1) and regain all uses on a long/short? rest. If the swarm falls to 0 hp you return to your original form, carrying over any excess damage. You gain the benefits of the sentinel raven being perched on your shoulder. (the raven remains perched until you return to your original form, and then it acts as normal) You can attack while in swarm form.
If for any reason one of the ravens in the swarm is further than 100ft from the main swarm, you take 1d8 necrotic damage straight to your character, but remain in the swarm form (the swarm also takes the same 1d8 damage {with no damage type, just straight damage})
Personally, I love the Level 6 ability. It's flavorful as heck, and great for exploring. Even got a great action movie moment out of it. The party was in this tower that suppressed magic inside it and a small radius around the outside. We were being attacked by werewolves on the ground, and of course I was useless while inside the tower. So I leaped out the top floor window, and once I was far enough away during my fall I transformed into the Raven to fly down to the ground where I could join the fight :)
Conn_Eremon I missed this reading of it. Adds versatility.
The raven perched on your shoulder cannot take damage, correct?
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I read it as you gain the benefits you would gain if the raven was perched on your shoulder even though you are now merged with the raven.(cha mod bonus to your perception and passive perception as well as darkvision)
It can be read either way, but I honestly don't believe they intended for you to transform into an invulnerable incapacitated raven.
After some perceptive reading, the benefits are what you get when the raven is perched on your shoulder, not what the raven receives.