I had this idea for a protector of nature type paladin that can transform into a werebear as backstory type deal where I got bite by one or something like that and I was just curious if it was at all possible bc the character design I have in mind pretty much revolves around be being this thor from gow ragnorok looking dude with bear furs as armor and stuff my weapon I was thinking something large like a hammer or axe of some kind I was looking for any tips bc honestly I haven't played dnd yet and I really want to
You can definitely play an Oath of the Ancients Paladin that looks like you imagine, with no problem.
As for the werebear part, the simplest way is to use the Shifter race. It was practically made for this purpose. It is balanced against the other species options, so it won't be as overpowered as a full werebear would be. But it gives you the feel really nicely.
If you wanted to lean into that part even more later, you could consider multiclassing into Druid for 2 levels and choose Circle of the Moon. That will let you wildshape into a CR 1 bear. But that does add some complication so you might want to play a bit first before getting into adding other classes.
It kind of sounds like you are trying a lot of good ideas to bulk up an overpowered character, but are missing some of the subtle nuances.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but the "were" curse is not exactly welcomed by most practitioners of faith. They are almost always chaotic and usually in touch with nature which generally puts you into neutral, but can be good or evil. The problem is that mastering lycanthropy is supposed to be rare, and a lot of tables use those rules to keep things balanced. But if there is any chance that you lose control then you are definitely out of alignment with most paladin oaths. Just realize that most paladins definitely have little in common with Barbarians other than their fighting skills. And those are supposed to be a bit more refined like the knights of the round table or say the "Green Knight" of legend.
Now your Paladin: Oath of the Ancients has 4 tenets that have been preserved for centuries. Kindle the Light, Shelter the Light, Preserve Your Own Light, and Be the Light. Do you feel you can maintain these tenets, serve your deity, and be a werebear? If you and your DM think this works, then scrub everything I said as that is your real litmus test that actually matters. Realize that a lot of DM's will punish a paladin or cleric if they break their oath (RAW). Loss of experience, access to spells and abilities, and occasionally stat points depending on the transgression and DM. But this should only happen after you hit 3rd level or higher in my opinion.
I think your challenge will be figuring out your deity and how your devotion makes you a good choice as a "Fey Knight". This subclass is very druid like, but it still feels like you need to put more effort into the Paladin side of it. Personally, I get a lot of feel of the class and it's role from the "Turn the Faithless" ability. This will also affect your Divine Sense ability as well.
One thing I would suggest to anyone at my table to get a similar character with balance is trading one of your abilities for wild shape and limit it to 1-3 animals. I would accept trading lay of hands or Nature's Wrath for that skill based on balance and possible changes within your order that at least make some sense. But this would be your DM's call, but you can at least make the suggestion.
I was sorta thinking now I'll pick up blood hunter order of the lycan and choose to be a werebear so maybe I'll start as a oath of the ancients paladin and then by the time I'm level 6 I get cursed/blessed by nature with lycanthropy or something like that I'm not intentionally trying to be over powered I just thought it would be a cool character
Werebears are neutral good tho so won't really effect my oath too much
It's true, werebears are the goodest of all the were folk. :)
And there are no restrictions on alignment and Paladins anymore unless your DM wants there to be.
I think it's a great character concept and sounds like a fun guy! You can still have some of that werebear flavor right from the start with the Shifter too. Maybe it's part of his family bloodline, and later in levels it can be awakened even more. Good luck and I hope you have fun with your character!
I had this idea for a protector of nature type paladin that can transform into a werebear as backstory type deal where I got bite by one or something like that and I was just curious if it was at all possible bc the character design I have in mind pretty much revolves around be being this thor from gow ragnorok looking dude with bear furs as armor and stuff my weapon I was thinking something large like a hammer or axe of some kind I was looking for any tips bc honestly I haven't played dnd yet and I really want to
Going to depend on your DM. The one thing I would say, if they did allow it, is that you couldn't cast while in full bear form. Only human and hybrid form.
I had this idea for a protector of nature type paladin that can transform into a werebear as backstory type deal where I got bite by one or something like that and I was just curious if it was at all possible bc the character design I have in mind pretty much revolves around be being this thor from gow ragnorok looking dude with bear furs as armor and stuff my weapon I was thinking something large like a hammer or axe of some kind I was looking for any tips bc honestly I haven't played dnd yet and I really want to
Hi and welcome!
You can definitely play an Oath of the Ancients Paladin that looks like you imagine, with no problem.
As for the werebear part, the simplest way is to use the Shifter race. It was practically made for this purpose. It is balanced against the other species options, so it won't be as overpowered as a full werebear would be. But it gives you the feel really nicely.
If you wanted to lean into that part even more later, you could consider multiclassing into Druid for 2 levels and choose Circle of the Moon. That will let you wildshape into a CR 1 bear. But that does add some complication so you might want to play a bit first before getting into adding other classes.
I wanna basically be the guy from the hobbit that transforms into the giant bear is what I'm kinda going for I can't remember his name
I could go multiclass into blood hunter path of the Lycan I saw that somewhere while I was researching
It kind of sounds like you are trying a lot of good ideas to bulk up an overpowered character, but are missing some of the subtle nuances.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but the "were" curse is not exactly welcomed by most practitioners of faith. They are almost always chaotic and usually in touch with nature which generally puts you into neutral, but can be good or evil. The problem is that mastering lycanthropy is supposed to be rare, and a lot of tables use those rules to keep things balanced. But if there is any chance that you lose control then you are definitely out of alignment with most paladin oaths. Just realize that most paladins definitely have little in common with Barbarians other than their fighting skills. And those are supposed to be a bit more refined like the knights of the round table or say the "Green Knight" of legend.
Now your Paladin: Oath of the Ancients has 4 tenets that have been preserved for centuries. Kindle the Light, Shelter the Light, Preserve Your Own Light, and Be the Light. Do you feel you can maintain these tenets, serve your deity, and be a werebear? If you and your DM think this works, then scrub everything I said as that is your real litmus test that actually matters. Realize that a lot of DM's will punish a paladin or cleric if they break their oath (RAW). Loss of experience, access to spells and abilities, and occasionally stat points depending on the transgression and DM. But this should only happen after you hit 3rd level or higher in my opinion.
I think your challenge will be figuring out your deity and how your devotion makes you a good choice as a "Fey Knight". This subclass is very druid like, but it still feels like you need to put more effort into the Paladin side of it. Personally, I get a lot of feel of the class and it's role from the "Turn the Faithless" ability. This will also affect your Divine Sense ability as well.
One thing I would suggest to anyone at my table to get a similar character with balance is trading one of your abilities for wild shape and limit it to 1-3 animals. I would accept trading lay of hands or Nature's Wrath for that skill based on balance and possible changes within your order that at least make some sense. But this would be your DM's call, but you can at least make the suggestion.
I am not sure what my Spirit Animal is. But whatever that thing is, I am pretty sure it has rabies!
I was sorta thinking now I'll pick up blood hunter order of the lycan and choose to be a werebear so maybe I'll start as a oath of the ancients paladin and then by the time I'm level 6 I get cursed/blessed by nature with lycanthropy or something like that I'm not intentionally trying to be over powered I just thought it would be a cool character
Werebears are neutral good tho so won't really effect my oath too much
It's true, werebears are the goodest of all the were folk. :)
And there are no restrictions on alignment and Paladins anymore unless your DM wants there to be.
I think it's a great character concept and sounds like a fun guy! You can still have some of that werebear flavor right from the start with the Shifter too. Maybe it's part of his family bloodline, and later in levels it can be awakened even more. Good luck and I hope you have fun with your character!
Going to depend on your DM. The one thing I would say, if they did allow it, is that you couldn't cast while in full bear form. Only human and hybrid form.
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