I've had this idea for months now, a character, mainly in plate mail, using cantrips as weapons. Firebolts and Rays of frost firing off left right and centre.
There are a few options here. I did try making a new subclass, but it seamed like a cheat somehow. Fizbans Dragonborn can swap an attack for a breath weapon that does cantrip damage, and Eldritch knights can swap the odd attack for a cantrip. But I want more.
How about a talent?
Cantrip warrior. Pre-requisite = the ability to cast any attack cantrip. Ability = You can swap any physical attack for the casting of a cantrip. If duel wielding, the cantrip is limited to D6's.
My main concern is balance. At low level this seams fair (ish), damage is similar to weapon damage. But would it have to be limited at higher levels? Imagine a 20th warrior throwing out 4 attacks for 16D10 EVERY round for free, and then an action surge too. Maybe the warrior players could chime in on that, what damage are they doing. Maybe the Cantrips on this talent could be limited, maybe 1 dice at level 1, 2 at level 8, 3 at level 16, or something like that.
I also consider that a fighters weapons start with weapon damage, plus strength (for example), while Cantrips start as just the one dice. So overall, weapons start doing approx 1 dice more, but could end up doing the equivalent of 1 dice less, per attack. Maybe its already balanced (specially when you add a wizards arsenal).
If you're looking for someone to wear heavy armor and also cast multiple cantrips in a round, you can do it easily RAW with multicasting. Start with your choice of heavy-armor-class (Fighter is easiest, so we can start there). Literally the only other step is to take levels in sorcerer. Then you can use Metamagic to quicken a cantrip for a bonus action, and cast another as your action.
You can combine this with other multiclass shenanigans if you want (like Warlock for extra damage or Wizard for...wizard stuff), but mostly you just need levels in Sorcerer.
That said, if you're looking for a homebrew or want to make a homebrew that allows you to cast multiple cantrips per turn, then just know that by virtue of what you want to make it'll be overpowered. Casting multiple cantrips IS OP, and it takes a lot of resources/investment to be able to do it effectively.
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
Thanks for the reply. However, I feel the need to analyse.
Weapon damage, say D8/D10 (ish). At high level, thats gonna be +5 STR damage, and possibly +4 magic weapon or other bonuses, such as +4 rage damage or triple chance to crit.
Thats the equivalent of 4 dice damage. Every attack, every round.
Plus there are additional combat manoeuvres with weapon attacks. The balance? Cantrips have range.
I might be onto something here :-)
------------------
Rosh had always wanted to be a wizard, but the family wouldn't have it. Schooling in the morning, household chores in the evening, and between them, warrior school. He hated it. But Rosh would not be discouraged. He learned their ways, donned the armour, and then they sent him off to practice the sword on his own. That was their mistake.
Each day he would take out his hidden book, a manuscript stolen from a divine sorcerer, and it held the barest secrets of the magic initiate. Sacred flame, Word of Radiance, and a spell called Bless. Rosh practiced them every day. It took weeks to even get his limited wisdom arounds the glyphs in the book, but eventually he felt the surge of power grow within him. He knew he wasn't a cleric, or even a paladin, as the power was his own.
Then came the final day for the students, the last class, and the tests. One by one the other students stepped forth in the arena and demonstrated their skills, then it was his turn. Rosh stroke forward, confident in his armour, and then he did what the instructors did not expect. He dropped his sword. Somebody giggled, and another voiced the words "clumsy", but when the light erupted from the young mans hands, the gasp came from all around.
Rosh just nodded at the instructor before him, a smile on his face, and said "Come try me".
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When faced with an issue, most people would rather be negative than find a solution.
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I've had this idea for months now, a character, mainly in plate mail, using cantrips as weapons. Firebolts and Rays of frost firing off left right and centre.
There are a few options here. I did try making a new subclass, but it seamed like a cheat somehow. Fizbans Dragonborn can swap an attack for a breath weapon that does cantrip damage, and Eldritch knights can swap the odd attack for a cantrip. But I want more.
How about a talent?
Cantrip warrior. Pre-requisite = the ability to cast any attack cantrip. Ability = You can swap any physical attack for the casting of a cantrip. If duel wielding, the cantrip is limited to D6's.
My main concern is balance. At low level this seams fair (ish), damage is similar to weapon damage. But would it have to be limited at higher levels? Imagine a 20th warrior throwing out 4 attacks for 16D10 EVERY round for free, and then an action surge too. Maybe the warrior players could chime in on that, what damage are they doing. Maybe the Cantrips on this talent could be limited, maybe 1 dice at level 1, 2 at level 8, 3 at level 16, or something like that.
I also consider that a fighters weapons start with weapon damage, plus strength (for example), while Cantrips start as just the one dice. So overall, weapons start doing approx 1 dice more, but could end up doing the equivalent of 1 dice less, per attack. Maybe its already balanced (specially when you add a wizards arsenal).
Any constructive thoughts gladly appreciated.
When faced with an issue, most people would rather be negative than find a solution.
If you're looking for someone to wear heavy armor and also cast multiple cantrips in a round, you can do it easily RAW with multicasting. Start with your choice of heavy-armor-class (Fighter is easiest, so we can start there). Literally the only other step is to take levels in sorcerer. Then you can use Metamagic to quicken a cantrip for a bonus action, and cast another as your action.
You can combine this with other multiclass shenanigans if you want (like Warlock for extra damage or Wizard for...wizard stuff), but mostly you just need levels in Sorcerer.
That said, if you're looking for a homebrew or want to make a homebrew that allows you to cast multiple cantrips per turn, then just know that by virtue of what you want to make it'll be overpowered. Casting multiple cantrips IS OP, and it takes a lot of resources/investment to be able to do it effectively.
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
Thanks for the reply. However, I feel the need to analyse.
Weapon damage, say D8/D10 (ish). At high level, thats gonna be +5 STR damage, and possibly +4 magic weapon or other bonuses, such as +4 rage damage or triple chance to crit.
Thats the equivalent of 4 dice damage. Every attack, every round.
Plus there are additional combat manoeuvres with weapon attacks. The balance? Cantrips have range.
I might be onto something here :-)
------------------
Rosh had always wanted to be a wizard, but the family wouldn't have it. Schooling in the morning, household chores in the evening, and between them, warrior school. He hated it. But Rosh would not be discouraged. He learned their ways, donned the armour, and then they sent him off to practice the sword on his own. That was their mistake.
Each day he would take out his hidden book, a manuscript stolen from a divine sorcerer, and it held the barest secrets of the magic initiate. Sacred flame, Word of Radiance, and a spell called Bless. Rosh practiced them every day. It took weeks to even get his limited wisdom arounds the glyphs in the book, but eventually he felt the surge of power grow within him. He knew he wasn't a cleric, or even a paladin, as the power was his own.
Then came the final day for the students, the last class, and the tests. One by one the other students stepped forth in the arena and demonstrated their skills, then it was his turn. Rosh stroke forward, confident in his armour, and then he did what the instructors did not expect. He dropped his sword. Somebody giggled, and another voiced the words "clumsy", but when the light erupted from the young mans hands, the gasp came from all around.
Rosh just nodded at the instructor before him, a smile on his face, and said "Come try me".
When faced with an issue, most people would rather be negative than find a solution.