thuter
Explorer
I have a couple of questions with regards to the Oaken Fist archetype for Adepts, from GPG#13.
1. Wooden Fists action usage
At level 6, Oaken Fists gain the Wooden Fists ability, which states:
2. Mighty Boughs gives Barkskin
At level 17, Oaken Fists gain the Mighty Boughs ability, which states:
Why does this ability give the Barkskin effect? While I understand it is flavourful, it does absolutely nothing for any Adept with non-horrible stats. It is well within the realm of possibilities to start the campaign with 16 AC at level 1, by having 16 Dex and Wis. After 4 ASI's, I would expect any Adept to have a combined Dex+Wis mod of more than 6. Even a Brutal Defense adept reaches 16 AC by the time they increase their Strength to 18 (with padded leather armor, which is achievable with starting funds).
Now you could argue that the true power of this feat is the Melee reach increase, to which I would reply that Deep Roots is a terrible ability and I would never use my action in combat to assume a stance that makes me unable to move and give me disadvantage on Dex saves, with the only benefit being a bonus to grappling enemies and dealing negligible damage (1d4 at lvl 11?) to those I grapple. More power is not necessary, this archetype gets carried to the heavens by its tertiary spellcasting and Wooden Fists, but this after the level 11 feature almost feels like an insult: The ability you were likely never going to use anyway now gives you something that does nothing for you. If you would argue that instead Choking Pollen is the real capstone feature here, I would agree, but also point to my next question.
3. Choking Pollen action usage and save timing
At level 17, Oaken Fists gain the Choking Pollen ability, which states:
Also: The cloud lasts for 10 minutes, when do people make saves against it? "Caught in the cloud" implies at the time the ability is used. But afterwards? Can people move into it without needing saves? After the 1 minute of poisoning has passed, do you need to save again? Would you (re)save on entering the cloud, starting or ending your turn in the cloud? If the cloud were to be safe after the initial cast, why are there rules for its duration (10 min!) and its dispersion?
1. Wooden Fists action usage
At level 6, Oaken Fists gain the Wooden Fists ability, which states:
It does not specify an action type. Is it a free action?As long as you have unused spell slots, you can spend 1 exertion to allow your unarmed strikes to deal additional bludgeoning damage equal to your proficiency bonus for the next minute.
2. Mighty Boughs gives Barkskin
At level 17, Oaken Fists gain the Mighty Boughs ability, which states:
At 17th level, your form becomes even more plant-like. While you use your Take Root ability, you are under a continual barkskin effect for the feature’s duration, and your reach with melee weapon attacks increases by 10 feet.
Why does this ability give the Barkskin effect? While I understand it is flavourful, it does absolutely nothing for any Adept with non-horrible stats. It is well within the realm of possibilities to start the campaign with 16 AC at level 1, by having 16 Dex and Wis. After 4 ASI's, I would expect any Adept to have a combined Dex+Wis mod of more than 6. Even a Brutal Defense adept reaches 16 AC by the time they increase their Strength to 18 (with padded leather armor, which is achievable with starting funds).
Now you could argue that the true power of this feat is the Melee reach increase, to which I would reply that Deep Roots is a terrible ability and I would never use my action in combat to assume a stance that makes me unable to move and give me disadvantage on Dex saves, with the only benefit being a bonus to grappling enemies and dealing negligible damage (1d4 at lvl 11?) to those I grapple. More power is not necessary, this archetype gets carried to the heavens by its tertiary spellcasting and Wooden Fists, but this after the level 11 feature almost feels like an insult: The ability you were likely never going to use anyway now gives you something that does nothing for you. If you would argue that instead Choking Pollen is the real capstone feature here, I would agree, but also point to my next question.
3. Choking Pollen action usage and save timing
At level 17, Oaken Fists gain the Choking Pollen ability, which states:
It does not specify an action type. Is it a free action?Also at 17th level, you can expend a spell slot to release a miasma of pollen around yourself. The range is a number of feet equal to 10 + (5 × the spell slot level). Non-plant creatures caught in the cloud must make a Constitution save against your spell save DC or be poisoned for one minute. The cloud lasts for 10 minutes or until dispersed by a strong wind.
Also: The cloud lasts for 10 minutes, when do people make saves against it? "Caught in the cloud" implies at the time the ability is used. But afterwards? Can people move into it without needing saves? After the 1 minute of poisoning has passed, do you need to save again? Would you (re)save on entering the cloud, starting or ending your turn in the cloud? If the cloud were to be safe after the initial cast, why are there rules for its duration (10 min!) and its dispersion?