Showdowdark Class Design: The Paladin! Live with Kelsey Dionne.

[Micah Sweet]

I don’t think the problem is that it’s out of line with other mounted classes, but rather that it is a mounted class in the first place.

Why would having a mounted class be a problem? Are there not mounts in the Western Marches?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It feels like just 1 too many directions. I get the reasoning, but yeah.

I suspect that it will get pared back by the time it's in the book. We'll probably see a good first draft this week and then bigger changes later on.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Why would having a mounted class be a problem? Are there not mounts in the Western Marches?

The problem is not that a mounted class exists, but that this particular class is belongs in that category. Because "mounted" is not one of the distinctive, fundamental features of a "paladin". Of a Knight, sure. But not a Paladin.

All just my opinion, of course.

 

[WanderingMystic]

The problem is not that a mounted class exists, but that this particular class is belongs in that category. Because "mounted" is not one of the distinctive, fundamental features of a "paladin". Of a Knight, sure. But not a Paladin.

All just my opinion, of course.

She went with the original concept of a paladin, which is a knight long before d&d co-opted it. This is a knight of Charlamagne, of the round table which is why it has at least some mounted abilities.

 

[Micah Sweet]

The problem is not that a mounted class exists, but that this particular class is belongs in that category. Because "mounted" is not one of the distinctive, fundamental features of a "paladin". Of a Knight, sure. But not a Paladin.

All just my opinion, of course.

What makes the difference between a knight and a paladin? I certainly go straight to "knight in shining armor" when I think of paladins, and I've been gaming for over 35 years and have seen a lot of iterations on the concept.

 

[Scribe]

What makes the difference between a knight and a paladin? I certainly go straight to "knight in shining armor" when I think of paladins, and I've been gaming for over 35 years and have seen a lot of iterations on the concept.

The romanticism, relationship with the blade, and standing against evil.

Knights don't have to be Paladins, but Paladins are a type of Knight.

 

[Bill Zebub]

What makes the difference between a knight and a paladin? I certainly go straight to "knight in shining armor" when I think of paladins, and I've been gaming for over 35 years and have seen a lot of iterations on the concept.

I would agree with you if we were designing a 3.5 multi page, 9 point type kind of class. Sounds vaguely Paladin-like? Sure! Throw it in!

But Shadowdark classes are very…spare. They attempt to get at the essence of a class.

And while Paladins can be considered a kind of Knight, the mounted combat part is not what distinguishes them from regular knights. It’s not the essence of Paladin-hood.

 

[darjr]

The more I think about it I'd like a "lay on hands" but not provide "healing" but a sort of resurrection for PC's that are worthy. Dunno how I'd represent that mechanically.

 

[Bill Zebub]

The more I think about it I'd like a "lay on hands" but not provide "healing" but a sort of resurrection for PC's that are worthy. Dunno how I'd represent that mechanically.

Maybe the death save mechanic already there should require the Paladin to be attempting to stabilize, instead of just being nearby.

That would sort of represent “laying on hands”, no?

 

[Lidgar]

The more I think about it I'd like a "lay on hands" but not provide "healing" but a sort of resurrection for PC's that are worthy. Dunno how I'd represent that mechanically.

I like it, but that would be extremely powerful in a SD campaign, at least at lower levels - unless it was very restrictive. I originally thought of a limited ability (Cha bonus/day) to stabilize the dying, but it feels like it goes against the SD deadly ethos.