D&D 5E Xanathar: Path of the Zealot

[Kobold Avenger]

[video=youtube;HTu2aZ2mKd8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTu2aZ2mKd8[/video]
The Zealot is presented as counterpart to the Paladin.

 

[Leatherhead]

The Barbarian-Paladin parallel idea they have been pushing really doesn't click with me.

 

[Gadget]

I liked the zealot, but pushing them as predominately in the service of a deity is a bit too narrow. It could be any cause, from a cult the fanatical bodyguard of Great Sultan.


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[BookBarbarian]

I like the Zealot. It seems great for a character that is either blessed or cursed by the gods. It could also be a great demigod character. Mythological Herakles or Mythological Thor could certainly be seen as having Divine Rages. A Scourge Aasimar Zealot could be very interesting indeed.

As an aside, one of the things I liked about this edition was that a Paladin derives her power from her Oath, not necessarily a Deity. A Paladin might have a sworn deity, and an oath, but also might not. It makes far more sense to me to compare and contrasting the idea of a Zealot to a War Domain Cleric than a Paladin.

 

[Leatherhead]

As an aside, one of the things I liked about this edition was that a Paladin derives her power from her Oath, not necessarily a Deity. A Paladin might have a sworn deity, and an oath, but also might not. It makes far more sense to me to compare and contrasting the idea of a Zealot to a War Domain Cleric than a Paladin.

They have a sidebar in XGtE about making a Cleric that doesn't serve a deity.

 

[gyor]

I like the Zealot. It seems great for a character that is either blessed or cursed by the gods. It could also be a great demigod character. Mythological Herakles or Mythological Thor could certainly be seen as having Divine Rages. A Scourge Aasimar Zealot could be very interesting indeed.

As an aside, one of the things I liked about this edition was that a Paladin derives her power from her Oath, not necessarily a Deity. A Paladin might have a sworn deity, and an oath, but also might not. It makes far more sense to me to compare and contrasting the idea of a Zealot to a War Domain Cleric than a Paladin.

Scourge Aasimar Zealot Barbarian, another perfect combo that is not allowed in AL.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I've had a Aasmir Zealot in my games for a while, great character in a lot of ways (mishandled a bit by the player but oh well)

I think they have one of the nastier rage abilities in the game with their damaging aura, but he's never used any of hit other Path abilities. Though the resurrection for zero cost got used less session.

Honestly, that single facet of the class has made them such a mythological group in the game, far more than any abilities they may have. These ancient, powerful warriors brought back from the dead time and time again to wage war on the enemies of their Goddess, only resting temporarily in their shallow, unmarked graves.

And, it was just pointed out to me, a rotating clergy with Gentle Repose can keep them ready to go at any time. It just has so much story potential that I can't stand it.

 

[BookBarbarian]

They have a sidebar in XGtE about making a Cleric that doesn't serve a deity.

Nice! I know a few settings in particular that will find that helpful.

 

[BookBarbarian]

I've had a Aasmir Zealot in my games for a while, great character in a lot of ways (mishandled a bit by the player but oh well)

I think they have one of the nastier rage abilities in the game with their damaging aura, but he's never used any of hit other Path abilities. Though the resurrection for zero cost got used less session.

Honestly, that single facet of the class has made them such a mythological group in the game, far more than any abilities they may have. These ancient, powerful warriors brought back from the dead time and time again to wage war on the enemies of their Goddess, only resting temporarily in their shallow, unmarked graves.

And, it was just pointed out to me, a rotating clergy with Gentle Repose can keep them ready to go at any time. It just has so much story potential that I can't stand it.

I'm thinking of an aged Zealot that just wants to get to Valhalla, but each time he seems to get close he's called back to the living again.

 

[Kurotowa]

The Barbarian-Paladin parallel idea they have been pushing really doesn't click with me.

It makes sense from a certain perspective, especially if you focus on the narrative more than the mechanics.

All Paladins are disciplined and live by a code. They uphold codes that mostly revolve around civilized virtues; honor and law, goodness and beauty, or punishment for the wicked. Their image is that of the heavily armored warrior using divine blessings.

By contrast, Barbarians are wild and live according to their impulses. They're driven by powerful rages and hold to the law of the jungle, where only the strongest succeed in the battle for survival. Their image is that of the half-naked tribal warrior harnessing the wild powers of nature.

Rather than Barbarians being the Bizzaro opposites of Paladins, they can be seen as the reverse side of the coin. Two sides that approach the same result coming from different directions rather than opposing results from a similar origin. At least, if you want to look at them that way.