I totally agree. If I DM a Pathfinder game, I'll house-rule this one out.
I agree, though it isn't a bad ability I don't like the core barbarian dipping in the supernatural, part of the charm of the barbarian class is it's complete lack of such powers, flashy magical effects are not for him.
Come one guys! have a little imagination! This is a great idea, and goes with the expanded flavor of the class, which it DIRELY needed. They are giving the class a slightly more druid-like feel to it which is great. No one really complained with the fact that barbarians were getting supernatural abilities in complete champion.
This was an innovative idea giving them some option in both exploiting elemental weaknesses and giving them an option for two weapon fighting.
If anything this was too week of an ability and gained too late for it to do any good. It needs to be instantly able to be gotten at 2nd level, and needs to be active all the time of the rage.
The idea is sound, despite some people’s RPG Godwin’s equivalent comments with Anime, Video Games, and MMORPG comparisons.
This power isn’t that far of a fluff jump from the other abilities, such as gaining a bit attack, or gaining an enhancement bonus to speed, or the claw attacks in the earlier versions, healing yourself, getting lowlight vision or darkvision. If you don’t like the fluff of a supernatural ability, then there are plenty of other abilities, but don’t go bashing the fluff just because you don’t like it and live it for the rest of us. A shamanistic warrior of a such.
I was even thinking that maybe pathfinder could create rage power sets that would run along the same lines of blood line powers, having them get their rage abilities from their bloodlines.
Come one guys! have a little imagination! This is a great idea, and goes with the expanded flavor of the class, which it DIRELY needed. They are giving the class a slightly more druid-like feel to it which is great. No one really complained with the fact that barbarians were getting supernatural abilities in complete champion.
This was an innovative idea giving them some option in both exploiting elemental weaknesses and giving them an option for two weapon fighting.
If anything this was too week of an ability and gained too late for it to do any good. It needs to be instantly able to be gotten at 2nd level, and needs to be active all the time of the rage.
The idea is sound, despite some people’s RPG Godwin’s equivalent comments with Anime, Video Games, and MMORPG comparisons.
This power isn’t that far of a fluff jump from the other abilities, such as gaining a bit attack, or gaining an enhancement bonus to speed, or the claw attacks in the earlier versions, healing yourself, getting lowlight vision or darkvision. If you don’t like the fluff of a supernatural ability, then there are plenty of other abilities, but don’t go bashing the fluff just because you don’t like it and live it for the rest of us. A shamanistic warrior of a such.
I was even thinking that maybe pathfinder could create rage power sets that would run along the same lines of blood line powers, having them get their rage abilities from their bloodlines.
I am not directly opposed to it, I don't like the option to be included for every barbarian out there without a good background it is a cheap ability, and true I am not a supporter for the other supernatural abilities either though I don't mind as much as most aren't as obviously throw-in-your-face magical abilities.
improved speed, does not have to be magical.
healing, I rather see temporary hitpoints.
low light and darkvision, gaining some animal like features seems more apropriate and is quite subtle.
claws and bite attacks, I don't like it much, though again with a nice background, lycan bloodline if you want, same goes for lowlight and darkvision btw.
I'd not go as far as bloodlines for abilities, but you could make an interesting sorcerer barbarian concept, making supernatural abilities much more likely in the process.
I am primarily concerned with having barbarians, a classic non-magical class often with a hint of superstition or reverent awe of magic, suddenly getting loaded with these abilities making them common place.
Yes, as far as I love the new rage powers (except perhaps the Powerful Blow/ Surprise Accuracy powers; they are very boosted in the Beta Manual, and very nerfed in the Alternate Rage System here), the Elemental Rage power is, IMHO, more appropriate as a ki power for the Monk, rather than a selectable feature of the 'vanilla' Barbarian.
I would go for changing it to a 'bonus to weapon damage', and not to an 'energy aura' of the blow...
Oh, and I have a humble suggestion for the Powerful Blow and Surprise Accuracy powers, as well: the bonuses granted in the Beta were far too high, but the bonuses suggested in the Alternate Rage System are very sub-par, compared for example to the damage given by a bite from Animal Fury (tested on a 7th-level Barbarian); I would go for the bonus as printed in the Alternate Rage System, but for every attack of the round; think of it as a 'basic' version of the Elemental Rage power. The downside is that this obviously would be a challenge to the Fighter's supremacy in bonuses, but remember that only one power could be active per round; a 18th-level Barbarian could have +4 to hit OR +4 to damage OR another power active (like +4 to AC vs. Melee, or an extra Bite attack), while a Fighter would still have all his bonuses stacked on (W.Focus AND Gr.W.Focus AND W.Spec. AND Gr.W.Spec. AND Weapon Training).
Following the same principle, if changing the type of damage of Elemental Rage from 'energy' to 'weapon damage', I would stick to a +1d8 or even +1d10.
Obviously, if the latter case were true, the name should be changed as well...
Just my 2c.
I say leave them as is. Barbarians arn't just a different form of fighter, they are a completely new breed. The abilities and spells of the druid and ranger classes come from their affinity and connetion with nature and their environment. The elemental rage of the barbarian is just them doing the samething, atleast to a lesser degree.
The way I see it, and this is just my personal view, a barbarian rages not because they're just completely bonkers, but because of their own special connection to their environment. They instinctivly know how to channel the wild powers of the land into themselves to fuel their already free and unchained emotions sending them into an unstoppable rage. The elemental rage is just them learning how to derive more power from themselves and their connection with the natural world.
Just my 2 cents
I say leave them as is. Barbarians arn't just a different form of fighter, they are a completely new breed. The abilities and spells of the druid and ranger classes come from their affinity and connetion with nature and their environment. The elemental rage of the barbarian is just them doing the samething, atleast to a lesser degree.
The way I see it, and this is just my personal view, a barbarian rages not because they're just completely bonkers, but because of their own special connection to their environment. They instinctivly know how to channel the wild powers of the land into themselves to fuel their already free and unchained emotions sending them into an unstoppable rage. The elemental rage is just them learning how to derive more power from themselves and their connection with the natural world.
Just my 2 cents
noted, I like the Rage power as an ability free of supernatural influences though, the barbarian is a concept that can excist without that just fine. I don't think a barbarian should go that route, just like a fighter should not be able to make his weapon change to admantine by concentrating.
I like the idea of exchanging the elemental damage by physical damage much better.
noted, I like the Rage power as an ability free of supernatural influences though, the barbarian is a concept that can excist without that just fine. I don't think a barbarian should go that route, just like a fighter should not be able to make his weapon change to admantine by concentrating.
I like the idea of exchanging the elemental damage by physical damage much better.
I respect that.
I see the barbarian in the same field as the ranger and the druid. Where the druid is the voice and heart of the wild and the ranger is the eyes and ears, the barbarian is the arm. Though their connection to the power of nature maybe completely different than that of the druid and ranger, their's is still no less as strong.I guess what I'm trying to say is I like seeing the barbarian as more than just another flavor of the fighter.
noted, I like the Rage power as an ability free of supernatural influences though, the barbarian is a concept that can excist without that just fine. I don't think a barbarian should go that route, just like a fighter should not be able to make his weapon change to admantine by concentrating.
I like the idea of exchanging the elemental damage by physical damage much better.
I respect that.
I see the barbarian in the same field as the ranger and the druid. Where the druid is the voice and heart of the wild and the ranger is the eyes and ears, the barbarian is the arm. Though their connection to the power of nature maybe completely different than that of the druid and ranger, their's is still no less as strong.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I like seeing the barbarian as more than just another flavor of the fighter.
Agreed, the main problem with the fighter is its lack of flavor, and a nature based warrior like this is a great idea. Its sort of 5/6th fighter, 1/6th druid, also if they so chose to play it.
If you don't like it, then there is a long list of other powers that one could get. So again, if you don't like the fluff of the ability, THEN DON'T USE IT, just don't keep it from the players that do like it, especially if it is as underpowered as it is now, or otherwise not broken.
While these are not optional rules, they are an option that you don't have to take.
Come one guys! have a little imagination! This is a great idea, and goes with the expanded flavor of the class, which it DIRELY needed. They are giving the class a slightly more druid-like feel to it which is great. No one really complained with the fact that barbarians were getting supernatural abilities in complete champion.
This was an innovative idea giving them some option in both exploiting elemental weaknesses and giving them an option for two weapon fighting.
If anything this was too week of an ability and gained too late for it to do any good. It needs to be instantly able to be gotten at 2nd level, and needs to be active all the time of the rage. [...]
This power isn’t that far of a fluff jump from the other abilities, such as gaining a bit attack, or gaining an enhancement bonus to speed, or the claw attacks in the earlier versions, healing yourself, getting lowlight vision or darkvision. If you don’t like the fluff of a supernatural ability, then there are plenty of other abilities, but don’t go bashing the fluff just because you don’t like it and live it for the rest of us. A shamanistic warrior of a such. [...]
agree, although "needs to be active all the time of the rage" is perhaps a bit obver the top
Come one guys! have a little imagination! This is a great idea, and goes with the expanded flavor of the class, which it DIRELY needed. They are giving the class a slightly more druid-like feel to it which is great. No one really complained with the fact that barbarians were getting supernatural abilities in complete champion.
This was an innovative idea giving them some option in both exploiting elemental weaknesses and giving them an option for two weapon fighting.
If anything this was too week of an ability and gained too late for it to do any good. It needs to be instantly able to be gotten at 2nd level, and needs to be active all the time of the rage.
The idea is sound, despite some people’s RPG Godwin’s equivalent comments with Anime, Video Games, and MMORPG comparisons.
This power isn’t that far of a fluff jump from the other abilities, such as gaining a bit attack, or gaining an enhancement bonus to speed, or the claw attacks in the earlier versions, healing yourself, getting lowlight vision or darkvision. If you don’t like the fluff of a supernatural ability, then there are plenty of other abilities, but don’t go bashing the fluff just because you don’t like it and live it for the rest of us. A shamanistic warrior of a such.
I was even thinking that maybe pathfinder could create rage power sets that would run along the same lines of blood line powers, having them get their rage abilities from their bloodlines.
I personally hate elemental rage. One of the biggest turn-offs for me for 4th edition was the idea of fighters and rangers perfoming semi-magical attacks, and then paizo create elemental rage...which is worse since it's alot harder to re-fluff this version.
And the power is simply...well...not needed, theres already "extra damage" rage powers, and no shortage of other rage power choices. All this power really does is make the barberian more druid-like...but if you want somthing like that, isn't that what multi-classing is for?