After reading through the APG pdf, I've been impressed by the balanced nature of the feats, features, and spells therein.
That said, I was wondering about other DM opinions on Sacred Bond. Seems like a pretty significant increase in capability for the cost of a 3rd level spell that,by default, all clerics would automatically learn.
I'm not certain that is actually a problem--given the utility of selective channeling, it may instead just represent an alternative approach to what some of the clerics in my games call a 'feat tax'. At the same time, that significant a spell is worth a sounding board.
Thoughts?
After reading through the APG pdf, I've been impressed by the balanced nature of the feats, features, and spells therein.
That said, I was wondering about other DM opinions on Sacred Bond. Seems like a pretty significant increase in capability for the cost of a 3rd level spell that,by default, all clerics would automatically learn.
I'm not certain that is actually a problem--given the utility of selective channeling, it may instead just represent an alternative approach to what some of the clerics in my games call a 'feat tax'. At the same time, that significant a spell is worth a sounding board.
Thoughts?
I once handed out a custom magic item that were essentially a pair of bracelets that always had this spell effect on. It was not overpowering for our group, and I don't think it will be problematic as a third-level prebuff either. Does your group often find that the healers use single-target heals in combat but are stymied by keeping out of enemies' reach? It may be a difference in playstyle for us.
Does your group often find that the healers use single-target heals in combat but are stymied by keeping out of enemies' reach? It may be a difference in playstyle for us.
More that they armor up pretty heavily, and thus often lag a little behind the melee fighters throwing themselves into the fray. I suppose my biggest concern is that healers might stop getting to the thick of things at all--instead hanging back and just pumping life into the fighter.
That said, the cleric in the game I'm running isn't likely to be an issue, I suppose. He enjoys mixing things up a little too much to be a healbot...I just want to make sure I've thought it through before I set the precedent and allow it for all of my games. ;-)
Does your group often find that the healers use single-target heals in combat but are stymied by keeping out of enemies' reach? It may be a difference in playstyle for us.More that they armor up pretty heavily, and thus often lag a little behind the melee fighters throwing themselves into the fray. I suppose my biggest concern is that healers might stop getting to the thick of things at all--instead hanging back and just pumping life into the fighter.
That said, the cleric in the game I'm running isn't likely to be an issue, I suppose. He enjoys mixing things up a little too much to be a healbot...I just want to make sure I've thought it through before I set the precedent and allow it for all of my games. ;-)
Healbots can already use Channel Positive Energy and heal everyone, so it shouldn't be too bad. This spell needs to be prebuffed with forethought or else it takes 1 full round to cast (like a Summon Monster), after which the cleric needs to touch the fighter, which is even more dangerous than going up to heal, I think.