In my setting the dwarves were first crafted from stone, by a race of beings called the Titans, and used as laborers. Eventually, with the help of the god they now worship, their offspring would be made of flesh and bone, but they have the ability to transform their flesh to stone for a short time. In the current time line they can still use this ability.
Now for my question. Would it be too powerful to give them a +2 bonus to natural armor for a number of rounds equal to their Con modifier as a racial trait?
What would be too powerful would depend on a lot of factors, including gamestyle. But I'd like to help out so:
Would the trait be replacing an existing trait, like magic or poison resistance? Or would it simply be in addition to all the traits already in place?
Do all of the rounds need to be consecutive?
What action would it be to activate the trait? To deactivate the trait if the duration can be split?
I was thinking of having it replace an existing trait, like the Hardy trait. But it would be better if I could just add it to the already existing list.
I was thinking of this:
Stoneflesh (SU): For a number of rounds per day equal to half the dwarves Con modifier, as a swift action, a dwarf gains a +2 natural armor bonus to their AC. The rounds don't have to be consecutive and its a swift action to end this ability.
Bump.
Knowing the source for the material in question, I wonder if you wouldn't just prefer to use the dwarves' stats from that setting.
However, that's not what you wanted. Were it me, I would remove existing traits (probably Defensive Training and Hatred) and replace it with a static natural armor bonus (+2). I might even get rid of Greed, too, because this stacks Dwarves more heavily towards a melee tank, and that synergy can easily make up for the loss of three of these abilities. But that's me.
If you want to change as little as possible, then just trade Stoneflesh for Hatred and make a minor adjustment to the duration of the bonus (like 3+Con modifier rounds, or 3 rounds at a time a number of times per day equal to your Con modifier). Hatred is a passive bonus, but it's small and situational, but pure AC is more useful, balanced by the fact that it's limited in use.
It will take tweaking regardless. Dwarves are already one of the best of the core races.
Thanks for the feedback guys.
@ Rory: I thought it wouldn't be too over powering, but I just wanted to ask and make sure.
@ Foghammer: Is there a setting that gives dwarves the trait Stoneflesh? I thought I just made it up.
I wouldn't mind replacing Hatred with Stoneflesh. The dwarves in my setting don't really have too many scuffles with orcs and goblins.
As for the duration of Stoneflesh, 3+Con modifier would work for me.
A friend has something like this in his game, stolen from WoW. When in the 'Stone' form, his Dwarves can only 5' shift. Keeps it from being over used.
A friend has something like this in his game, stolen from WoW. When in the 'Stone' form, his Dwarves can only 5' shift. Keeps it from being over used.
That sounds like a good idea. It would be a good penalty, its hard to move around if you're skin is made of stone.
A friend has something like this in his game, stolen from WoW. When in the 'Stone' form, his Dwarves can only 5' shift. Keeps it from being over used.That sounds like a good idea. It would be a good penalty, its hard to move around if you're skin is made of stone.
If you're going to do this, you should up the number of rounds per day they can do it, it's a huge penalty.
I'd do HD+Con Mod per day, minimum 1 round per day.
Ok, how is this?
Stoneskin (SU): For a number of rounds per day equal to the dwarf's character lvl + Constitution Modifier, as a swift action, a dwarf gains a +2 natural armor bonus to their AC. The rounds don't have to be consecutive and its a swift action to end this ability. While under the effect of Stoneskin the dwarf can only move five feet.
Ok, how is this?
Stoneskin (SU): For a number of rounds per day equal to the dwarf's character lvl + Constitution Modifier, as a swift action, a dwarf gains a +2 natural armor bonus to their AC. The rounds don't have to be consecutive and its a swift action to end this ability. While under the effect of Stoneskin the dwarf can only move five feet.
That would be interesting. I think you need to make it clear whether or not this 'only more five feet' means they can only 5 foot step, or if their speed is reduced to 5 feet.
That would be interesting. I think you need to make it clear whether or not this 'only more five feet' means they can only 5 foot step, or if their speed is reduced to 5 feet.Ok, how is this?
Stoneskin (SU): For a number of rounds per day equal to the dwarf's character lvl + Constitution Modifier, as a swift action, a dwarf gains a +2 natural armor bonus to their AC. The rounds don't have to be consecutive and its a swift action to end this ability. While under the effect of Stoneskin the dwarf can only move five feet.
If you speed is reduced to five feet, then I think you can no longer take a 5 foot step (pretty sure, not 100%). The difference being that by moving 5 feet, you provoke an AoO.
Stoneskin (SU): For a number of rounds per day equal to the dwarf's character lvl + Constitution Modifier, as a swift action, a dwarf gains a +2 natural armor bonus to their AC. The rounds don't have to be consecutive and its a swift action to end this ability. While under the effect of Stoneskin the dwarf's speed is reduced to 10 ft and he can only run at 3x his speed.
Got a dictation of his feat just now:
Spirit of Stone: A Dwarf with a Con of at least 12 may choose to embody the very essence of their racial affinity to the Earth. For their level rounds per day, the Dwarf may add their Con modifier to AC and Fort saves. The Dwarf may not move on the round this begins and may only 5' adjust for the duration.
There was no mention of 'Su' and the shift between singular and plural are his.
There was no mention of 'Su'
The (SU) after the feat name means its a supernatural ability.
and the shift between singular and plural are his.
What?
Maybe they should move as if moving through difficult terrain while using the stoneskin ability. They would not be able to take a 5 foot step and the speed of a typical dwarf will only move 10' but they are unlikely to be further affected by difficult terrain.
Also it might be nice to double the dwarves weight and give a penalty to swim checks ;)
All this thread makes me want to do is create an ascended dwarf race that has the construct subtype. But like warforged... kinda.
I think I'm going to do that... maybe for all the core races (except the half-breeds, obviously).
I have no idea why I renamed it stoneskin. The trait should have been named stoneflesh.
There was no mention of 'Su'
The (SU) after the feat name means its a supernatural ability.
What?
and the shift between singular and plural are his.
I was detailing how he has the 'trait' listed in his 'worldguide', I.E.: it is not noted as 'Su'. As opposed to Ex or whatever. The singular/plural shift in his write up of the feat, primarily 'the Dwarf' shifting to 'their' is indicative of his writing style, along with switching from first through third person, also tenses, multiple times in a paragragh. He writes tech stuff, mostly filling in blank areas with post doctorial tekno-eese.
I was detailing how he has the 'trait' listed in his 'worldguide', I.E.: it is not noted as 'Su'. As opposed to Ex or whatever. The singular/plural shift in his write up of the feat, primarily 'the Dwarf' shifting to 'their' is indicative of his writing style, along with switching from first through third person, also tenses, multiple times in a paragragh. He writes tech stuff, mostly filling in blank areas with post doctorial tekno-eese.There was no mention of 'Su'
The (SU) after the feat name means its a supernatural ability.
What?
and the shift between singular and plural are his.
Oh ok. Sorry if it looked like I was being mean. I really had no idea what you were talking about, but I do now.
sounds like the Curse of Flesh turned them into dwarfs. Do you play wow much? cus you basicaly discribed the dwarf creation story
I didn't know that actually. I play WoW, but I don't pay attention to the story and don't have the time to sit and read about it.
Oh ok. Sorry if it looked like I was being mean. I really had no idea what you were talking about, but I do now.
NP, I was in a ruch and didn't do a good job proofing it to make sure it made sense. He does tech writing and has no concept of past/present tense and other stuff.
ddgon wrote: "sounds like the Curse of Flesh turned them into dwarfs. Do you play wow much? cus you basicaly discribed the dwarf creation story"
The 'earth childe' mythos is not exclusive to WoW, and I believe I have seen a 3.0/3.5 3rd party book with such.
ddgon wrote: "sounds like the Curse of Flesh turned them into dwarfs. Do you play wow much? cus you basicaly discribed the dwarf creation story"
The 'earth childe' mythos is not exclusive to WoW, and I believe I have seen a 3.0/3.5 3rd party book with such.
So… It' s bad to point out that lore bit Y reads almost exactly like lore bit X from popular thing Z just because it may be similar to unspecified myth J?
Well everyone, thank you for your comments and tips.
This is the final version:
Stoneflesh (SU): For a number of rounds per day equal to the dwarf's character level + Constitution Modifier, as a swift action, a dwarf gains a +2 natural armor bonus to their AC. The rounds don't have to be consecutive and its a swift action to end this ability. While under the effect of Stoneflesh the dwarf's speed is reduced to 10 ft and he can only run at 3x his speed. This will replace the Hatred racial trait.
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You could add that it doubles their weight and gives them a -5 penalty to swim checks, but I think it would be a little much. They are already restricted to how many rounds they can use the trait, and not to mention it lowers their speed (normal & running speed). That's just my thoughts, but mainly I'm staying the the version above.
So… It' s bad to point out that lore bit Y reads almost exactly like lore bit X from popular thing Z just because it may be similar to unspecified myth J?
?
I think they're trying to say it wasn't stolen from WoW. Or if it was, that WoW didn't start this. Tolkein didn't start it, either.
Aaaahh! Dwarves are based in part upon the norse dwarves of Asgard, alsolinked to trolls, also 'earthy' types.
Dwarves in Norse mythos were born from the black and white maggots of the giants flesh that was formed to make the earth.
Dwarves in Norse mythos were born from the black and white maggots of the giants flesh that was formed to make the earth.
Oooooooo! KEWL!
Well everyone, thank you for your comments and tips.
This is the final version:
Stoneflesh (SU): For a number of rounds per day equal to the dwarf's character level + Constitution Modifier, as a swift action, a dwarf gains a +2 natural armor bonus to their AC. The rounds don't have to be consecutive and its a swift action to end this ability. While under the effect of Stoneflesh the dwarf's speed is reduced to 10 ft and he can only run at 3x his speed. This will replace the Hatred racial trait.
_________________________________________________________________________You could add that it doubles their weight and gives them a -5 penalty to swim checks, but I think it would be a little much. They are already restricted to how many rounds they can use the trait, and not to mention it lowers their speed (normal & running speed). That's just my thoughts, but mainly I'm staying the the version above.
In my opinion I would cross off the speed penalties, instead make it so they're considered "Staggered" while in their Stoneflesh form, that way you can't stack the movement penalties and doesn't nerf a pc's tactical retreat