I really like the idea of playing a merciful character. I've done so many times in the past (much to the annoyance of my friends). That said, this archetype is a bit disappointing.
When I saw the Merciful Smite ability I had high hopes. But, it seems a bit lackluster. The Blade of Mercy trait provides the same benefit, but can also be used when not smiting, and adds a bit of damage on top. Similarly, a cavalier of the Order of the Blue Rose receives the Flat of the Blade ability which grants the same benefit, plus a bit of damage on top.
In context of what's already out there, I was expecting more from Merciful Smite. On the bright side, you can extend Merciful Smite to your allies at 11th level. Also, that Pact of Peace ability is rather cool.
An aside, I love how the Redeemer lacks Detect Evil. Perhaps an idealistic fellow out to save the world is a bit naive, lacking the "sense" for it!
Cheers.
Yea, but when you're playing a merciful character you're gonna want to do non-lethal damage when you're not smiting (especially against non-evil creatures you wish to redeem, like those CN halflings I've come to loathe).
Not to mention it looked like "THE" ability for the Reedemer, and it isn't. Guess I was just expecting more oomph.
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I think half-orc paladins have a ton going for them now. Merciful smite is just an extra thing; it doesn't really make smite worse, it just gives you the option to do non-lethal if you so choose.
The best thing I saw, however, was an option to get proper ferocity with a feat, or the alternate racial trait that gives Endurance as a bonus feat, allowing for Diehard from level 1.
Diehard + Lay on Hands + a sizable constitution score means a paladin who refuses to die.
I am planning as redeemer for a campaign and I chose blade of mercy to go along the merciful smite, is that a bit too much? I also was planning on grabbing the orc eldritch heritage from levels 13-17, but Idk, any other worthwhile feats for those levels?
I'd grab Blade of Mercy as well (even with Merciful Smite). As I said, you're gonna wanna deal non-lethal damage when you're not smiting. In this, the Merciful Smite ability is a bit of a waste (that is until 11th level; then it's hello full-party non-lethal smite).
I haven't seen the feats. I just noticed the archetypes and alternate racial traits on the SRD.
Ferocity is badass (I wonder if it could be used to bypass the Endurance & Diehard prerequisites for the "Deathless" line of feats; it seems a reasonable DM might consider it).
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It's actually the same amount of feat investment; the only thing you lose to get Endurance as a bonus feat is Intimidating, and you can then give up Orc Ferocity for something like Sacred Tattoo.
Personally I would go with Endurance and Diehard (1 feat spent) versus Ferocity (also 1 feat spent, but no sleeping in medium armour, and the rather lackluster +2 to Intimidate).
That's pretty cool. Just recently I dipped Fighter for the Unbreakable archetype (gaining both Endurance & Diehard in place of the 1st level bonus feat). Had the Desert Runner racial trait, too. Most badass elf barbarian I've had the pleasure of rolling XD
Do the Flat of the Blade ability from the cavalier and Blade of Mercy trait stack for damage purposes? So instead of the +1 damage from Blade of Mercy or the +2 damage from Flat of the Blade, you receive a total +3 damage? I understand this is all nonlethal damage but was unsure if the additional damage stacked.
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Do the Flat of the Blade ability from the cavalier and Blade of Mercy trait stack for damage purposes? So instead of the +1 damage from Blade of Mercy or the +2 damage from Flat of the Blade, you receive a total +3 damage? I understand this is all nonlethal damage but was unsure if the additional damage stacked.
The bonus from Flat of the Blade is untyped and applies whenever you deal nonlethal and should therefore stack with, well, just about anything.
Not sure if +1 damage is worth a whole Trait, though...
An aside, I love how the Redeemer lacks Detect Evil. Perhaps an idealistic fellow out to save the world is a bit naive, lacking the "sense" for it!
Cheers.
It's a great way to waste smites. That's why I had a brilliant idea for a pair of NPCs who travel together. She's an aasimar Tranquil Guardian/Drunken Master and he's a half-orc Redeemer/Rogue (both gestalts). Tranquil Guardian and Redeemer were made for each other. :D
We have a paladin with this archetype in our current campaign. So far he is really enjoying it. Though he is very mistrustful of my character (malconvoker summoner lol), but he doesnt have Detect evil to "check" me. Really makes him have to watch me and see my true nature over time(Im CG btw).
P.S. - Malconvoker is a homebrew Archetype for Summoner that mimics the old 3.5 Malconvoker prestige class.