I had a brainwave yesterday concerning two small concerns I'm finding with the Paladin. Just want to throw it out there and see what you guys think...
Concern #1: Warded Touch is really good, TOO good. I can't think of any Paladin build that doesn't NEED/REALLY WANT to get this feat in order to fully utilize the important ability, Lay on Hands. Who wants to provoke Attacks of Opportunities which could disrupt the much needed healing? I also know that Paizo wants to get away from those “I gotta take that feat in order to play this class properly” feats.
Concern #2: As it stands, Paladins need a free hand to cast Heal and many of the other domain powers. (not including Weapon Surge, of course) That is a problem especially if one wants to play the iconic sword and board Paladin. (Or even a two hander to some extent)
My solution is to first: bake Warded Touch, as it is now, into Lay on Hands. Keep the spell with the manipulate trait, but have the Paladins naturally able to cast it without the trait. (This way if other classes get the ability somehow, they'll need to spend a feat to be as good at it as the Paladin. Maybe even do this for those who multiclass into Paladin?...) Second, change Warded Touch feat by swapping out the words “Lay on Hands” for “Champion Powers”. Bingo! Paladins who choose to cast other Champion Powers, now have the option to do so with their hands full. I would also include giving the Paladin a way to cast the material component with their weapon or shield, but I don't know.
By changing the feat in this way, it moves the feat from a must have feat, to a niche feat for those who plan on casting multiple champion powers. What do you guys think?
I had a brainwave yesterday concerning two small concerns I'm finding with the Paladin. Just want to throw it out there and see what you guys think...
Concern #1: Warded Touch is really good, TOO good. I can't think of any Paladin build that doesn't NEED/REALLY WANT to get this feat in order to fully utilize the important ability, Lay on Hands. Who wants to provoke Attacks of Opportunities which could disrupt the much needed healing? I also know that Paizo wants to get away from those “I gotta take that feat in order to play this class properly” feats.
Concern #2: As it stands, Paladins need a free hand to cast Heal and many of the other domain powers. (not including Weapon Surge, of course) That is a problem especially if one wants to play the iconic sword and board Paladin. (Or even a two hander to some extent)
My solution is to first: bake Warded Touch, as it is now, into Lay on Hands. Keep the spell with the manipulate trait, but have the Paladins naturally able to cast it without the trait. (This way if other classes get the ability somehow, they'll need to spend a feat to be as good at it as the Paladin. Maybe even do this for those who multiclass into Paladin?...) Second, change Warded Touch feat by swapping out the words “Lay on Hands” for “Champion Powers”. Bingo! Paladins who choose to cast other Champion Powers, now have the option to do so with their hands full. I would also include giving the Paladin a way to cast the material component with their weapon or shield, but I don't know.
By changing the feat in this way, it moves the feat from a must have feat, to a niche feat for those who plan on casting multiple champion powers. What do you guys think?
I agree warded touch should just be a thing you get. It's too good not to. Honestly, that and hospice knight blow the other feats away, so it isn't much of a choice.
That being said, part of me likes only lay on hands working hands free (which does make name weird, I'll admit.) Having Heal as your out of combat thing and lay on hands as your combat spell is neat.
That being said, part of me likes only lay on hands working hands free (which does make name weird, I'll admit.) Having Heal as your out of combat thing and lay on hands as your combat spell is neat.
That was my thought at first as well, but then the free healing from Treat Wounds kinda made it redundant unless you need that healing RIGHT NOW. Actually now come to think of it, I don't want Channel Life to overshadow Lay on Hands. So perhaps it is better to not make Paladins too good at casting spells...
I agree warded touch should just be a thing you get. It's too good not to. Honestly, that and hospice knight blow the other feats away, so it isn't much of a choice.
I'm totally with you on this...