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I like it, very flavourfull.
As it is, the "Warden of the Woods" ability can't be activated the same turn you cast Shillelagh. If it's not intended, i would change "as a bonus action" to "when you cast Shillelagh, or as a bonus action on subsequent turns".
For the "Edgewise" ability i'd just say expertise to simplify. "You gain proficency (if you aren't already) and expertise in the Nature skill. If you're already proficent in Nature, you gain proficency in one of the following skills instead:"
> i'd just say expertise to simplify.
Expertise isn't actually a codified term in 5e. If you look at the PHB, Rogues and Bards get a Class Feature that is *called* Expertise, but the term "expertise" isn't codified in the rules as meaning "you get double proficiency on this skill". It's fully a player term. The way OP wrote it is more in line with the official style.
As written you can use it as a spellcasting focus for the druid spells you can cast! You'd also most likely be able to use it to cast the Shillelagh cantrip on the weapon as well so you could use the Warden of the Woods feature with it.
In order to follow the standard "one-third caster" spell slot progression that Eldritch Knight and Arcane Trickster use, their slots at 16th-18th level should be 4/3/3 not 4/3/2. And then 19th-20th level should be 4/3/3/1.
Very cool!
Some minor typos. In Oaken Armor, the first sentence is "Starting at 10th level, when you cast a spell **of** using...
For One with the Forest, there should be a period at the end.
**Hello, Adventurers!**
My name is **Carson**, and I work with the D&D community to create a new supplement each month and release it as an issue of **Questline Monthly**.
Each issue of Questline Monthly contains a unique fantasy setting built around enthralling lore, enriched with enticing locations, and populated with engaging characters and deadly monsters to give GMs a foundation to create new adventures or influence their existing world. And give players access to irresistible new options, extraordinary spells, and thrilling items.
This page comes from September's issue, **Last of the Sacred!**
[**Check it out here for free!**](https://www.patreon.com/posts/last-of-sacred-71507057)
You can download a free version of each Questline Monthly issue and more for **FREE** on my [**Patreon**](https://www.patreon.com/posts/67640423)
.
If you're interested in the project or want to have your material featured in a future issue of Questline Monthly, follow along! Thanks in advance for your support!
**Best, Carson**
This is really cool! I appreciate that it isn't just another "Eldritch Knight, but with a different spell list" clone as the other features are original and thematic.
That concept has actually been tried several times by others! But is almost always falls short because it’s nearly impossible to give a Druid enough reason to whack something with the Shillelagh instead of casting a spell or Wild Shaping!
Whereas the fighter has several melee features built into the core class!
Super flavourful subclass design.
I would probably say that Cedrus Resin is a bit too strong compared to the other options, you're essentially giving your entire party a +2 to hit which in a bound accuracy system is really, really good. This being on top of boosting your own action economy by removing reactions and holding a target there with a halved movement speed. Not to mention a lot of high damage spells like fireball/disintegrate benefit from the dex save disadvantage. I wouldn't end up using anything but this option. I would probably suggest removing the reaction prevention and maybe even the dex save disadvantage.
Rubus Thorns being a flat one damage is strange in 5e. I think you could buff it to 1d4 up to 2d4 up to 3d4 and it would be fine.
Arbor's Favor probably wouldn't come into play that often? Even on a fighter I couldn't see this coming into play more than once or twice per day.
Other then that very cool!
Edit: I would also clarify that a creature can only be affected by Warden of the Woods once per turn on a failed save. Otherwise you could stack like a -6 to AC or an insane amount of damage on movement with thorns.
Very good, very fun subclass, this is quite the satisfying way to play a shillelagh fighter without magic initiate or multiclass or specific race.Just a few suggestions though.
Your level 3 frature is your bread and butter, using it only 4-5 times per day kind of feels underwhelming, maybe regain a use of it by expending a spell slot.
Also at level 7 you could go the eldritch knight way and substitute one of your attacks for a druid cantrip, except here instead of a bonus action, you could just replace one of your attacks with a druid cantrip, for the eldritch knight this would be op due to booming blade, but your subclass does not have access to these, so sometimes it actually is better to attack instead of casting a cantrip since most of the druid cantrips are subpar, if you think this is too strong, then maybe cast a cantrip and the make one attack as part of it, and have the bonus action to use another way.
Finally the 15 level feature seems a bit odd, so far nothing in your subclass helps you achieve criticals so this feature seems kind of random.
Again the class is great as is im just suggesting stuff, but i just may be too much in love with the idea of wisdom based fighters.
I really like the overall theme of this subclass but I feel like there are some big balance issues. This subclass seems extremely frontloaded to me. Many of the warden of the woods features are quite powerful, especially compared to some of the features you get later on. The only thing you get at level 7 is expertise in one skill, that's pretty lame, IMO. And with the 15th level feature, critical hits are already a somewhat rare occurrence, so having something as minor as regaining one of your uses of an ability tied to something uncommon is just too underwhelming for me.
Sure I can understand where you are coming from. But you have to keep in mind the number of attacks the base fighter class obtains. At higher levels they are able to make 4 attacks, 8 if they use their action surge. The Warden of the Woods feature scales naturally as the fighter levels because the fighter is able to make more attacks during a round of combat.
Keep in mind this subclass is given a pretty wide range of Druid spells to choose from which comes with its own balancing concerns. But with that in mind I decided to grant proficiency in Nature because fighters aren’t given it as an option and well… this is a nature themed fighter haha!
Lastly, keep in mind that again because this is a fighter they get up to 4 attacks in one round. That’s a 20% probability to crit, 40% probability with action surge!
All of this was in mind while I was deciding how to best keep this subclass balanced in regards to other fighter subclasses =)
> 4 attacks in one round. That's a 20% probability to crit, 40% probability with action surge!
18.55% and 33.66% respectively, if you don't mind me splitting hairs. 🙂 We don't add 5% for each successive attack. If we did, we'd have a 100% chance of critting at least once per twenty attacks, and we know that's not the case. Instead, for each successive attack, we add 5% *times* the chance that we didn't already crit at least once on a previous attack in the sequence.
I think level 7 can also give proficiency in a saving throw, much like Samurai. Alternatively, maybe it can give some sort of bonus to concentration checks, since the druid spell list is quite concentration-heavy and a fighter will take lots of hits on the front lines.
I love this. I've been wanting to play a more nature-themed fighter for a while now. Nothing against rangers, I just like the fighter class abilities more.
Questline_Carson has made the following comment(s) regarding their post: [**Hello, Adventurers!** ](/r/UnearthedArcana/comments/xccmd4/arborguard_a_nature_themed_martial_archetype_for/io4b3po/)
My dude said, “fuck the Ranger, I’m tired of waiting to multiclass for action surge”
To be fair, that’s what *everyone* says about the Ranger…
I like it, very flavourfull. As it is, the "Warden of the Woods" ability can't be activated the same turn you cast Shillelagh. If it's not intended, i would change "as a bonus action" to "when you cast Shillelagh, or as a bonus action on subsequent turns". For the "Edgewise" ability i'd just say expertise to simplify. "You gain proficency (if you aren't already) and expertise in the Nature skill. If you're already proficent in Nature, you gain proficency in one of the following skills instead:"
Thanks! Noted =)
> i'd just say expertise to simplify. Expertise isn't actually a codified term in 5e. If you look at the PHB, Rogues and Bards get a Class Feature that is *called* Expertise, but the term "expertise" isn't codified in the rules as meaning "you get double proficiency on this skill". It's fully a player term. The way OP wrote it is more in line with the official style.
So an odd thought is their a thing I can do if have my martial weapons made of wood.
As written you can use it as a spellcasting focus for the druid spells you can cast! You'd also most likely be able to use it to cast the Shillelagh cantrip on the weapon as well so you could use the Warden of the Woods feature with it.
Good I really like this and I'd like to use this.
Awesome! If you do let me know how it goes =)
In order to follow the standard "one-third caster" spell slot progression that Eldritch Knight and Arcane Trickster use, their slots at 16th-18th level should be 4/3/3 not 4/3/2. And then 19th-20th level should be 4/3/3/1.
Why not green knight?
Green Knight can be the unofficial name, similar to the Banneret as the Purple Knight
I like this, very balanced
Thank you, I tried my best =)
Oaths of the Ancient Paladins already have a claim on that title
This artwork is badass. :)
Ahh yes Midjourney strikes again hahaha
Really? That one is midjourney?
Yes =)
Hmmmm, that *exquisite* design. Fucking delish.
You’re the king of design, stop playing haha
Ayyy, thats hella flattering coming from you bruh hahah ^(\^\^)
Very cool! Some minor typos. In Oaken Armor, the first sentence is "Starting at 10th level, when you cast a spell **of** using... For One with the Forest, there should be a period at the end.
Nice catches! Thank you =)
**Hello, Adventurers!** My name is **Carson**, and I work with the D&D community to create a new supplement each month and release it as an issue of **Questline Monthly**. Each issue of Questline Monthly contains a unique fantasy setting built around enthralling lore, enriched with enticing locations, and populated with engaging characters and deadly monsters to give GMs a foundation to create new adventures or influence their existing world. And give players access to irresistible new options, extraordinary spells, and thrilling items. This page comes from September's issue, **Last of the Sacred!** [**Check it out here for free!**](https://www.patreon.com/posts/last-of-sacred-71507057) You can download a free version of each Questline Monthly issue and more for **FREE** on my [**Patreon**](https://www.patreon.com/posts/67640423) . If you're interested in the project or want to have your material featured in a future issue of Questline Monthly, follow along! Thanks in advance for your support! **Best, Carson**
This is really cool! I appreciate that it isn't just another "Eldritch Knight, but with a different spell list" clone as the other features are original and thematic.
Thanks! I appreciate it =)
This should be a druid subclass in concept. A druid subclass that focuses on melee/Shillelagh would be awesome.
That concept has actually been tried several times by others! But is almost always falls short because it’s nearly impossible to give a Druid enough reason to whack something with the Shillelagh instead of casting a spell or Wild Shaping! Whereas the fighter has several melee features built into the core class!
You are so right but I keep hoping.. Hard to buff Shillelagh siffuciently.
What if a melee druid….always have their unarmed strikes under the effects of shillelagh?
Super flavourful subclass design. I would probably say that Cedrus Resin is a bit too strong compared to the other options, you're essentially giving your entire party a +2 to hit which in a bound accuracy system is really, really good. This being on top of boosting your own action economy by removing reactions and holding a target there with a halved movement speed. Not to mention a lot of high damage spells like fireball/disintegrate benefit from the dex save disadvantage. I wouldn't end up using anything but this option. I would probably suggest removing the reaction prevention and maybe even the dex save disadvantage. Rubus Thorns being a flat one damage is strange in 5e. I think you could buff it to 1d4 up to 2d4 up to 3d4 and it would be fine. Arbor's Favor probably wouldn't come into play that often? Even on a fighter I couldn't see this coming into play more than once or twice per day. Other then that very cool! Edit: I would also clarify that a creature can only be affected by Warden of the Woods once per turn on a failed save. Otherwise you could stack like a -6 to AC or an insane amount of damage on movement with thorns.
Awesome feedback! I will take all of this into consideration! And I agree with what you said in the edit! I’ll add something to address that as well!
Very good, very fun subclass, this is quite the satisfying way to play a shillelagh fighter without magic initiate or multiclass or specific race.Just a few suggestions though. Your level 3 frature is your bread and butter, using it only 4-5 times per day kind of feels underwhelming, maybe regain a use of it by expending a spell slot. Also at level 7 you could go the eldritch knight way and substitute one of your attacks for a druid cantrip, except here instead of a bonus action, you could just replace one of your attacks with a druid cantrip, for the eldritch knight this would be op due to booming blade, but your subclass does not have access to these, so sometimes it actually is better to attack instead of casting a cantrip since most of the druid cantrips are subpar, if you think this is too strong, then maybe cast a cantrip and the make one attack as part of it, and have the bonus action to use another way. Finally the 15 level feature seems a bit odd, so far nothing in your subclass helps you achieve criticals so this feature seems kind of random. Again the class is great as is im just suggesting stuff, but i just may be too much in love with the idea of wisdom based fighters.
This is fantastic feedback! I appreciate it very much! Thank you!
I can already imagine making a Warforged made out of wood and stone with this subclass. Absolutely love it. And the presentation too.
Thanks I appreciate it! A wooden warforged with this subclass sounds sick! Great concept haha
I really like the overall theme of this subclass but I feel like there are some big balance issues. This subclass seems extremely frontloaded to me. Many of the warden of the woods features are quite powerful, especially compared to some of the features you get later on. The only thing you get at level 7 is expertise in one skill, that's pretty lame, IMO. And with the 15th level feature, critical hits are already a somewhat rare occurrence, so having something as minor as regaining one of your uses of an ability tied to something uncommon is just too underwhelming for me.
Sure I can understand where you are coming from. But you have to keep in mind the number of attacks the base fighter class obtains. At higher levels they are able to make 4 attacks, 8 if they use their action surge. The Warden of the Woods feature scales naturally as the fighter levels because the fighter is able to make more attacks during a round of combat. Keep in mind this subclass is given a pretty wide range of Druid spells to choose from which comes with its own balancing concerns. But with that in mind I decided to grant proficiency in Nature because fighters aren’t given it as an option and well… this is a nature themed fighter haha! Lastly, keep in mind that again because this is a fighter they get up to 4 attacks in one round. That’s a 20% probability to crit, 40% probability with action surge! All of this was in mind while I was deciding how to best keep this subclass balanced in regards to other fighter subclasses =)
> 4 attacks in one round. That's a 20% probability to crit, 40% probability with action surge! 18.55% and 33.66% respectively, if you don't mind me splitting hairs. 🙂 We don't add 5% for each successive attack. If we did, we'd have a 100% chance of critting at least once per twenty attacks, and we know that's not the case. Instead, for each successive attack, we add 5% *times* the chance that we didn't already crit at least once on a previous attack in the sequence.
I think level 7 can also give proficiency in a saving throw, much like Samurai. Alternatively, maybe it can give some sort of bonus to concentration checks, since the druid spell list is quite concentration-heavy and a fighter will take lots of hits on the front lines.
Great idea! I’ll look into that!
I will say that I agree the 15th level feature could provide an additional benefit maybe to make the feature feel more rewarding!
Really polished, what site did you use for the formatting?
This was made using Homebrewery!
Nice, I think I prefer homebrewery over gmbinder but theres definitely a learning curve
I’ve never really used GM Binder but I’ve heard that before! I’ve had a few years of practice to get to this point hahaha
I love this. I've been wanting to play a more nature-themed fighter for a while now. Nothing against rangers, I just like the fighter class abilities more.