Vogie
2018-11-20, 11:00 PM
So, I had preordered Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica (GGR), and it arrived today - and I noticed an interesting ability on the Orzhov Giant (pg 202)
Focus: As a bonus action, the giant can target a creature it can see within 30 feet of it and make that creature its focus. The target remains the giants focus for 1 minute, or until either the target or the giant drops to 0 hit points.
When the giant makes an attack roll against its focus, it adds a d4 to its attack roll. If the giant attacks a different target while it has a focus, it subtracts a d4 from its attack roll.
Now, this immediately made me think of the considered-OP Brute Fighter that was released as UA (https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/downloads/UA-3Subclasses0108.pdf). The ability that was considered OP was Brute Force:
Brute Force
Starting at 3rd level, whenever you hit with a weapon that you're proficient with and deal damage, the weapon's damage increases by an amount based on your level in this class, as shown on the Brute Bonus Damage table.
Brute Bonus Damage
Fighter Level
Damage Increase
3rd
1d4
10th
1d6
16th
1d8
20th
1d10
Now there are some stark contrasts: Namely, Focus gives d4 to attack rolls, while Brute gives d4 to damage. Basically, it's a Bless effect vs a Divine Favor effect
However, it's close enough to make me wonder. There were rumors that the Brute was originally going to be included in GGR, but was ultimately cut due to balance issues.
Would adding this "focus" mechanic to the existing Brute fix the subclass? Was it included on the Orzhov Giant BECAUSE it was such a fix that was later removed?
The new Brute Force (or, should I say, Brute Focus) ability would look like this:
Brute Focus
Starting at 3rd level, as a bonus action, choose one creature you can see within 30 feet of you and make that creature your focus. The target remains your focus for 1 minute, or until either you or the target drops to 0 hit points. Whenever you hit your focus with a weapon that you're proficient with and deal damage, the weapon's damage increases by an amount based on your level in this class, as shown on the Brute Bonus Damage table. Whenever you attack a different target while you have a focus, the weapon's damage decreases by that amount.
Brute Bonus Damage
Fighter Level
Damage Increase/Decrease
3rd
1d4
10th
1d6
16th
1d8
20th
1d10
You'd still have the amplified damage, you'd still have that very rage-esque tunnel vision, but it's more balanced. One of the main cool parts of the Brute is how well it played with TWF fighters, and this alteration also stymies that slightly by using the bonus action to create a focus. While it does feel a bit like a ranger feature, such as Slayer's Prey, the lopsided increased damage that scales with level provides something fairly unique that we don't see in other classes, and may be exactly what the Brute Fighter needed.
Thoughts?
Focus: As a bonus action, the giant can target a creature it can see within 30 feet of it and make that creature its focus. The target remains the giants focus for 1 minute, or until either the target or the giant drops to 0 hit points.
When the giant makes an attack roll against its focus, it adds a d4 to its attack roll. If the giant attacks a different target while it has a focus, it subtracts a d4 from its attack roll.
Now, this immediately made me think of the considered-OP Brute Fighter that was released as UA (https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/downloads/UA-3Subclasses0108.pdf). The ability that was considered OP was Brute Force:
Brute Force
Starting at 3rd level, whenever you hit with a weapon that you're proficient with and deal damage, the weapon's damage increases by an amount based on your level in this class, as shown on the Brute Bonus Damage table.
Brute Bonus Damage
Fighter Level
Damage Increase
3rd
1d4
10th
1d6
16th
1d8
20th
1d10
Now there are some stark contrasts: Namely, Focus gives d4 to attack rolls, while Brute gives d4 to damage. Basically, it's a Bless effect vs a Divine Favor effect
However, it's close enough to make me wonder. There were rumors that the Brute was originally going to be included in GGR, but was ultimately cut due to balance issues.
Would adding this "focus" mechanic to the existing Brute fix the subclass? Was it included on the Orzhov Giant BECAUSE it was such a fix that was later removed?
The new Brute Force (or, should I say, Brute Focus) ability would look like this:
Brute Focus
Starting at 3rd level, as a bonus action, choose one creature you can see within 30 feet of you and make that creature your focus. The target remains your focus for 1 minute, or until either you or the target drops to 0 hit points. Whenever you hit your focus with a weapon that you're proficient with and deal damage, the weapon's damage increases by an amount based on your level in this class, as shown on the Brute Bonus Damage table. Whenever you attack a different target while you have a focus, the weapon's damage decreases by that amount.
Brute Bonus Damage
Fighter Level
Damage Increase/Decrease
3rd
1d4
10th
1d6
16th
1d8
20th
1d10
You'd still have the amplified damage, you'd still have that very rage-esque tunnel vision, but it's more balanced. One of the main cool parts of the Brute is how well it played with TWF fighters, and this alteration also stymies that slightly by using the bonus action to create a focus. While it does feel a bit like a ranger feature, such as Slayer's Prey, the lopsided increased damage that scales with level provides something fairly unique that we don't see in other classes, and may be exactly what the Brute Fighter needed.
Thoughts?