Wild Heart instead of Totem Warrior?

[Wolfgrin]

Does anyone else feels this thematic change from PnP version is unnecessary? I liked all of Larian's redesigns so far, but this one seems really bland and unappealing. Shaman with a spirit animal guide is a solid character concept, which can't be said about some vague 'inspired-by-beast' background (no clue how liking some creature gives you superhuman powers). Also, the appearance feature they get in 5e is an actual animal trait (bird eyes for eagle, grey streak in hair for wolf, etc., Pallegina from PoE is a perfect example of how it might look). Those five types of piercing would make a great option for all characters, but they don't seem to be made in animal likeness. I apologise for being harsh, but it just strikes me as something I wouldn't expect from people who have made almost every feature look stylistically better than its tabletop counterpart.

[Cirayu]

I'm honestly unsure whether totem warrior or wildheart is "better" in a mechanics standpoint, - as WH is basically a copy of totem with tweaks, like Bear mode is the same - but you have "action - restore 1d8+con mod" with no actual cooldown.

But then there's reworked entirely like eagle, where in TW it's "While you're raging and aren't wearing heavy armor, other creatures have disadvantage on opportunity attack rolls against you, and you can use the Dash action as a bonus action on your turn" - Whereas WH is "you get another jump action while raging, when you use it you take no fall damage, and deal lightnign damage to things nearby landing" ( or is it thunder,)

iirc Pallegina is a species, not a barbarian subclass, so that woudl be saying "being totem warrior/wildheart changes your race"

Edit `1: POTENTIALLY it's because totem warrior lwts you choose an animal each time you get a totem thingy, but Wildheart will be "distinct" in that you're locked to the same animal, perhaps anyway - so it's like, instead of Totem warrior it's Larian's version, where you're locked too it, but is "Upgraded" e.g. the 1d8+conmod heal as an action, ( lvl 3 barb can solo 4 enemies because of that heal, it's stornger than a health potion)

[dulany67]

I'm not sure it's necessary, but then again presumably WotC signed off. Perhaps this is a change being considered for future versions of D&D.

[Louis]

Think it's not that big a deal but maybe they felt Totem Warrior doesn't directly imply the animal connection enough. Totems via Warcraft and other popular games such as Path of Exile have some implication of dropping stationary buffing or turret like totems.

I'm really happy they added new abilities based on the animal chosen though, they did the same with Draconic Sorc and it's made the subclass much nicer.

[Wolfgrin]

Originally posted by Cirayu:

I'm honestly unsure whether totem warrior or wildheart is "better" in a mechanics standpoint, - as WH is basically a copy of totem with tweaks, like Bear mode is the same - but you have "action - restore 1d8+con mod" with no actual cooldown.

But then there's reworked entirely like eagle, where in TW it's "While you're raging and aren't wearing heavy armor, other creatures have disadvantage on opportunity attack rolls against you, and you can use the Dash action as a bonus action on your turn" - Whereas WH is "you get another jump action while raging, when you use it you take no fall damage, and deal lightnign damage to things nearby landing" ( or is it thunder,)

iirc Pallegina is a species, not a barbarian subclass, so that woudl be saying "being totem warrior/wildheart changes your race"

Edit `1: POTENTIALLY it's because totem warrior lwts you choose an animal each time you get a totem thingy, but Wildheart will be "distinct" in that you're locked to the same animal, perhaps anyway - so it's like, instead of Totem warrior it's Larian's version, where you're locked too it, but is "Upgraded" e.g. the 1d8+conmod heal as an action, ( lvl 3 barb can solo 4 enemies because of that heal, it's stornger than a health potion)

Yeah Pallegina's a godlike, wanted to clarify that I used her just as an example of appearance but thought it's clear) As for mechanical changes, guess we'll have to see how it works for lvls 5+. I don't have any problems with it, my concern is purely about fluff and roleplay representation

[Wolfgrin]

Originally posted by dulany67:

I'm not sure it's necessary, but then again presumably WotC signed off. Perhaps this is a change being considered for future versions of D&D.

Well that's a possibility. There's already been talk about bringing Larian's ranger to 5e, but no changes so far

[Cirayu]

Originally posted by Wolfgrin:

Originally posted by Cirayu:

I'm honestly unsure whether totem warrior or wildheart is "better" in a mechanics standpoint, - as WH is basically a copy of totem with tweaks, like Bear mode is the same - but you have "action - restore 1d8+con mod" with no actual cooldown.

But then there's reworked entirely like eagle, where in TW it's "While you're raging and aren't wearing heavy armor, other creatures have disadvantage on opportunity attack rolls against you, and you can use the Dash action as a bonus action on your turn" - Whereas WH is "you get another jump action while raging, when you use it you take no fall damage, and deal lightnign damage to things nearby landing" ( or is it thunder,)

iirc Pallegina is a species, not a barbarian subclass, so that woudl be saying "being totem warrior/wildheart changes your race"

Edit `1: POTENTIALLY it's because totem warrior lwts you choose an animal each time you get a totem thingy, but Wildheart will be "distinct" in that you're locked to the same animal, perhaps anyway - so it's like, instead of Totem warrior it's Larian's version, where you're locked too it, but is "Upgraded" e.g. the 1d8+conmod heal as an action, ( lvl 3 barb can solo 4 enemies because of that heal, it's stornger than a health potion)

Yeah Pallegina's a godlike, wanted to clarify that I used her just as an example of appearance but thought it's clear) As for mechanical changes, guess we'll have to see how it works for lvls 5+. I don't have any problems with it, my concern is purely about fluff and roleplay representation

it was obvious you meant appearance-wise, but what I was getting at is - a Species that looks "human with animal properties" isn't, at least in my opinion, comparable to e.g. " a human who channels their rage like an animal"

[Wolfgrin]

Originally posted by Cirayu:

Originally posted by Wolfgrin:

Yeah Pallegina's a godlike, wanted to clarify that I used her just as an example of appearance but thought it's clear) As for mechanical changes, guess we'll have to see how it works for lvls 5+. I don't have any problems with it, my concern is purely about fluff and roleplay representation

it was obvious you meant appearance-wise, but what I was getting at is - a Species that looks "human with animal properties" isn't, at least in my opinion, comparable to e.g. " a human who channels their rage like an animal"

That's from the rules:

At your option, you also gain minor physical attributes that are reminiscent of your totem spirit. For example, if you have a bear totem spirit, you might be unusually hairy and thick-skinned, or if your totem is the eagle, your eyes turn bright yellow.

Perhaps godlike appearance is a bit too much, but it was the first thing I thought about

[Cirayu]

Originally posted by Wolfgrin:

Originally posted by Cirayu:

it was obvious you meant appearance-wise, but what I was getting at is - a Species that looks "human with animal properties" isn't, at least in my opinion, comparable to e.g. " a human who channels their rage like an animal"

That's from the rules:

At your option, you also gain minor physical attributes that are reminiscent of your totem spirit. For example, if you have a bear totem spirit, you might be unusually hairy and thick-skinned, or if your totem is the eagle, your eyes turn bright yellow.

Perhaps godlike appearance is a bit too much, but it was the first thing I thought about

I need to play PoE I never got TOO far, but it was funny when the gnome guy was talkimng about the palla's ... parts... and It was just "why do i keep you around again?"

[Wolfgrin]

Originally posted by Cirayu:

Originally posted by Wolfgrin:

That's from the rules:

At your option, you also gain minor physical attributes that are reminiscent of your totem spirit. For example, if you have a bear totem spirit, you might be unusually hairy and thick-skinned, or if your totem is the eagle, your eyes turn bright yellow.

Perhaps godlike appearance is a bit too much, but it was the first thing I thought about

I need to play PoE I never got TOO far, but it was funny when the gnome guy was talkimng about the palla's ... parts... and It was just "why do i keep you around again?"

Lmfao never had this banter line but I guess it's Hiravias, the ginger druid guy. He's got that nasty dialogues with everyone, and every time you think it can't get worse...

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

If you're talking about the jewelry, I don't like any of it and just turn it off.

If you're talking about the name being "Wildheart" instead of "Totem Warrior", I don't really care and don't think it makes one iota of difference.

[Wolfgrin]

Originally posted by Cirayu:

Originally posted by Wolfgrin:

That's from the rules:

At your option, you also gain minor physical attributes that are reminiscent of your totem spirit. For example, if you have a bear totem spirit, you might be unusually hairy and thick-skinned, or if your totem is the eagle, your eyes turn bright yellow.

Perhaps godlike appearance is a bit too much, but it was the first thing I thought about

I need to play PoE I never got TOO far, but it was funny when the gnome guy was talkimng about the palla's ... parts... and It was just "why do i keep you around again?"

by the way, pillars is a decent one. The sequel is even better, but I somehow never get to the end so now I'm just waiting till I forget most of the plot to play it again, FOR REAL this time

[Wolfgrin]

Originally posted by pandariuskairos:

If you're talking about the jewelry, I don't like any of it and just turn it off.

If you're talking about the name being "Wildheart" instead of "Totem Warrior", I don't really care and don't think it makes one iota of difference.

It's about aesthetics. Your spirit summoned briefly when you rage, your eyes turning catlike - lacking this seemingly minor aspects the Wildheart doesn't look any different than any other barbarian, which is, to my mind, inappropriate for such a thematic subclass.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Originally posted by Wolfgrin:

Originally posted by pandariuskairos:

If you're talking about the jewelry, I don't like any of it and just turn it off.

If you're talking about the name being "Wildheart" instead of "Totem Warrior", I don't really care and don't think it makes one iota of difference.

It's about aesthetics. Your spirit summoned briefly when you rage, your eyes turning catlike - lacking this seemingly minor aspects the Wildheart doesn't look any different than any other barbarian, which is, to my mind, inappropriate for such a thematic subclass.

So it's the animations?

Given how much work Larian has put into making spell animations custom to the class using the spell (they added even more with this patch), I would think that over time they'll do the same for all other classes too. Barbarian was only just added, so I'd give them time, but keep bringing it up in the Suggestions forum.

It would be cool if each type of Wildheart had a unique roar based on the animal chosen.

[Clynol]

fair point i suppose OP, i think piercings should just be a character creation option or at the very least allow any barbarian to have them regardless of their subclass.

[Wolfgrin]

Originally posted by pandariuskairos:

Originally posted by Wolfgrin:

It's about aesthetics. Your spirit summoned briefly when you rage, your eyes turning catlike - lacking this seemingly minor aspects the Wildheart doesn't look any different than any other barbarian, which is, to my mind, inappropriate for such a thematic subclass.

So it's the animations?

Given how much work Larian has put into making spell animations custom to the class using the spell (they added even more with this patch), I would think that over time they'll do the same for all other classes too. Barbarian was only just added, so I'd give them time, but keep bringing it up in the Suggestions forum.

It would be cool if each type of Wildheart had a unique roar based on the animal chosen.

Exactly what I was thinking. Hope it all comes from barb being a recent addition