Talk:Hound Archon (5e Race)
Ok so I created a character a long time ago using this race but now I see there are a number of changes not only to the abilities but also to the descriptions which make me ask questions. I get that some traits/abilites were more or less OP (like having spells with this race or +2 AC), I get why it needed to be nerfed but why was the description changed from "canines" to "wolves". I mean, both are dog related but the word "canines" to me seems less vicious than the wolf, plus you're from the Celestial Plane which doesn't look like it's a wolf accepting place. The age of the Hound changed to...do not age? Ability scores seem to also be changed, can I know why and what were the previous scores? Also, Undercommon language instead of Celestial? What? From the Celestial Plane and you know Undercommon? --Jacobas (talk) 14:15, 11 May 2016 (MDT)
- I don't like any of the changes. Just because the 3.5e statblock had the archon wielding a greatsword, doesn't mean that all hound archons are proficient in that weapon. I'm going to try a rewrite. Marasmusine (talk) 15:38, 11 May 2016 (MDT)
- Okay, let's try this. I've gone for the spell selection they had in AD&D (rather than 3rd edition), and I haven't worked in their spell resistance as I think it would tip them into OP. Marasmusine (talk) 16:06, 11 May 2016 (MDT)
I agree that this race should be in the incomplete list because of the description but despite the abilities, traits and such, the description of the race I think was better before someone changed it, don't know why it was changed (like the "canines" to "wolf" like I said earlier. I looked over Hound Archons in AD&D and the description clearly states: "Humans with dog like heads..". Of course you can homebrew it but when I first saw this race I liked it because it was like a dog in a humanoid form). With the changes you did, now I miss the Holy Pursuit (you do not need to eat, drink, or sleep as such necessities would only hinder them in the battle against evil) and Speak with Canines (you can communicate simple ideas with all canines). Don't get me wrong, I can totally deal without the Holy Pursuit and the Shapechange, Bite, and Magic abilities are quite a great addition. Also, just a thought, maybe some sort of a smell sense trait would be fitting? --Jacobas (talk) 04:12, 12 May 2016 (MDT)
- I will look into official lore, I don't know right now what the dietry and sleep requirements of an archon is. Speak with Canines is trivial enough that it can be added back in. As for smell, I like the idea of that being one reason they might want to change into dog form (they have keen smell right? Will have to check). Anything that doesn't quite fit in can always be turned into feats. Marasmusine (talk) 04:33, 12 May 2016 (MDT)
- Feel free to adjust the description, you can check previous revisions with the History tab (then cut and paste what you want to put back in) Marasmusine (talk) 04:35, 12 May 2016 (MDT)
Free Wildshape? What? Basically, this race gets a free reserve of temporary hit points and new abilities, the same thing that causes many people to believe that Moon Druids are OP, right from 1st level. In my opinion, this definitely needs a change. Try looking at the Shifter races from WoTC's Unearthed Arcana 5e (on their website) for inspiration. --OwenLeaf (talk) 13:02, 23 October 2016 (MDT)
- Personally I don't see the Shapchange/Wildshape as such a huge problem. I mean, it sort of suits the whole "Hound" part, I guess. Plus, this race can change into any of these 3 for a maximum of one hour once per short/long rest (the short/long rest could be debatable, I would probably put it once per long rest cause it is a racial feat.). Also, if you look at the beasts HP, it's really not that much. The wolf has like 11HP and it's more than twice of the mastiff HP. Of course, if you start at 1st-3rd level this could be quite great, later on it could/would become obsolete. --Jacobas (talk) 13:23, 23 October 2016 (MDT)