Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Critical Role ’s Matthew Mercer released a new subclass for the Paladin last Friday . The newDungeons and Dragonssubclass is called the " Oath of the Open Sea , " and was free onD&D Beyondas unofficial stuff . Without going too much intoCampaign 2 spoilers forCritical Role , this innovation come as no surprisal for Fjord ( CEO Travis Willingham ’s character ) . Thematically , it definitely piss gumption study what the character has been going through .
link : Why Critical Role ’s D&D Streams Are So Popular
To be clear , this subclass was made for a very specificD&Dcharacter , is only a playtest , and should be process as such . The Oath of the Open Sea Paladin subclass will likely need quite a few pinch for those hoping to act it in their ownDungeons & Dragonscampaigns because of this . That enjoin , the class characteristic are quite interesting ( especially to players looking to play a ocean - fairingDungeons & Dragonscampaign likeGhosts of Saltmarsh ) .
Oaths & Spells Of Critical Role’s Open Sea Paladin
As with most Paladin subclasses , Critical Role ’s Oath of the Open Sea postulate histrion taking Oaths . This one has four dogma , and the first is " No Greater Life than a Life Lived Free . " The description ( to quote the subclass on D&D Beyond ) is : " One should be free to chart their own way of life without oppression . Those who would wield their power to dominate others shall be smote . " An expletive that fit some sort of righteous Paladin pirate , no doubt , and one that will for sure lend to some great new character backstories inanyD&Dcampaign .
The second swearword , " Trust the Skies , " scan : " The guidance of a solid breeze . The rumbling warnings of a coming storm . Nature is a source of presage and council that should be heeded . " This expletive definitely feels oriented toward the Wild Mother and Storm Lord ( as the course ' porta verbal description top ) , but could easily be geared toward Greyhawk deities like Beory or Obad - Hai . The third oath , " Adapt Like the Water , " goes : " The waters of the ocean can shift around any obstruction or become an impassable one . They can carve around and expose the secrets of the past times or swallow the truth and obscure it incessantly . To cover this fluidness is to be ready for any challenge . " This is passably world-wide , and probably would n’t need any changes to apply to mostD&DPaladins .
Lastly , " Explore the Uncharted " reads : " The world is take with much mystery . Through the pursuance of these enigmatic close , one can both bring out those who enshroud their dark human activity in shadow to be judged , and find the route to becoming something great . " Basically just an awe-inspiring way to say " you like to travel and smite evil , " this is another straightforward oath that could be easily tally to manyDungeons & Dragonscharacters .
Related : Why Titmouse Is Perfect For Critical Role ’s D&D Campaign
The spells for Critical Role ’s marine subclass let in " Create or Destroy Water " and " Expeditious hideaway " at third story . At fifth the Open Sea Paladin get " Augury " and " Misty Step , " along with " Call Lightning " and " Tidal Wave " at ninth . " Control Water " and " Freedom of Movement " unlock at 13th , and " Commune with Nature " and " Maelstrom " at seventeenth . Neither " Water Walk " nor " body of water Breathing " were included , which is a peculiar omission .
Critical Role’s Open Sea Paladin Class Abilities
" Marine Layer " and " Fury of the Tides " are the available Channel Divinity options at third degree . " Marine Layer " allow theD&DOpen Sea Paladin to create a heavily - overcloud fog twenty fundament in all directions with an action . The fog lasts for ten minutes , all creature within five foot of the Paladin view the fog as lightly obscure , and the fog " can not be dispersed " ( which is a bit vague ) . This is averystrong ability inDungeons & Dragonsfor just a third - level Paladin , and should in all likelihood be moved to a eminent expansion slot .
" Fury of the Tides " is activated as a bonus action mechanism , lasts for one minute of arc , and allows a Paladin to press an enemy ten feet away on a hitting . If the enemy polish off an objective or brute after being push , it take extra bludgeoning impairment ( equal to the Paladin ’s CHA qualifier ) . " Fury of the Tides " seems average , but should probably allow for for a strength or manual dexterity save when it come to something like being knock overboard ( or off the crow ’s nest ) .
" Aura of Liberation " unlocks at degree seven , and keep the Paladin ( along with any beast of their choice within ten feet ) from being make do or restrained . " Aura of Liberation " also move out movement and attempt penalization underwater , and anyDungeons & Dragonscreaturewithin the aura ( and presumably under its effects ) can utilise five feet of their movement to escape a non - magic grappler or constraint . The range of this ability also go from ten to thirty pes at level eighteen . This should belike swop with " Marine Layer " and unlock at horizontal surface three . Assuming " any creature of your option " entail one other animal , this is a solid buff for another melee party fellow member during underwater fight . The anti - grapple / restrain summation is ok , as most consequence that make those conditions would likely be magical anyway .
Related : How To get going observe Critical Role ’s D&D Campaigns
" Stormy water supply " can be used as a chemical reaction at level fifteen when a creature enrol or leaves the Paladin ’s melee chain of mountains . The Paladin summon a undulation and the foe take 1d12 bludgeoning , and must bring home the bacon on a strength - saving throw ( the DC of which was not share , in all probability base on the Paladin ’s CHA modifier gene ) or be knocked prone . This is reasonably cool originative accession that accommodate Critical Role’sDungeons & Dragonssubclass , and does n’t seem overpowered , as it can only be used reasonably specifically .
Lastly , at 20th level , " Mystic Swashbuckler " is unlocked . For one minute ( as an action ) , the Open Sea Paladin can " channelise the spiritsof historic sea maitre d’hotel , " which allows them to spend no extra movement when climbing and gives them vantage on strength checks . It also gives the Paladin advantage on attacks on creature within five feet , so long as it ’s the only creature in that chain of mountains . They also invite " Dodge " as a fillip action , and have reward on all dexterity assay and saving throws ( so long as they can see the core ) .
" Mystic daredevil " can only be used once per longsighted rest , and seems to be missing a bit for a level twenty class feature . The plus of icing equipment casualty on a smasher would be a satisfying addition , or maybe adding terms upon a creature starting its turn nearby , like with Oath of veneration ’s " Holy Nimbus " ( except it would be cold wrong , not radiant ) .
Though clearly pitch toward Fjord , with some modifications ( and a tolerantDungeons & DragonsDM ) , a new fictional character could easily take this subclass . Overall , Critical Role’sDungeons and DragonsOath of the Open Sea subclass is really interesting , and succeeding updates will make it even more so .
Next : Critical Role ’s House Rules On Resurrection of Christ Makes dying In D&D Better
Source : D&D Beyond
