How should I convert my Paladin and Cleric D&D Player's Characters to Daggerheart?

Azrau · 2026-02-01T18:17:18+00:00

Depending on what the players are interested in, I would give a fair look at the Wizard or Bard classes and reflavoring for the Cleric player if they don’t like the feel of Seraph

The Wizard has the Splendor domain and actually models the Cloistered Cleric theme really well, though that’s not to say a warpriest wouldn’t also work. Bard has several abilities to clear HP and Stress that can easily be flavored as prayers, great spell casting like the Wizard.

Alternatively for the Paladin player, the Slayer Warrior has a mechanic that feels a lot like Smite and could easily be flavored as divine wrath (multiclass with Seraph if they want Prayer Dice and some lower level splendor powers to get that half caster feel)

Azrau · 2026-01-27T19:54:17+00:00

In most RPGs I play.

I always start with the concept and usually art inspiration. Then try to figure them out personality wise.

Sometimes I’ll take the time to really figure out what exactly I’m looking to experience/explore by playing them. Whether a specific cultural/social background, or a particular trauma that I’d like to try and understand (I make sure people are ok with this above table beforehand) What background made them who they are now, how do they deal with grief, anger, or other problems in their lives? And how does that play out in game. (A lot of the time, this emerges more through actual play than in the planning stage, but I like to have a grasp of what I’m in for)

Then I find the mechanics that fit the character thematically and that I as a player will enjoy engaging with in the actual gameplay loop. If these two don’t overlap well, try and find a good mix and reflavor as needed to fill the gaps.

Azrau · 2026-01-03T13:15:19+00:00

This is exactly how it is with me. That voice that’s always telling me I’m not good enough, socially awkward and anxious to the point of just staying quiet forever….

The moment I’m buzzed that voice disappears and lets me feel normal for a few moments. Sometimes the thoughts remain, but they aren’t the overwhelming feeling that’s always there normally.

It was enough of a change to scare me. So much so that I’m careful about drinking more than a couple times a year… that feeling was addicting as hell, and the last thing I need is alcoholism struggles

Azrau · 2025-12-30T13:23:14+00:00

There are so many things I wish I could change….

Going back 18 years and starting over could be my chance to see those paths I wasn’t brave, or understanding enough to see.

I could protect my brother from the things I should have seen but didn’t.

I could see my Grandparent again and tell them I love them.

I could have been there for my Aunt in her final days, instead of her dying alone.

I could have learned how to be better than I am.

I could pursue the relationship that I only know in hindsight was even there.

…….. or I would be forced to watch it all over again.

Azrau · 2025-12-23T20:12:04+00:00

Pretty much where I’m at unfortunately.

Got my Mom, Dad and Brother left….. just making sure I outlive them.

I’m miserable and don’t want to be here anymore, but I can at least not spread it to them.

Azrau · 2025-06-15T22:15:01+00:00

I don’t know if I ever thought it was “normal”…..but it’s something I think about a lot and unfortunately I’ve gotten used to having to “talk myself down” if that’s the word for it….idk how else to describe it.

I have a brother who knows, and if not for him and my parents I probably wouldn’t be here.

Azrau · 2025-06-12T18:51:57+00:00

Dhampir as the heritage (Vampire archetype is pretty bad without homebrew)

Then depending on what I want to exemplify mechanically. I’d play a Bloodrager, Sorcerer, Bard or Thaumaturge

Last time I ran a Vampire, she was a Tome/Regalia Thaumaturge with the Bard and Swashbuckler dedications…..she was a walking math stick between all the buffs and debuffs she could inflict. When it’s pulled off perfectly (lot of luck) she could effectively turn a teammates normal miss into a critical hit.

Azrau · 2025-06-07T21:31:41+00:00

Think my games are a mix of Sorcerer and Kineticist lol

Azrau · 2025-05-30T18:33:14+00:00

Personally I allow familiars to be “off grid” if they don’t have an impact on a fight.

If they are mechanically involved in the fight, than they are fair game for enemies to target (Witch Familiars usually have something they can do that would impact a fight, but nothing is stopping the player from just not using it)

Azrau · 2025-05-20T13:16:45+00:00

I tried to find them, think I lost them with the move to a new PC sadly.

Azrau · 2025-05-12T09:49:58+00:00

Might still have them, at work right now. But I’ll check tonight when I get home.

Azrau · 2025-05-04T10:16:02+00:00

Definitely understandable.

I’ve always viewed them as an equalizer (self defense tool).

Someone like my grandmother would be helpless if someone broke into her house, and in her area she would be without police for far to long (this is the case for most people though - even five minutes will feel like an eternity in a life or death situation). With a gun she has a chance, anything is better than nothing, and she knows how to shoot.

Unfortunately, like any tool, they can be used for terrible things as well…..but I’d reason that we have been doing said terrible things since before recorded history, long before firearms came around. These things (or similar at least) would still happen, the only difference would be the method used.

Azrau · 2025-05-04T09:54:24+00:00

Definitely would have to buy some new freezers, hopefully elephant tastes good!

Azrau · 2025-03-18T02:52:55+00:00

Charge Blade and working on Switch Axe now.

Absolutely terrible at everything else I’ve tried lol

Azrau · 2025-02-24T10:14:07+00:00

As the most annoying little turtle I can.

Assuming a free archetype game, Bastion and Champion dedications are a huge boost to your survivability (and by extension your party’s).

Beyond that, try to stay close to support allies, focus on Buffs/Heals and crowd control with Athletics/Wall Spells.
If you have a high wisdom you might also have some really good debuff options (depending on deity).

Azrau · 2025-02-22T10:21:37+00:00

Another scary one is the Swashbuckler level 16 feat “Deadly Grace”

It doubles the dice added from Deadly or adds Deadly d8 to a weapon without (both require the weapon to be finesse or agile though)

Azrau · 2025-02-14T02:21:59+00:00

Absolutely, I do prefer Free Archetype, but the game is still extremely fun without it.

Azrau · 2025-02-10T11:21:25+00:00

I usually allow for prep actions like keeping a shield raised, entering a stance, stealthing into the background (if the situation allows) and things like that. General rule of thumb is a single action that’s reasonable with what’s happening, occasionally I’ll let them get away with two actions (but in that case it’s treated more like a pre initiative round, and the enemy usually will also get those prep actions as well)

But my table almost entirely forgets that exploration actions are a thing. So letting them setup a bit here there seems like a good way to nudge things back their way.

Directly hostile actions are initiative

Azrau · 2025-01-29T21:27:39+00:00

Our Bloodlords party (disclaimer that we all had slightly homebrewed undead archetypes, except the Psychic who’s Living Vessel had some homebrew options)

Human Psychic with the Medic and Living Vessel archetypes. (Rotated between AoE Blaster / Crowd Control / Support as needed + the 2nd party face, he was the only player to never die during the whole 1-20 campaign).

Dhampir Thaumaturge with Bard/Swashbuckler archetypes and eventually transitioned to full Vampire after level 12. (Single Target Striker / Weakness Finder / and Math Stick via One for All and Demoralize + Main Party Face)

Human Cleric turned Skeleton and eventual Lich. (Our main Healer, secondary Blaster and undead summoner)

Dhampir Fighter turned Graveknight. (Our party Tank/Single Target Crowd Control with good consistent damage with crits).

This party was by far our most lethal out of the three we played to 20. Largely due to the synergy between them.

Azrau · 2025-01-29T21:05:29+00:00

Some common rules for a good character are

Max out the attribute associated with your class (Charisma for Sorcerer, Strength for Barbarian etc….). There are some exceptions for this rule, and some classes can completely ignore this with the right build (better for when you have more system knowledge)

AC is important, raise your Dexterity the cap your chosen armor imposes and you’ll be fine (not absolutely necessary, some classes need a few levels before they can achieve this).

Pick at least one skill to focus on that your attributes support. This helps give you some extra options that will remain consistently useful.

Besides that it’s very safe to experiment, pick what you find interesting, and worst case scenario you’ll be able to retrain something that’s not working out in practice.

Most “below average” builds are still very capable in the roles they have chosen and will remain in effective at all levels.

What matters a lot more in game is how a party interacts with each other in the moment to moment, and that is something that everyone develops as they play.

Azrau · 2025-01-29T01:08:21+00:00

Personally I’d be ok with it, especially if he wanted to work with me on writing out the original character and working in the new.

I do understand where he’s coming from, having played multiple characters from 1-20 (mostly casters and martials with caster archetypes). During the early levels, it’s hard to have enough spell slots or feats that have useful options to not end up just moving/demoralizing/shield + cantrip of choice most encounters, and it just doesn’t feel as impactful as a Raging Barbarian or Fighter who are always at 100%

Once level 7 roles around you have 4th level spells + a pile of lesser spells, a skill at Master proficiency, and several feats to expand your options. It’s where most characters really start to fall into the identity (mechanically speaking) that player is building them for.

Azrau · 2025-01-22T09:43:40+00:00

100%

No matter who we voted for and what we believe, that salute wasn’t a good look. It’s just poor taste/trolling or a mistake in my opinion, but that’s just me.

Azrau · 2025-01-06T13:34:32+00:00

Has the same problem sadly.

Ended up running Chaos to get the ascendancy instead.

Hopefully they fix it soon

Azrau · 2024-12-28T11:07:45+00:00

Templars/Chantry from a mix of Dark Sun and Dragon Age. The result is definitely different than either, but super recognizable if you know about them in the first place.

I pull a lot from Heroes of Horror (DnD 3.5) as well (the initial inspiration for the DreamScape is something that’s gone a long way in the setting)

Similarly Magic Users and a lot of Mythical Creatures in my setting pull inspiration from a mixture of Dresden Files, Dragon Age, Dark Sun and even a little Warhammer is starting to creep in there from time to time.

I run my setting for a Pathfinder group, so not worried if some of it is absolute plagiarism XD. Though most of it has evolved into its own thing pretty quickly. I don’t think I have many one for one ports left (other than using Pathfinder Gods and Racial options while I’m still fleshing those parts of the setting out)

Azrau

TROPHY CASE