Level Up (A5E) GMing a vox savant

Jacob Vardy · Jun 1, 2024

A new player at one of my tables just rolled up a vox savant. I've neither played one nor GM'd one. I was hoping someone could chime in if i'm getting anything wrong.

Vox savants are off-tank controllers? They can mitigate damage and put limitations on enemies.

The savant uses their bonus action to prepare a Trick, and usually their action to do that trick.

They can use Compelling Communication to do a flourish Trick without making an attack, even Tricks that otherwise require an attack? This requires the whole action, so it can't be done twice with Extra Attack.

Combat Poise is conterspell for actions.

Weapon of Choice is the equivalent of a cantrip, the bread-and-butter do some damage action.

W'rkncacnter · Jun 1, 2024

Jacob Vardy said:
Vox savants are off-tank controllers? They can mitigate damage and put limitations on enemies.

i don't know about off-tanks, but i can see controller.

Jacob Vardy said:
The savant uses their bonus action to prepare a Trick, and usually their action to do that trick.

until 4th level, at which point they can keep one specific trick permanently prepared. as for what triggers the trick, that'll depend on the specific trick. aegises usually use your reaction, flourishes are typically part of a melee attack, and other tricks can use...a lot of things.

Jacob Vardy said:
They can use Compelling Communication to do a flourish Trick without making an attack, even Tricks that otherwise require an attack? This requires the whole action, so it can't be done twice with Extra Attack.

except for surgical flourish, yes.

Jacob Vardy said:
Combat Poise is conterspell for actions.

for reactions.

Jacob Vardy said:
Weapon of Choice is the equivalent of a cantrip, the bread-and-butter do some damage action.

yes, though it also reduces max HP and incapacitates without rendering unconscious, and can eventually be used with compelling communication.

RangerWickett · Jun 2, 2024

I basically designed the subclass for a friend of mine who likes making talk-y PCs who can win without having to beat people up. The challenge was making sure you still have stuff you can do when you're facing non-language-using foes, but hopefully the core savant chassis helps with that.

Jacob Vardy · Jun 3, 2024

RangerWickett said:
I basically designed the subclass for a friend of mine who likes making talk-y PCs who can win without having to beat people up. The challenge was making sure you still have stuff you can do when you're facing non-language-using foes, but hopefully the core savant chassis helps with that.

W'rkncacnter said:
i don't know about off-tanks, but i can see controller.

until 4th level, at which point they can keep one specific trick permanently prepared. as for what triggers the trick, that'll depend on the specific trick. aegises usually use your reaction, flourishes are typically part of a melee attack, and other tricks can use...a lot of things.

except for surgical flourish, yes.

for reactions.

yes, though it also reduces max HP and incapacitates without rendering unconscious, and can eventually be used with compelling communication.

Thank you both. I think i understand well enough now to actually help the new player.

Selganor · Jun 3, 2024

I've played one in a BG: DtA campaign and had fun with it until I had multiple sessions where nobody could be told of by the (not so) "nice little old lady" because they didn't understand anything or were just not impressed and since I completely neglected physical combat I "needed" to multiclass into a Marshal to boost my physical capabilities as well as increasing the support to the group.

Jacob Vardy · Jun 3, 2024

Selganor said:
I've played one in a BG: DtA campaign and had fun with it until I had multiple sessions where nobody could be told of by the (not so) "nice little old lady" because they didn't understand anything or were just not impressed and since I completely neglected physical combat I "needed" to multiclass into a Marshal to boost my physical capabilities as well as increasing the support to the group.

I noticed that, and already ruled that the party druid can upcast speak with animals on multiple targets. (The campaign is on a savannah, so this should cover most other enemies).

Level Up (A5E) GMing a vox savant

Jacob Vardy

Explorer

W'rkncacnter

Hero

RangerWickett

Legend

Jacob Vardy

Explorer

Selganor

Adventurer

Jacob Vardy

Explorer

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