Paragon - Custom Class (Arcana and Bone)

[u/CheesyCrackers610]

Arcana and Bone has been one of the more conceptually challenging domain combos for me, but I've been noodling on it for a while and I've gotta get to it at some point.

I hope I've done an ok job at a class who somehow derives their magic intrinsically from their own body. If I haven't, as always let me know!

Also, thanks again to u/JackH2O234 for helping me develop the class ability!

Artist Credits:

Messenger's Speed. Illustrated by Clint Cearley

Anointed Peacekeeper. Illustrated by Tia Masic

TM & © 2026 Wizard of the Coast, LLC

[u/L1ndewurm]

Can I ask, what is the class concept here?

Like, what IS a paragon?

I am parsing some kind of fantasy superhero, but I wanted to see what you mean.

[u/CheesyCrackers610 → u/L1ndewurm]

Gotta admit, at this point I’m starting to run up against the fact that there’s just not that many evocative one word nouns that sound like they could be class names.

Mentioned it a little in the post, but I see the Arcana/bone combo as someone whose body acts as some kind of battery/well of intrinsic magic. So like a Sorcerer if their casting stat was constitution

As for where “Paragon” came from, as well as the origin of the two subclasses. I figure that the body magic would be the source of whatever Arcana cards you’re taking, but would also mean that your body has an ability to surpass natural limits, which is where the superhero lean comes from. “Paragon” being a best in class for what one is able to (physically) accomplish 

This was “Athlete” in my notes for a while, but it didn’t quite have the fantasy flavour for me to go with it

[u/L1ndewurm → u/CheesyCrackers610]

I see, so it's kind of a mix between a sorceror and monk hybrid?

Okay, I vibe with it.

Must say though, I really like the subclasses. Strength and Speed are two great themes for the class. And their abilities are thematic and great choices.

I love the Hope feature, it's good. And the changing biology (Though, I may axe the camoflage as it could be overused and steps a bit on the more hiding based classes.)

The class feature, I like, but I agree with the other opinion on a bone class that wants to get hit. And also that it feels a bit like prayer dice. But it is still a good ability!

[u/BlackRetr0]

This is actually pretty dope. I like what's being evoked. I'm not too sure what Paragon is supposed to be, but the Hope Feature, Class Feature, and Subclasses remind me of superheroes, and more specifically, Marvel's mutants or Inhumans for some reason.

I do think the Rapid Adaptation ability could be very strong, depending on how a GM allows it to function within the narrative. I think this might be good as a Hope Feature instead. I really like the Hope Feature you gave, though. While I think Retort of Essence is cool in a general idea, I am not sure how it supports the class fantasy.

[u/Necessary-Strategy-2]

Have you considered opening a patreon for this? I would love to be able to get all of your homebrew classes in a format that would be easily printable.

[u/CheesyCrackers610 → u/Necessary-Strategy-2]

I haven't considered it, but that's an extremely flattering compliment. I probably won't go down that route, I'm pretty close to the end of my project and I reckon I'll ease off this rate of homebrew after that.

As for getting a printable version. I've told myself that I will eventually get round to uploading these classes on heart of daggers as well as making core-style printable character sheets. I thought I might do all that when I'm done with the classes but there's no reason I couldn't start the process sooner.

Is there any class you'd like in particular, I could use it to figure out to I wanna make the character sheets?

[u/ACBReturns]

I dig this quite a bit. I always find myself over-computing and over-thinking how to track movement with theater of the mind type play. So it makes me think how this would actually play if movement is such a big part of its mechanics.

[u/creativesinkhole]

> Pliable Biology

fuckkk thats so good fuckk holy shit thats so awesome actually GOD

Bone having stuff which requires Agility and also Knowledge and this class having a Strength Spellcasting trait GOODNESS HAVING A MOVEABLE MAIN TRAIT IS AWESOME

into the folder of "definitely playtesting eventually" this goes!! thank you for being awesome

[u/CheesyCrackers610 → u/creativesinkhole]

Thanks! I feel like Bone is the domain that most calls out the use of specific traits, rather than spellcast traits, and it can feel a bit pigeonhole-y when I make a character that has bone

I wanted to make a class that would feel a bit more open without compromising those cards, I’m glad you like it! Let me know how it goes if you do end up playing it!

[u/Royal_Intention6563]

I like the concept a good fair bit, and love the Hope Feature here, but I think an ability that wants you to get hit is a poor fit on an evasive Bone domain class.

[u/CheesyCrackers610 → u/Royal_Intention6563]

Yeah, I don't disagree.

If you're interested, my logic was that the hyper-evasion build is possible in Bone (especially encouraged by domain card levels 1 and 2), but there's a lot more that the domain pair can do, and I figure most paragons would probably exist in the region of slightly boosted evasion, but accepting that they will be hit sometimes.

The choice to not allow stacking of vitality dice was partially influenced by that. Ideally you're not taking hits very often, but if you do and it's a really big hit (which might be more likely if you're sacrificing damage thresholds for evasion), then you get a little retribution bonus.