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ArcanistSupreme
2010-09-10, 05:39 PM
And no, I don't mean the kind with ale and wenches. Assuming four players, what would you consider the best group, be it for flavor or mechanical reasons?

EDIT: And in response to all of the "any party that is fun" responses, perhaps I should clarify. Obviously, if you are having fun, you are winning D&D. But what party would turn mere fun into a maximized heightened enlarged extended fun for you?

BeholderSlayer
2010-09-10, 05:45 PM
Mechanical:
Cleric, Druid, Wizard, Wizard

Fax Celestis
2010-09-10, 05:50 PM
Swordsage, Beguiler, Knight/Warblade, Dragonfire Adept[, Factotum].

Yes, it is unconventional. But it gets things done.

Zore
2010-09-10, 05:52 PM
Flavor(AKA my favorite classes and races)

Goblin Binder, Warforged Totemist, Kobold Swordsage, Mongrelfolk Dragonfire Adept

Or

Ghost(Ghostwalk) Dread Necromancer, Halfling Factotum, Human Warblade, Changeling Bard

Both groups should be able to preform roughly equally though the first group is a bit more eclectic and lacks a traditional 'skill-monkey'. Nobody really steps on anybodies toes in either group and both have two members who can really change it up day to day depending on the situation.

Mechanical(AKA I can do anything)

Druid-Planar Shepard, Archivist, Wizard-Incantatrix, Artificer

ArcanistSupreme
2010-09-10, 05:56 PM
I personally think I would enjoy playing in a party of a Beguiler, a Factotum, a Crusader, and a Wildshape Ranger. Powerful, but not over 9000, and flexible, so everybody can usually contribute.

Zaydos
2010-09-10, 06:03 PM
Depends upon level, if homebrew is allowed, and if gestalt or not. Also would I be playing every member of this party?

Assuming decent/high level.

Wizard/Druid that went into Arcane Hierophant and I guess Mystic Theurge (wish there was a way to make that progress Animal Companion) trades Wild Shape if I can find a way to trade it without trading Animal Companion.

A Charismatic Melee type (Warblade or Crusader; if homebrew is allowed either going into Krimm's Prestige Paladin Re-Dux or Prodigal Overlord).

An Ardent with a mix of blasting and healing.

A dragon-themed Bard.

Jallorn
2010-09-10, 06:15 PM
Well, it depends on who's playing what, but I think I'd go: Factotum, Warlock, Dread Necromancer, and Dragon Shaman.

No one's too powerful, but most of them can generally find something to do in almost any situation. The only occasional exception is the Dragon Shaman, who, while a little boring at low levels, is an excellent leader type and meatshield.

Dirty n Evil
2010-09-10, 06:31 PM
With a 4 party group? I say start with the four "basic" class types - warrior, cleric, mage, and rogue.

Then make sure that each and every one of them is something other than middle of the road. Not just a warrior, but a warrior with his own particular niche... be he swashbuckler themed, perhaps a master of a an exotic weapon, or a an armored knight. Continue this idea across each of the four basic types.

Because if they're just a fighter, cleric, wizard, and rogue... well, that's like serving up unseasoned stew. You have your steak, potatoes, carrots, greens, everything you want in a total meal, but they're bland. But if you put together a group that has a swordsage that uses a spiked chain, a druid with a distinctive animal companion, an wizard who is an abjurer specialist, and a high charisma rogue built like an urban spy? Well, that's a group I'd love to see in how they would approach any problem.

But then, to me "Ideal Party" isn't one that's perfectly built by munchkin standards... it's the collection of the distinctive elements and how they cause the story to change in reaction to their presence.

SilverSheriff
2010-09-10, 06:33 PM
To be honest? I'm more of a Classical Party man myself.

I am the Evil, mysterious Wizard who for-tells of events yet to transpire and getting into tough situations with Friend C.
Friend A is the Fighter. This one is more suited to a Rogue but is currently going through a power-lust stage in his Gamer-hood... It's going pretty well.
Friend B is the Cleric. He is always the cleric; that is all he one wants to play.
Friend C is the Rogue, a useful tool in getting my evil deeds done, it is good to know that this one is always watching my back (but I always watch his as well; just in case he stabs mine).
Friend D currently playing a Ranger, friend B's younger sister and Newbie... she's pretty good...:smallbiggrin:
Friend E, the man on a mission and Friend A's older Brother. It doesn't matter what this one plays. He might be the leader, and he might not. But you can't help but feel that this one's advice is best followed.
Friend F; the Back-up Wizard. Good friend of mine who went to school with all of us except for the Brothers. My Rival.



My personal opinion, and the reason for me writing this out, is my belief that it's not what you play as; but who you play with. of course if this is limited to the 4 player group assume friends A-C and myself.

The-Mage-King
2010-09-10, 06:39 PM
A Scarlet Bravura Warblade!

A "charming" mage who somehow managed to get access to more powerful spells than intended for that level!

A mystic who wandered the world, spreading his word and teaching his abilities.

And finally...

A treacherous, backstabbing jerk who no one trusts, but somehow manages to walk away from the deal with the better score.


In short?

Warblade- Gloryhog.

Evoker/Sorcerer- Blaster/Gloryhog.

Cleric- Stealth/Blaster.

Rogue/Bard- Diplomancer.



Well? and the "Class name/Other classname" indicates either of the two.


Of course, you can tell where I took those from...

Amphetryon
2010-09-10, 06:54 PM
Hexblade (Mearls Fix), Dread Necromancer, Warlock, Wilder. :smallsmile:

Binder, Psychic Warrior, Swordsage, and Shugenja are an acceptable alternative.

Curmudgeon
2010-09-10, 06:55 PM
Cloistered Cleric/Sacred Exorcist, Rogue/Shadowdancer, Cloistered Cleric/Mystic Ranger/Seeker of the Misty Isle/Arcane Archer, and Sorcerer.

FMArthur
2010-09-10, 08:20 PM
Anything horribly mismatched. 4 different prepared casters is not my ideal roleplaying scenario, even if the intended personalities and builds are all very different. It just seems a lot cooler when you get 4 different kinds of classes - who all have to do things in a special way - working together in a cohesive and supportive manner.

So a Cleric, an Erudite, a Crusader and a wierd and creative melee build (there's no point in trying to list all the classes in a proper non-ToB melee build) is one easy way to make my ideal party.

Tyndmyr
2010-09-10, 08:22 PM
Wizard, with a side order of Wizard, Wizard and more Wizard.

mootoall
2010-09-10, 08:40 PM
Wizard, with a side order of Wizard, Wizard and more Wizard.

"The baked beans are off."
"Can I have wizard instead then?"
"What, you mean you want wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard and wizard?"
"Yes."
"Eugh!"

Dracons
2010-09-10, 08:53 PM
I have several.

The funnest we did for a joke game, this was a true one shot game though,

Was five Warforged Rangers, each different colored. Our animal compains were Mech Dinosaurs of various types, that could enlarge on command, and fuse together by a psion type ability. We didn't have any spellcasting ability, but had addition feats and a few other deals mostly related to combat. We all had specialized weapons. A nifter ability we all had, was to change our appearences to look human. It was up to us to protect Sharn from the evil Vol, who constantly summoned different monsters to destroy it.

Yeah, we were in full dork mode that day.


As for my dream team?

A dumb fighter: Huge and big, but a super friendly person. The type to drink all the time, and belive in his friends. Easy to trick, but a deadily fighter. He still belives in the goodness of others, even our enemies and will give them chance after chance.

A cleric that has lost his faith in the goodness of others. He gets stuck in the worldwind of oru adventuers, and comes to see the goodness in others. Is hesistnt to heal others, and tends to be shy and away.

The dwarf rogue. A dwarf that was expelled from his clan for stealing. He is dour and untrusting, but competent in his ability and is ironicly the more positive of the team, who tries to keep the party together. He fully belives in the others.

The power-hungry Wizard: Yeah, it's cliche. But I want him to start off naive in the ways of wizardy, but as he gains more and more levels, he starts to try to learn more and more different types o fmagic, and eventally becomes more and more detacted, and the only thing keeping him grounded is his love of his friends.

The plucky adventurer (Bard) The leader of our group, a beautiful woman and the soul of our group. She is more of the big sister type to us all, and hates it when we're in pain. She tries to only help us make us the right choices, rather then force us. The few times she gives na order though, we follow through. She's also the most bloodthirsty against people that hurt us, and ditto for us when creatures hurt her.

ErrantX
2010-09-10, 08:55 PM
I'd pick...

Crusader (dipped Bard for Song of the White Raven), Cloistered Cleric, Conjurer, and Beguiler.

-X

JaronK
2010-09-10, 09:14 PM
Beguiler, Factotum, Binder, Dread Necromancer. Fun times!

JaronK

Crossblade
2010-09-10, 09:39 PM
For fun and flavor:
Classes:
Knight, Favored Soul, Sorcerer or Warlock, Rogue.
Extras: Dragon Shaman, Barbarian, Bard, Monk that uses some weapons

Races:
Human, Elf, Dwarf, Halfling or Gnome (only one), Kobold, Goliath, Goblin, Centaur, Non-Evil Minotaur, Half Dragons with Dragon Wing Feat from RotD, Tiefling

RebelRogue
2010-09-10, 09:59 PM
"The baked beans are off."
"Can I have wizard instead then?"
"What, you mean you want wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard and wizard?"
"Yes."
"Eugh!"
:smallbiggrin:

Ravens_cry
2010-09-10, 10:29 PM
One where the group is having fun,
[/thread]

BobSutan
2010-09-10, 11:59 PM
Two wizards, two favored souls, and perhaps a rogue. Plenty of tanking, plenty of healing, plenty of damage output, and the requisite skill monkey.

Chrono22
2010-09-11, 12:05 AM
Crusader 1/Cleric #+ - team support and some measure of asskicking.
Beguiler - stealth, skillmonkey, magic user in one package. With some prestige classes, can be a competent conjurer/evoker too.
Warblade 1/Duskblade #+ - rounds out the beguiler's magical skills, has a variety of options in combat, brings the pain (direct damage).

If you must ask, the 4th character would be a bard. Why? Because he owns you and the city you live in. Hail to the king, baby.

Each party members has a variety of options he can bring to solve the problems the party would face. Each one has a niche or niches, but each one isn't overspecialized- rather, their dual focuses synergize and compliment eachother.

Morph Bark
2010-09-11, 04:28 AM
How big can we make the party?

Because if it is any size... I wouldn't mind being a Warblade/Factotum (or Crusader/Incarnate for lots of in-combat healing) up front backed by specialist sorcerers and some party-boosting minions (and wands of CLW).

Aotrs Commander
2010-09-11, 06:18 AM
Optimally, six characters in strength. (Yes, even assuming four players. Hell, my Monday group does that now anyway). Aside from that, varity is the spice of (un)life, pretty much anything, so long as the party has a) a trapmonkey (in my games, you would struggle with a summons, as you either have very few traps or loads) b) a front-line fighter, c) a healer of some type (even if limited to out-of-combat) d) a primary caster of some stripe (wizard/psion/druid), optimally with some area-effect ability, I'm pretty golden. (The last two slots can be anything, which is why I prefer six characters not four. Also, six was good enough for Baldur's Gate and Torment, s it's good enough for me!)

Cespenar
2010-09-11, 07:20 AM
Warrior, Expert, Aristocrat, Adept.

heymejack
2010-09-11, 07:23 AM
spiked chain melee guy (with power attack, quick draw, improved disarm and many, many weaponry options)

archer cleric guy, with an optional mount/animal, probably from ranger levels (no better archer than one that gets a doublemove/fullattack)

skillmonkey/diplomacy rogue/bard (maybe a little swash)

wizard/swordfighter gish.


we play a pretty low magic game, there are no all-the-way spellcasters, which is why the cleric is an archer and the wizard is a swordsman. don't want to get into specific builds, cuz i havn't really thought about it like that, but it sounds like fun.

Ricky S
2010-09-11, 07:42 AM
Mine would probably be a pretty normal party.

Rogue, provides vital skills for any party
Ranger, the ability to track.
Cleric, for healing and to provide charisma to the team
Wizard, for general blasting away of the enemy.

Morph Bark
2010-09-11, 09:44 AM
Optimally, six characters in strength. (Yes, even assuming four players. Hell, my Monday group does that now anyway). Aside from that, varity is the spice of (un)life, pretty much anything, so long as the party has a) a trapmonkey (in my games, you would struggle with a summons, as you either have very few traps or loads) b) a front-line fighter, c) a healer of some type (even if limited to out-of-combat) d) a primary caster of some stripe (wizard/psion/druid), optimally with some area-effect ability, I'm pretty golden. (The last two slots can be anything, which is why I prefer six characters not four. Also, six was good enough for Baldur's Gate and Torment, s it's good enough for me!)

Heh, my group just got four extra people in it, so now there are four players. The first campaign will be rather simple and all since most still have to get a grasp on the rules, but the second one I will probably enforce the idea that a party is like a car. It needs four wheels (the basic four roles), a steering wheel (the party face, likely party buffer too, as both those are often Cha-based) and a spare wheel (someone who can always fill in for another or back them up, or just a joke character who is still kick-ass enough). Though likely we might restrict the Tier 1 classes and then get magic items for the healing.

Potential fun-if-unorthodox setups:
Warblade (fighter wheel), Beguiler (rogue wheel), Warmage (wizard wheel), Dread Necromancer (cleric wheel), Factotum (spare wheel). Beguiler can probably fill the steering wheel role too, and if they all take Tomb-Tainted Soul, the DN is an awesome out-of-combat healer. Perhaps even better would be a Dragonborn Mongrelfolk Barbarian (using a variant that can be lawful or throwing out the alignment restriction).
Binder (fighter wheel), Incarnate or Totemist (rogue wheel), Psion (wizard wheel), Ardent (cleric wheel), Bard (steering wheel, music-focused), Bard (spare wheel, casting-focused). Or put Incarnate/Totemist in the spare wheel slot and make the rogue wheel a Swift Hunter.

true_shinken
2010-09-11, 10:18 AM
My ideal party would consist of:
Duskblade, Spellthief, Mystic Ranger and Sorcerer.
Those are some of my favorite classes anyway.

SurlySeraph
2010-09-11, 11:40 AM
A gish (Duskblade, Fighter/Wizard/Mess of PrCs involving Abjurant Champion, Mystic Ranger with Sword of the Arcane Order, whatever).
A divine gish (Cleric/Crusader/Ruby Knight Vindicator, Paladin/PrCs, Cleric with DMM persist shenanigans, whatever).
A Rogue, with both plenty of skills and plenty of Sneak Attack.
A squishy caster, for when "Stab it in the face," "Stab it in the face with fire," "Stab it in the face with holiness," and "Stab it in the back," all fail.

PId6
2010-09-11, 12:12 PM
The T2 party:

Sorcerer/Mage of the Arcane Order - arcane blaster/utility caster.
Tashalatora Monk/Ardent - psi-gish beatstick.
Favored Soul/Sacred Exorcist 1 - divine buffer/tank.
Beguiler/Mindbender 1 - arcane skillmonkey/controller/debuffer.

Draz74
2010-09-11, 12:18 PM
Swordsage 1 / Fighter 1 / Warblade 13 / Master of Nine 5

Dragonfire Adept 20 or Binder 1 / Warlock 16 / Hellfire Warlock 3

Factotum 20, with some minor houserules

Ardent 14 / Sangehirn 5 / Crusader 1

Remmirath
2010-09-11, 02:26 PM
Fighter, mage, cleric, thief. Add in fighter, fighter if it's six, and then keep that general distribution no matter how high the numbers get - though if it gets to be a very large party, throw in some bards and rangers and paladins and such for variation.
They don't have to be those exact classes, of course (though I do tend to prefer them); just things that fill those roles.
The fighters fight, the mage is there mostly for blasting, the cleric does healing and occasional party buffs, and the thief backstabs and takes care of the traps.

In the end it's really the personalities of the characters that make a party great for me, though. The classes are mechanical and don't effect that terribly much. I just have a fondness for the more classical adventuring party.

Magnema
2010-09-11, 03:09 PM
Beguiler, Dragon shaman, and Duskblade are definite. Probably Wizard and Cleric too, to cover holes. Wiz is primarily utility, does tier-3 tactics (i.e. neither blasting nor overbearing battlefield control). Cleric heals until healing belts available, buffs (others), some utility, fights melee in battle.