PDA

View Full Version : [D&D] 8 Classes you couldn't live without!



Leeham
2010-09-13, 01:08 PM
If you could put any 8 base classes into a PHB, which would they be?

Tyndmyr
2010-09-13, 01:10 PM
Factotum, Wizard, Warlock, Warblade, Crusader, Swordsage, Dread Necromancer, Artificer.

Yup, that's right. No healers at all.

Oracle_Hunter
2010-09-13, 01:18 PM
Fighter
Cleric
Thief
Wizard

...um, and four more I guess?

Really, only those four are quintessentially D&D (IMHO, of course).

If I had to pick four more, it'd depend on the setting:
- swords & sandals (barbarian, warlock, shaman, ranger)
- knights & damsels (paladin, bard, ranger, druid)
- magitek (artificer, sorcerer, swordmage, ???*)

Out of curiousity, why do you ask?

*The above are all the D&D4-themed versions of the class. For Magitek I would probably use some version of a magical rogue; in 4E I'd just do a Wizard MC Rogue, which isn't really a new class.

Ormur
2010-09-13, 01:19 PM
Bard, archivist, druid, wizard, factotum, warblade, swordsage, crusader.

Just my preferences, a properly balanced Player's Handbook both considering roles and power would be a bit different.

arguskos
2010-09-13, 01:19 PM
Factotum, Wizard, Warlock, Warblade, Crusader, Swordsage, Dread Necromancer, Artificer.

Yup, that's right. Four healers.
Sorry, had to correct you there. :smalltongue:

Also, my top 8:

Wizard. I like wizards dammit.
Archivist. I said... I LIKE WIZARDS DAMMIT! :smallamused:
Barbarian. Cause nothing says "I love you" like RAGE!!!.
Savant, with improvements. I don't personally like Factotum, but I need that "jack of all trades" character. I much prefer Savant for that role.
Fighter or Duskblade, I'm not picky.
Artificer. I like magic items.
Death Master, which I much prefer to Dread Necromancer.
I'd roll a die for the last slot. Maybe between the other half of Fighter/Duskblade, Rogue, Bard, Sorcerer, Cleric, and Psion. I dunno.

SigCorps
2010-09-13, 01:20 PM
Fighter
Rogue
Cleric
Wizard
Scout
Warlock
Sorcerer
Druid

Tyndmyr
2010-09-13, 01:21 PM
Fair enough...there are ways for them to heal...but I don't like the "your a healer" steriotype. Forcing the new guy to play the healbot cleric, etc...that doesn't make for fun gameplay. Better to have a coupla creative options to heal a little spread around, instead.

Sig, actually naming the class "rouge" would be hilarious.

Zaydos
2010-09-13, 01:23 PM
Wizard
Druid
Cleric
Warblade
Duskblade
Crusader
Factotum
Psion

I like casters.

Snake-Aes
2010-09-13, 01:24 PM
Psychic Warrior
Warblade
Swordsage
Psychic Warrior
Bard
Monk
Cleric
Psychic Warrior

Dr.Epic
2010-09-13, 01:24 PM
barbarian
cleric
druid
sorcerer
wizard
bard
rogue
ranger

arguskos
2010-09-13, 01:24 PM
Fair enough...there are ways for them to heal...but I don't like the "your a healer" steriotype. Forcing the new guy to play the healbot cleric, etc...that doesn't make for fun gameplay. Better to have a coupla creative options to heal a little spread around, instead.
See, that's not a figment of the system, but an issue with groups demanding healbots. If they really want a healbot, the DM should provide an appropriate NPC in-game. No player should ever be forced to play something they don't want to play.

JellyPooga
2010-09-13, 01:34 PM
1)Rogue
2)Rogue
3)Rogue
4)Rogue
5)Rogue
6)Rogue
7)Rogue
8)Rogue

...

...

...what? I like Rogues.

Oh ok, if I must be sensible, I'd probably go for somehting like:

1)Barbarian
2)Bard
3)Fighter
4)Paladin
5)Ranger
6)Rogue
7)Scout
8)Warlock

To fill the "classic" niches, you have:

Beat-Stick: Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger
Skill Monkey: Bard, Ranger, Rogue, Scout
Healer: Bard, Paladin, Ranger
Arcanist: Bard, Warlock

No "top-tier" classes dominating high-level play, healing becomes somewhat rarer, making for a grittier game and although there is significant overlap, I think each class brings its own schtick to the table.

SigCorps
2010-09-13, 01:34 PM
Fair enough...there are ways for them to heal...but I don't like the "your a healer" steriotype. Forcing the new guy to play the healbot cleric, etc...that doesn't make for fun gameplay. Better to have a coupla creative options to heal a little spread around, instead.

Sig, actually naming the class "rouge" would be hilarious.

Yeah I always seem to get that one wrong.

As for healing, my last campaign we had no healer at all. We did have a creative rogue and warlock using "Use magical device" skill though and a lot of potions. Made life and death very interesting.

Kurald Galain
2010-09-13, 01:36 PM
Conjurer
Evoker
Transmuter
Diviner
Abjurer
Enchanter
Necromancer
Illusionist

...what? :smallcool:

ghost_warlock
2010-09-13, 01:49 PM
@^: Heh. :smallamused:

3.5:
1) Egoist
2) Kineticist
3) Nomad
4) Seer
5) Shaper
6) Telepath
7) Psychic Warrior
8) Factotum
:smalltongue:

4:
1) Ardent
2) Bard
3) Battlemind
4) Druid
5) Monk
6) Psion
7) Warden
8) Warlock


Fighter
Cleric
Thief
Wizard

...um, and four more I guess?

Really, only those four are quintessentially D&D (IMHO, of course).

Personally, I'd add druid and mystic monk because they're in my Rules Cyclopedia and, therefore, are quintessentially D&D to me. :smallsmile:

Noodles2375
2010-09-13, 01:50 PM
Psychic Warrior
Ardent
Swordsage
Psion
Sorcerer
Warblade
Crusader
Wildshape Variant Ranger


We like a lot of combat, and we don't like preparing spell slots. Also has the advantage of being exclusively Tier 2/3 to keep the power level pretty uniform. I could see snipping some combination of the Psion Sorcerer for some combination of the Binder, Dread Necromancer, Factotum, and Wilder.

Edit: Cut the Favored Soul for the Ardent.

FMArthur
2010-09-13, 01:54 PM
Crusader
Swordsage
Warblade
Erudite (table > text version)
Ardent
Dread Necromancer
Factotum
Totemist

I'd say this is pretty well-rounded, wouldn't you? Is there anything missing from here in terms of role and character concept that anyone feels is essential?

Hzurr
2010-09-13, 01:59 PM
1) Rogue
2) Fighter
3) Wizard
4) Cleric
5) Paladin
6) Warlord (the best class to come out of 4E)
7) Druid
8) Warlock (or sorcerer)

MarkusWolfe
2010-09-13, 02:12 PM
-Barbarian
-Bard
-Cleric
-Fighter
-Paladin
-Ranger
-Rogue
-Sorceror

Eldariel
2010-09-13, 02:12 PM
1. Psion
8. Ardent
2. Psychic Warrior*
5. Warblade
7. Crusader
3. Swordsage
4. Factotum**
6. Sublime Way Ranger

*With maneuvers over combat feats.
**With powers or maneuvers (player's choice for either a martial or a magical "Rogue") over spells.

Though that really misses out on the Druid-type character and I like Druids, damnit. But there's no real psionic equivalent I've found including homebrew so I can't add any. Other archetypes I'd want covered but can't fight are a Martial Leader (á la Marshal but non-****ty) and a Magical Party Buff (á la Bard but not Vancian). Also, Binder would be hot though it could probably be melded to Psion/Ardent somehow.

Oracle_Hunter
2010-09-13, 02:26 PM
Personally, I'd add druid and mystic monk because they're in my Rules Cyclopedia and, therefore, are quintessentially D&D to me. :smallsmile:
Well, while they have been in D&D products for awhile I've never felt they fit the basic paradigm that D&D purported to work within.

Druids are just oddballs all around - they use divine magic but in a really funky way. And they're members of crazy secret orders. As a class goes, they seem so setting specific; specifically a setting where ancient orders devoted to particularly odd nature spirit-gods are hanging around. This does not necessarily suit every setting.

Monks are just out-of-place for an otherwise European game. Ditto with the "we don't need no stinkin' magic" in a setting where people are constantly questing for this-or-that magic sword.

This is also why I didn't include any psionics, even though psionics have been around for most (all?) of the editions.

Leolo
2010-09-13, 02:28 PM
Wizard, Paladin, Bard, Rogue, Fighter, Druid, Ghish (Swordmage for example), Monk

Zaydos
2010-09-13, 02:31 PM
If I was doing 4e it would be:
Fighter
Swordmage
Sorcerer
Rogue
Wizard
Invoker (or maybe Psion)
Cleric
Artificer

Yora
2010-09-13, 02:35 PM
- Fighter
- Rogue
- Ranger
These ones have a place in virtually every setting imaginable.

- Sorcerer or Wizard
- Cloistered Cleric
- Druid
- Bard
- Barbarian

Zore
2010-09-13, 02:38 PM
Warblade, Swordsage, Binder, Wildshape Ranger*, Factotum, Totemist, Dread Necromancer, Bard

*With full animal companion progression

Its all a bit niche, but each class has something it can do that no other class replicates and it gives a lot of mechanical variety. Plus all are tier 3ish.

JoshuaZ
2010-09-13, 02:38 PM
If we're putting in classes that aren't modified there's actually a temptation to remove a lot of the core classes for balance, maybe take out the cleric, wizard and druid, but keep the tier 2 and three classes.

So I'd guess I'd go with

sorcerer, psion, psychic warrior, dread necromancer, favored soul, beguiler, swordsage, crusader.

Crusader gets refluffed as paladin and favored soul gets refluffed as cleric.

Edit: Thinking about this more, just remove the specialized casters and replace with binder and warblade, and replace psychic warrior with rogue so you have an ok trap finder/skill monkey

sorcerer, psion, rogue, binder, favored soul, , warblade, crusader, swordsage.

Ok. That's my list.

Zeta Kai
2010-09-13, 02:38 PM
Beguiler
Dread Necromancer
Bard
Swordsage
Binder
Factotum
Warblade
Psionic Warrior

What? I like Tier 3 play.

Telonius
2010-09-13, 02:39 PM
Rogue
Cleric
Sorcerer
Warblade
Warlock
Bard
Monk*
Paladin*

* - because it just wouldn't be D&D without the arguments

Quellian-dyrae
2010-09-13, 02:52 PM
Warblade (give access to all disciplines, up maneuver progression to swordsage, bonus feats can be any fighter feat).

Sorcerer (use favored soul spell progression).

Favored Soul (give two domains, which they can also select spells from).

Psion (maybe let them get all powers from their discipline special list free, since I'm stepping up spells known for the other casters).

Druid (spontaneous casting version but with favored soul progression, must choose between animal companion and wild shape).

Factotum (let them choose a scaling class feature, such as Sneak Attack, Inspire Courage, or Bonus Feats as additional class feature, and use their spell slots to acquire maneuvers and non-arcane spells, up skill points to 8).

Beguiler (also may choose a scaling feature, but at 3/4 level).

Duskblade (give access to spells from additional chosen spell list, with maneuvers being an option, maybe slip 6th level spells in there).

Well I couldn't resist tinkering, but I think that would reasonably cover most concepts at around Tier 2/High Tier 3 power level. I'd probably expand the class skills some as well though (Survival for Warblades and Duskblades, for example, so ranger/barbarian/hunter types could be better emulated, etc).

nyarlathotep
2010-09-13, 02:55 PM
Binder
Artificer
Sorcerer
Paladin
Cleric
Warblade
Dread Necromancer
Factotum

DragoonWraith
2010-09-13, 03:00 PM
Bard
Beguiler
Binder
Crusader
Factotum
Psychic Warrior
Swordsage
Warblade

Blackfang108
2010-09-13, 03:02 PM
1.) Duskblade (Minor tweaks, base if necessary)
2.) Warblade
3.) Crusader
4.) Swordsage
5.) Totemist
6.) Binder
7.) Ardent
8.) Factotum

arrowhen
2010-09-13, 03:32 PM
Conan, Lancelot, Garret from Thief, Robin Hood, Illusionist, Harry Dresden, Gunslinger, and 3.5 Warlock.

Schylerwalker
2010-09-13, 03:53 PM
Hmmm. Well, I like a little bit of everything. I gotta have a scout of some sort, a heavy frontline fighter, a strong caster, somebody good at healing, ectetera. So let's see...

1) Duskblade
2) Bard
3) Sorcerer
4) Scout
5) Warblade
6) Druid
7) Crusader
8) Dread Necromancer or Death Master. Dread Necromancer is probably strictly better, but I'm fond of the Death Master.

Zodiac
2010-09-13, 05:40 PM
Aiming for a balance in power and themes:

Warblade
Crusader
Sorcerer
Swordsage
Factotum
Incarnate
Barbarian
Psion

I would Binder, Warlock and Bard in that order but ran out of room. :smallsmile:

Kaje
2010-09-13, 06:24 PM
Warblade
Binder
Factotum
Warlock
Sorcerer
Swordsage
Crusader
Healer

3 melee, 2 blasters, 1 healer, and 2 jack-of-all-trades. Sounds good to me. Healer spell list needs work though.

Awnetu
2010-09-13, 06:29 PM
Warblade
Barbarian
Revolver Mage
Factotum
Bard
Unarmed Swordsage
Druid
Wizard

T.G. Oskar
2010-09-13, 06:32 PM
If I were to aim for relative "balance" and covering most themes, I'd go with the following. The bolded name would be the official name, while the name in parenthesis would be the 3.5 class equivalent:

Fighter (Warblade): Usually, I don't follow the theory that "Unarmed Swordsage is modded Monk", and the concept of "Crusader is modded Paladin" is one that I hate worse than the hatred of a thousand gods of wrath. However, after watching a lot, I have had to concede that "Warblade is modded Fighter". The Warblade (perhaps given a better name, perhaps "Fighter"?) would replace the Fighter as the main beatstick, perhaps adding more bonus feats and expanding the options of maneuvers (perhaps making it so that you can choose from certain maneuvers), and perhaps increasing the amount of bonus feats. Barbarian, Crusader, Knight, Monk, Marshal and Samurai would be Fighter variants.

Cleric (Cloistered Cleric): The Cleric, done a bit sensitively. Remove the "Cloistered" and simply call it Cleric, or "Priest" or whatnot. Also, remove all notions of being more intellectual (mostly the free Knowledge domain and perhaps the lore ability, maybe the added spells). Druid and Archivist would be variants from this new Cleric, alongside Shugenja, Shaman (OA Shaman and Spirit Shaman, but not Dragon Shaman), Healer and Favored Soul.

Rogue: Arguably the traditional skill monkey, they'd be boosted a bit. Mostly, give them a frickin' proper capstone, more special abilities and the ability to take them from 6th level onwards, perhaps better weaponry... Swashbuckler, Ninja, Assassin (thus no longer an Assassin prestige class), and Factotum would be Rogue variants.

Wizard: Obviously it has to appear. The guy who puts on the robe and wizard hat, casting magic missile into the darkness, and generally becoming a demigod at pre-epic levels. Sorcerer, Warmage, Beguiler, Dread Necromancer, Wu Jen, Shadowcaster and Artificer would be Wizard variants. All specializations would remain, with Dread Necromancer being the actual Necromancer specialist class.

Psion: Psionics is a wonderful system that was introduced right in the midst of 3.5 popularity, got a lot of support and was meant to be fun to play. Arguably, the classic representation would be the Psion, which is meant to be THE source of all psionics. Ardent, Erudite and Wilder would be the Psion's variants. Much like the Wizard, the Psion would get its disciplines as specialties, thus you'd get about 6 further variants.

Warlock: Excellent attempt to make a different kind of spellcaster, but it was just one of many classes that were attempted to be forgotten, with little luck. Dragonfire Adepts would be the rare draconic variant, with Enlightened Spirits being a celestial variant, but they'd be the oddballs with little variants spread altogether.

Bard: Kind of a curve ball in here, no? Bards could work wonders, if their bardic music ability was the key. No spells (though I don't particularly mind bard spells, actually I enjoy them very much) but if there was a class that could fight well while singing, dancing and whatnot, I'd just give it a shot. The Battle Dancer and Jester from the Dragon Compendium, along with the Truenamer, would be reasonable ways to handle the Bard. In fact, aside from how horrible the actual mechanic is, I'd make the Bard kind of like the Truenamer: no skill check, perhaps a skill requirement, daily uses of bardic music and choose from a list of songs, dances, speeches, jokes and whatnot, and the class would either use this ability immediately or extend it via a song. It could work, but it would require a lot of time to make it worthwhile.

Scholar (Savant from Dragon Compendium): The jack of all trades, but master of none. The bard is a nice, very nice try but it has its niche. I see this more like Final Fantasy's Red Mage, but a bit more focused on skills and magic and not that much on combat (much like the actual Scholar class from FF). They'd get the lore ability, maybe fight with some swords and maybe some books... They'd be the odd mix, with bits of Red Mage, bits of Scholar, bits of Sage from Ragnarok Online... I'd probably place the Binder as a Scholar variant, since both classes are oddballs.

As for some classes that weren't mentioned (the hybrids, such as Paladin, Ranger, Duskblade, Hexblade, Divine Mind, Psychic Warrior after eatiing Soulknife, and Lurk) would fit Prestige Classes, much like the Mystic Theurge and the Eldritch Knight. It makes near perfect to perfect sense (much to my dismay on some occasions).

However, if I were to go by the spirit of the actual requisite (classes you simply can't LIVE WITHOUT), my selection would be (in descending order):
8) Lurk: kind of an odd choice, but between the great attempt at making Psychic Rogue and the end result of the official Lurk, I can handle something. It's a class that I attempted to play with but couldn't, though I expected it to be fun. Psychic Rogue does great, but it was the Lurk Augments that really could have made a difference: as the class chassis stands, it doesn't.

7) Duskblade: A mix between a fighter and an arcane spellcaster. I must admit: I don't like arcane spellcasters. I love being on the frontline, though I do other stuff better. I simply can't stand on one spot aiming and delivering death, and can't find the fun on doing that either. However, being on the frontline and delivering exactly that while duking it out in heavy armor is a good compromise I would work with. Just...change that name. I mean, "Duskblade"? Erm...maybe that would make sense on Elven, but not on English (or Spanish...)

6) Bard: I only played a Bard once. It was heckuva fun deal. It plays to my strengths, which deal in support and healing, while still being capable of hogging the spotlight more than once. I think it was the only time I was so involved in the game, though I later gave step to others to share the spotlight. It was also the second time my alignment changed (from Chaotic Good to Chaotic Neutral, hence probably the only Neutral character I've ever played)

5) Ranger: Much like the Bard, I played a Ranger only once. I must admit, it was less fun but still interesting. In part, it was the abilities being kinda weak, but the character was still really, really, really good. Also, the only time I became a full-time archer, though I also went the TWF path. It...is a mess I wish to rework one day. But it was interesting.

4) Psychic Warrior: Much of what I can apply to the Duskblade I can apply here. Psionics is great, excellent, but unfortunately I can't stand in one place breaking the minds of others. PsyWar is a nice compromise, one I can handle pretty well since it means I can stand in front and use powers to boost myself to greater levels.

3) Factotum: My kind of class. One moment, you can fight; in another, you can cast a spell; in another, you can heal; and in another, you essentially blow up the challenge with a swift skill check. All in equal proportions and all well-handled.

2) Cleric: Ironically, the oddball amongst the group (haven't you noticed all of the classes are hybrids of two other classes?). However, I have to admit: I was born to be a Cleric quite probably. While I am amazed and mystified with warrior classes, massive swords and glistening armor, it is the ability to draw power from faith and protecting allies from certain death what really and probably is my specialty. However, it's not my favorite class, oddly enough. My favorite class, above anything else, would be...

1) PALADIN!!!!: Yes, the oft-hated, but never equaled, Paladin. It is my favorite class, my favorite archetype, and what I feel is my calling (although I admit that my real vocation would be Cleric). In fact, I can refuse to play a game depending on whether the Paladin (or the closest equivalent) exists or not, and how they treat it. There are only few things that can shock me to the core, and one is watching how a Paladin unfolds. Oddly enough, while the core Paladin is kinda weak, I forgive the 3.5 Paladin; it is probably the only exception. But if there is one single class I would hate to have removed, would be Paladin. And not just the name: it has to have some sort of healing and spellcasting, even if it's just a handful of spells. Hence, why I cannot by any means consider the Crusader a modded Paladin: the divine-flavored techniques of Devoted Spirit are rather nice, but then I get the repulsive feeling of "this is not the Paladin I'm used to see", and I repulse it. Don't get me wrong: I would love to play a Crusader; it's just that I could never call it or ever CONSIDER it a Paladin. They are two separate things, just like a Knight and a Paladin are different, or even a Knight Templar and the common Crusader (and the Knight Hospitaller) are different between each other, or how the Crusader and the Mameluke and the Sarracen Knight...you get the idea.

Crossfiyah
2010-09-13, 06:38 PM
To go for what makes D&D...D&D...

Cleric
Fighter
Rogue
Wizard
Druid
Ranger
Barbarian
Paladin

Drakevarg
2010-09-13, 06:50 PM
Fighter - Sometimes I just want to relax and smack things until they go away. Keep your bells and whistles to yourself.

Cleric - Gotta have a healbot. But turning undead should not be standard issue gear, especially if the god in question has nothing to do with undead whatsoever. In fact, diety-specific spell lists would be nice.

Rogue - "Doing violence on all your problems until they cease being problems" is not always the preferable solution. Rogues are when you want to get in, do the job, and get out, without anyone noticing a thing.

Sorcerer - I prefer blasters myself, because as Vaarsuvius has said, "As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is not capable of resolving approaches zero." And someone with the raw, unbridled power of the cosmos flowing through their very blood has a certain poetry to it. I'd like to see a version of sorcerers whose spells were completely elemental in nature.

Though TBH? These, I think, are the only four I truely need. Cross-class or prestige class your way into all the various flavors and combos.

Swok
2010-09-13, 07:22 PM
Conan, Lancelot, Garret from Thief, Robin Hood, Illusionist, Harry Dresden, Gunslinger, and 3.5 Warlock.

Now I can't help but think of how epic that groups exploits would be

On topic:

1)Crusader
2)Swordsage
3)Warblade
4)Factotum
5)Binder
6)Dragonfire Adept
7)Incarnate
8)Totemist

What can I say I like the nonstandard class ability systems

Elfin
2010-09-13, 07:39 PM
Hm.


Bard
Beguiler
Crusader
Dread Necromancer
Factotum
Psychic Warrior
Ranger, with a choice of the Mystic or Wild Shape variants
Swordsage
Totemist
Warblade
Warlock

...Looks like I ended up with twelve. Ah, well.

Baron Corm
2010-09-13, 07:40 PM
1. Fighter - Sorely needed if you want to do a million things or qualify for a prestige class early. Can also be the base of just about any mundane melee build.

2-4. Dread Necromancer, Beguiler, and Warmage - For great balance.

5. Factotum - Ultimate skillmonkey class.

6. Psychic Warrior - Can be used to fill the role of arcane fighter, monk, paladin, and many other things depending on how you flavor it.

7. Dragonfire Adept - For spellcasters that want to cast all day, and also opens up the option of being SAD using Con. Every other attribute was already covered I believe.

8. Rogue - I think a sneaky class with Sneak Attack is just about the only important thing missing.

All healing and resurrection could be done by NPCs.

Temotei
2010-09-13, 08:09 PM
In no particular order:
Sorcerer
Psion
Cleric
Duskblade/Psychic Warrior (either one...maybe both, which would lead to me having nine on this list)
Factotum/Rogue (either one)
Warblade
Crusader
Binder


Those really are my favorites, though...not the ones necessarily fundamental to D&D.

Draz74
2010-09-13, 08:46 PM
Warrior
Rogue
Mage


With flexible enough class abilities to cover everything in between. :smallamused:

I can't honestly figure out eight classes in 3.5e whose mechanics I like, who can cover (between them) the whole scope of characters. Heck, I've tried to do this with 11 classes before, and I still found holes. :smallannoyed: I notice that several of the lists people have posted are lacking a ranger-like option, for example.

In 4e? Hmmm ...

Psion
Fighter
Warlock
Warlord
Shaman
Avenger
Swordmage
Bard

DontEatRawHagis
2010-09-13, 09:09 PM
Different than what a lot of people have put down. I'm not a classic DnD player, most of mine are easily used in Dark Sun. Not much for creating uber/overpowered characters either.


Druid - The first class I played in WoW, by extension the first class I wanted to play in DnD, however the group at my school filled up.
Seeker - I liked what I saw when my friend played it at Encounters in Dark Sun. His elemental arrows did a lot of damage and seemed cool.
Battlemind - My actual first class, I did a hefty amount of damage with it too. I controlled the field pretty well with bull's strength.
Monk - Melee classes are my favorite and I like the idea of hand to hand fighters like the monk usually is.
Cleric - Always need a healer.
Fighter - Generic class but good enough for a few friends of mine.
Thief - Sly little buggers
Defiler/Preserver - Dark Sun is a campaign I'm going to setup either next spring or earlier. Defiler and Preserver are ways I like mages being portrayed, destructive greedy men or magic users trying to prove that not every mage is destructive.

Zhalath
2010-09-13, 09:28 PM
Warblade
Swordsage
Druid
Psion
Beguiler
Bard
Binder
Warlock (gotta have a butt monkey somewhere...)

Classes I love and classes that work well. If I had a 9th slot, it'd be for homebrew paladins.

Vortling
2010-09-13, 09:57 PM
Why must it always be 8? It's so hard to get the list down to that few.

Factotum, Beguiler
Crusader, Cloistered Cleric
Warblade, Swordsage
Sorcerer, Dragonfire Adept (with full access to warlock invocations)

Tier 2 and 3 is about where I like to play. (with cloistered cleric being the one out lier)

T.G. Oskar
2010-09-13, 11:02 PM
I can't honestly figure out eight classes in 3.5e whose mechanics I like, who can cover (between them) the whole scope of characters. Heck, I've tried to do this with 11 classes before, and I still found holes. :smallannoyed: I notice that several of the lists people have posted are lacking a ranger-like option, for example.

Ranger is a rather small niche. The main ability of the ranger is basically enhanced tracking and nature-related abilities, since otherwise the Fighter (or Warblade) can cover up TWF rather well, feats essentially cover the ranged area well, and Cleric or PsyWar fits better with the ranged attack options. Thus, it's best placed as a PrC, although I wouldn't mind in terms of personal preference to have a Ranger.

As for 4E...hmm, I hadn't considered that before. I'd think I go with...
Fighter: Arguably the best Defender type there is, as far as I've heard of. Great marking abilities, solid powers, Combat Superiority and some impressive exploits make for the classical defender.
Cleric: Although the Cleric is quite different than the norm, specifically because of the "Laser Cleric" joke, I think no D&D would be right without this class. Arguably the classical Leader, though it's quite different from 3.5 (focused on attacking, and mostly healing surges, but that's how the system rolls so I can't protest).
Rogue: The classic Striker, mostly focused on the melee range attacks. Also good with skill powers and skill-inclined utilities.
Wizard: Because it'd be rather stupid to go without a Controller, although the Wizzie was nerfed to heck and back, simply because its 3.5 incarnation dared to be a demigod. Oddly enough, Sorcerer and Warlock were turned into Strikers, although the Sorcerer is quite confusing enough so as to ask whether it truly is a Striker or a Controller.
Paladin: Do I have to repeat what I said on the 3.5 version of the Paladin. Again, the Pally has some issues in Core, but Divine Power gave it loads of love. Divine Challenge is great, and some of the Utilities remind me of the spellcasting I love so much on a Pally. However, being one of the starter classes, it kinda got behind as the people from WotC began experimenting.
Ranger: Same as Rogue, but with ranged attacks. Not so sure how TWF and Archery are over here, though I heard that the TWF ranger could be a menace or something along those lines.
Psion: I was quite surprised to see they attempted to add the old PP system into the new, cookie-cutter system. The rest of the Psionic classes, with the unusually happy and more-than-expected exception of Monk, are kinda...I dunno, meant to fill the spots rather than be effective on their own.
Bard: Arcane Leader. Finally, they seem to have gotten the Bard right, though they kinda lost some of their jack-of-all-trades fare. Still, even in 2E they were meant to be buffers and not frontline fighters, so making them better at buffing was kinda expected.

Note: I haven't played 4E, and for the looks of it I won't play it, but that doesn't mean I hate it with all of my guts. I have reached the conclusion that 4E might be a decent game but if it weren't tacked with the D&D label. Otherwise, a generic system based on 4E might have just hit it on the nail, maybe give it some exposition that unfortunately has thwarted the design process.

Me? I remain with 3.5. No offense, guys.

Bakkan
2010-09-14, 12:06 AM
I love alternate systems, like psionics, incarnum, pact magic, and so forth, but for the most part, I think that those belong in splat books. I would include only two systems in a PHB: The Sublime Way (Tome of Battle) and spontaneous Vancian Casting. Further, I would aim for about tier 2-3, because I think that power level is the most fun.

Further, this is only for 3.5.

My Classes:


Crusader Divine-themed melee fighter.
Duskblade Arcane melee fighter.
Factotum Skill monkey/Jack of all trades.
Favored Soul Primary divine caster. Would probably allow domains, though perhaps not.
Ranger Nature warrior. Would give full animal companion progression.
Sorcerer Primary arcane caster. Would change to Favored Soul spells known/per day.
Swordsage Ninjitsu master/Mystic fighter.
Warblade Primary melee fighter.


Quintissential Roles

Beatstick: Duskblade, Crusader, Ranger, Swordsage, Warblade
Skillmonkey: Factotum, Ranger
Sneaker: Factotum, Swordsage, Ranger
Arcane: Duskblade, Sorcerer
Divine: Favored Soul, Ranger
Tank: Crusader, Warblade

My PHBII would include


Beguiler
Binder
Incarnate
Psion
Psychic Warrior
Spellthief
Totemist
Warmage

Draz74
2010-09-14, 01:01 AM
Ranger is a rather small niche. The main ability of the ranger is basically enhanced tracking and nature-related abilities, since otherwise the Fighter (or Warblade) can cover up TWF rather well, feats essentially cover the ranged area well, and Cleric or PsyWar fits better with the ranged attack options. Thus, it's best placed as a PrC, although I wouldn't mind in terms of personal preference to have a Ranger.
Ranger is indeed a tricky archetype to design properly, because tracking is about the only thing that all Rangers seem to want to have in common. Oddly, though, in spite of the archetype's lack of focus, no one ever seems to argue that it's not a classic fantasy archetype. And for many people, including me, it's an important one.

And none of your examples can really cover the Ranger role at all, or could even if they were given nature skills. I think one of the main schticks of the Ranger is stealth skills, and none of the classes you list are particularly stealthy (or skillful). Swordsage could be a decent melee Ranger if you gave it Survival as a class skill, but even then, you're missing out on the ranged Ranger option, which is IMO more classic.


Cleric: Although the Cleric is quite different than the norm, specifically because of the "Laser Cleric" joke, I think no D&D would be right without this class. Arguably the classical Leader, though it's quite different from 3.5 (focused on attacking, and mostly healing surges, but that's how the system rolls so I can't protest).
3e Cleric drove me nuts because of how ridiculously similar Clerics of very different gods ended up. The 4e Cleric only made the problem even worse (although Divine Power helped; the problem might be equal in 3e and 4e now).


Bard: Arcane Leader. Finally, they seem to have gotten the Bard right, though they kinda lost some of their jack-of-all-trades fare. Still, even in 2E they were meant to be buffers and not frontline fighters, so making them better at buffing was kinda expected.
I'm no 4e expert, but from what I've seen, Bard is by far the most jack-of-all-trades class available in 4e. It even has a couple features and feats that are suspiciously reminiscent of the Factotum. And with the right build and a little refluffing, it can actually be a pretty good front-line fighter (of the swashbuckling variety).

UnChosenOne
2010-09-14, 01:30 AM
PHB classes (for system based on 3.5)
Sprit Shaman
Favorite Soul
Bard
Crusader
Warblade
Swordsage
Socerer
Psion

Morph Bark
2010-09-14, 02:34 AM
8?

Warblade, Beguiler, Dread Necromancer, Warmage, Artificer, Factotum, Paladin (some revised version)... and Swordsage probably.

If I could throw out the Paladin and put in Binder, Totemist and Incarnate, I'd do so.

Paladin is interchangeable with Crusader. It's just that my players hate the Crusader's renewing mechanic and one of them totally loves Paladins.

Pika...
2010-09-14, 02:41 AM
-Psion
-Rogue


All I need. :smallbiggrin:

Morithias
2010-09-14, 04:24 AM
Paladin
Cleric
Rogue
Expert
Commoner
Adept
Fighter
Ranger

Leolo
2010-09-14, 05:06 AM
I forgot the assassin. One of my favourite classes at all, both in 3.5 as a prestige class and in 4E

Amphetryon
2010-09-14, 06:18 AM
Hexblade
Dread Necromancer
Wilder
Psychic Warrior
Binder
Swordsage
Shugenja
Warlock.

That said, if I can't have the Mearls Fix for Hexblade, I'd quite likely substitute Ranger.

dsmiles
2010-09-14, 07:28 AM
@OP: Here's my list:

Fighter
Paladin
Ranger
Cleric
Magic-User
Illusionist
Thief
Assassin
Monk

Ooops, I guess that's nine.

Ooops again, that's already been done. AD&D. Huh.

kestrel404
2010-09-14, 08:36 AM
I'd go with the 3 standard categories (Fighter, Mage, Thief) and give a bit of choice for each:

Fighter:
Warblade - it's what fighter was meant to be
Crusader - can be played as a paladin, barbarian, or several other archetypes
Swordsage - with an explicit unarmed variant, this replaces monk, ranger, and the combat aspects of rogue

Mage:
Bard - This is the best utility mage in the game for my money. Minor change - Music 1/encounter, no daily limit. At 5th level and each 5 after, get +1/encounter.
Warlock - Renamed to be the new Sorceror
Psion - Renamed to be the new Wizard. Major change - linear PP growth (2,4,6,etc.), but they refresh every encounter. Metacreativity is banned.
Binder - Renamed to be the new Cleric (he's calling the power of gods/domains into himself!)

Thief:
Factotum - The only skillmonkey you ever really need, because he gets them all! And he's int based, so he gets even more of them!

Also: All stats are capped at 30. No matter how much you enchant yourself or use super magic items or wish spells or whatever, you cannot get an attribute above 30. Only gods, monsters and epic characters can escape this limitation. And no, polymorph doesn't let you count as a monster.

My NPC classes would be:
Artificer - No infusions, to explain all the magic items lying around
Fighter - As is, replaces warrior
Adept - As is
Rogue - Replaces expert, may choose feats instead of sneak attack
Marshal - Replaces noble.
Monk - Replaces commoner.
Barbarian - Replaced Monstrous Humanoid HD.

archon_huskie
2010-09-14, 10:20 AM
Fighter
Rogue
Barbarian
Monk

Ranger
Wizard
Cleric
Druid

But one thing I like to do to affect the tier 1 over powerful problem. PCs can only start with one of the first four. Then role-play becoming the other classes. Yes that means no level 20 Wizards, Clerics, or Druids.

Leon
2010-09-14, 10:33 AM
Sorcerer
Combat Alchemist
Circle Druid
Beguiler
Ranger
Psion
Warblade
Arcane Mechanic

The Glyphstone
2010-09-14, 10:51 AM
1. Brabarian
2. Celric
3. Durid
4. Srocerer
5. Figther
6. Wizrad
7. Rouge
8. Padalin

(Nomk, Brad, and Ragner were cut in post-production)

Or

1. Incarnate
2. Dread Necromancer
3. Factotum
4. Warblade
5. Crusader
6. Swordsage
7. Beguiler
8. Binder

T.G. Oskar
2010-09-14, 11:21 AM
Wait, didn't you meant these?


1. Bearbarian
2. Celtic
3. Drood
4. Sourcerer (alternatively Sorcelator)
5. Fister
6. Wiz-rad
7. Rouge
8. Padawan

(Monk, Brad, and Ragnar were cut in post-production)

In case you need some explanation...
Bearbarian: a bear. What else you need to explain? They get the at-will ability "Rage when someone's bothering me", Improved Grab, and "Stand Tall Intimidation".
Celtic: An ancient warrior/priest skilled in the ancient, mystical arts of Hoops. Most if not all worship a druid called Boston, and its prophet, Lawrence Joseph Byrd.
Drool: a hippie surfer dude that is constantly on a trance that allows it to ignore pain, compose utterly awesome music, and promote peace everywhere. Usually Neutron Gosh. PrCs for Drood include Yuppie, Pinko and Deserter-by-Conscience
Sourcerer: Best leave Terry Pratchett to tell you about a Sourcerer.
Sorcelator: A dual-wand-wieldingtriple wand claw wielding magician made of pure, unadulterated awesome that takes things to the limit extreme. Has certain enemies, such as Ninja Shamans, Pirate Assassins, and one person who I cannot mention because it is taboo. But that everybody probably knows is Tycho Brahe.
Fister: A guy that fights WITH HIS FISTS!! Delivers a pair of fisticuffs with a knuckle sandwich in the middle. Might belong or not to an organization that may or may not exist (*coughcoughFightClubcoughcough*)
Wiz-rad: A mysterious magician autistic talented gamer from another time, another land, who can defeat people that wear Ogre Power Gloves by using magic flutes. The only record of his time and land results in "rad" and possibly "groovy", alluding to an epoch called "the 80's"
Rouge: a seductive vixen, clad in tons of makeup but specially crimson lip-balm (hence the name). May be prone to backstab, extremely skilled, but usually a tease.
Padawan: the apprentice state of a legendary warrior of Gosh and Just-served, who follows a precise code of chivalry chastity and draws divine power from a deity called "the Force". Usually it upgrades into a stronger class, called "Jedi Knight".
Monk: an obsessive-compulsive investigator with a mindset that can allow it to solve cases that others (except psychic charlatans, or forensic anthropologists) can solve.
Brad: a frat-boy that is the soul of any party
Ragnar: an incredibly powerful warrior, clad in artifact armor, wielding a frostblade, and devoted to slay the minions of Chaos everywhere. May or may not be destined to throw the "Spear of Ross Perot" to stop the invasion from Republicans Chaos into the Multiverse.

AmberVael
2010-09-14, 11:22 AM
Hmmm... 8 classes...

Well, in my personal campaign setting, I focus on:

-Incarnate
-Totemist
-Swordsage
-Warblade
-Warlock
-Dragonfire Adept
-Factotum
-Binder

I find that this is generally a good grouping of classes. It allows for a wide variety of mechanics, powers, and flavor, while also heavily cutting down on something I particularly dislike... per day abilities. While some of them can switch out things on a day to day basis, and have a few abilities that recharge on a daily basis, the vast majority (and major parts) of their powers are per encounter or at will, allowing them to keep going and not have to sleep every few steps. :smalltongue:

ideasmith
2010-09-14, 08:50 PM
From the PH:
1. Fighter
2. Rogue

And some I created myself (though often inspired by existing classes):

3. Brawler
4. Crackerjack
5. Hunter
6. Mystic
7. Spellbinder
8. Unfledged

thefear436
2010-09-14, 11:19 PM
1. Druid I like Druids DAMMIT!!!!
2. Wild Reaper I said.....I like Druids DAMMIT!!!!!
3. Wizard
4. Archivist
5. Barbarian
6. Rogue
7. Cleric
8. Wild Shape Ranger Variant I like Druid things DAMMIT!!!!!

Gorgondantess
2010-09-15, 12:12 AM
Hmmm... well, from a mechanical standpoint:
Warblade
Crusader
Swordsage
Psion
Beguiler
Warmage
Shujenja
Factotum

You have all the archetypes there, so long as you do a little refluffing, and the highest you get is a low tier 2, the lowest you get is a high tier 4. Beguiler & warmage can possibly be switched out for stuff like dread necromancer, duskblade, bard, & other tier 3 casters.

El Dorado
2010-09-15, 12:27 AM
Ranger
Barbarian
Magician
Thief
Cavalier
Acrobat

Throw in some orcs. Call it a day.

Archpaladin Zousha
2010-09-15, 12:50 AM
Paladin
Cleric
Avenger
Invoker
Fighter
Rogue
Wizard
Druid

grimbold
2010-09-16, 01:08 PM
1. Wizard
2. Cleric
3.Rogue
4. FIghter
they make it for being in first ed.
5. Barbarian, for awesomeness
6. Warblade, also awesome
7. Druid
8. Ranger, both druid and ranger have good rping possibilities and can be very usefull

Niezck
2010-09-16, 01:14 PM
Wizard
Cleric
Duskblade
Warblade
Swordsage
Warlock
Ranger
Rogue

Fo' sho'.

Callos_DeTerran
2010-09-16, 01:44 PM
1. Warblade - Everything I wished the Fighter had been when I first started playing 3.5. A refined warrior(ess) with impeccable weapon skills and the desire to forge their own legend (Sue me, I like the base fluff for Warblade). More importantly, there's room for multiple kinds of warrior arch-types. The master of the sword, the dual-wielding acrobat, the party leader/tactician, the brute, etc. etc. all within one class. How could you NOT like it? My favorite character IRL was, unsurprisingly, a warblade (a straight warblade at that).

2. Crusader - Everything I wished the Paladin had been. Here you have what, to me, is what a holy warrior is all about. Somebody who can take a brutal beating from the enemy but clings to the fight through pure determination and zeal to return the punishment tenfold. Like the warblade, the crusader has at least three roles/arch-types it could fill with ease, and those kinds of options are much appreciated.

3. Swordsage - Everything I wish the monk had been (notice a pattern yet?), and then some. With a crazy-large number of maneuvers known, access to the most disciplines, and access to three unique disciplines the amount of arch-types and characters that a swordsage can become is impressively large. I only wish that the designers had slipped in some of the flavorful class features from the monk (but lacked solid mechanical benefit) into the class, so they'd finally have a home that appreciates them.

4. Binder - Binder is an odd choice for me. It doesn't really fill any 'needed' role or stereotype of D&D to me but is just so well presented and put together I have to include it. The flavor behind vestiges and binders is superb (and has a nutty after-taste) and is capable of also fulfilling multiple roles based on how their abilities are fluffed and what vestiges they bind. Plus, it allows symbolism to come in hand in hand for the game while giving the PCs a reason to recognize 'arcane diagram X' besides having the proper knowledge skill (Oh, that's not some random scribbling, that's the sign to bind X the YZ!).

5. Warlock - Another odd role but oddly...this is what I think wizards/sorcerers should have been to me. I never liked the Vancian casting system, and not just because it was broken as hell in 3.5. To me a wizard/sorcerer has always been a figure dabbling in (potentially) dark powers. They didn't have many tricks, but they were outstandingly 'arcane' and they could use them as often as they wished. No 'oops, I should have reread the page on fireball more then twice today' here, just unlimited arcane ability applied as the character in question saw fit. Might have preferred if they were more like the 4edition warlock though, in the sense they had more 'sources' for their powers beyond 'infernal/abyssal/Hadish'.

6. Bard - Why the bard? Well...someone needs to tell the great stories and epics, and it's unlikely to be the frail minstrel who would flee in the face of a dragon (or be incinerated in the first fire blast). These are the lore-keepers to me, they know all about the lands and their peoples, their penchant for entertaining skills means they can always make a few quick friends, and their magical abilities are...well...not over-whelming. The bard is the quintessential explorer/jack of all trades to me, and yes I know factotum probably does jack of all trades better, I like the bard more.

7. Incarnate - This is an odd choice in general considering Incarnum isn't widely used (from what I've seen) or widely supported with homebrew. But, I think it makes an excellent addition to the other classes on this list. I can't explain it well, but Incarnate (and totemist) just seem like natural additions to the vague idea of the 'natural RPG setting' to me. You have those who dabble in dark powers or make deals with spirits (warlocks and binders) and then you have the guy/gal who uses the spiritstuff of their ancestors and descendants to come in order to accomplish their goals. It's like ancestor-worship taken to the next level (for me) and I like to see ancestor worship in RPG games since it makes more sense if the afterlife is a proven fact.

8. Totemist - The other one that just seems to fit. The druid never seemed right by me, it seemed to embody 'nature' more then the life in nature to me. That was probably the intent, but to me the 'nature' character should be trying to attune themselves to the aspects of nature that they can see and interact with. A lightning storm is remarkably difficult, and lethal, to interact with, and thus emulate...but the yrthrak/manticore/girallons who are palpable presences in the world? Much easier to try and gain power from. A character trying to BE the mightiest creatures of nature while maintaining their base 'humanity' ('elfiness'/'dwarfiness'/etc.) is the quintessential nature character to me.

Obviously my ideal setting is a bit different, having lots of alternative magic systems meshed together, but oddly...that's how I prefer it. Keep magic wildly different and mysterious not...lists of spells and what classes get access to those spells.

Tael
2010-09-16, 04:23 PM
Psion ____________ Sorcerer
Psychic Warrior ____ Warblade
Ardent ___________ Favored Soul
Psychic Rogue _____ Factotum
Divine Mind (Buffed) _Crusader
Erudite ___________ Beguiler
Soul Knife (Buffed) __ Swordsage
Lurk (Buffed) ______ Duskblade

onthetown
2010-09-16, 04:29 PM
Bard, Beguiler, Wizard, Ranger, Wizard of High Sorcery (I had a Pathfinder base class version of the prestige class that was found online, but I can't find it anymore), and a lot of the homebrew base classes I see around here. GitP deserves its own PHB.

Ajadea
2010-09-16, 04:45 PM
Rogue for skill-monkey and Massive Damage.
Warblade, because fighter is weak, I like Tier 3ish games, and someone has to be the one to hit things with sticks until it falls down
Cloistered Cleric, because someone has to pull healing duty
Warlock. I like warlocks.
Binder, because its fluff is beyond awesome, really.
Bard, because it's a really amazing jack-of-all-trades class and fluff syncs well with Warblade.
Sorcerer, for those who like the Vancian Magic.
And a Psion, just for something different.

Ryu_Bonkosi
2010-09-16, 04:57 PM
Fighter - Sometimes I just want to relax and smack things until they go away. Keep your bells and whistles to yourself.

Cleric - Gotta have a healbot. But turning undead should not be standard issue gear, especially if the god in question has nothing to do with undead whatsoever. In fact, diety-specific spell lists would be nice.

Rogue - "Doing violence on all your problems until they cease being problems" is not always the preferable solution. Rogues are when you want to get in, do the job, and get out, without anyone noticing a thing.

Sorcerer - I prefer blasters myself, because as Vaarsuvius has said, "As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is not capable of resolving approaches zero." And someone with the raw, unbridled power of the cosmos flowing through their very blood has a certain poetry to it. I'd like to see a version of sorcerers whose spells were completely elemental in nature.

Though TBH? These, I think, are the only four I truely need. Cross-class or prestige class your way into all the various flavors and combos.


I second this.

Galdor
2010-09-16, 05:03 PM
Well, since you aren't asking for a PH that covers all the bases, in order:
Psion
Wizard
Sorcerer
Warlock
Rogue
Scout
Cleric
Wilder

Da Beast
2010-09-16, 05:09 PM
Though that really misses out on the Druid-type character and I like Druids, damnit. But there's no real psionic equivalent I've found including homebrew so I can't add any. Other archetypes I'd want covered but can't fight are a Martial Leader (á la Marshal but non-****ty) and a Magical Party Buff (á la Bard but not Vancian). Also, Binder would be hot though it could probably be melded to Psion/Ardent somehow.

Bam (http://dsp-d20-srd.wikidot.com/society-mind) and bam (http://dsp-d20-srd.wikidot.com/thoughtsinger), two psionic support classes.


Druids are just oddballs all around - they use divine magic but in a really funky way. And they're members of crazy secret orders. As a class goes, they seem so setting specific; specifically a setting where ancient orders devoted to particularly odd nature spirit-gods are hanging around. This does not necessarily suit every setting.

Aside from the secret language, the only flavor written into their mechanics is nature priest. Even the flavor in the PHB doesn't say anything about nature spirit-gods and mostly paints them as just revering nature itself. Most every campaign has some amount of nature in it and should have some room for druids.

As for my 8 classes, I'm not really sure. Probably Psionics, Tome of Battle and some other classes for arcane, divine and skill monkeys thrown in, all around tier 3.

ArcanistSupreme
2010-09-16, 05:56 PM
In no particular order:

1) Warblade
2) Crusader
3) Swordsage
4) Beguiler
5) Factotum
6) Wildshape Ranger
7) Binder
8) Bard

Casters, melee fighters, and skill monkeys are all represented, and nobody has to worry about being less/more useful than other party members. If I could have ten, Dread Necromancer and Psychic Warrior would definitely make the list. And I'd feel like it was a pretty awesome system.

Fiery Diamond
2010-09-16, 06:03 PM
1)Sorcerer
2)Favored Soul
3)Rogue
4)Ranger w/druid companion
5)Nerfed Druid w/out companion (definitely with spont casting instead of prep)
6)Barbarian
7)Fighter/Paladin/Monk rolled into a single class and w/out alignment restriction
8)Bard

What? I play mostly core 3.5. And I like spont casting better than prep casting - hence Favored Soul instead of Cleric and a Druid with spont casting.

Also, I hate Wizards.

Istari
2010-09-16, 06:07 PM
Wizard - Primary Spellcaster
Rouge - Skillmonkey
Warblade - Beatstick
Cleric - Divine Caster
Ranger - Skillmonkey/Fighter
Duskblade - Melee/Magic
Warlock - Blasty evilness
Druid - Bear Power!

Lord Vampyre
2010-09-16, 07:27 PM
Wizard
Archivist
Druid
Dread Necromancer
Beguiler
Ninja
Ranger
Scout

Flickerdart
2010-09-16, 07:28 PM
1. Fighter
2. Wizard
3. Monk
4. Swordsage
5. Truenamer
6. Samurai
7. Lightning Warrior
8. Commoner

Without these 8 classes, the forums would shut down, and we can't have that.

arrowhen
2010-09-16, 09:38 PM
Fighter
Rogue
Barbarian
Monk

Ranger
Wizard
Cleric
Druid

But one thing I like to do to affect the tier 1 over powerful problem. PCs can only start with one of the first four. Then role-play becoming the other classes. Yes that means no level 20 Wizards, Clerics, or Druids.

That's... pretty cool actually. How do you keep everyone from just going Barb1/Wiz19 or whatever? Do you have specific mechanical requirements for a PC to multiclass into one of the tier 1's (i.e., do you treat them as prestige classes), or do you just use RP factors to ensure that they spend a few levels in one of the lower tier classes before moving up to the "better" ones?

archon_huskie
2010-09-28, 09:49 AM
That's... pretty cool actually. How do you keep everyone from just going Barb1/Wiz19 or whatever? Do you have specific mechanical requirements for a PC to multiclass into one of the tier 1's (i.e., do you treat them as prestige classes), or do you just use RP factors to ensure that they spend a few levels in one of the lower tier classes before moving up to the "better" ones?

Nothing mechanical, just mix of Roleplaying and worldbuilding. To use the Barb1/Wiz19 example, what wizard would take on an illiterate barbarbian as an apprentice. Easy solution is another PC. Another solution is to create an NPC who would actually do that. In this case, the character would hear a rumor of the lone archmagi living deep in the barbarian orc's territory: the daughter of a human courtier married to a chief's son via an arranged political marriage.

Finding more information could be an adventure in and of itself.

Talya
2010-09-28, 10:04 AM
Conjurer
Evoker
Transmuter
Diviner
Abjurer
Enchanter
Necromancer
Illusionist

...what? :smallcool:

Cute. Very cute. No room for generalist there, though. :(
(Elf Generalist substitution level 1 is awesome enough to make it worthwhile.)

ideasmith
2010-10-20, 11:03 AM
After major rethinking and consulting The Tough Guide to Fantasyland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tough_Guide_To_Fantasyland):

1. Spellbinder (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Spellbinder_(3.5e_Class)) {Gay Mage, Wise Old Stranger, sometimes Imperious Female}
2. Fighter {Female Mercenary, Serious Soldier}
3. Noble (http://habololy.net/Classes/Noble.htm){Unpleasant Stranger, sometimes Imperious Female}
4. Rogue {Small Man, sometimes Teenage Boy}
5. Unfledged (http://dungeons.wikia.com/wiki/Unfledged_(3.5e_Class)){Slender Youth, sometimes Teenage Boy)
6. Bard {Bard}
7. Apprentice (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Apprentice_Caster_(3.5e_Class)){Talented Girl}
8. Tough Hero (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/msrd) (adapted from d20 Modern) {sometimes Large Man}

The bits in {} refer to types of Tour Companion represented. Not all Large Men got covered – hit the 8 class limit.

Shadowleaf
2010-10-20, 11:31 AM
Bard, Cleric, Paladin, Rogue, Sorcerer, Swordsage, Warblade, Warlock.

I guess I prefer classes with depth.

Aron Times
2010-10-20, 11:44 AM
Team Arcane:


Artificer - Melee/Ranged
Bard - Melee/Ranged
Sorcerer - Melee/Ranged
Swordmage - Melee
Warlock - Ranged
Wizard - Ranged


Magic for everyone!

P.S.

I know there's only six, but there are currently only six arcane classes in 4e.

Il_Vec
2010-10-20, 11:47 AM
1 - Tanker - A class made out of crusader, paladin and knight
2 - DPS - A mix of barbarian, warblade and ranger
3 - Skillguy - A guy made out of scout, bard, monk and rogue
4 - Buffguy - Bard, dragon shaman and cloistered cleric
5 - Debuffguy - A turbo hexblade + samurai with increased casting
7 - Artillery - A mix of blast sorcerer and warlock
8 - Winnerman - Wizard.

grarrrg
2010-10-20, 02:16 PM
After major rethinking and consulting The Tough Guide to Fantasyland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tough_Guide_To_Fantasyland):

1....

You should replace one of those with
Necromancer (Thread)

Cahokia
2010-10-20, 05:47 PM
[shameless plug] You can check my sig for the 11 I put into my setting. :smallwink: [/shameless plug]

But my setting follows some very different assumptions. In standard D&D I'd go with Binder, Crusader, Warblade, Swordsage, Totemist, Factotum, Psion, Warlock.

Merk
2010-10-20, 08:57 PM
1. Warblade
2. Swordsage
3. Crusader
4. Factotum
5. Bard
6. Warlock
7. Totemist
8. Psychic Warrior

Tvtyrant
2010-10-20, 10:04 PM
1. Bard
2. Barbarian
3. Paladin
4. Ranger
5. Rogue

If I could have the ultimate game my players would only be allowed these classes. The tier 1 classes would all be transformed into prestige classes for them with brutal entry requirements.

Swooper
2010-10-20, 10:11 PM
Has to be something like...

Wizard
Warblade
Factotum
Swordsage
Crusader
Archivist
Binder
Druid

ideasmith
2010-10-20, 10:26 PM
You should replace one of those with
Necromancer (Thread)

Am I missing something here? Since Spellbinders can choose Necromantic spells and feats, and Necromancers are not likely Tour Companions in the first place, the classes I listed seem more useful for representing tour companions.

ranagrande
2010-10-20, 10:48 PM
Let's see...

Bard
Battle Dancer
Healer
Initiate
Jedi
Mohrg
Smart Hero
Tinker

TaliaJacta
2010-10-21, 01:08 AM
1. Rogue
2. Cleric
3. Rogue
4. Sorcerer
5. Rogue
6. Bard
7. Rogue
8. Fighter

Raistlin1040
2010-10-21, 01:17 AM
1. Warblade
2. Bard
3. Sorcerer
4. Druid (No animal companion)
5. Paladin (With ToB abilities in order to make it a solid Tier 3)
6. Warlock
7. Dread Necromancer
8. Swordsage

I really like the Binder, but I have never played one, DMed a game with someone who played one, or been in a party with someone who has played one. The Binder would be my theoretical ninth.

grarrrg
2010-10-21, 07:45 AM
Am I missing something here? Since Spellbinders can choose Necromantic spells and feats, and Necromancers are not likely Tour Companions in the first place, the classes I listed seem more useful for representing tour companions.

Seriously dude?
This thread was WAY OLD, hence the reference to "Thread Necromancy" whereby someone decides to post to a thread that is past its sell by date and 'ressurect' it back onto the main page.
It is frowned upon.

ideasmith
2010-10-21, 11:11 AM
Seriously dude?
This thread was WAY OLD, hence the reference to "Thread Necromancy" whereby someone decides to post to a thread that is past its sell by date and 'ressurect' it back onto the main page.
It is frowned upon.

Only 22 days old, which I don't consider thread necromancy. (The Forum Rules (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/announcement.php?a=1) say 42 days.) I didn't get the reference.

tbarrie
2010-10-21, 11:41 AM
1. Cleric
2. Fighter
3. Magic-User
4. Thief
5. Dwarf
6. Elf
7. Halfling
8. ...why would you need eight?

boj0
2010-10-21, 11:59 AM
1 Warblade
2 Swordsage
3 Psion
4 Sorcerer
5 Factotum
6 Druid
7 Spellthief
8 Artificer

Psyren
2010-10-21, 11:59 AM
1. Cleric
2. Fighter
3. Magic-User
4. Thief
5. Dwarf
6. Elf
7. Halfling
8. ...why would you need eight?

8) Grognard :smalltongue: