A strange question

[Fjolnir]

I am about to start playing in a new campaign run by a friend of mine, I know no details except for three, we are first level characters, we are on the run from Death, and we all have to be the same character class for the first 5 levels.

I have a friend who hasn't played d&d in quite some time (An AD&D player, never played 3/3.5/PF) who is going to be playing.

My question is this, the class we all have to be is determined by majority rule of the party, so what class(es) do I recommend? I have access to all of the official sourcebooks and don't have too much of an issue with excess paperwork so spellcasting is not out.

Preferably I want something that multiclasses or prcs well and something that offers a bit of variety early game.

So what would you advocate in my position?

[Zubrowka74]

Wizards. Even without PrCs they could each specialize in a different school. That and they're tier 1.

[Tar Palantir]

Cleric is also a solid choice. A team of all clerics is basically immortal, if a bit less offensively potent than one of all wizards, and much more survivable at low levels.

[DrMike105]

For a nonspellcaster, I'd reccomend ranger. Good BAB, lots of skills, ranged or melee, several class abilities including an animal companion. It can lead to many different multiclassing options. For a spellcaster I'd say either wizard or cleric (vancian spellcasting shouldn't be too big of a problem for a 2nd ed. player). Assuming there's more than 2 of you I'd add whichever spellcaster you don't have yet, and a factotum to cover everything else.

Edit: I may have misunderstood the OP. Do you all have to be the same class as each other, or did you mean simply no multiclassing until level 6?

[DeusMortuusEst]

Druids! Lots of survivability, double the number of party members and friendship and forests for everyone!

[Fjolnir]

We are all the same class, until 5th level, I'm not sure if that's multiclassing at 5th level or 6th level allowed, I did not get clarification.

[DrMike105]

Ok. In that case I second the all-cleric team. With differing domains and ACFs you can be very different, and still provide tons of mutual support. You could have a cloistered cleric with the trickery domain as the face, a spontaneous domain caster with the fire domain as a blaster, war domain front liner, and so forth.

[Kol Korran]

You didn't mention what books are available, but if you have Tome of MAgic I'd suggest the Binder class- a trio of fiend worshiping (or so it is said) witching heretics escaping from mystical punishment.

The main concept here is versatility of roles. You guys can still fulfill (sot of) many crucial "classic" roles by each member choosing a different vestige. For specific kind of missions you might all choose similar vestiges, and you guys can also rotate rolls giving the new guy a chance to taste different rolls.

[Alabenson]

One question that I think needs to be asked is how experienced is your group? Given that you all have to be the same class, you should seriously consider the higher Tier classes, as those will let you fill any roles needed depending on your build. If you have a particularly experienced group, I'd suggest either cleric or wizard, otherwise I'd look at druid, given that they tend to be fairly hard to screw up (not impossible, mind you).

[Fjolnir]

I have access to all of the books, my DM hasn't explicitly told me what sources are banned so...

Re: Experience, my friend is very familiar with AD&D rules, I know my 3.5 rules, the third person in our campaign has played 3.5 before, and I don't know about 4th's experience level...

[blackspeeker]

If ACFs are allowed, and if someone wants to be a cloystered cleric then I would throw in another vote for cleric.

But an all rogue or bard team could be fun.

[Kansaschaser]

I vote for the Bard class. They are versatile enough to fullfill any role in the party.

If not Bard, then my second choice would be the all Cleric team.

If they don't like that, then my third choice would be all Druids.

[Alabenson]

I vote for the Bard class. They are versatile enough to fullfill any role in the party.

If not Bard, then my second choice would be the all Cleric team.

If they don't like that, then my third choice would be all Druids.

The effectiveness of an all Bard team would be highly dependant on what sources are available; Bards got a huge amount of splatbook support over the course of 3.x's run, and a great deal of their strength comes from feats, spells, and ACF's that are scattered throughout the system.

[dextercorvia]

I vote Wizard. It requires a bit more optimization than druid, but you can really shut down stuff beginning with level 1.

[DeusMortuusEst]

I vote Wizard. It requires a bit more optimization than druid, but you can really shut down stuff beginning with level 1.

I sense lots of sleep, color spray, grease and CDG schytes.

EDIT: And lots of running when faced with Zombies with ranks in balance.

[dextercorvia]

I sense lots of sleep, color spray, grease and CDG schytes.

EDIT: And lots of running when faced with Zombies with ranks in balance.

Zombies can't have ranks in balance. Don't forget Sticky Floor.

[kitcik]

Druids! Lots of survivability, double the number of party members and friendship and forests for everyone!

I think this is it. More survivability at low levels than wizards. More variety in party roles (shapechanger / summoner / caster / healer / etc.).

[NichG]

All-wizard can backfire pretty easily if you don't know exactly what you're doing. Running out of spell slots at low levels would basically leave you with nothing at all to fall back on. Druids and Clerics at least have various ways of being reasonable combatants when out of spells.

[dextercorvia]

All-wizard can backfire pretty easily if you don't know exactly what you're doing. Running out of spell slots at low levels would basically leave you with nothing at all to fall back on. Druids and Clerics at least have various ways of being reasonable combatants when out of spells.

A single Wizard might run out of spells on a particularly long day. But, when the entire party is capable of largely ending the encounter on the first round, then you aren't using 1/4 everyone's resources each encounter. You just have to take turns with who goes first.

[NichG]

A single Wizard might run out of spells on a particularly long day. But, when the entire party is capable of largely ending the encounter on the first round, then you aren't using 1/4 everyone's resources each encounter. You just have to take turns with who goes first.

This is a function of experience, which was my point. New players will usually burn one spell slot a round because 'I want to be useful!' even if the encounter is largely wrapped up, and may not choose those spells that end an encounter with one action with any reliability. Clerics, Druids, or even martial adepts are a lot friendlier for low-op or newbie players (I could see a strong case being made for Crusader, since then you can still easily differentiate into high-damage, support, healing, whatever, and you never risk running out of resources as a party).

[Kansaschaser]

The effectiveness of an all Bard team would be highly dependant on what sources are available; Bards got a huge amount of splatbook support over the course of 3.x's run, and a great deal of their strength comes from feats, spells, and ACF's that are scattered throughout the system.

You're right. So it would all depend on the supplements available to the players. If the DM says all the supplements are available as well as all Dragon Magazines, then it would be worth it.

[nedz]

I don't think that it really matters since you are all the same. You could all play Monks and the party would be balanced. Tiers are not relevant for balance issues in this context.

A choice of a lower tier class would simply be a choice to play the game on a higher difficulty setting.

A choice of a class which offers multiple threats would give you the ability to create a more effective party which would be able to face a wider variety of challenges, but that's the DM's headache really. The higher tier classes, especially full casters, can fill all threat roles more readily. At level 5 though I think Druid gets you more options, especially for newbies since its hard to screw up.

[Kelb_Panthera]

If it's an option and the group is fond of, shall we say, a more direct approach to enemies, you could all play swordsages or warblades.

4 guys roaming the world, kicking ass, and taking names sounds like a blast to me. You'll need to stock up on magic items, though. If your DM is stingy with treasure, disregard this suggestion.

[Fjolnir]

Well aware that tiers matter less, my friend (the ad&d guy) and I were discussing all rogues or bards as well as some of the restricted list full casters like dread necromancer and beguiler among other options.

[nedz]

An all Bard party is called a Band. You could do a Blues Brothers campaign or Spiral Tap or something. It would be cool.
They can even cover all threats.

[hex0]

I don't think that it really matters since you are all the same. You could all play Monks and the party would be balanced. Tiers are not relevant for balance issues in this context.

All Monks could be interesting. You could each be a different fighting style (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#monkVariantFightingSty les). You could also check out the martial arts styles in Oriental Adventures (essentially free bonus for having certain skills/feats). If you can multiclass after level 5 then you could have one Sacred Fist, one Psionic Fist, one Enlightened Fist, and one Shou Disciple.

Four monks can work decent. You can work together to outmanuever most foes and trip/disarm/grapple/bullrush to get an advantage.

[The Dark Fiddler]

All Monks could be interesting. You could each be a different fighting style (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#monkVariantFightingSty les). You could also check out the martial arts styles in Oriental Adventures (essentially free bonus for having certain skills/feats). If you can multiclass after level 5 then you could have one Sacred Fist, one Psionic Fist, one Enlightened Fist, and one Shou Disciple.

Four monks can work decent. You can work together to outmanuever most foes and trip/disarm/grapple/bullrush to get an advantage.

Yes, all monks/unarmed swordsages. Turn it into a cheap kung-fu movie.

Or all barbarians, for the awesome barbarian experience.

All warlocks, and be a group of magical girls.

[nedz]

All Monks could be interesting. You could each be a different fighting style (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#monkVariantFightingSty les). You could also check out the martial arts styles in Oriental Adventures (essentially free bonus for having certain skills/feats). If you can multiclass after level 5 then you could have one Sacred Fist, one Psionic Fist, one Enlightened Fist, and one Shou Disciple.

Four monks can work decent. You can work together to outmanuever most foes and trip/disarm/grapple/bullrush to get an advantage.
A friend of mine played in such a game back in the days of 3.0, it was apparently quite good. They all specialised in different battle field control tactics. Expect the combats to take forever though, definitely not rocket tag.

Yes, all monks/unarmed swordsages. Turn it into a cheap kung-fu movie.

Or all barbarians, for the awesome barbarian experience.

All warlocks, and be a group of magical girls.

Ooooh - Sailor Moon :smallbiggrin:

[falloutimperial]

If I were in your situation, I wouldn't try to select a class that can do anything. It would be interesting to have your party sometimes restricted and forced to be creative. Try being all sneaky rogues for example. When does an entire party ever get to go sneaking together?

[Devmaar]

Well aware that tiers matter less, my friend (the ad&d guy) and I were discussing all rogues or bards as well as some of the restricted list full casters like dread necromancer and beguiler among other options.

I don't even want to think about how long combat would take with an all Dread Necromancer party :smallyuk:

[gorfnab]

An all Bard party is called a Band. You could do a Blues Brothers campaign or Spiral Tap or something. It would be cool.
They can even cover all threats.
Bard 8/ Virtuoso 2/ Sublime Chord 2/ Virtuoso 8 - Caster
Bard 8/ Arcane Archer 2/ Sublime Chord 2/ Abjurant Champion 5/ Ruathar 3 - Ranged Support
Bard 6/ Crusader or Warblade 2/ Jade Phoenix Mage 2/ Sublime Chord 2/ Jade Phoenix Mage 8 - Melee
Bard 8/ Paladin 2/ Sublime Chord 2/ Abjurant Champion 5/ Sacred Exorcist 3 - Melee
Bard 7/ Dirgesinger 2/ Pale Master 1/ Sublime Chord 1/ Pale Master 9 (or Sublime Chord 2/ Pale Master 8) - Minionmancer
Bard 4/ Druid 1/ Green Whisperer 3/ Spelldancer 2/ Sublime Chord 1/ Fochlucan Lyrist 9 (or Sublime Chord 2/ Fochlucan Lyrist 8) - Theurge
Savage Bard 8/ Ur-Priest 2/ Sublime Chord 2/ Mystic Theurge 8 - Theurge
Bard 8/ Rogue 2/ Sublime Chord 2/ Unseen Seer 8 - Skills
Bard 6/ Crusader 2/ War Chanter 2/ Seeker of the Song 2/ War Chanter 8 - Melee Leader

[nedz]

Thank you gorfnab, that's excellent.

[gorfnab]

A party of all Nightstalkers from Dragonlance: Races of Ansalon would be amusing. Call yourselves The Amn (or some other D&D campaign region starting with the letter A) Paranormal Society.

[Fjolnir]

How do you handle multiple fear auras, do they only apply the shaken effect?

[nedz]

If they are from different sources they stack; if they are from the same source they overlap.

[Coidzor]

This is a function of experience, which was my point. New players will usually burn one spell slot a round because 'I want to be useful!' even if the encounter is largely wrapped up, and may not choose those spells that end an encounter with one action with any reliability. Clerics, Druids, or even martial adepts are a lot friendlier for low-op or newbie players (I could see a strong case being made for Crusader, since then you can still easily differentiate into high-damage, support, healing, whatever, and you never risk running out of resources as a party).

Ah, but see, with experience players around showing them how it's done, that is mitigated by an active example being set. If they know their kit, anyway.


The effectiveness of an all Bard team would be highly dependant on what sources are available; Bards got a huge amount of splatbook support over the course of 3.x's run, and a great deal of their strength comes from feats, spells, and ACF's that are scattered throughout the system.

All Sources means they can be Dragonforce Bards.

[Fjolnir]

Each character's individual fear aura...