Character class to complement party (3.P)

[keen320]

I'm one of those people who is kind of indecisive about things, and one of those is character class. I was going to be a Sylph Sky Druid until recently (and a Kitsune Ninja before that, the campaign got delayed some) because I just think flight is pretty cool. But then I started to think about being a Wizard because I perceive their spell list as better. And then I started thinking about being a Tiefling because they're about as good at Wizardry. The tiefling part is probably fixed now, because I thought of some backstory ideas I like.

What I'm wondering, since I'm fairly indecisive anyway, is weather a Wizard would be an ideal complement to our party, combat and fun wise, or if I should consider something else.

Current party makeup:
A dwarven cleric of Pharasma. Player is new to roleplaying, and will probably not act offensively too often.
An Undine Waterbender (https://sites.google.com/site/avatard20/waterbender2.0) 8/ Disciple of the Healing Waters (https://sites.google.com/site/avatard20/discipleofthehealingwaters) 5. In other words, a healer.
A Magician Archetype Bard (I heard) or Illusion and Enchantment focused sorcerer (DM heard). Character concept is inspired (but not copying) Miaq the Liar.
A Bard/Dashing Swordsman combo. Currently our meatshield (this worries me some).


So I was wondering, given the significant amount of magic users in the party, if I should really be a Wizard, or if I should consider playing a more martial class (one consideration is that things could take a little while with so many casters, especially since my Wizard would probably summoning often). If I should consider switching, could anyone give suggestions for classes that would offer other features as well? I would prefer options other than "stab things." Well made homebrew suggestions are worth noting, since as you can see from some of the other party members, my DM is okay with a lot of them as long as we run it by him.

Starting at 13th level.

[Malvanis]

If you are starting at 13th level, then you could summon an outsider and use geas on it to force it to protect you. That would solve the problem of having a weak meat shield. A wizard ALWAYS compliments the party. They're just that awesome.

[Grod_The_Giant]

The Tome of Battle classes are probably the most fun martial characters in the game, if you don't mind the extra work of keeping track of maneuvers. Also a good way to deal damage, which looks like it might be lacking.

A druid would go decently-- Wild Shape plus animal companion plus buffs equals two meatshields, and you can still throw out the occasional offensive spell when needed.

A duskblade might also be good-- they're okay front-line fighters, but they can dish out damage like no-one's business, which your party ("non-offensive" cleric, healer, and illusion/enchantment guy) might need badly.

If you're going for homebrew, well... I can push some of my own stuff:

The Beastman (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213031)is a wild-shape barbarian guy. I had a player run one for a long time, and he had a blast. It balanced pretty well with the rest of the T2/T3 party. He's tanky, can deal plenty of damage, and has tons of options, thanks to Wild Shape.
The Savage (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240943)is a similar concept-- nature-focused barbarian-- but he adds animal traits to his base form instead of shapeshifting-- growing natural weapons, special abilities, and so on. Also tanky, with massive customization during character creation, if not in play. Plenty of skills, too.
I happen to think that my Fighter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=276280)and Ranger (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14192508#post14192508)rewrites are excellent-- the latter is sort of an upgraded swift hunter gesthalt, while the first is... closer to the factotum than anything else, but kind of hard to sum up.

There's a lot more in my sig.

[BowStreetRunner]

You could always Gish (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=8786).

[Kane0]

Looks like your choices are some kind of melee, some kind of blaster and/or soem kind of rogue type that has good damage and skills.

Dragon shaman possibly? They always have some way to lend a hand and can make a decent melee as well.

Edit: Or if homebrew is permitted as you say check my sig, there may be something that takes your fancy. Maybe my fixed warlock or dragon shaman.