Base Classes: builds, sub-types and a list to name them all?

[EasilyAmused]

I've been lurking around for ages and came across two conflicting opinions that finally drew me into writing.

The first opinion was that the base classes are cookie-cutter.
The second opinion was that the base classes are so broad that they are themselves multiple sub-classes meshed together.

I like the second opinion. We've all seen the Rogue: skill-monkey and the Rogue: stealthy - sneak attacker and the Rogue: long range archery type. I was wondering how many "sub-types" there really are. (The mind boggles)
Is there a database out there? I guess I'm not looking for the quadrillion possible mixes of feats and skills, but really the more defined sub-archetypes.

If there is no list out there, then perhaps we could brainstorm? I thought it might be handy for new players trying to figure out that a bard isn't just a wandering minstrel and a cleric isn't always a healbot. And it might be nice for new DMs to have when creating NPCs.

Just a thought - my first post. (Hi.)

Thanks in advance.

[Overshee]

Welcome to the playground!

Not exactly sure how broad or narrow you mean. Would Ubercharger Fighter and Sword and Board Fighter be different? They are built very differently, but are both "hit things till they die..."

[Flickerdart]

Welcome to the playground!

Not exactly sure how broad or narrow you mean. Would Ubercharger Fighter and Sword and Board Fighter be different? They are built very differently, but are both "hit things till they die..."

Yes, but in the first case, the Ubercharger hits things until they die. In the second, the Sword'n'Boarder hits things until he dies.

[Optimystik]

Welcome to the Playground

It sounds like you want a character build database. However, in 3.5 characters are usually defined by their PrCs, not their base classes. The base class is mere filler to get you to the good stuff, more often than not.

Nobody ever says "that fighter build that throws things," "the wizard that's good at shielding" or "the warlock with divine spells." They say Hulking Hurler build, Iot7FV, Ur-lock.

The builds themselves can usually be found in each class' handbook. They aren't hard to find if you really want to investigate them.

[Eloel]

DDO actually makes a good attempt at listing the paths.

Try this link for a general idea.

[Overshee]

The builds themselves can usually be found in each class' handbook. They aren't hard to find if you really want to investigate them.

http://brilliantgameologists.com/boa...php?board=22.0

^ This might be a little advanced for new players, but BG Handbook board is amazing. I love using both BG boards and here to really figure out how they work. Reading handbooks really taught me a lot about DnD, RAW, RAI, and not only optimization but practical combinations, and just how to make an effective character

[EasilyAmused]

Actually that's very close to what I'm looking for. The Prestige Classes are great, and I completely agree that they are their own subtypes. I was really focusing just on the very simple base classes (Cleric, Bard, Fighter, Wizard, Rogue), though.

Thanks all for the welcomes!

I suppose I was trying to prove that there are a lot of options for different kinds of character builds within the bases.

The first opinion that I read (that spurred me to write) was really down on the base classes and said that one fighter couldn't be distinguished from another fighter without taking prestige classes (or paragon paths depending on edition)

That didn't seem quite right to me. But please feel free to disagree, I enjoy all opinions.

[Viletta Vadim]

Thing is, there are so many ways to take classes, so many possible takes, both as characters and in terms of mechanical function that such a list would be prohibitively immense, particularly when you start working in multiclassing.

Like, with a Bard, you have the active support specialist emphasizing debuffs/control, Haunting Song, and such, the passive support specialist focusing on buffs, usually ramping Inspire Courage up through the roof, you have the dex-based archer Bard, but for Killoren or Duskling Bards in particular, you have the charisma-based archer Bard through Charming the Arrow. Through the Sublime Chord, you have full-casting specialist Bards, you have strength-based melee Bards, you have charisma-based melee Bards through Snowflake Wardance and Slippers of Battledancing, you have iaido charisma-based melee Bards who add Iaijutsu Focus into that whole mix, plus diplomancers, of course, and the class itself can easily service characters who are minstrels, ministers, historians, archeologists, professors, priests, wizards, scholars, witches, and magical space prostitutes, among other things.