[Classes & Races]

Okay I've been putting this off way too long. One of my original ideas I had when I saw the PHB4e was that races could play a bigger part in your choice of class by tying more than just feats to your race. By using the power requirements to include race, class powers could build on the flavor of the race similar to how the later Race books from 3.5 included racial substitution levels. My goal to start with is to come up with Heroic Tier encounter powers to add to the choices presented by the class in this article.

[Tiefling Fighter]

Tieflings that embrace their infernal heritage are able to draw on the fires burning in their souls to engage their enemies with unique combat exploits. Preferring to fight with two blades and lean towards a striker secondary roll, Tiefling Fighters often choose Tempest Techniques and add their own embelishments.

Blood Fury Fighter Attack 1
Your natural bloodlust takes over as you launch a devastating attack against a bleeding and battered opponent.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action - Melee Weapon
Requirement: You must be a Tiefling.
Target: One bloodied creature
Attack: Strength + 2 vs. AC
Hit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage.

Blazing Gale Fighter Attack 3
The fires of your past come to life as flames leap from your weapon, burning all those around you.
Encounter * Fire, Martial, Weapon
Standard Action - Close Burst 1
Requirement: You must be a Tiefling.
Target: All creatures in the burst
Attack: Strength vs. Reflex
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier fire damage.

Accursed Flurry Fighter Attack 7
Your weapons blaze with infernal balefire as you strike with both of them.
Encounter * Fire, Martial, Rattling, Weapon
Standard Action - Melee Weapon
Requirements: You must be a Tiefling and you must be wielding two weapons.
Target: Two creatures
Attack: Strength vs. AC (main weapon and off-hand weapon), one attack per target.
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier fire damage and the target grants combat advantage until the end of your next turn.

Erekose13

For all that I've dreamed of being a game designer (and what DM hasnt at one point?) I've only put together a few things to submit in the past. I've been published online on a couple of fan sites but thats about as far as it goes. So here is one idea I had for 4e that I'd love one day to see polished enough to submit to a publisher.

One of the marketing blurbs put forth during the lead in to 4e was that we would see races being more important over the course of a character's career. I've read the PHB and I don't see it. Sure the powers gained at 1st level are still valid later on, sure there are good heroic feat options available for races early on and even a few (read Dragonborn) paragon feats available. But there is little to suggest that a 30th level human paladin is that much different from a 30th level dwarven paladin.

This series of articles will explore a single race-class combination and enhance the options available to players of that combination. For example I will feature Dwarven Fighter powers (of all tiers), paragon paths, feats, magic items, and at times epic destinies if it fits. I hope that what follows is an interesting look at making races matter more through out a campaign.

Erekose13