darkbard
Legend
The thread about the "feelz" of 4E got me thinking about some preconceptions about the game I hold. Now, while I am kind of a "true believer" when it comes to 4E--it provides just about everything I want in a game and I have little interest in changing editions or tweaking the system in more than minor ways--one of the truisms I've long espoused is that the generic style the game most easily promotes is one of pulp action and wuxia theatrics, and thus a certain kind of character becomes more of a negative value for the team than a positive asset. To wit: one of my wife's favorite character conceits from the 3.X days, the Archivist, a character conceit whose schtick revolves around knowledge and its practical application.
But now I'm rethinking this somewhat. Are there sufficient game elements in the system to build this kind of character, one whose mechanical build, not just fictional story components, adds significant value and suitable flavor (without reskinning too much) to the team to recreate this archetype in 4E? Certainly, the Scholar theme, especially its Use Vulnerability encounter utility, is a stepping stone.
Heavy Ritual use would also be a potential starting point except for the oft-noted fact that Rituals are usually relegated into a separate silo from combat scenarios, a fraught proposal for a typical game that is split somewhat evenly between combat and social/exploration scenarios.
What other components might come into play? And what is likely the most utilitarian chassis for such a character? Wizard (with its INT score, Ritual access, and skill substitution Cantrips)? Bard (with its access to a broad skill list and skill boosts via Bard of All Trades)? Something else?
But now I'm rethinking this somewhat. Are there sufficient game elements in the system to build this kind of character, one whose mechanical build, not just fictional story components, adds significant value and suitable flavor (without reskinning too much) to the team to recreate this archetype in 4E? Certainly, the Scholar theme, especially its Use Vulnerability encounter utility, is a stepping stone.
Heavy Ritual use would also be a potential starting point except for the oft-noted fact that Rituals are usually relegated into a separate silo from combat scenarios, a fraught proposal for a typical game that is split somewhat evenly between combat and social/exploration scenarios.
What other components might come into play? And what is likely the most utilitarian chassis for such a character? Wizard (with its INT score, Ritual access, and skill substitution Cantrips)? Bard (with its access to a broad skill list and skill boosts via Bard of All Trades)? Something else?
For the divine connection you could hybrid that with Invoker, for the more wizardy feel (or actual Wizard and really get a lot out of your INT), or Cleric for a full-on Leader.
