Aristocrat as a viable PC class.

[Endur]

It depends completely on the style of game you run.

If you run a city-type role-playing game where its mostly diplomacy and where there is a major soical barrier between an Aristocrat, a Commoner, and a Serf, then the Aristocrat is a fine character class.

If you run a campaign that is essentially a democracy where everyone is created equal (even if its ruled by a King Arthur-type), then an Aristocrat doesn't add a whole lot.

If your campaign is a hack and slash dungeon adventure, well, what Aristocrat in his right mind would get caught in a dungeon adventure? Unless perhaps as a Damsel in Distress?

Has anyone used the aristocrat as a PC class in their game? How did it work out?

 

[bubbalin]

Doesn't mongoose have a noble class of some sort too?

 

[BluWolf]

I am of the opinion that "aristocrats" are best simualted using templates of varying degrees of power and obligation.

While commomnly powerful, not all aristocrats are necceaasrily rich.

They also tend to have extensive responsibilities.

 

[AnthonyJ]

DnD classes basically correspond to jobs and/or specific ways of accomplishing jobs. Aristocrat is neither, it's a social position, and can be matched by many classes. I might say there's a 'noble blood' feat that gives you certain social advantages, and then let the PC play any class he desires. Almost any class can be a credible aristocrat, though the most effective are probably bards, clerics, and rogues.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

Wizards and Clerics. Bards are too...wanderlusty to be nobles.

Rogues...erm...hah, no.
The teen angst noble maybe. But not the snobby court noble, not by a longshot.

 

[AnthonyJ]

Wizards and Clerics. Bards are too...wanderlusty to be nobles.

What exactly says that they have to have wanderlust? Bards are good at all of the courtier skills. Wizards are poor courtiers, the required skills match neither their stat priorities nor their class skills, though any class can be the asocial aristocrat.

 

[johnsemlak]

Doesn't mongoose have a noble class of some sort too?

Yes, Mongoose came out with the Mongoose Power Class, Noble

My DM has given it to a player to use, but I'm not very familiar with it.

 

[Xeriar]

My Aristocrat class goes as follows:

8 sp per level.

Good Fort save
At 1st level, and every even level thereafter (2nd, 4th, 6th...) the aristocrat gains a bonus feat. This feat may be selected from the following list:
Acrobatic, Agile, Alertness, Animal Affinity, Athletic, Deceitful, Deft Hands, Diligent, Educated (1st level only), Great Fortitude, Investigator, Iron Will, Landlord, Leadership, Lightning Reflexes, Negotiator, Nimble Fingers, Persuasive, Self-Sufficient, Skill Focus, Stealthy

dat be it.

(Edit: This being the effective changes to the class)

 

[Hypersmurf]

Rogues...erm...hah, no.
The teen angst noble maybe. But not the snobby court noble, not by a longshot.

Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Bluff, Perform, Gather Information, Intimidate, and Appraise as class skills... rogues make great nobles.

And policemen.

The Cleave feat doesn't have to be used with slashing weapons, and Rogue levels don't necessitate "rogueishness".

It's just a word.

-Hyp.

 

[Pagan priest]

Wizards and Clerics. Bards are too...wanderlusty to be nobles.

Rogues...erm...hah, no.
The teen angst noble maybe. But not the snobby court noble, not by a longshot.

Rogues are the best class for playing a noble, including the snoby court noble. Go back and actually look closely at the class skill list, is there anything missing that a noble needs? And the rogue has the skill points to get those skills too!