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DiasExMachina 4ED Update
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<blockquote data-quote="Dias Ex Machina" data-source="post: 4578362" data-attributes="member: 58907"><p>ROLE MODELS</p><p></p><p> Recently, I realized that some people may be confused by the indicated roles of our techan classes. In our attempt to think outside the box of traditional classes, we realized our classes may not fit into the ironclad rules listed in the player’s handbook. Some playtesters mentioned being confused by our listed roles in comparison to the definition. The PHB mentions healing, support, offense, defensive, support, and focused defence. These are detailed into four roles: Controller, Defender, Leader, and Striker. But we didn’t feel the techans needed to fit these roles exactly. So let’s break it down:</p><p></p><p>Grounder: The Grounder has the hit points of a fighter and the high kill abilities also associated with one. So you would assume Defender. But he also has the capacity to lay area effects at a distance. He cannot mark but can prevent enemies form attacking him or others. This would make it closer to a Controller. We decided upon Defender because, in the end, the Grounder is the heavy hitter.</p><p></p><p>Marshall: The Marshall and the Warlord are similar and so you would assume Leader…but our Marshall is deficient in healing and is able to not only move allies but enemies as well. In spirit, he is still a leader, though he is also a defender as well. </p><p></p><p>Operator: The operator is a heavy healer but he is not a leader. He cannot inspire, he lacks good defence and is not as trained in assisting allies as a Grounder and Marshal. We listed him as a controller because of his ability to ensure the stability of the group. </p><p> </p><p>Stalker: The Stralker is listed as a Striker since he can deliver devastating damage to single targets but he also can commit to close attacks that strike multiple enemies at once. But he can also deliver status affects with his sniper attacks, making him closer to a controller. </p><p></p><p>I know, we could create new roles, but I figured that was unnecessary. With techans I hope players will read them thoroughly and understand the method of our madness. If I could see an argument for changing Operator from Controller to Leader but that that would be against what we think an Operator is designed for. I can see further complications with this in the future and we may end up introducing new roles that better explain our intents. </p><p></p><p>Another point brought up deals with the mixing of techans and echans (science-fiction and fantasy). Like I said, we designed the techans to operate on their own without mixing with fantasy players. The disruption rules support this but that doesn’t mean a group can’t try it. You can pick-and-mix whatever you like but some of these classes may not work well with others unless they are armed with machine gunes. For example, the Marshall has dozens of abilities that grant him and allies ranged basic attacks, a useless feature if the Marshal is surrounded by fighters and paladins. A Grounder is a heavy ranged attacker with support abilities that help other ranged attackers nearby, another useless feature if the grounder is the only one at range. Amazingly enough, a Grounder would not be a fighter in a fantasy party but a Wizard (another argument for them being a Controller rather than a Defender). A Marshall could replace a Warlord but would very much be bad at it. The same goes for Operator but he, at least, would be a welcomed and vital healer if a Cleric was nowhere to be found. A striker is the only class, I think, which would be able to hold his own if alone in a fantasy party. They have few supporting powers and feature a set of unique abilities no other fantasy player has. It would be a challenge but I believe that’s half the fun.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dias Ex Machina, post: 4578362, member: 58907"] ROLE MODELS Recently, I realized that some people may be confused by the indicated roles of our techan classes. In our attempt to think outside the box of traditional classes, we realized our classes may not fit into the ironclad rules listed in the player’s handbook. Some playtesters mentioned being confused by our listed roles in comparison to the definition. The PHB mentions healing, support, offense, defensive, support, and focused defence. These are detailed into four roles: Controller, Defender, Leader, and Striker. But we didn’t feel the techans needed to fit these roles exactly. So let’s break it down: Grounder: The Grounder has the hit points of a fighter and the high kill abilities also associated with one. So you would assume Defender. But he also has the capacity to lay area effects at a distance. He cannot mark but can prevent enemies form attacking him or others. This would make it closer to a Controller. We decided upon Defender because, in the end, the Grounder is the heavy hitter. Marshall: The Marshall and the Warlord are similar and so you would assume Leader…but our Marshall is deficient in healing and is able to not only move allies but enemies as well. In spirit, he is still a leader, though he is also a defender as well. Operator: The operator is a heavy healer but he is not a leader. He cannot inspire, he lacks good defence and is not as trained in assisting allies as a Grounder and Marshal. We listed him as a controller because of his ability to ensure the stability of the group. Stalker: The Stralker is listed as a Striker since he can deliver devastating damage to single targets but he also can commit to close attacks that strike multiple enemies at once. But he can also deliver status affects with his sniper attacks, making him closer to a controller. I know, we could create new roles, but I figured that was unnecessary. With techans I hope players will read them thoroughly and understand the method of our madness. If I could see an argument for changing Operator from Controller to Leader but that that would be against what we think an Operator is designed for. I can see further complications with this in the future and we may end up introducing new roles that better explain our intents. Another point brought up deals with the mixing of techans and echans (science-fiction and fantasy). Like I said, we designed the techans to operate on their own without mixing with fantasy players. The disruption rules support this but that doesn’t mean a group can’t try it. You can pick-and-mix whatever you like but some of these classes may not work well with others unless they are armed with machine gunes. For example, the Marshall has dozens of abilities that grant him and allies ranged basic attacks, a useless feature if the Marshal is surrounded by fighters and paladins. A Grounder is a heavy ranged attacker with support abilities that help other ranged attackers nearby, another useless feature if the grounder is the only one at range. Amazingly enough, a Grounder would not be a fighter in a fantasy party but a Wizard (another argument for them being a Controller rather than a Defender). A Marshall could replace a Warlord but would very much be bad at it. The same goes for Operator but he, at least, would be a welcomed and vital healer if a Cleric was nowhere to be found. A striker is the only class, I think, which would be able to hold his own if alone in a fantasy party. They have few supporting powers and feature a set of unique abilities no other fantasy player has. It would be a challenge but I believe that’s half the fun. [/QUOTE]
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