Good player classes to add to a campaign

[Thyrkill]

As I cobble together my ideas for a homebrew world, I wanted to know if anyone had used non-WOTC player classes in their campaigns. To clarify, I have been thinking of replacing the Paladin with the Champion from Arcana Evolved, and perhaps might add some others from different d20 sources (though not necessarily as replacements for the core classes). I was curious about balance issues and whether some of them will fit into a 3.5 game. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Deekin]

If you use psionics, I would have to toss in the Marksman, and Society mind from Untapped Potential by Dreamscarred Press. The Marksman fills a ranged combant niche well, while the Society mind allows for psionic healing.

 

[Nifft]

Only non-WotC classes allowed?

Then let me pimp my extremely 3rd party PC classes: http://fishnet.cx/~josh/DnD/DHE/new-classes.shtml

Aristocrat, Expert and Psychic Ninja (for use with the XPH).

Cheers, -- N

 

[phindar]

I'm a big fan of all the AE classes. I don't think they have to replace D&D classes either, I'd love to see a Champion of Freedom alongside a Paladin in a group; or totem warriors and greenbonds with rangers and druids.

 

[Nightfall]

Thry,

I'm not against using AE classes, but honestly I think if you want a paladin type, stick with Holy Warrior.

 

[Thyrkill]

First, thanks for the feedback.

Nifft: I meant that I wanted to supplement the core classes with other ones from other d20 sources...sorry for the confusion

Nightfall: Is the Holy Warrior the class from Book of the Righteous?

 

[Nightfall]

Thry,

Yeah but there's a short PDF that you can get from various PDF sellers (including GR) that update and make it more like the Unholy Warrior from Book of Fiends. Both of which are great classes to use for "champions" for good and evil.

 

[Nifft]

If you're seeking advice within WotC products as well, let me advocate these:

+ Psionics: Psion, Psychic Warrior (and Wilder for NPC BBEGs)

+ Generic: Scout (C.Adv), Favored Soul (C.Divine), Knight (PHB2)

+ Specialist: Warmage (C.Arcane), Beguiler (PHB2), Duskblade (PHB2), Dread Necromancer (Heroes of Horror)

+ Magic Cool Guys: Warlock (C.Arcane), Dragonfire Adept (Dr.Magic), Dragon Shaman (PHB2), Binder (Tome of Magic)

+ Wuxia Cool Guys (Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords): Crusader, Swordsage, Warblade

Cheers, -- N

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

My suggestion: first decide what kind of a campaign you want to run and what the setting is. Is the setting a seafaring port brimming with intrigue? Enter the beguiler and swashbucker. Are you planning on running a game in a nation of scheming mages? Try the spellthief and duskblade?

If carefully selected, classes can create a flavor for your campaign that will set it apart from someone else's D&D or even from the D&D you've run for other campaigns.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Given that you already have AE, and don't want WotC stuff, I'd recommend the following:


Champion, Greenbond, Mageblade and Magister, from AE

Shaman, from the Shaman's Handbook (by Green Ronin Publishing)

Witch, from the Witch's Handbook (by Green Ronin Publishing)

Bard (variant) from the Complete Book of Eldritch Might (by Malhavoc Press)

For Psionics, anything in Untapped Potential (from Dreamscarred Press), including the Soulknife and Wilder redux (but only slightly changed, and so usable with other supplements etc.).

Or, alternatively, the Psychic, a cool class - based mainly on a new set of skills and feats - from the Psychic's Handbook (by Green Ronin publishing). . . also found in the Advanced Player's Manual, by the same company.


. . . but of course it's largely a matter of taste. Your group(s) may (and probably do) differ.


edit --- and Totem Warriors are good. I missed them out.