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What are the Roles now?
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<blockquote data-quote="Blue" data-source="post: 6501914" data-attributes="member: 20564"><p>Respectfully, I think the question isn't "did a character ever act in a role" but "does a character primarily act in a role". I know in AD&D 2ed and 3.x (going back further is too murky) we had characters covering multiple of the "defender/striker/leader/controller" role definitions. Casters often did multiple rolls, from striker (single target and multi-target like 4e Sorcerer), controller and leader. Sometimes even tank with clerics in heavy armor or wild shaped druids. With AD&D multiclassing (and dual-classing) we'd also see characters that shifted between roles often based on the needs of the particular encounter.</p><p></p><p>The idea of roles is a useful tool to discuss, but many versions of D&D used classes for niche protection instead of roles, and any particular build could cross several of the 4e definitions of roles. This isn't putting down those roles - they worked well for the edition they are associated with, but don't have the same catch-all quality in 5e because it doesn't put up the same solid dividing lines. In 4e my runepriest can't do half the damage the ranger or thief in the party do regularly, and they can't buff and heal. But the a single 5e paladin may do some leader roles (lay on hands, granting saves), some defender roles (heavy armor, good saves and HP) and some striker roles (with divine smite and bonus to attack rolls) before even breaking out feats.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Blue, post: 6501914, member: 20564"] Respectfully, I think the question isn't "did a character ever act in a role" but "does a character primarily act in a role". I know in AD&D 2ed and 3.x (going back further is too murky) we had characters covering multiple of the "defender/striker/leader/controller" role definitions. Casters often did multiple rolls, from striker (single target and multi-target like 4e Sorcerer), controller and leader. Sometimes even tank with clerics in heavy armor or wild shaped druids. With AD&D multiclassing (and dual-classing) we'd also see characters that shifted between roles often based on the needs of the particular encounter. The idea of roles is a useful tool to discuss, but many versions of D&D used classes for niche protection instead of roles, and any particular build could cross several of the 4e definitions of roles. This isn't putting down those roles - they worked well for the edition they are associated with, but don't have the same catch-all quality in 5e because it doesn't put up the same solid dividing lines. In 4e my runepriest can't do half the damage the ranger or thief in the party do regularly, and they can't buff and heal. But the a single 5e paladin may do some leader roles (lay on hands, granting saves), some defender roles (heavy armor, good saves and HP) and some striker roles (with divine smite and bonus to attack rolls) before even breaking out feats. [/QUOTE]
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What are the Roles now?
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