Player Etiquette: Changing Class

[Donny605]

I’m currently in a 4e game which I’m enjoying very much. However, I’m not liking my class choice as much as I thought I would and am thinking about changing characters. I went with a Warforged Warlord, so the prospect of a character death is not very likely.

I wanted to see what others thought about the proper etiquette for a player who wants to change their character in the middle of a campaign. Obviously, in regards to the DM, I should let him know well in advance so he can plan for the character swap to fit in the story. But what about the rest of the party? We just lost our cleric (the character, not the player), so is it wrong for me to take away the other leader class as well? Should the next class I pick be more or less influenced by what the party needs? Should I try to wait out the next couple of levels and see if the Warlord turns out to be more fun?

 

[Verdande]

I'd say either stick it out or talk with the DM about either swapping characters or possibly retconning some of your character out. For example, instead of being a warlord, you can suddenly decide to be a fighter, or whatever.


If I were another player in the group, I'd probably be ok with your warlord exiting stage left, if you get what I mean, and having your new character come on in and share in the carnage, but take into account the other players and what your group needs. If your group already has two rogues, don't come in with another one, for example.

 

[weem]

Discussing it with the DM is the best bet.

Obviously you will be discussing it as they need to know (hehe), but what I mean is, the DM may have some good suggestions that give you some good ideas as well as give him/her an opportunity to let you know what can be most quickly worked into a game, etc.

For example, if this situation were to be presented to me now (I'm running a 4e campaign) I might narrow the options down a bit... let the player know, yes you can switch, but you can't be <insert race here> for <insert reason here>. Or, I may have an idea like -- "yea! if you can play an Elf, then make one - any class - I have an idea that I can incorporate immediately if you are an Elf", etc.

I guess what I'm saying is, don't lock yourself into a choice until you have talked to the DM - they may have a great idea of how to work something(s) specific in that lets you change your character without having to wait AND enhances the game or creates a memorable game session (you are possessed and the PC's must kill you at some point, after which they are introduced to you new character, etc).

 

[LostSoul]

Talk it over with the whole group. I doubt they'd have a big problem with it.

 

[Shroomy]

Why aren't you enjoying your current character?

 

[LightPhoenix]

But what about the rest of the party? We just lost our cleric (the character, not the player), so is it wrong for me to take away the other leader class as well? Should the next class I pick be more or less influenced by what the party needs? Should I try to wait out the next couple of levels and see if the Warlord turns out to be more fun?

I'd say either stick it out or talk with the DM about either swapping characters or possibly retconning some of your character out. For example, instead of being a warlord, you can suddenly decide to be a fighter, or whatever.

If I were another player in the group, I'd probably be ok with your warlord exiting stage left, if you get what I mean, and having your new character come on in and share in the carnage, but take into account the other players and what your group needs. If your group already has two rogues, don't come in with another one, for example.

Honestly, I think as long as your DM is okay with it, you should play whatever character you want to play, without regard to what the group wants or "needs." You're already unhappy with one character, why force yourself into playing another character? That road often leads to discontent with your character. I would of course choose a character before talking to the DM, so he/she knows as far ahead as possible what you might do.

Furthermore, I completely disagree with the notion that a group "needs" certain roles, and that players should choose their characters by that. It is the DM's job to account for group composition, not the players'. That's not to say one avenue of approach is asking/forcing you to fill a missing role. However there are behind the scenes stuff the DM can do to account for, say, the lack of a leader role. If the DM says you can play whatever you want, that means what you want, not the group. If the group is unhappy - that's tough, there's no reason they should get to play what they want and you do not. Plus, if the DM gives it the okay, the matter is settled then.

 

[Wormwood]

Speaking as a DM, I'd much rather ret-con a new character into the campaign than have someone play a character they don't want to play.

 

[ppaladin123]

I'm in a similar situation in one of my games: I am playing an eladrin warlord and really not enjoying it. I've spoken with the the DM and the other players and they are fine with me switching to another character/class once the story allows for a logical exit. Right now we are in the middle of a dungeon crawl so I just have to tough it out for a couple more sessions. I imagine your group will let you do the same.

 

[Atlatl Jones]

I've done that a couple times before, and I definitely recommend talking to the DM and working out the details with him. Depending on his style, he may be okay with doing it right away, or waiting until a dramatically appropriate moment.

However, if it's the class you dislike, but the character's personality is still fun to roleplay, you might want to consider ret-conning the character into a different class. It's not to different to convert the flavor of a warlord into a fighter or even a TWF ranger.

 

[Fenes]

Speaking as a DM, I'd much rather ret-con a new character into the campaign than have someone play a character they don't want to play.

I share this view.