How many themes do we need?

[Minigiant]

So I was thinking (yeah. That was my first mistake) and started counting the types of themes I'd like to see. Once I was up to my toes, I said "Uh Oh. These all aren't going to fit 'less the book is huge or the print is tiny."

So I grouped some them and am asking: How many do we need?

Class-lite themes
Themes that let you sort of play like another class or reenforce the elements of the base class. These are things like Magic User which makes a wizard more wizardy or makes another class wizardy. And to be fair, you'll have to make a Class-Lite for each class or you know what will happen.

Racial themes
Like Class themes but races instead of class. Make your dwarf more axe crazy and like a walking tank or make your human from dwarf lands get some axe and armor love.

Combat style themes
Themes that reenforce a weapon style or combat tactic. This is the much talked about Sharpshooter theme and the previewed Lurker and Slayer theme. This could be further be split into weapon style themes (Two weapon fighting, Weapon and Shield, Archery,...) and combat tactic (Lurker, Warlord-like, Slayer)

Spell school themes
Spells schools are back and they keep talking about the necromancer thing. 8 more themes?

Combat Role Themes
Could the combat roles of 4E return as themes? As the 4 or as the many variants of the 4 combat roles.

Prestige Class/Paragon Path/Epic Destiny themes
Dwarven defender and others was mentioned at one or more points. How many?

Template Themes
RAWR! I'm a Weretiger.

Setting Themes
Setting themes should go in setting books. But should they toss a few in the first PHB?

What da ya think?

 

[mach1.9pants]

Yes we need, well want, all themes. They are very simple so the more the merrier IMO

 

[Tallifer]

We will get craploads of Themes and Backgrounds, especially through the Dragon Magazine. I for one look forward to them.

I just hope they are balanced. The Themes for the Fourth Edition are decidedly unbalanced: some of them make a huge difference in combat or exploration, while some of them are almost purely fluff with very situational benefits.

 

[Incenjucar]

Themes are just a list of feats, so the real question is how many feats do you want, and how much do you care about lists of things?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

42.

 

[Crazy Jerome]

And to be fair, you'll have to make a Class-Lite for each class or you know what will happen.

I think you are correct, but the wild optimist part of me still think we could have several of all of those categories you listed, and maybe more, but not "fill out the grid". It'd be great to have the themes that worked out well, and leave out the ones that didn't. Oh well, hope springs eternal ...

 

[Raith5]

Has it be indicated that a PC will be able to get multiple themes over the course of their progression? Ie one every 10 level or 6 levels.

 

[Blood & Bones]

How many themes should there be? What type of themes should there be? Well, it's already been made clear that most of the combat related stuff will be done through themes, leaving exploration and interaction to backgrounds. So all of the themes are going to have some combat aspect to them.

You think that there isn't enough room for all the types of themes you can think up; THAT'S A GOOD THING! It means that we can expect a number of themes with the core books and that there will be plenty of material left over for expansion. I know a lot of people have negative feelings towards too many classes, too many spells, too many feats, and other options - but I've always LOVED options, both as a player and a DM.

 

[jadrax]

Has it be indicated that a PC will be able to get multiple themes over the course of their progression? Ie one every 10 level or 6 levels.

they were talking about you being able to get higher level themes, essentially equivalent to 3rd edition prestige classes, at level 5 or 6. Of course, that may no longer be true.

 

[Li Shenron]

Themes are just a list of feats, so the real question is how many feats do you want, and how much do you care about lists of things?

I want as many feats as possible, as long as they aren't broken.

The number of lists (themes) doesn't matter to me but if they develop feats by lists/themes then there is a good chance that they will design feats that go together well, and at least a bunch of feats for each role/concept/specialty which IMHO is a good thing (rather than only isolated feats).