D&D 5E (2014) The lazy class idea

[nomotog]

Simple question, could a class that was nothing but ability score increases pass as a workable class? Like if every level you just gained a bonus ability point and no extra features. It would be a little boring for sure, but would it also be horribly broken?

 

[I'm A Banana]

Simple question, could a class that was nothing but ability score increases pass as a workable class? Like if every level you just gained a bonus ability point and no extra features. It would be a little boring for sure, but would it also be horribly broken?

It would have a few issues.

As to balance, the biggest issue with this design would probably be a form of the "jack of all trades, master of none" problem, where they don't do anything better than any of the existing classes. They don't damage, they don't heal, they don't have features that don't ping on ability scores. Put this guy next to a fighter, and he's going to have...better saves? That's about it. They'd be pretty good at any skill you'd care to mention, but a rogue would have higher results thanks to Expertise, and a Bard would be competitive. In a team environment, that class is not going to shine anywhere, because there's nowhere in particular for it to shine.

So it seems "weak."

My bigger concern personally would be about the concept of the class, though. To me, classes are not just chassis for mechanics, they are identities in the world. A class like this doesn't have much identity - a single mechanic that isn't even an option that they can engage with in play isn't a great vehicle for pushing any identity you'd happen to want to stick on it, either.

Those would just be the biggest hiccups.

That said, you can count me as in the market for a "generic adventurer" class, too. But that's kind of my own pet itch.

 

[MechaPilot]

What else does it get? What is it proficient with? What is its die type for gaining HPs? If it gets 1d4 HPs per level and is proficient with nothing, then stat boosts every level is still probably going to be underpowered.

Twenty ASIs, assuming you take a +2 to a single stat every time, amounts to a +8 to 2 stats and a +6 to the other four stats. Bear in mind that stats max out at 20. Unless the DM is allowing feats as an option, some of those ASIs are probably going to go to waste.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Combat capabilities (measured in damage per round, or otherwise) just wouldn't keep up. Even with straight 20s, if you have no other class abilities, you're still doing at best (1d12+5 damage/round).

 

[Ancalagon]

What does this guy/gal... do? Stand around looking tough and dazzling people with his/her wit?

Even as a jack of all trade, this doesn't quite work. There is I think some design space for some other "jack of all trade" class that isn't the bard, essentially by removing the music angle. You could have a non magical one, a magical one with a bit of divine magic, a magical one with a bit of arcane magic, or perhaps even a bit of both - the red mage essentially.

So yeah, a red mage, or a tough skillful scraper - but that's kind of a rogue already so... Anyway, whatever the concept it will need class abilities. Merely having 20 in every stat at high level isn't going to cut it. It's just too bland.

 

[Fanaelialae]

I think it would be under powered as a single class.

However I also think it could be over powered as an option for multiclassing. Normally you have to take at least 4 levels of a class to get an ASI. But with this class, a quick dip nets you an ASI. I feel that it might be abused.

 

[TwoSix]

An ASI every level would be a little boring. But if you did "generic adventurer" who got an ASI/feat every even level, expertise in one skill every odd level, a fighting style at level 1, and Extra Attack at 5....I think that would be pretty playable.

 

[Blue]

I think it would be under powered as a single class.

However I also think it could be over powered as an option for multiclassing. Normally you have to take at least 4 levels of a class to get an ASI. But with this class, a quick dip nets you an ASI. I feel that it might be abused.

Completely agree. As a single class thee's only so much you can advance your ability scores and so many feats to take (assuming you play with them). After a few picks you're getting second or third best options.

But with multiclassing this is a quick way to boost your scores or grab a feat without going through the normal 4 levels (with some classes like fighter and rogue giving slightly more often). It just breaks concepts of the game.

So I don't like this either way mechanically. (And there's literally nothing about it to like or dislike thematically.)

 

[Guest 6801328]

In other words, just dispense with any pretense of narrative fluff and make a class that's pure mechanics?

No thanks.

 

[nomotog]

What else does it get? What is it proficient with? What is its die type for gaining HPs? If it gets 1d4 HPs per level and is proficient with nothing, then stat boosts every level is still probably going to be underpowered.

Twenty ASIs, assuming you take a +2 to a single stat every time, amounts to a +8 to 2 stats and a +6 to the other four stats. Bear in mind that stats max out at 20. Unless the DM is allowing feats as an option, some of those ASIs are probably going to go to waste.

1d8 hit dice. No proficiency from the class. (You still get a background.) Yes you can do feats. Aslo what if the class included the ability to go over the 20 cap?