D&D (2024) What if you were in charge of reworking classes for 5.5?

[Mercurius]

Without having read the thread....

Re-work the ranger, paladin, and bard to be non-spellcasters, but with powers that are spell-like, but distinct from the respective spellcasting classes.

I know that is already true to some extent, and unlikely to happen except through sub-classes, but I think it would make those classes more distinct, rather than "a fighter with a bit of cleric" (paladin) or "a rogue with a bit of wizard" (bard). Those things can be generated through multiclassing - the idea being, to really make the archetype of each class more distinct.

For the ranger, use the Aragorn archetype as the base, then double-down on a nature warrior who eventually becomes a primally-infused champion of the natural world.

For the bard, focus on the idea of "song magic" - that music itself is arcane, and every magical effect a bard can do comes through music. Maybe even incorporate concepts like the music of the spheres, mantra, etc.

For the paladin, obviously the holy warrior - the champion of a god or ethos. But like the others, differentiate it more from cleric.

 

[HammerMan]

Make the fighter a mix of 4e slayer and 4e warlord. Make champion it’s own class. Break up mage into smaller buys no one of them getting all the spells.

Bring 2e spheres back (even if we keep domain name) so clerics don’t get all the spells either.

Edit: maybe make druids more like warlocks so they don’t get all the spells either


I mean make everyone warlocks works too. 2 subclass mix and match and mini feats. But at that point I just want 4 e classes

 

[Horwath]

Make the fighter a mix of 4e slayer and 4e warlord. Make champion it’s own class. Break up mage into smaller buys no one of them getting all the spells.

Bring 2e spheres back (even if we keep domain name) so clerics don’t get all the spells either.

Edit: maybe make druids more like warlocks so they don’t get all the spells either


I mean make everyone warlocks works too. 2 subclass mix and match and mini feats. But at that point I just want 4 e classes

I wizard is too strong then sorcerer can be good base with subclasses giving 2 spells each level from cantrip to 5th level.

 

[HammerMan]

I wizard is too strong then sorcerer can be good base with subclasses giving 2 spells each level from cantrip to 5th level.

Yeah that could work.

 

[Garthanos]

Without having read the thread....

Re-work the ranger, paladin, and bard to be non-spellcasters, but with powers that are spell-like, but distinct from the respective spellcasting classes.

I know that is already true to some extent, and unlikely to happen except through sub-classes, but I think it would make those classes more distinct, rather than "a fighter with a bit of cleric" (paladin) or "a rogue with a bit of wizard" (bard). Those things can be generated through multiclassing - the idea being, to really make the archetype of each class more distinct.

This almost feels like what the Swordmage was instead of a multiclasser .. its class powers were all distinct and uniquely theirs as an amalgam of swords and magic ie what an eldritch knight really isnt, it is wielding magic in a sense distinct from casting spells but then again that is almost just flavor isn't it?

Yeah, it’s that kind of thing I like, except that I really don’t like how expertise dice are implemented.

Well I like the exertions implemented in level up

 

[Mind of tempest]

This almost feels like what the Swordmage was instead of a multiclasser .. its class powers were all distinct and uniquely theirs as an amalgam of swords and magic ie what an eldritch knight really isnt, it is wielding magic in a sense distinct from casting spells but then again that is almost just flavor isn't it?

Well I like the exertions implemented in level up

swordmage would be a great mechanical start but it would need something all its own like smite and hunters mark plus some thematics as the idea is fairly bland in most settings it appears.

 

[Neonchameleon]

swordmage would be a great mechanical start but it would need something all its own like smite and hunters mark plus some thematics as the idea is fairly bland in most settings it appears.

Honestly "something all its own" would be the swordmage's challenge followed by either a shield, a teleport attack, or a throw and catch your sword.

 

[Garthanos]

Honestly "something all its own" would be the swordmage's challenge followed by either a shield, a teleport attack, or a throw and catch your sword.

5e cut up and distributed a lot of the swordmage's stuff but you can never get the kind of ubiquitous practical/tactical teleporting for instance which eventually becomes the norm for the SM.

 

[Undrave]

So here’s a modification I came up with recently : Take out 9th level spells from the normal progression of classes and out of the PHB.

They instead become ‘Legendary Spells’ and are treasures. Spells that you can find through your quests. Maybe you find a forbidden tome in the library of a fallen Kingdom, maybe you find the spell carved in a primordial cave, maybe a Celestial beams it directly into your mind, maybe you find it within a magical item that crumbles once its energy unleashed. Whatever the case, those big spells now become a thing the DM can better control.

Instead of using a 9th level spell slot, you need to spend at least X spell slots with a total value of Y or more to use them, so they have a big impact and can still be given out to Half-Casters! Or you use a charge of whatever item it’s hidden within, allowing the DM to give the Martial Party access to that kind of plot warping magic.

If the whole party has adventured for a specific Legendary Spell, it becomes a sort of party resource so people won’t feel like it’s just the Wizard hogging the spot light when they decide to fire it off. The firing is just the final step of a full party effort.

 

[Garthanos]

The firing is just the final step of a full party effort.

Always thought raising the dead should be an adventure the first time a skill challenge the second time and maybe finally just a ritual but not at bloody 8th level