xiphumor
Hero
So I want to start by saying I’m not usually an advocate for new classes per se. I’d much rather see an archetype that makes an existing class more versatile than a new class on most occasions. However, when it becomes clear that none of the existing classes adequately cover a character concept, I’m all on board. So far, I think all of the new classes in A5e, both present and promised (looks at Scientist and Psion) meet this criteria.
One way I like to identify potential gaps is by looking at saving throw combinations. For anyone who doesn’t know, each class gets one common save (DEX/CON/WIS) and one uncommon save (STR/INT/CHA). A5e changed around some of the saves for some of the classes from O5e, so here’s how things currently stand:
*Cleric has a choice between INT or CHA
**Non-confirmed.
Pleasingly, there’s at least one example for each combination, but there are three examples with only one class example, either confirmed or in playtest: DEX/CHA, CON/CHA, and WIS/STR.
I’d love to see where people think something genuinely new could be added.
One place that stands out to me is the CON/CHA combination. Sorcerer’s draw their spell-casting ability from their own, internal source of power, but what about non-spellcasters with inherent abilities? Characters that blur the line between person and monster. Right now, such characters are best represented by transformational feats, but I think there’s space to have a class centered around the idea. (I could also see this being WIS/STR)
One way I like to identify potential gaps is by looking at saving throw combinations. For anyone who doesn’t know, each class gets one common save (DEX/CON/WIS) and one uncommon save (STR/INT/CHA). A5e changed around some of the saves for some of the classes from O5e, so here’s how things currently stand:
DEX | CON | WIS | |
STR | Adept, Ranger | Berserker, Fighter | Druid |
INT | Savant, Rogue | Artificer, Psion** | Cleric*, Scientist,** Warlock, Wizard |
CHA | Bard | Sorcerer | Cleric,* Herald, Marshal |
**Non-confirmed.
Pleasingly, there’s at least one example for each combination, but there are three examples with only one class example, either confirmed or in playtest: DEX/CHA, CON/CHA, and WIS/STR.
I’d love to see where people think something genuinely new could be added.
One place that stands out to me is the CON/CHA combination. Sorcerer’s draw their spell-casting ability from their own, internal source of power, but what about non-spellcasters with inherent abilities? Characters that blur the line between person and monster. Right now, such characters are best represented by transformational feats, but I think there’s space to have a class centered around the idea. (I could also see this being WIS/STR)