D&D (2024) Thematic 4 corners of the PHB subclasses

[Yaarel]

PALADIN
• Vengeance (civilization) / Ancients (wilderness)
• Glory (body) / Devotion (soul)

 

[Charlaquin]

How about for Fighter...

• Battle Master (Complex Tactics) / Champion (Simple Tactics)
• Brawler (Natural Might Warrior) / Eldritch Knight (Magical Smart Warrior)

In the video they said the Fighter subclasses were different ways of playing. I suspect it’s not paired opposites, but a range of gameplay management styles. Battlemaster manages a pool of limited resources on an encounter-by-encounter basis with a high emphasis on tactical decisions; Eldritch Knight manages a pool of limited resources on a daily basis, which shifts the emphasis more towards strategic planning; Brawler functions at-will but can swap out elements of its kit and sort of change between different “modes”; Champion is fully at-will, with all of its features active at all times.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

I'm thinking rogue will be;
thief- basic thief stuff like now
Assassin- mostly same as now
caster- few changes from trickster
swashbuckler- less thief more fighter

How about for Rogue...

• Assassin (Sneaky Murder-first Rogue) / Thief (Sneaky Job-first Rogue)
• Arcane Trickster (Flashy Magician Rogue) / Swashbuckler (Flashy Warrior Rogue)

 

[Kobold Avenger]

For Warlock Fiend and Celestial are definitely thematic opposites, though how are Fey and Great Old One opposites, remember Fey can be scary too.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

In the video they said the Fighter subclasses were different ways of playing. I suspect it’s not paired opposites, but a range of gameplay management styles. Battlemaster manages a pool of limited resources on an encounter-by-encounter basis with a high emphasis on tactical decisions; Eldritch Knight manages a pool of limited resources on a daily basis, which shifts the emphasis more towards strategic planning; Brawler functions at-will but can swap out elements of its kit and sort of change between different “modes”; Champion is fully at-will, with all of its features active at all times.

• Battle Master (Complex Martial Tactics with limited Short Rest resources) / Eldritch Knight (Complex Magical Tactics with limited Daily Rest resources)
• Champion (Simple, Consistent, Weaponmaster with unlimited Always-On abilities rather than resource management) / Brawler (Simple, Consistent, Brawler, with unlimited variable At-Will abilities rather than resource management)

 

[Yaarel]

How about for Rogue...

• Assassin (Sneaky Murder-first Rogue) / Thief (Sneaky Job-first Rogue)
• Arcane Trickster (Flashy Magician Rogue) / Swashbuckler (Flashy Warrior Rogue)

ROGUE

This contrast seems strong.
• Trickster (mage) / Swashbuckler (warrior)

This seems the contrast, but I dont quite see how.
• Thief (acrobatics, buildings?) / Assassin (disguise, people?)

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

For Warlock Fiend and Celestial are definitely thematic opposites, though how are Fey and Great Old One opposites, remember Fey can be scary too.

Warlock...

• Fiend and Celestial are obvious, like you said.
• Fey (Passionate, Dynamic, Mind-bending Skirmisher) / Great Old One (Uncaring, Isolated, Bastion of Mental Might)

 

[Yaarel]

For Warlock Fiend and Celestial are definitely thematic opposites, though how are Fey and Great Old One opposites, remember Fey can be scary too.

Yeah, and both Fey and Goo are mind-altering.

Maybe ...

WARLOCK
• Fiend / Celestial
• Fey (personal) / Goo (impersonal)

 

[Yaarel]

Warlock...

• Fiend and Celestial are obvious, like you said.
• Fey (Passionate, Dynamic, Mind-bending Skirmisher) / Great Old One (Uncaring, Isolated, Bastion of Mental Might)

Yeah, and both Fey and Goo are mind-altering.

Maybe ...

WARLOCK
• Fiend / Celestial
• Fey (personal) / Goo (impersonal)

I just saw yours.

Seems we both saw the same contrast.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

I just saw yours.

Seems we both saw the same contrast.

If we both see it, it can't be a coincidence. shrug