D&D 5E What level is optimal to test homebrew classes?

[Jaiken]

Was working on a custom class called the Etherist and it is now in the testing phase.

Link to the class here: Etherist Class by CaliusShontor

What sort of scenarios make the most sense to test the class?

 

[Xeviat]

All of them, really, but 3, 5, 11, 17, and 20 are of special importance. Compare it against a class that does a similar role. Check if it's at-wills damage falls between rogue and fighter. Make sure there's trade offs.

 

[Zardnaar]

Lower the better but generally 1,3,5, and 11.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

All of them, really, but 3, 5, 11, 17, and 20 are of special importance. Compare it against a class that does a similar role. Check if it's at-wills damage falls between rogue and fighter. Make sure there's trade offs.

I'd argue 1 is also important (as Zardnaar noted) because for a lot of players, IMO far too many, level 1-2 is an absolute guaranteed experience that may take much, much, MUCH longer than the designers intended.

So it behooves you to know that even at 1st level, the class feels at least mostly reasonable.

 

[Zardnaar]

I'd argue 1 is also important (as Zardnaar noted) because for a lot of players, IMO far too many, level 1-2 is an absolute guaranteed experience that may take much, much, MUCH longer than the designers intended.

So it behooves you to know that even at 1st level, the class feels at least mostly reasonable.

I've only designed level 1-5 myself. 6-10 can wait.

 

[GrimCo]

Test it at levels you mostly play. No point in testing for full 20 if you never play past level 10.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

I've only designed level 1-5 myself. 6-10 can wait.

I've got a Summoner about 2/3 finished, built off the Warlock. It fundamentally can't be designed the same way 5.5e classes are, because you have to make your subclass choice immediately, otherwise you...wouldn't really have any class features for two levels, which isn't realistic or plausible.

 

[Zardnaar]

I've got a Summoner about 2/3 finished, built off the Warlock. It fundamentally can't be designed the same way 5.5e classes are, because you have to make your subclass choice immediately, otherwise you...wouldn't really have any class features for two levels, which isn't realistic or plausible.

Probably give them something like hex that's "summoned". Or CR 1/8 or whatever.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Probably give them something like hex that's "summoned".

At 1st level, you get your Visitant, and choose what kind of bond you have with that Visitant. Because one of them is a Synthesist-style "your summon merges with you, it isn't an independent entity" approach, it doesn't make sense to delay picking that part of your subclass, nor can it be optional. It has to happen right at first level. 5.5e has rejected the idea of making much of any major character choices at first level, but for the design I'm pursuing there is no other way.

 

[Zardnaar]

At 1st level, you get your Visitant, and choose what kind of bond you have with that Visitant. Because one of them is a Synthesist-style "your summon merges with you, it isn't an independent entity" approach, it doesn't make sense to delay picking that part of your subclass, nor can it be optional. It has to happen right at first level. 5.5e has rejected the idea of making much of any major character choices at first level, but for the design I'm pursuing there is no other way.

Well you can let them summon and delay the subclass until 3. That's how you would do it. The summon transforms into your merging idea.