Shadowdark Western Reaches Stretch Goal: New Classes

[Bill Zebub]

So it seems like we are getting a new martial class, and a new caster class.

In the KS discussion, Paladin and Barbarian seem popular. I haven't seen if any caster classes are trending.

I'm looking forward to the live streams, but also can't help but wonder/think/theorize/wish in certain directions.

A number of fan attempts at Paladin and Barbarian (and other classes) that I've seen have a tendency to just take the D&D versions and translate abilities to Shadowdark. But Kelsey is great at taking a fresh look at these sorts of things, and not being constrained by D&Disms that are easy to mistake as intrinsic to the concept, so I'm excited to see what she comes up with.

If Barbarian wins, I really hope she doesn't use a "rage x times per day" mechanic. In fact I hope she minimizes combat effectiveness, and instead focuses on other 'flavors'.

But really I'm rooting for Paladin.

I'm not sure what I hope for in a caster class. One thing I've always felt was missing from D&D (although maybe addressed by Divine Soul sorcerer) is a cloth-wearing healer/support class. I think I'd like to see such a thing in Shadowdark. I'd love something with literally no spells that do damage, which I think that could work in SD better than in some other systems.

How about you? Thoughts/ideas/wishes?

 

[Reynard]

I think it would be interesting if the SD Barbarian leaned more heavily into the 80s Barbarian Movie tropes, which were less about "rage" than they were about pure oily muscley power: unarmored defense and feats of strength, mostly.

 

[Fenris-77]

There's already a Paladin template with the Knight of St. Ignis. I'm with you on the rage/day thing too, boring.

 

[Bill Zebub]

There's already a Paladin template with the Knight of St. Ignis.

Is there a preview of that up somewhere? I haven't seen it.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

People have been asking for a D&D style Charisma-driven sorcerer which feels very unexciting for Shadowdark. If she goes for some sort of more primal spellcaster, I expect it'll be a lot more interesting than not needing spellbooks and using a different spellcasting stat.

I would bet on her going for a Conan-style barbarian, lightly armored, some thiefly aspects, no rage.

Is there a preview of that up somewhere? I haven't seen it.

The Knight of St. Ydris is in Cursed Scroll #1 and you can make them via the Shadowdarklings.net character generator. If you select custom-building them, you can see essentially all the rules for the class. They're basically demon-tainted knights.

 

[Bill Zebub]

People have been asking for a D&D style Charisma-driven sorcerer which feels very unexciting for Shadowdark. If she goes for some sort of more primal spellcaster, I expect it'll be a lot more interesting than not needing spellbooks and using a different spellcasting stat.

I would bet on her going for a Conan-style barbarian, lightly armored, some thiefly aspects, no rage.



The Knight of St. Ygris is in Cursed Scroll #1 and you can make them via the Shadowdarklings.net character generator. If you select custom-building them, you can see essentially all the rules for the class. They're basically demon-tainted knights.

Oh oh oh right....yes I have CS#1 but haven't opened it in a while. Funny I don't recall thinking "Paladin!" while reading that, but I will check it out again.

Sorry for brain fart.

 

[DarkCrisis]

So it seems like we are getting a new martial class, and a new caster class.

In the KS discussion, Paladin and Barbarian seem popular. I haven't seen if any caster classes are trending.

I'm looking forward to the live streams, but also can't help but wonder/think/theorize/wish in certain directions.

A number of fan attempts at Paladin and Barbarian (and other classes) that I've seen have a tendency to just take the D&D versions and translate abilities to Shadowdark. But Kelsey is great at taking a fresh look at these sorts of things, and not being constrained by D&Disms that are easy to mistake as intrinsic to the concept, so I'm excited to see what she comes up with.

If Barbarian wins, I really hope she doesn't use a "rage x times per day" mechanic. In fact I hope she minimizes combat effectiveness, and instead focuses on other 'flavors'.

But really I'm rooting for Paladin.

I'm not sure what I hope for in a caster class. One thing I've always felt was missing from D&D (although maybe addressed by Divine Soul sorcerer) is a cloth-wearing healer/support class. I think I'd like to see such a thing in Shadowdark. I'd love something with literally no spells that do damage, which I think that could work in SD better than in some other systems.

How about you? Thoughts/ideas/wishes?

I love that her Ranger is more Aragorn and less Pet Master or duel wielding fighter with magic powers.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I love that her Ranger is more Aragorn and less Pet Master or duel wielding fighter with magic powers.

The class design livestream for that was really interesting. I'm looking forward to the next two. She could definitely sell me a book on game design in the future.

 

[Lidgar]

I'd like:
1. Martial: Barbarian that has advantage on strength checks, can climb at full speed, unarmored defense, and maybe a "surrounded by foes" ability (like cleave).

2. Caster: Something like an artificer - can cast spells through the use of sigils and "artifacts" that can have unpredictable results (read wild magic sorcer)

 

[Aldarc]

Is there psion for Shadowdark?