4 roles - why 5 players?

[ivocaliban]

What's to say there won't be additional roles added with expansions? Even if it's something silly like "wild card." Not saying it will happen right away, but it certainly could before 4e draws to a close.

 

[Jack99]

Exactly like the title. If there are 4 roles to be covered, why will 4e expect 5 players?

Pffft, same reason as in a MMORG - backup healer ofc

 

[Gloombunny]

I'm sure they'll try out all sorts of hybrid-role (e.g., paladin) and shifting-role (factotum) classes, but coming up with a new role would be... difficult. There's just not a lot of ground left uncovered.

 

[Gundark]

Exactly like the title. If there are 4 roles to be covered, why will 4e expect 5 players?

What?!?! You Bastard!!! You found the flaw.....*sob*....*cry*
*wail*

 

[Gundark]

They DM isn't a player, he is a DM...

More specifically... I think they said 4E will assume you have 5 PCs, but I'm not positive. Wish I knew where the exact quote is. I'm curious of the wording they used.

This can only mean one thing......

DMPCs are now core.....

You heard it here first folks!!!!

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

Because one Defender isn't a line, it's a point.

 

[Klaus]

Fire! Earth! Wind! Water! Heart!

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Mercule]

I don't get the question.

WotC thought all bases were covered by four roles and that dividing things up more wouldn't really be productive.

Their market research showed the typical group had five players plus a DM. So, they're basing their baseline assumptions for challenges on that model.

The two numbers aren't related.

 

[Scribble]

Hey look it's Al Gore!

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

Hey look it's Al Gore!

I thought it was really Ted Turner?


(Everybody that doesn't get that loses points.)