4E Iconics

[thecasualoblivion]

After playing/running 4E for a while, and getting to know the PHB backwards, forwards, and sideways, I've found that the 8 classes presented there each match up with one race better than the others, and is a different race in each case. Some of the matchups are obvious, some less so:

Dragonborn Fighter--Cha isn't necessarily a Fighter stat, but it is the stat used in the Fighter's two most useful noncombat skills(Intimidate/Streetwise) so it won't go to waste. Dragon Breath is great for marking a group, and Fighters benefit from a high Constitution, which benefits the Dragonborn's racial abilities. Some races are also well suited to the Fighter(Dwarves and Elves particularly), but the synergy between Dragon Breath and Combat Challenge combined with +2 Str ices this.

Dwarf Cleric--Makes for a great Str/Wis cleric, easily having 15 Con as well. Dwarven Weapon Training gives you +2 damage and proficiency with the Halberd, which is very nice on a Cleric.

Eladrin Warlord--This one might be a bit of a surprise, but it shouldn't be. Eladrin can get 18 intelligence easily, which is what your Tactical Warlord wants. 16 Strength is fine on a character who uses weapons with +3 proficiency, which include the Longsword and Greatspear. Eladrin Soldier is teh sex on a Warlord.

Elf Ranger--Duh. Though it bears mentioning that you can build an Elf Ranger with the stat array 16str, 12con, 18dex, 10int, 14wis, 8cha for a Ranger who uses both bows and two weapons well, and is probably the most interesting Ranger to play, especially when they get the "Drizzt is awesome" feat at Paragon(Scimitar Dance).

Half-Elf Paladin--The stat array for Half-Elf works well on a Paladin, using Charisma as your main stat, and Constitution is not wasted on a Paladin. Insight and Diplomacy bonuses make for a character who is socially proficient, and you also get the sweet human feats and
(as of right now) Eldritch Blast/Eyebite to play with. Can even have a solid Wisdom if you don't mind dumping Strength.

Halfling Rogue--Its that obvious.

Human Wizard--Above all classes, Wizards benefit the most from the third at-will power. Wizards aren't demanding in terms of secondary/tertiary stats, so the lone +2 doesn't hurt Wizards at all. Humans make the best Wizards in 4E.

Tiefling Warlock--The third of the completely obvious choices.

 

[darjr]

Yea, I've noticed somethings along this line. I would have put Eladrin for magic users... but what you say makes sense.

My kid and I have, in small ways, taken it on as a goal to go against the grain and still have viable characters mechanics wise and rp wise.

For instance, my kid has a Dragonborn Magic User that thinks he is an elf.

I have an Eladrin Cleric that is sworn to aid and protect those destined to defend Myth Drannor.

 

[doctorhook]

After playing/running 4E for a while, and getting to know the PHB backwards, forwards, and sideways, I've found that the 8 classes presented there each match up with one race better than the others, and is a different race in each case. Some of the matchups are obvious, some less so:

...

Your picks are pretty similar to the "Official" iconics pictured in the Player's Handbook (not to mention Races and Classes, which lines up their pictures together nicely).

[sblock=Player's Handbook pictured Iconics]

[/sblock]
A comparison of picks, yours on the left, the "Official" ones on the right:

Yours:               "Official":

Dragonborn Fighter   Dragonborn Fighter
Dwarf Cleric !       Dwarf Warlord
Eladrin Warlord !    Eladrin Wizard
Elf Ranger           Elf Ranger
Half-Elf Paladin     Half-Elf Paladin
Halfling Rogue       Halfling Rogue
Human Wizard !       Human Cleric
Tiefling Warlock     Tiefling Warlock (Infernal Pact)

----------           Drow Warlock (Dark Pact)*
----------           Genasi Swordmage

Note: I added two other "Official" iconics from the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide, one for each of Drow and Genasi.

FWIW, I don't think the "Official" picks are any more or less valid than yours. I just wanted to point how similar your choices were to those I'd noticed featured next to the description of each class.

*EDIT: I just double-checked, and there isn't actually anything pictured prominently next to the Dark Pact Warlock build in FRPG. However, I decided to leave it on the list because the flavour suggests the connection. YMMV.

 

[thecasualoblivion]

FWIW, I don't think the "Official" picks are any more or less valid than yours. I just wanted to point how similar your choices were to those I'd noticed featured next to the description of each class.

I'm not a terribly big fan of the three "official" picks that differ from mine. Clerics have a little too much MAD for the Human race, and a Human Cleric has trouble benefitting from the third At-Will. The Eladrin's abilities, while they serve the Wizard class to an extent, aren't the equal of the Human, and Fey Step is better on a Melee class. Dwarf Warlord doesn't really fit at all.

 

[doctorhook]

I'm not a terribly big fan of the three "official" picks that differ from mine. Clerics have a little too much MAD for the Human race, and a Human Cleric has trouble benefitting from the third At-Will. The Eladrin's abilities, while they serve the Wizard class to an extent, aren't the equal of the Human, and Fey Step is better on a Melee class. Dwarf Warlord doesn't really fit at all.

Good points.

FWIW, it's kinda surprising that they didn't switch Dragonborn and Dwarf around; Dragonborn make *amazing* Warlords, and Dwarves can be pretty awesome Fighters. You'd almost think that those would've been intuitive.

Must be that they were trying to switch things up and show that any combination can be effective in 4E. (Which is definitely true, if you compare to how ineffective a character could be in 3.5E.)

 

[thecasualoblivion]

Good points.

FWIW, it's kinda surprising that they didn't switch Dragonborn and Dwarf around; Dragonborn make *amazing* Warlords, and Dwarves can be pretty awesome Fighters. You'd almost think that those would've been intuitive.

Must be that they were trying to switch things up and show that any combination can be effective in 4E. (Which is definitely true, if you compare to how ineffective a character could be in 3.5E.)

Switching Dwarf and Dragonborn would have made more sense than how things turned out. Human Cleric and Eladrin Wizard make good sense from a history/tradition/fluff standpoint, though my choices based on mechanics would be different.