D&D 5E [5e] Are classes too generic? (Read the OP before answering)

[DND_Reborn]

I'm thinking of a Witch/Shaman class that can use a mix of arcane and divine spells. I don't what the player to do that using multi-classing. I prefer making a class from the ground up. I might have been reading to many old Dragon Magazines lately...

I agree with what has been suggested, you could do a Witch/Shaman as a Divine Soul Sorcerer. That would give you access to most arcane and divine spells.

 

[atanakar]

Have you considered just using:
Druid
Ranger
Barbarian
Monk
?

Maybe with restricted or custom subclasses for extra flavor.

Because I don't like how they are written and what they do. Been there, done that too many times since 1981.

 

[Fanaelialae]

I came to the same conclusion. Ban all other classes and build 4 classes just for the campaign setting. That is what I'm working on today:

• Shaman (dreamland focus, tailored spell list)
• Guardian (ranger-warlord mix)
• Warrior (fighter-protector mix)
• Beastkin (monk-half-beast mix)

No sub-classes attached. The power curve of the classes will be lower than regular 5e D&D. I don't plan to go beyond level 7-8 with this. I want an old school, less widgets, feel. From the DMG I will use: Proficiency Dice, Ability Check Proficiency (no skills). No Tools. Humans only. No backgrounds. Slow Natural Healing. A home-brew sanity rule. Looking at spell points instead of slots.

The setting is in a deep and vast forest. The technology level is lower than typical D&D level (no chain and plate armours). I'm aiming for a horror fantasy and gritty Grendel-like stories. The Gods are far removed and unreachable.

If there's one thing I would recommend, it would be not to neglect the ribbons / non-combat abilities of the classes. My friend based each class around its own theme and mechanic but with some of them he neglected those and they really feel flat and unappealing compared to the others. Ribbons might not mean much in terms of actual potency, but they can add a certain something that I notice when it's missing.

 

[Undrave]

Guardian (ranger-warlord mix)

If I may shamelessly plug what I've been working on myself, check my Borderland Marshal subclass for my home-brewed Warlord.

The Warlord

No description.

homebrewery.naturalcrit.com

It's got more widget than what you want for sure but you might find inspirations. I think my Frontier Gear Specialist and Skirmisher Tactics features could be adapted easily.

 

[Morrus]

Seems like I have to design my own 5e classes. Have you done that with 5e? How did you go about it?

Indeed. Published a whole book of them!

 

[Ruin Explorer]

It didn't start like that last night but it is becoming that. I'm really like it when the system (characters) and the setting match perfectly. 5e lets me do that. I've done so much campaigns (world building) since 1981. I need to create something entirely new if I want to continue playing D&D.

If it works, great. Do you have players for it? I find I'm about 10x more successful in things like this when I have at least a couple of players lined up. I have about a dozen quarter-finished big modifications or entirely new RPGs from when I didn't though!

 

[atanakar]

If it works, great. Do you have players for it? I find I'm about 10x more successful in things like this when I have at least a couple of players lined up. I have about a dozen quarter-finished big modifications or entirely new RPGs from when I didn't though!

I do have players lined up. I wouldn't spend energy on this if I didn't, to preserve what is left of my sanity!

 

[NotAYakk]

Ah; then ask the players (a) which archetype they might be interested in, and (b) what kind of things do they think the archetype should do (no guarantees).

 

[atanakar]

Ah; then ask the players (a) which archetype they might be interested in, and (b) what kind of things do they think the archetype should do (no guarantees).

They will have the chance to give their input, but I find it's best to arrive with a canvas so we can talk around a common ground and make modifications if need be. I don't do free form creativity.

 

[jgsugden]

I think the label is becoming more important than the substance, here.

There are a dozen classes. Each has a variety of subclasses which do have substantial impacts on how the class feels. Beyond that, adding race and background differences add a lot more variety. These are highly customizable combinations that cover a pretty broad spectrum. I really have not found a significant archetype, outside psionics, that I can't build... and I can do a fair impression of a psionic PC using wizard/arcane options.