Arcane, Divine, and Martial: Expanded [Rampant Speculation!]

[I'm A Banana]

There's a chance that the first few supplements for 4e will be exploring these power sources in more detail, giving us, at the least, more classes, and probably giving us 4e versions of classes we have had before.

So operating under that slightly-expanded speculation, what do you think will be filling the molds? We've heard whispers....

So tell me how you think we'll see those old 3e classes updated, and when! My own rampant speculation is in the spoiler block!

[sblock]
Arcane Splatbook
Arcane Defender: Swordmage?
Arcane Leader: Bard?
Arcane Controller: We will have wizard, but perhaps this is where we'll see the Sorcerer?
Arcane Striker: We will have the warlock, but maybe we'll see a Spellthief?
Other Arcane Classes:
Warmages? Probably have their stuff stolen by the Swordmage, I'd think
Wu Jen? Waiting for the Asian supplement...though they may have their elementalist shtick swiped by the new Sorcerer.
Hexblade? I'd guess the new Warlock would steal it's Curse thing. The rest goes with the Swordmage.
Beguiler? I'd really hope the Bard would kill this guy and take his stuff!
Duskblade? Again with the Swordmage...dude's a killing machine!
Death Master? Seems like this would be taken by a sort of Necromancer class or path...
Jester? I kind of hope the Bard rears up again and takes the Jester's stuff.
Sha'ir? Again with the Elementalist shtick, which might go to the Sorcerer.
Mountebank? They'd be an arcane striker like the rogue is a martial striker! Instead of hiding and jumping out, they teleport around and stabbitty stab.
Some Sort Of Necromancer? The archetype's too strong to NOT have one, though they might make it a paragon path or epic destiny, for the whole "turn you into a lich" thing. Then again, they might make a base class and then let that be one possible epic destiny for the Necro.
Some Sort Of Illusionist? Again, very strong archetype. Easily fits Arcane Controller mold. Like the Necromancer, a possible path or destiny rather than a core.
Some Sort Of Summoner? Summoning mechanics can't wait forever, and the idea of calling outsiders to serve you is too strong to ignore for long. I bet we'll see something like the Polymorph revision: you summon one specific thing for a specific purpose with a specific spell...
Some Sort Of Shadow-Mage? Or would this be better as an Illusionist path? Or by itself? It'd be a great controller...

Martial Splatbook
Martial Defender: We have the Fighter, but that's hardly exhaustive. Some sort of "intimidation fighter" like the Complete Warrior Samurai might be possible. The "noble horseman knight" (like the OA samurai or the PHB2 Knight or the 3e Paladin) might find a fit here, too, if it doesn't get support in the core.
Martial Leader: Yeah warlord, but again, not exhaustive. This might also be a good place for a knightly style class that inspires with positive behavior, or it could be nice Swashbuckler territory, doing stunts and calling allies.
Martial Controller: Probably solid Swashbuckler territory, but it could be a fit for a Monklike character, too, all moving around, performing stunts, altering the battlefield... Might be a good fit for an Archer-style class, too, if the ranger doesn't get all those goodies.
Martial Striker: Well, we have the rogue and the ranger....but this could be a place for a battle dancer, or even a Barbarian! Rapid movement, barreling through your enemies, breaking down doors, and hacking up your foe! Or if we wanted a Wuxia-style fire-flinging sword-sorcerer, this would work well.
Other Martial Classes:
Not that many of them, really. The Scout we know is sacrificed on the altar of Rogue. The Ninja is dubiously martial, but it is undoubtedly a Striker. We could get some Nine Swords classes like the Warblade or the Crusader or the Swordsage here, but it seems like the core Fighter is stealin' most of their stuff already...

Divine Splatbook
Divine Defender: CoDzilla returns? Take the battle-ness of battle-priests to their next logical level? The Paladin might already do this, and the Sohei would probably wait for the Asian book...
Divine Leader: Cleric is fine, but maybe a re-imagined Favored Soul? Or some sort of Shaman who lets the spirits bless their allies?
Divine Controller: Druid seems the natural choice. Archivist might fit this category, too -- the quiet, forgotten kind of god-magic...
Divine Striker: A sword + a pair of wings = an angel, right?
Other Divine Classes
That covered most of 'em, actually. Shaman, spirit shaman, sohei, favored soul, druid....
[/sblock]

SO, what were your faves from earlier editions that haven't been announced for a product yet? How would you hope to see them in 4e?

 

[Green Knight]

I don't think we're going to be seeing Complete Arcane, Complete Divine, or anything similar. Instead, those new classes will be released in the PHB2, PHB3, etc.

 

[Rechan]

I'm fairly certain we'll see a magic book with the Swordmage and Necromancer and Illusionist.

The PHB2 will probably be places where they'll drop the Bard, Druid, etc.

Also, in R&C, I believe it says that the Monk was being designed as a striker.

 

[Irda Ranger]

Swordmage
Bard
Necromancer
Illusionist
Summoner
Martial Striker: ... Barbarian!

These are the ones I think are likely. A lot of the others you mention can be handled better with multiclassing, confirmed "dead and stuff taken" (meaning you can already make those PC's using existing classes), or seem more like a "Paragon Path" of an already existing class (e.g., we have Cavalier as a mentioned possible Paragon Path).

I expect certain of the others you mention (such as the Druid or Wu Jen) to make an appearance, but not under the current Power Sources.

The only class I would add to the list is "Sorcerer." I also think that there will be "expansions" on the PHB1 classes; new Tradition and Implements for Wizards and new Pacts of Warlocks are my two primary expectations.

 

[Rechan]

I will say I think we need more than one controller. :\

 

[Atlatl Jones]

My theory is that all the new classes will be introduced in the Player's Handbook 2, 3, 4, etc. Each PH will have a bunch of brand new classes and races in it, with fully self-contained powers lists for each. That way, when you play a druid, you only need to bring the PH 2 to reference all your class abilities and powers.

I predict that the rules supplements other than the PH X's, will contain new feats/powers/paths/destinies/etc. for the existing classes, but not contain brand new classes.

 

[Irda Ranger]

I will say I think we need more than one controller. :\

Sorcerer
Druid
Telekinetic

We'll get them. No need for " :\ "

 

[Rechan]

Druid

Wasn't it said in R&C that the druid would focus more on shapeshifting, with a few spells added in? Not very controller-ish.

Anyways, what I mean is that we appear to have one controller in the PHB. That's a little low. All the other roles, it seems thus far, have at least 2 options. If we have to wait a year or so to get another controller, that's too long.

 

[TerraDave]

On Books:

We know
10-12 per year
3 core
3 adventures
1 Realms

Leaving space for 3 "power" books.

On Classes:

I hope we do not see a flood of classes so soon. I mean, it might make sense to complete the Arcane, Divine and Martial charecters with those books, and then move to the new power source(s) in PHB II, BUT, then again, after psionics and maybe chi, what power sources are going to be left? At least that anyone would want to buy?

Anyways, hopefull the follow up books will have manuevers, powers, equipment, etc. And not that many new classes.

 

[Aristotle]

My theory is that all the new classes will be introduced in the Player's Handbook 2, 3, 4, etc.

I'd prefer it that way myself, but I think one of the developers has already said that it is possible we will see new races/classes via Insider as web enhancements and Dragon articles.