Are there too many spellcasters?

[JacktheRabbit]

Are there too many spellcasting classes in DnD? Looking at the core classes there are only two that never cast spells. This would be the fighter and the rogue.

Is it just me or is this too few?

Should the Paladin, Ranger, and Bard all be spellcasting classes? Or how about the Assasin PrC class from the DMG? If none of these classes had spellcasting ability then at least you can better control how common magic is in your world and magic wouldnt be so common.

 

[nsruf]

Of course, the number of non-spellcaster classes available and how common they are doesn't have to be related. But I agree with you that it would make sense for many game worlds if classes like the ranger or assassin were done without magic. It seems that the core classes are not so universally applicable for fantasy as they appear.

 

[Dingleberry]

Are there too many spellcasting classes in DnD? Looking at the core classes there are only two that never cast spells. This would be the fighter and the rogue.

What spells do the barbarian and monk cast?

 

[Zappo]

Re: Re: Are there too many spellcasters?

What spells do the barbarian and monk cast?

Detect Traps 1/2
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: See below
Target: One hallway or room
Duration: See below
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

Verbal component: "Say, why don't you go ahead and scout that corridor while I mind the rear?"
Somatic component: Point casually at target while smiling in a trustworthy way
Material component: One or more comrades.
Material component may be consumed in the casting.

 

[Eternalknight]

Are there too many spellcasting classes in DnD? Looking at the core classes there are only two that never cast spells. This would be the fighter and the rogue.

Is it just me or is this too few?

Should the Paladin, Ranger, and Bard all be spellcasting classes? Or how about the Assasin PrC class from the DMG? If none of these classes had spellcasting ability then at least you can better control how common magic is in your world and magic wouldnt be so common.

Yes. Even adding the barbarian and monk, yes.

 

[Zappo]

What if instead of spells, with levels, spells per day, and all, they had special abilities which do similar things (like many monsters do)? Would that sound more acceptable?

 

[Mark]

The vast majority of people that make up the population of any campaign setting should be non-casting NPC classes. I'd even venture that commers and experts should be close to 90% of the population. That said, we're left with most of the remaining ten percent as fighters and rogues, since these classes make up most of the populace who have risen from their expert and commoner roots, IMO. With all of that in mind, I do like to limit NPC spell casters that have PC classes, but players are welcome to be anything they choose and it still means that very few actual spell casters are present in the world. *shrug*