Assassins in PHB3

[JPL]

The new Dragon article "The Art of the Kill" spells it out. There are "true" assassins, they use the shadow power source, they "can step through walls, blend into the stuff of shadows, alter their appearance at
will, and command the gloaming to do their bidding."

Maybe we'll also see a necromancer and an illusionist drawing from the same power source.

 

[Shroomy]

The new Dragon article "The Art of the Kill" spells it out. There are "true" assassins, they use the shadow power source, they "can step through walls, blend into the stuff of shadows, alter their appearance at
will, and command the gloaming to do their bidding."

Maybe we'll also see a necromancer and an illusionist drawing from the same power source.

You know, I didn't put two and two together last night when I was reading the article, but I think you're right. I need to go back and read that thing again.

 

[Byronic]

Damnit, they're making me look forward to next year. Let's hope they preview the Necromancer. It would be long overdue (ok, maybe not as a core class but I'm a fan)

 

[chaotix42]

I read that and thought "Hmmmm, interesting bit of... fluff?" JPL may be on to something here... shadow & ki for PHB 3?

 

[JPL]

I'm tending to think we'll see shadow, ki, and psionic in PHB III . . . because I think we'll be seeing Dark Sun next year.

This may be worthy of a whole separate thread, but I can't see where an elemental power source is needed. The swordmage and sorcerer are already covering a lot of that shtick.

So really, shadow, ki and psionic are about all that's left, right?

 

[Remathilis]

Going out on a limb here:

PHB 3: Guide to Psionic, Shadow and Ki Heroes

Psionic Defender: Psychic Warrior
Psionic Controller: Psion
Psionic Striker: Soulknife
Psionic Leader: Ardent
Ki Striker: Monk
Ki Defender: Samurai
Shadow Striker: Assassin
Shadow Controller: Beguiler (Illusionist)

 

[Mercurius]

Kewl: Assassins = Ninjas.

Actually, I'm only being half-facetious. I think assassins as Western fantasy ninjas is a good way to go because it de-emphasizes assassination as their primary modus operandi, and makes it more "mystical stealth"--but really good at killing, too.

 

[drothgery]

Going out on a limb here:

PHB 3: Guide to Psionic, Shadow and Ki Heroes

Psionic Defender: Psychic Warrior
Psionic Controller: Psion
Psionic Striker: Soulknife
Psionic Leader: Ardent
Ki Striker: Monk
Ki Defender: Samurai
Shadow Striker: Assassin
Shadow Controller: Beguiler (Illusionist)

I'm not a big fan of the Psychic Warrior. What does this guy do that a swodmage or paladin doesn't. And the ardent had all the flavor of a stale cracker. So how about...

Psi Controller: Psion
Psi Leader: Telepath
Psi Striker: Soulknife
Ki Striker: Monk
Ki Defender: Samurai
Shadow Striker: Assassin
Shadow Controller: Beguiler (Illusionist)
Shadow Leader: Necromancer

 

[Nymrohd]

A 3/3/2 scheme would mean no power books for a new source. Even with power books number 2 for the previous sources, I'd kind of expect to have access to a new source as well.

 

[JPL]

A 3/3/2 scheme would mean no power books for a new source. Even with power books number 2 for the previous sources, I'd kind of expect to have access to a new source as well.

Not sure I follow.

I can see some benefit to teasing things out . . . two new sources in PHB3 and two in PHB4 . . . but some of the earlier power sources are seeming a bit tapped out, and WOTC has made it clear that they are not going to struggle to design every possible role / source combination (i.e., no martial controller).

I suppose they could do shadow and psi in PHB III, and save ki for PHBIV, maybe even tying it into a new take on Oriental Adventures.