Best 5th party member?

[LightPhoenix]

I went with Druid. They have a lot of versatility and can act as a good backup, much like a cleric or wizard could. Bard would be my second choice, but they're really dependant on having opportunities to use their skills, more so than a druid is. Also, the Druid is a better healer than the bard, better at dishing out damage, and carries that "sixth party member".

 

[Jeremy]

Paladin. Need another front liner. Good with saves. Good diplomat. Backup healer. More meat infront of the wizard so he can do the important work.

 

[Magic Missile]

A bard. Come on! You've got the classic four man setup there! Every bone in my body would rebel against me if I didn't vote for the bard as the fifth member! And he has to be a Half-Elf!

 

[Norfleet]

Well, given the limited choices here, I'd have to say the druid: It's kind of like a cleric, only different. Sorceror's a pretty good choice, too: Another fireball factory never hurts....well, okay, maybe it does, but friendly fire, isn't.

Of course, with a full list of unrestricted choices, there's any number of satisfying multiclass monstrocities we can pick from, like a helpful mutilated MT multiclass.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Hmmm, no listing of the other 4, so I will assume Fighter, Cleric, Rogue, and Wizard as the standard mix. I will also assume no duplication of classes.

Of the choices given I consider Sorcerer to be a substitute for the Wizard not an adjunct to, so I will leave him out of consideration.

I would go with Bard as my first choice, he's a decent all rounder, and his abilities help the other PCs rather than being all that powerful in their own right.

Ranger is not listed at all, though he woud be agood all rounder to help in a mix of situations, he would be my second choice.

Barbarians fill a similar niche to the Fighter, though in a party where the Fighter has been replaced with a Ranger the Barbarian will add some close combat muscle while the ranger uses his bow.

Paladins fall a little too close to Fighter, I would consider them to be almost as redundant as a sorcerer in a party with a Wizard. His second rank clerical abilities also help with this, but he adds little that other classes can't do better.

Druid, an odd class, not quite able to replace the Cleric for healing and aiding others, but better in some areas, I would consider him for a fifth character, especially if the Fighter has been replaced with a Ranger.

Monks, I just don't have much of a feel for these folks, and have never had them as either PCs or NPCs, so I will leave them out of it.

The Auld Grump

 

[Michael Tree]

If it's a 3.5 game, then IMO Druid is the best choice. They get Listen and Spot as class skills, invaluable for scouting ahead and avoiding surprise, they're decent backup healers, they're decent backup artillery, and with their spontaneous summoning ability they can conjure extra front-line fighting support out of thin air.

Second place is Paladin. They're front-line combatants that are good diplomats, give the party an air of legitimacy, and can heal too.

 

[frankthedm]

i vote barbarian.

Power attack [3.5] gives you alot of sweetness with the double amount from 2 handed weapon [ don't Weapon focus out the gate though due to fewer feats]

Let the fighter move up and trip a foe [btw you use his higher ac for cover as you move up, firing a nice mighty bow if you have the time ] Let him trip a foe, then you charge, rage [maybe] and power attack the poor doomed prone victim [since .

Treasure spliting works pretty well.

> you take first pick of 2 handed weapons wich the fighter might not even want one if he 2WF's or uses a tower shield with on of his feats.

> shields will be best for fighter and cleric anyhow.

> you'll be the only one who wants the medium magical armor

> Enjoy the role playing flavor with the dwarven figher and half orc barbarian as they debate who gets the str boosting item.

Later on try to learn true strike if you have a possitive cha or int. [sor is more times a day]]for a supercheese maximum power attack and a shield spell or other defencive spell.

 

[The Cardinal]

If it's a 3.5 game, then IMO Druid is the best choice. [...]and with their spontaneous summoning ability they can conjure extra front-line fighting support out of thin air.

...which also means that the rogue will nearly always be able to flank any foe he wants to...

 

[LazarusLong42]

Gotta go with the bard. He can play backup to any of the four major roles, plus he has that nifty inspire courage... plus, he does it all with style.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I would've voted Ranger but the option wasn't there.

Instead, it's paladin. While the Cleric is probably more useful overall, the combat options that a paladin or other secondary fighter class brings to the table are often just as vital to the immediate concerns of the group as opposed to the secondary, or healing stages of combat.