Best (and worse) new base classes from WotC

[SteveC]

I've recently started playing in two new campaigns using pretty much only core WotC books. Now I've been playing for a looooong time (started back in the original three book days) so I've decided I want to do something new and play something that I haven't before.

As a result, I've been looking through WotC's books that have base classes and trying them out. So far I have made a spellthief and a spirit shaman. Both of them have been great to play! Not only that, but they both seem to be strong choices to just advance in straight and not do much (if any) multiclassing.

In my last game, I tried playing a swashbuckler, which was not so much fun. In looking at the class, there doesn't seem to be a lot to keep you advancing in it after about 3rd level.

This is a long-winded way of asking you to comment on base classes that are "new" from the various WotC books. Specifically, which ones do you like, and, to a lesser extent, which ones can you do without?

Just wonderin'

--Steve

 

[interwyrm]

I can totally do without oriental influence in my games. So the nnija, wujen, shugenja, samurai, and monk are out. I really like the warlock. I don't know how it plays, but it makes me think of... "There are some who call me... Tim?"

To be honest, I really like most of them. I'm kind of unsure about the spirit shaman and favoured soul but that just might be because of a general antipathy towards religions.

 

[Crothian]

I'm enjoying the scout I played a Warlock through 10 levels and found it lacking. The Warmage is a lot of fun and I like that class. The Favored Soul turned out to be a lot more powerful then I imagined and dominated many combats.

 

[Voadam]

I had fun playing a soulknife from xph, neat simple fun mechanics for a player to use. No x/day powers or spell slots or spell points, just powers. They were a little weak with medium BAB, but multiclassed with a tank warrior class it was great. I only played it at 12th level though.

 

[Voadam]

I'm also a big fan as both DM and as a player of spontaneous divine casters from Unearthed Arcana. No spell prep less time ooc getting ready for every in game day.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

I loved my soulknife...played him up to 8th level before he was brought down by a bunch of wraiths.

 

[Psion]

If you are counting the Psion, that's the best, naturally.

Limiting it to the new classes in the 3.5 books, I'd have to say Hexblade looks like a lot of fun.

Worst: CW samurai, Hands Down. It's not a class, it's a feat chain. It covers far fewer bases than the original. My hat of it know no limit.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Warlock and scout easily top the list, though many of the others are cool.

Least favorite? Well, after both reading it and seeing it played, the spellthief seems to me like it would have been a better PrC than a base class--and this coming from a guy whose a much bigger fan, for the most part, of new base classes than PrCs.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

This is a long-winded way of asking you to comment on base classes that are "new" from the various WotC books. Specifically, which ones do you like, and, to a lesser extent, which ones can you do without?

The Marshal from MH is awesome, and the Healer is good, especially for NPCs. I like the Warmage (although not in every game), Warlock and Swashbuckler (so much so that I think the Swashbuckler needs to be in the next edition of the PHB, whatever version that might be).

I think the Asian themed classes need to be in an Expanded Oriental Adventures, though.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Warlock and scout easily top the list, though many of the others are cool.

Least favorite? Well, after both reading it and seeing it played, the spellthief seems to me like it would have been a better PrC than a base class--and this coming from a guy whose a much bigger fan, for the most part, of new base classes than PrCs.

I wonder when we're going to hear about the new Heroes of Horror base classes ...

/cough
/cough