Best class for a n00b to play

[tetsujin28]

A lot of people here have indicated fighter, but what about all those feats. SHould a n00b have to figure out Combat Expertise or Power Attack?

jh

Give 'em the ones the don't have to think about at first, like Weapon Focus. As they grow into the game, give them ones that involve choices. Besides, it's not like there's really that much choice involved in Power Attack at first level, as you can only alter the die by +/- 1. I don't think I've ever seen it actually used at 1st, other than as a prerequisite for Cleave.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever used Power Attack, as ACs just kept climbing where it was better to ping for some damage than continue to miss hoping to get that one big hit.

 

[MonsterMash]

I'd generally go with one of the combat based classes, especially if you start characters at a higher level than 1. With the other classes I think Bard is a tricky one due to the number of different things they can do, Sorceror is probably the easiest spellcaster to go with, due to the limited spell lists.

 

[S'mon]

I agree Fighter (with suitable feat selection - 2h weapon & Great Cleave is great for noobs!) & Sorcerer are the best classes for novice players IME. I don't know about low stats - certainly their stats should be as good as other PCs.

 

[S'mon]

A lot of people here have indicated fighter, but what about all those feats. SHould a n00b have to figure out Combat Expertise or Power Attack?

jh

The GM writes out the stats for max CE & max PA on their character sheet & there isn't a problem. Simple.

 

[Thanee]

A lot of people here have indicated fighter, but what about all those feats. Should a n00b have to figure out Combat Expertise or Power Attack?

Basic math is teached in elementary school around here.




Anyways...

I think the best class depends on the person. I like to explain briefly what the classes are about and then make a character together with the new player, which would fit his or her preferances, starting with an idea and a mental picture, which could be derived from a novel or movie, for example. It's tough to get an overview on all the design choices available (feats in particular), so that's where I would help out mostly, but the few things the character actually ends up with are not really that hard to figure out, and there is always the option for "How was this done again?".

Bye
Thanee

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I think you're undersestimating most potential players.

* Let them make their own character -- with DM or other player assistance to learn the rules -- so that it will truely be their character. Buy-in is important for enjoyment, and character creation helps a player to understand their options.

* Starting level is more important than starting class. If you start at low level, the options are still fairly limited and the player learns to handle more complex options as the characters gain levels. It's only if you jump in at levels above about 4 that the complexity really becomes a burden.

* You don't have to use every capabilty of your character optimally right away. The player can explore a character's abilities by testing out a couple at a time during play.

* For the new player, a fun experience is more important that strict adherance to rules, or playing the ideal or easiest character.

FWIW, I've had several new players -- both new to D&D and new to 3E -- start in my campaign with druids, arguably the most complex character class in the game. They've done fine, and I thikn had more fun because the character was what they wanted to play, rather than what was forced on them because it was "easy".