Class Building?

[Byrons_Ghost]

I'm currently in the process of trying some alternate core class for my next game, like a swordsman or a merchant. I was wondering if there's any web source, or maybe a dragon article, that gives a breakdown of how a class should balance out. You know, things like BAB vs. spells, etc. Can anyone help?

 

[Crothian]

There are some class building engines, but I think that they over value some things and under value others. My best advice is to create a class and post it here.

There's a decent Merchant class that was created a few months ago somewhere in this forum. As for the swordsman, the fighter is highly versatile and with the many feats any type of swordsman can be made.

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

Yeah, fighters can do a lot. I was thinking more of a light-armored, dex-heavy type fighter. There was a version in the Wheel of Time game that I was looking at, but the game uses defense bonuses, so I'd have to come up with some similar class abilities for D & D.

And yes, I could use rogue. I was just hoping to make something that relied on skill & grace rather than distracting your opponent by shouting "Look, it's Elvis!" and then sticking a knife in his spleen....