Classic fantasy and sci-fi characters in 4E

[Mouseferatu]

In the "Mearls talks" thread, we got to discussing how to create Gandalf, and from there a few other characters. I was thinking, now that we've got a large selection of 4E classes, and a working set of "hybrid" rules, it might be interesting to approach some others as well.

Keep in mind that the idea is not to create a perfect match. Rather, it's to create characters that thematically recreate the classics as viewed through the 4E lens. For instance, in the other thread, my contention is that Gandalf would be a deva invoker: Deva due to his semi-angelic nature and pseudo-reincarnation from the Grey to the White, and invoker because his powers are semi-divine in nature and that class seems to fit his powers more than the wizard actually does.

Mustrum_Ridcully than asked how I'd create the Doctor (of Dr. Who). Again, understanding that we're looking for "a rough thematic match," not "a perfect recreation"...

I'd probably say deva for race, and for class I'd go with a hybrid of the psion and the artificer. (Or possibly whatever the psionic leader turns out to be, if it winds up not being inappropriate, to better mesh with the artificer and to better focus on his "inspirational" abilities.)

So that got me thinking about others. Just off the top of my head, I'm thinking...

Conan: Human, battlerager vigor fighter with some rogue multiclassing feats.

Elric: Eladrin, hybrid of either invoker or wizard (for summoning) with either avenger or swordmage.

I'd love to see what other folks think (either of these, or any other classic characters).

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

The Doctor needs a Sonic Screwdriver as implement...

Sonic Screwdriver
Implement (Wand or Orb)
Level 3: +1; 680 gp - Level 8: +2; 3,400 gp
Level 13: +3, 17,000 gp - Level 18: +4: 85,000 gp,
Level 23: +5, 85.000 gp - Level 28: +6: 2,125,000 gp
Enhancement: Attack roll and damage rolls.
Critical: +1d6 thunder damage per plus
Property: You can use this Screwdriver like a Thief Toolkit. Add the Sonic Screwdrivers enhancement bonus as an item bonus to Thievery Checks made with it.
Power (Minor, At-Will): As the Wizards Mage Hand power.
Power (Daily, Free): Trigger: You roll a Thievery Check and dislike the result. Reroll the check, and take the better roll.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

Mustrum_Ridcully than asked how I'd create the Doctor (of Dr. Who). Again, understanding that we're looking for "a rough thematic match," not "a perfect recreation"...

Or possibly whatever the psionic leader turns out to be, if it winds up not being inappropriate, to better mesh with the artificer and to better focus on his "inspirational" abilities.

I think he would make a great Inspirational Warlord, focusing on powers that allow his allies (or companions to be more appropriate) to get the job done.

 

[Voadam]

Why do people see Conan as a multiclass rogue in 4e? My understanding is that rogue powers work only with light weapons while Conan uses big swords and axes with which these would not work. Also anybody can pick up skills like stealth and fighters already get the physical one which takes care of his super climbing. What does 4e rogue multiclass give the build besides the name association with Conan's time as a thief?

Rogue multiclass as the 4e Conan concept seems a holdover to old edition mechanics when that was how you could simulate Conan's skills (plus the fact that he was a thief).

 

[Dragonbait]

Personally, I tried to recreate the feel of the Doctor by making him a Bard in 3.5ed. I wasn't allowed to go all the way with the conversion, so he was just a human and he did not have a sonic screwdriver.

I don't know about "classic" conversions buuut this past weekend I played in a campaign in PolyCon XXVII where the DM converted certain 70's and 80's cartoon characters to the Pathfinder Beta system (Thundercats, Thundaar the Barbarian, the D&D kids, and the Herculoids). That worked surprisingly well and was exceptionally fun.

The Thundercats were converted by class:
Lion-O: Paladin
Cheetara: Scout
Tigra: Bard (the DM said this was done out of necessity)
Wilykit & Wileycat: Rogues
Panthro: Monk

The Herculoids were mostly monsters, so it was harder to see what went in to their conversions. For instance, Gleep and Glood were based off the mimic.. Just made super-duper. Igoo was a barbarian with racial levels (I assume based off the gorilla) and so on.

 

[Bluenose]

Some time last week I was chatting to one of the people I game with about how we'd turn King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table into 4th edition characters. We thought nearly all would be Fighters, with a smattering of Warlords and a very few Paladins. There were a few we thought could be different.

King Arthur: Inspiring Warlord, Sword Marshal Paragon Path (Excalibur is iconic), Mythic Sovereign epic destiny (which he almost defines).
Galahad: Charisma Paladin, perhaps the Justiciar Paragon Path, not convinced by any epic destiny.
Perceval: Avenging Paladin, mluticlassed with Fighter, Knight Protector Paragon Path, probably not of Epic level.
Lancelot: 1H talent Figter, Kensei (specialised in Lance). Every mounted combat feat going.
Tristram: 1H talent Fighter, Iron Vanguard. He seems very much the "tough guy" fighter type.
Gawaine: Fighter, needs training in Bluff to enable all his seductions, could perhaps be a Pit Fighter.
Balin: Fighter, and given his recklessness we assume he's not only a PC but also is perhaps a Battlerager and hence perfectly happy to start fights.

Some of the other characters from the stories:
Merlin presents a bit of a problem. His shapechanging suggests a Druid, and much of his magic could be ritual which skill training in Arcana, Religion and Nature would help with. But he does need some ability with Illusion to get Uther into Ygraine's bed, and I think some multi-classing into Wizard is in order.
The Green Knight is one of a relatively small number of characters in fiction/myth who I think would be a Warden. Some sort of Ranger could also work, since he's known to use a club and an axe.
Morgaine possibly works best as a Fey Warlock with training in rituals. But she's not a very active character in most of the stories. There is a Saxon enchantress in one of them who casts from books and uses various implements, who would presumably qualify as a Wizard.

 

[Klaus]

Why do people see Conan as a multiclass rogue in 4e? My understanding is that rogue powers work only with light weapons while Conan uses big swords and axes with which these would not work. Also anybody can pick up skills like stealth and fighters already get the physical one which takes care of his super climbing. What does 4e rogue multiclass give the build besides the name association with Conan's time as a thief?

Rogue multiclass as the 4e Conan concept seems a holdover to old edition mechanics when that was how you could simulate Conan's skills (plus the fact that he was a thief).

And, like I said on the other thread, I agree with you. Ranger (for Hunter's Quarry and some axe/sword action) seems a better fit.

As for Elric, I'd say Wizard/Swordmage.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Why do people see Conan as a multiclass rogue in 4e? ... Rogue multiclass as the 4e Conan concept seems a holdover to old edition mechanics when that was how you could simulate Conan's skills (plus the fact that he was a thief).

Huh. You know, you may be right. It may indeed be a mental holdover. The proper skill-training feats really would do the job just fine, unless I'm forgetting something.

 

[Klaus]

Huh. You know, you may be right. It may indeed be a mental holdover. The proper skill-training feats really would do the job just fine, unless I'm forgetting something.

Would Conan need Thievery? I don't remember him picking pockets or opening locks. He was damn stealthy and could climb like a mountain goat, so Stealth and Athletics are in.

Hmm... time to fire up the Character Builder...

 

[Voadam]

Would Conan need Thievery? I don't remember him picking pockets or opening locks. He was damn stealthy and could climb like a mountain goat, so Stealth and Athletics are in.

Hmm... time to fire up the Character Builder...

I think I remember him opening a lock by cleaving through it with a sword.