Do people use the core classes/PrCs from Dragon?

[MerakSpielman]

Nobody's used them yet, but we don't go around creating characters that often. If somebody wanted to play one, or to take levels in a PrC, I'd probably let them.

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

I played a barbarian/exoticist from whichever Dragon issue had the variant fighter classes. I was using the exoticist to represent a gladiator type. Between proficiencies in orc shotput, bolas, spiked chain, and net, along with a trusty greatsword, I had a number of different options for harassing, debilitating, or just plain beating the crap out of opponents.

 

[Emirikol]

Here's how we've integrated them. This is an exerpt from our house rules:

CHARACTER CLASSES
The general PHB character classes may be fitted to any portion of the cultures of Hyboria (Oriental, Arabian, African, Viking, etc.) “Shared” rules apply to all subclasses.

STANDARD CLASSES

Adept (1st - Bonus feat from general list)
Aristocrat (Initial class only; 1st may purchase plate armor; +50 gp per cha pt. bonus; role-playing elements)
Barbarian
Fighter
Fighter, Corsair (#310)
Fighter, Exoticist (#310)
Fighter, Fencer (#310)
Fighter, Gamba (Nyambe fighter; African only)
Fighter, Hexblade (Comp.Warrior)
Fighter, Horseman (#310)
Fighter, Kensai (#310)
Fighter, Knight (#310)
Fighter, Pugilist (#310)
Fighter, Shield Bearer (#310)
Fighter, Survivalist (#310)
Fighter, Swashbuckler (Comp.Warrior)
Fighter, Targeteer (#310)
Monk( ~People of the Black Circle)
Monk, Holy (#310)
Monk, Hunter (#310)
Monk, Martial (#310)
Monk, Raging (#310)
Monk, Steadfast (#310)
Monk, Vigilant (#310)
Psychic Warrior (S’tarra-blooded only)
Ranger (List region/country of hated human enemies)
Rogue
Rogue, Nanala (Nyambe rogue; African only)

MULTICLASS There are no x.p. penalties for multiclassing for any number of classes.




EARNED CLASSES
The following classes require a character to have earned them through special training, initiation, or favor of the gods. None of the following classes can be taken until the PC has earned 3000 x.p. in another class plus any other requirements listed (subclasses too).

Bard (Cha 16)
Cleric (Wis 16~Black Colossus)
Cleric, Ancestral Speaker(#311)
Cleric ,Arcane Disciple (#311)
Cleric, Aspirant (#311)
Cleric, Benevolent (#311)
Cleric, Crusader (#311)
Cleric, Evangelist (#311)
Cleric, N’Anga (Nyambe)
Cleric, Shaman (Oriental; may be any culture but use OA rules)
Cleric, Shugenja (Oriental; Aristocrat level)
Druid (Wis 16;No spiritual weapon/armor restrictions)
Druid, Wild Reaper (#311)
Druid, Wind Walker (#311)
Druid, Mental Master (#311)
Druid, Winter Warder (#311)
Paladin (Wis 14; No detect evil ability)
Paladin, Sentinel (ng#310)
Paladin, Avenger (cg#310)
Paladin, Enforcer (ln#310)
Paladin, Incarnate (n#310)
Paladin, Anarch (cn#310)
Psion (S’tarra-blooded; Main ability 16~People of the Black Circle)
Samurai (Oriental; Aristocrat level)
Sohei (Oriental; Wis 14)
Sorcerer (Cha 16; May choose spells from ANY divine or arcane list)
Sorcerer, Sei (Nyambe; Cha 16; may choose spells from ANY divine or arcane list in the Nyambe book)
Witch (DMG; Cha 16~Hour of the Dragon)
Wizard (Int 16)
Wizard, Mchawi (Nyambe; Int 16; non-evil)
Wizard, Specialist (Int 16, Wis 14)
Wizard, Wu Jen (Oriental; Int 16)

PRESTIGE CLASSES
Acquiring the class level that would normally grant a PrC had you done everything right is adequate to gain access to PrC’s (plus DM permission). 1000 bonus x.p.’s are granted if you take a PrClass. Prestige classes from any d20 fantasy source may be used at the discretion of the DM.

jh

 

[Kobold Avenger]

It's help me clearly set up the idea of variant core classes, core classes with just a few changes, such as some of my own like Ghandarvas and Skalds for Bards, or Officers for Fighters. I wouldn't actually consider any of the ones in Dragon to be new core classes at all.

 

[Shazman]

I haven't used them,but they look interesting? I especially like the kensai fighter variant. It's much better than the kensai PrC from CW. They should change the name of this class since it has very little to do with being a master of a specific melee weapon, which is what a kensai is supposed to be. Other that being able to enchant their weapon, they're no more of a weapon master than a cleric with the war domain.

 

[Desdichado]

I don't have a problem with them. Then again, I haven't actually gotten around to using any of them either.

 

[Rand]

Core classes - No.
I dislike new core classes unless they are very broad and serve an important wide ranging function in the campaign world.
I've as yet to see any core class on Dragon that remotely fits that criteria.

Prestige classes - Very seldom.
I will use a rare PrC if it fills a definite roll in the world.
I'll definitely want to run through a few short trial sessions/combats to ensure it's not unbalanced as well.

In general I'm very tenuous about using most crunch supplied in Dragon.

 

[rowport]

Along with Meepo (the Mighty!) I am also playing an Exoticist (from Dragon #310). My character is a Dwarf, specializing in various techniques with a spiked chain. He is great as a support fighter, tripping and disarming foes for his party members to beat up...

 

[AlphaOmega]

As a player I was planning on using one of the 3.5 core classes but that campaign was cancelled/delayed... As a DM, I've used a couple and in my current campaign I'm making a point to use even more... especially PrCs...

After all, I did spend the $$$ for the magazines... I should get some use out of them...

 

[woolybearundertaker]

I haven't used them,but they look interesting? I especially like the kensai fighter variant. It's much better than the kensai PrC from CW. They should change the name of this class since it has very little to do with being a master of a specific melee weapon, which is what a kensai is supposed to be. Other that being able to enchant their weapon, they're no more of a weapon master than a cleric with the war domain.

Kensai are fun!
I m currently playing a Barb1/kensai-ftr-variant2. I really like playing a lightly armored combatant who s phenomenal with a no-dachi (greatsword), and also gets some “fun” skills like tumble.

It s a little early to judge the balance of the class, but I think its decent. A greatsword kensai can dish out tons o damage, but this is balanced by having a low AC for a frontline fighter. With no other melee fighters in the party, I ve been getting taken out a LOT, despite the extra HP from Rage.

The only thing I d like to see is some kind of level requirement for Rain of Blows and Storm of Blows. These special feats respectively offer an extra attack at –3 to all attacks and two extra attacks at –6 to all attacks with your chosen weapon, the only pre-req being a level in Kensai. For flavor, my DM and I decided that Rain of Blows would have a pre-req of at least four ranks in Kensai (like Weapon Focus). Storm of Blows will probably be similarly limited.

You might want to consider this change if you worry about powergaming.

-Undertaker