D&D General Explaining D&D classes using the Marvel Cinematic Universe

[ad_hoc]

I was inspired by the polls on representations of classes in media.

The Marvel movies are the peak of geek pop culture right now. What better way to explain the D&D classes to someone using them.

Here is my take of which character best fits each class.

Artificer: Iron Man
Barbarian: Hulk
Bard: Peter Quill/Star Lord
Cleric: Thor
Druid: Ant-Man
Fighter: Gamora
Monk: Spider-Man
Paladin: Captain America
Ranger: Hawkeye
Rogue: Black Widow
Sorcerer: Captain Marvel
Warlock: Scarlet Witch
Wizard: Dr. Strange

I realize Dr. Strange is the 'sorcerer supreme' but in D&D he best fits as a Wizard as he is able to do many things (Also Iron Man calls him a 'space wizard' in Avengers: Infinity War).

Both Captain Marvel and Scarlet Witch get their power from Infinity Stones which are sort of in between the fluff of both Sorcerer and Warlock. Captain Marvel is straightforward blasting and Scarlet Witch is "weird" so I think they fit. Also, of course, there is Scarlet Witch's name.

I think Peter Quill/Star Lord is the best representation of a Bard we currently have on screen. His primary trait is his Charisma, he listens to music/sings throughout, and he defeats the BBEG by performance (challenging him to a dance off). Bard has always been tricky to visualize in battle/play so I think we have a great example here.

At first glance Groot would be the best Druid. I argue for Ant-Man though. He transforms both small and big to fight or explore. He also talks to, summons, and controls ants. Druids are primarily known for both of those things. Groot, while being a nature being, does neither.

Also,

Artificer: War Machine, Rocket Raccoon, Falcon
Barbarian: Drax
Druid: Groot
Paladin: Valkyrie
Monk: Black Panther, Wong

 

[Rikka66]

Mads Mikkelsen's character in Doctor Strange is the closest I can think of to a warlock (muticlass wizard). Scarlet Witch is a sorcerer.

 

[Salthorae]

Here is my take of which character best fits each class.

I really like those associations thematically. To me they all work.

I just watch GotG last night and I can't believe I've never noticed that Peter Quill is absolutely bard-like. That's hilarious. He does totally defeat Ronan with a dance performance... and a Massive Con save with advantage from his friends taking the Help action and somehow giving himself his bardic inspiration die

Scarlet Witch is a sorcerer.

Nah, she's a Warlock with the Mind Stone as a Patron.

Honestly, I would also say that Captain Marvel is a Warlock with the Space Stone as a Patron now that I think about it.

So's Heimdall. He's got Devil's Sight and Eyes of the Rune Keeper invocations at least

Captain Marvel's primary weapons are photon blasts (aka Eldritch Blast). The only issue is Warlocks no longer have an invocation that grants them flight as they did back in 3.5 days.

So who would be a good sorcerer... maybe Scarlet Witch is the best thematic representation of Sorcerer in how does goes about using her powers.

I'd say she's a multiclass Warlock (to get magic in the first place) and the Sorcerer as she expands her powers. By the time Wandavision rolls around, it seems she's developed WISH to alter reality too

 

[ad_hoc]

Mads Mikkelsen's character in Doctor Strange is the closest I can think of to a warlock (muticlass wizard). Scarlet Witch is a sorcerer.

Going by theme/origin of power it would also be The Ancient One.

Captain Marvel and Scarlet Witch also don't really fit Sorcerer though. They didn't have their power innately. They gained their power from an infinitely powerful cosmic force which is very Warlock. Remember, Warlocks can still gain their power from a patron even if that patron is unaware of them.

 

[ad_hoc]

Captain Marvel's primary weapons are photon blasts (aka Eldritch Blast). The only issue is Warlocks no longer have an invocation that grants them flight as they did back in 3.5 days.

So who would be a good sorcerer... maybe Scarlet Witch is the best thematic representation of Sorcerer in how does goes about using her powers.

I can see that argument. I think it can go either way on both of them.

I'd say she's a multiclass Warlock (to get magic in the first place) and the Sorcerer as she expands her powers. By the time Wandavision rolls around, it seems she's developed WISH to alter reality too

Comic book Scarlet Witch has reality altering powers. She's probably the most powerful mutant (more than Jean Grey though even possibly more than Jean w/the phoenix force).

 

[ad_hoc]

and somehow giving himself his bardic inspiration die

Oh yeah, Bards can do that in game. They are a character that they can see.

 

[Rikka66]

I see experimentation with a magical artifact leading to the development of innate powers as more of the sorcerer's arena, but I can see the warlock argument.

 

[Salthorae]

Oh yeah, Bards can do that in game. They are a character that they can see.

Not by default:

choose one creature other than yourself within 60 feet of you who can hear you. That creature gains one Bardic Inspiration die

I think you're thinking Pathfinder 1E? They could do it in Pathfinder & 3.5. I don't remember editions before if their inspiring performances helped themselves or not, and never played 4th.

 

[ad_hoc]

I see experimentation with a magical artifact leading to the development of innate powers as more of the sorcerer's arena, but I can see the warlock argument.

They're not really 'innate' then though right?

Sorcerers in 5e are themed by bloodline.

The only ones we have in the MCU like that are the alien races. Peter Quill actually fits it the most in GotG 2.

I think that's looking at things too granular if we're just explaining this to someone who knows MCU but doesn't know D&D and wants some quick inspiration.

To me Scarlet Witch has the vibe and image of a Warlock so that's ultimately why I went with her for that role.

It depends on the criteria we're using I don't think either is wrong.

I'm surprised no one has argued for Dr. Strange.(though I guess it helps that he studied magic to get his powers)

 

[Sacrosanct]

Thor IS a god. He doesn't worship one. Don't see him as a cleric. And he doesn't really cast spells. He's a fighter with a magical hammer that shoots lightning bolts out of it. He relies on magic items to do really powerful stuff. That's a fighter

 

[Rikka66]

They're not really 'innate' then though right?

Sorcerers in 5e are themed by bloodline.

The only ones we have in the MCU like that are the alien races. Peter Quill actually fits it the most in GotG 2.

I think that's looking at things too granular if we're just explaining this to someone who knows MCU but doesn't know D&D and wants some quick inspiration.

To me Scarlet Witch has the vibe and image of a Warlock so that's ultimately why I went with her for that role.

It depends on the criteria we're using I don't think either is wrong.

I'm surprised no one has argued for Dr. Strange.(though I guess it helps that he studied magic to get his powers)

Replace innate with inherent.

Themed by bloodline, but the class description also cites events in their lives leading to the development of magical abilities. The PHB even specifically cites "exposure to unknown cosmic forces". And I think you have to get just as granular to explain her as a warlock as a sorcerer. Though I get your point on the vibe and image side of things.

I don't think there's any argument on Dr. Strange. Sorcerer is just a title.

 

[Salthorae]

To me Scarlet Witch has the vibe and image of a Warlock so that's ultimately why I went with her for that role.

See the more I think about it the more I swap them. Cpt. Marvel as a Warlock because of her Eldritch Blasting, Scarlet Witch has very much a sorcerer theme to me.

Thor IS a god. He doesn't worship one. Don't see him as a cleric.

Thor totally worships himself at the beginning

He's a good example of a tempest cleric to me. You could argue some levels of Storm Herald (sea) Barbarian. The hammer focuses his power (in the MCU at least), it doesn't DO the lighting stuff.

I don't think there's any argument on Dr. Strange. Sorcerer is just a title.

Totally agreed.

 

[TheCosmicKid]

Well, you know they're gonna bring Conan into the MCU eventually, so that'll make the barbarian especially easy to explain.

 

[Rikka66]

Cleric is a hard one, and no one fits nicely into the role, but if I had to pick someone it would have to be Thor.
Quill would be solid for rogue as well (thief, lots of tools, clever), but he is probably the best pick you'll get for bard. Inspired choice there.

 

[ad_hoc]

Thor IS a god. He doesn't worship one. Don't see him as a cleric. And he doesn't really cast spells. He's a fighter with a magical hammer that shoots lightning bolts out of it. He relies on magic items to do really powerful stuff. That's a fighter

He's not a god in the D&D sense though.

He is quite powerful but not as powerful as an actual god would be.

He uses his hammer as a focus for his spells. He learns to cast his spells without the hammer when it is destroyed.

He is definitely a Tempest Cleric.

 

[aco175]

I saw this a few years ago and thought it was cool.

 

[Salthorae]

I saw this a few years ago and thought it was cool.

I love those images. There are a bunch from back in 3.5 days of Fantasy Avengers. They inspired me to do a complete build of the Avengers team (first movie) back in 3.5 days. Super fun challenge.

Course, it was much easier to represent Thor as a god AND a barbarian/fighter back then what with the whole Deities & Demigods supplement and divine rank rules.

 

[Minigiant]

Ranger is Rocket Racoon

Strong ranged attack
Agile
Wear Fur
Grumpy
Knows speak with plants
No one else can understand his closest friend
Charisma dump stat

 

[Shiroiken]

Am I the only one questioning Spider-Man as a monk? I know he uses martial arts, but nothing else about him seems even vaguely monk-like. I think black panther seems more monk-like, even though he's royalty.

 

[Salthorae]

Am I the only one questioning Spider-Man as a monk? I know he uses martial arts, but nothing else about him seems even vaguely monk-like. I think black panther seems more monk-like, even though he's royalty.

You have a point about Black Panther being more "monk-like" than Spiderman. He can be a monk and royalty, he just has the Noble background is all!

Spiderman's mobility and things like slow fall and such are very Monk like. Give him Magic Initiate (Druid) and you can use Thornwhip to move around places with some DM fiat. Jump + Step of the wind can lead to some epic mobility.