Wik
First Post
The Survivor threads got me thinking about classes throughout editions, and how our favourites change. My favourite class in 2e, for example, is quite different from my favourite class in, say, 4e.
So, what are your favourite classes in the various editions (and sub editions) of D&D out there? And why? Try to stick to editions you've played for at least a decent length of time. And, what do you think it says about your playing style?
I'll start, I guess:
BECMI: Halfling. I don't really know why, but I always loved my halfling fighters. I guess because they were fighter-type characters, but their profile and inherent character suggested a character that was less prone for, y'know, combat. Which I've always liked. Plus, they're kind of lazy, greedy, and love food - what's not to love?
1e: Haven't played a HUGE amount of 1e, but I really liked the assassin class. It was dark, and an interesting variant on the thief. I think thief would come a very close second, and if I was playing in a game where the assassin wasn't a valid choice, I'd definitely be the thief. I like problem-solving, and I like lower levels of play - the thief is the perfect choice for that game (plus, it's always fun levelling up at twice the pace as everyone else!)
2e: Druid. Hands-down. The 2e druid could do a little bit of everything, and yet he wasn't weak in any way. I don't really think he was super powered, mind you. Just a perfect class, and a lot of fun. I also really loved the Hierophant Druids/Druidic Organization - kind of campaign specific, but I thought it was cool.
2e, DARK SUN: When playing Dark Sun, I hate druids - they bore me for some reason. I prefer Traders in Dark Sun, or maybe bards. Roguish characters that have to survive on their wits, and their contacts. And they're all generally non-combat in a game that's got a combat focus.
2e, Skills and Powers: I went through a Skills and Powers phase. And for that year or so, I loved wizards. They were just so fun to make, and there was so much you could do with them. Of course, I tended to play specialists, and my specialists were usually non-combat oriented (abjurers and diviners being my favourites - they were definitely roguelike, a tradition I still follow today when I make wizards).
3e: I only really played a few 3e characters, but my favourite is still my first - a human sorcerer. I like the narrow spell role of the character, which I think really ties the character elements together. Plus it helps me really develop WHAT I'm playing. I'm a big fan of taking spells that tie together a theme.
3.5E: Spellthief. My favourite class in D&D, EVER. EVER. If there is ever a Spellthief conversion in 4e (I doubt it will ever happen), I will buy that book in a heartbeat. Even if it were, like, sixty or seventy bucks. I mean, it's a class that has a few rogue-like abilities, yet its main ability requires you to deprive your enemies of resources and then try to find a creative way to use those resources against them. Huge range of options in this class, and they changed every encounter. Too bad the class didn't work out right in actual play.
4e: So far... Shaman. It's one of those "a little bit of everything" classes, in a way that I really like. Plus, it's a healer, and I like playing support characters that make everyone else better. Also, being able to have your companion act as a defender and limited striker while you play at being a leader is a lot of fun... especially when you start dropping area attacks that are sort of controller-y. Second place for 4e would be the Swordmage or Warlord.
So, what does it all say about me? I like versatile characters that contribute to a developed character. That I like being able to do multiple things, but don't really care if I do any one thing particularly well. I want to be in the negotiation encounter just as much as the combat encounter, but I also want to play around with the traps. I don't really care if I'm in the spotlight in any of those encounters - I'm just as happy being the guy helping the guy in the spotlight.
So, what are your favourite classes in the various editions (and sub editions) of D&D out there? And why? Try to stick to editions you've played for at least a decent length of time. And, what do you think it says about your playing style?
I'll start, I guess:
BECMI: Halfling. I don't really know why, but I always loved my halfling fighters. I guess because they were fighter-type characters, but their profile and inherent character suggested a character that was less prone for, y'know, combat. Which I've always liked. Plus, they're kind of lazy, greedy, and love food - what's not to love?
1e: Haven't played a HUGE amount of 1e, but I really liked the assassin class. It was dark, and an interesting variant on the thief. I think thief would come a very close second, and if I was playing in a game where the assassin wasn't a valid choice, I'd definitely be the thief. I like problem-solving, and I like lower levels of play - the thief is the perfect choice for that game (plus, it's always fun levelling up at twice the pace as everyone else!)
2e: Druid. Hands-down. The 2e druid could do a little bit of everything, and yet he wasn't weak in any way. I don't really think he was super powered, mind you. Just a perfect class, and a lot of fun. I also really loved the Hierophant Druids/Druidic Organization - kind of campaign specific, but I thought it was cool.
2e, DARK SUN: When playing Dark Sun, I hate druids - they bore me for some reason. I prefer Traders in Dark Sun, or maybe bards. Roguish characters that have to survive on their wits, and their contacts. And they're all generally non-combat in a game that's got a combat focus.
2e, Skills and Powers: I went through a Skills and Powers phase. And for that year or so, I loved wizards. They were just so fun to make, and there was so much you could do with them. Of course, I tended to play specialists, and my specialists were usually non-combat oriented (abjurers and diviners being my favourites - they were definitely roguelike, a tradition I still follow today when I make wizards).
3e: I only really played a few 3e characters, but my favourite is still my first - a human sorcerer. I like the narrow spell role of the character, which I think really ties the character elements together. Plus it helps me really develop WHAT I'm playing. I'm a big fan of taking spells that tie together a theme.
3.5E: Spellthief. My favourite class in D&D, EVER. EVER. If there is ever a Spellthief conversion in 4e (I doubt it will ever happen), I will buy that book in a heartbeat. Even if it were, like, sixty or seventy bucks. I mean, it's a class that has a few rogue-like abilities, yet its main ability requires you to deprive your enemies of resources and then try to find a creative way to use those resources against them. Huge range of options in this class, and they changed every encounter. Too bad the class didn't work out right in actual play.
4e: So far... Shaman. It's one of those "a little bit of everything" classes, in a way that I really like. Plus, it's a healer, and I like playing support characters that make everyone else better. Also, being able to have your companion act as a defender and limited striker while you play at being a leader is a lot of fun... especially when you start dropping area attacks that are sort of controller-y. Second place for 4e would be the Swordmage or Warlord.
So, what does it all say about me? I like versatile characters that contribute to a developed character. That I like being able to do multiple things, but don't really care if I do any one thing particularly well. I want to be in the negotiation encounter just as much as the combat encounter, but I also want to play around with the traps. I don't really care if I'm in the spotlight in any of those encounters - I'm just as happy being the guy helping the guy in the spotlight.
It's, uh, been a while, I guess. . .
With embedded metamagic 
I'm going to say hexblade because I always wanted to try one, but never got the chance.
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