Filling Class/Role combos

[Charwoman Gene]

The Druid was confirmed as a Leader.

The Druid was confirmed as sucking at healing compared a Cleric in 3.5, not being a leader in 4E. I see as much evidence that druids will wind up in another role. They are DEFINITELY not confirmed as Divine Controllers.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I vote for "tastes great" over "role filling".

 

[Felon]

So he didn't explicitly say the druid was any particular role ... only that the cleric and warlord are both "leaders" (and the language he used strongly implies there are only two classes in the leader role). GZ implied that the druid and cleric could both perform the healing role, but that neither confirms nor denies the druid as a leader role character.

Personally, I think the druid is best adapted as a controller, but that's my interpretation.

Well, druid spells work great as control effects. They also work great as "leader" buffs (not just healing, but bull's strength and the other ability score boosters). Animal companions serve the defender role (pet-oriented classes tend to be aggro-holders).

But in short, I think it's safe to say that we can dismiss Breschau's blathering.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Well, druid spells work great as control effects. They also work great as "leader" buffs (not just healing, but bull's strength and the other ability score boosters). Animal companions serve the defender role (pet-oriented classes tend to be aggro-holders).

The 3.5 druid certainly crosses roles pretty well ... and makes a pretty good defender with shapeshifting to boot.

For 4E, I don't know if they would keep that flavor, or tighten the class down a bit. I'd personally like to see the spell list/abilities trimmed to eliminate the buffs and focus more on animal/plant/elemental summoning and control spells, with options/talent trees to allow focus on shapeshiting, animal companions, or more nature control.

 

[reanjr]

I'm having a bit of a problem with the concept of a martial controller...

My best take on it is a class that inflicts status effects on targets with physical attacks. This would allow it to "control" the battlefield by limiting the options of the opponents. I'm sure I'm entirely wrong on this, but it is the one way I have imagined a martial controller would work.

 

[breschau]

James Wyatt interview on Character Roles

Rough quotes from the key section (I'm a poor typist):

So he didn't explicitly say the druid was any particular role ... only that the cleric and warlord are both "leaders" (and the language he used strongly implies there are only two classes in the leader role). GZ implied that the druid and cleric could both perform the healing role, but that neither confirms nor denies the druid as a leader role character.

Personally, I think the druid is best adapted as a controller, but that's my interpretation.

No, Druid was not explicitly stated to be a leader, yet, the druid was explicitly stated to be just as good at healing as the cleric. The leader role is built around the ability to buff and heal.

So... which role could the druid possibly be... hm?

James: the cleric and the...

GZ: the primary healer.

James: yep.

James. And the warlord... are leaders

Unless I missed something. That's a confirmation that the leader role are the buffers and healers. Combine that with...

GZ: so you can have a cleric... or a druid that can fill that primary role of being the primary healer...

James: Just as good. Right.

Short of James uttering the sentence, "yes, the druid is a leader," it's right there, clear as day.

 

[Felon]

First he says

The Druid was confirmed as a Leader. Get it? Leader. Go back and watch the Roles video, yeah, the first thing we ever learned about roles was from that video. If you watched it, you should know better. The Druid was specifically confirmed as a Leader..

Then he says

No, Druid was not explicitly stated to be a leader

So, we'll just note that there's some backpedaling being attempted here.

After your big production about how tiring it was that other people aren't doing their research and they shouldnt post unless they have their facts straight, you wind up hoisted on your own petard.

yet, the druid was explicitly stated to be just as good at healing as the cleric. The leader role is built around the ability to buff and heal.

So... which role could the druid possibly be... hm?

This off-the-cuff remark from James Wyatt is your big confirmation about the druid? That's really not all that solid. It might be best for all concerned if you dropped the snide know-it-all act from here on out. Leave it to the pros.

Short of James uttering the sentence, "yes, the druid is a leader," it's right there, clear as day.

Translation: you're trying to save some face by treating some fast-and-loose remarks as hard evidence. It'd be a lot easier to apologize for your initial tone and be doen with it.

 

[Blind Azathoth]

There's a reason that the role is called "Leader" and not "Healer," and I think it's pretty clear that the defining characteristic of the role is not healing. How much healing do you expect the Warlord to be doing, exactly? The Druid being a decent healer is no confirmation at all that it's a Leader.

 

[Felon]

There's a reason that the role is called "Leader" and not "Healer," and I think it's pretty clear that the defining characteristic of the role is not healing. How much healing do you expect the Warlord to be doing, exactly? The Druid being a decent healer is no confirmation at all that it's a Leader.

Chances are, the druid isn't in the PHBI. So, my thinking is that the class hasn't been set in stone yet.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Note that they were using "primary healer" as the example of a type of role ... not as one of the primary roles in the game necessarily.