One of the things I enjoy designing the most is material to fill what I'd term the "gaps" in 4e. By "gaps," I mean places where the rules or flavor suggest a class or paragon path or something should exist, but where it does not, and where, at least as far as we know, no material is planned. For example, a two weapon fighter was a gap for a while, but has ceased to be a gap since we know that the Tempest fighter is coming out.
My versatile fighter build, presently termed the Brutal Fencer, is another gap filler- versatile weapons exist, and suggest that characters should wield them with versatility, but no rules exist to make that worthwhile.
Can anyone think of any other gaps in the design that exist right now?
The best I can come up with is the heavy throwing weapons. It seems like they're underutilized. With magic weapons automatically returning to the thrower, there should be some room for a build that intentionally wields one, and makes use of it as both a melee weapon and a thrown weapon. But I'm not sure where to go with that option.
Plus, the whole idea hinges on the fact that magic weapons automatically return when you throw them. On one hand, you would think that a world where that was the case could develop a fighting style based on the assumption that you can throw your primary weapon, since it will return to you rather and you won't be left unarmed. But on the other hand, the aesthetic of D&D has always seemed to ignore the possibilities of fighting styles based on the availability of specific magic items, even where those items are freely available. So I'm not sure of whether such a build should be created, or whether it should be tied to an innately magical class or something. Maybe a paladin choice, so that you can declare that all thrown weapons return, regardless of the weapon's enchantment?
Anyways, that's the only idea I've got right now for something to design. That and my stalled Shadowcaster. Anyone else have any ideas for gaps that remain to be exploited?
My versatile fighter build, presently termed the Brutal Fencer, is another gap filler- versatile weapons exist, and suggest that characters should wield them with versatility, but no rules exist to make that worthwhile.
Can anyone think of any other gaps in the design that exist right now?
The best I can come up with is the heavy throwing weapons. It seems like they're underutilized. With magic weapons automatically returning to the thrower, there should be some room for a build that intentionally wields one, and makes use of it as both a melee weapon and a thrown weapon. But I'm not sure where to go with that option.
Plus, the whole idea hinges on the fact that magic weapons automatically return when you throw them. On one hand, you would think that a world where that was the case could develop a fighting style based on the assumption that you can throw your primary weapon, since it will return to you rather and you won't be left unarmed. But on the other hand, the aesthetic of D&D has always seemed to ignore the possibilities of fighting styles based on the availability of specific magic items, even where those items are freely available. So I'm not sure of whether such a build should be created, or whether it should be tied to an innately magical class or something. Maybe a paladin choice, so that you can declare that all thrown weapons return, regardless of the weapon's enchantment?
Anyways, that's the only idea I've got right now for something to design. That and my stalled Shadowcaster. Anyone else have any ideas for gaps that remain to be exploited?