Irda Ranger
First Post
I've started a bit of a project which may prove too great for me, but I hope you might take a moment to help me in a small way. I am working on an RPG of personal design and I have come to a very important step: naming the classes. There are only four, so this won't take long.
We can skip the first class (magic-user) because my only choice here is which of the many good choices I have to choose from (Wizard, Mage, Sorcerer, Magician, etc.) I will use. Lots of choices is good.
The three melee sorts are being a problem though because they are broadly conceived classes. I will describe their fighting style and role, and the names I have chosen (but am not entirely happy with) and hope for good feedback.
Class #1 - the Tank.
This guy is the weapon & board specialist. If I felt like ripping off Monte Cook I could call him "Armiger" or "Warmain". In 4E-speak he's the Defender, but I don't want to suggest that his only role is to protect the other PCs. Also, Fighter is too broad (everyone fights).
Because sword & board is his "thing" I've been using "Shieldsman", as the heavily armored warriors of history (Roman Legions, Crusaders, Hoplites, etc.) always had shields (unless they were fighting in a dense pike formation, which is quite rare in D&D). Of the three I think this one is named the most appropriately, but I am open to other suggestions.
Class #2 - the DPS guy.
Hand-eye coordination and careful strikes are this guy's trademark. The Monte Cook ripoff here would be Unfettered. He's a Striker in 4e lingo (though that's too broad, like Fighter), and equally capable with TWF, archery and dueling with rapier and buckler. Mainly he just doesn't use heavy shields and armor.
Because he's good with anything where careful strikes beats brute force a lot of the regular names I see bandied about (such as Duelist) are inappropriate because it rules out Legolas. Likewise, "Archer" rules out Inigo Montoya. And this class should allow both of those builds. I have been using "Marksman", but I am not satisfied with it.
Class #3 - The "Irregular"
That's the name I've been using. Unlike the Shieldsman and Marksman (who do regular damage), the Irregular is about neutralizing a single opponent using Trip, Disarm, Unarmed Attack, Grapple, Backstab, Strangle, and other "unconventional" tactics. He's Jason Bourne, Bruce Lee, and/or Batman.
I don't like "Martial Artist" because (even if the terms are linguistically neutral) the term has become too associated with Eastern martial arts and Mr. Miyagi. Monk is worse. I don't want any brain freeze from preventing someone from playing a Greek Pankration competitor or a Holy Assassin of Sultan Rashid (all of whom should be good builds under this class).
So, any suggestions for any one or all three?
We can skip the first class (magic-user) because my only choice here is which of the many good choices I have to choose from (Wizard, Mage, Sorcerer, Magician, etc.) I will use. Lots of choices is good.
The three melee sorts are being a problem though because they are broadly conceived classes. I will describe their fighting style and role, and the names I have chosen (but am not entirely happy with) and hope for good feedback.
Class #1 - the Tank.
This guy is the weapon & board specialist. If I felt like ripping off Monte Cook I could call him "Armiger" or "Warmain". In 4E-speak he's the Defender, but I don't want to suggest that his only role is to protect the other PCs. Also, Fighter is too broad (everyone fights).
Because sword & board is his "thing" I've been using "Shieldsman", as the heavily armored warriors of history (Roman Legions, Crusaders, Hoplites, etc.) always had shields (unless they were fighting in a dense pike formation, which is quite rare in D&D). Of the three I think this one is named the most appropriately, but I am open to other suggestions.
Class #2 - the DPS guy.
Hand-eye coordination and careful strikes are this guy's trademark. The Monte Cook ripoff here would be Unfettered. He's a Striker in 4e lingo (though that's too broad, like Fighter), and equally capable with TWF, archery and dueling with rapier and buckler. Mainly he just doesn't use heavy shields and armor.
Because he's good with anything where careful strikes beats brute force a lot of the regular names I see bandied about (such as Duelist) are inappropriate because it rules out Legolas. Likewise, "Archer" rules out Inigo Montoya. And this class should allow both of those builds. I have been using "Marksman", but I am not satisfied with it.
Class #3 - The "Irregular"
That's the name I've been using. Unlike the Shieldsman and Marksman (who do regular damage), the Irregular is about neutralizing a single opponent using Trip, Disarm, Unarmed Attack, Grapple, Backstab, Strangle, and other "unconventional" tactics. He's Jason Bourne, Bruce Lee, and/or Batman.
I don't like "Martial Artist" because (even if the terms are linguistically neutral) the term has become too associated with Eastern martial arts and Mr. Miyagi. Monk is worse. I don't want any brain freeze from preventing someone from playing a Greek Pankration competitor or a Holy Assassin of Sultan Rashid (all of whom should be good builds under this class).
So, any suggestions for any one or all three?
