How many classes do you prefer in a RPG?

[Aus_Snow]

What's the 'sweet spot' for the number of base classes/professions/roles/careers, etc., in a RPG? So, not prestige classes or similarly non-starter specialisation packages. Just your 'base level' kinda things.

And what's your reasoning there, or alternatively, what makes you feel more inclined toward your preferred number of classes? Is it most familiar to you and/or your group? Does it make for a more fun game? Maybe faster or easier play, or character generation? Does it 'make sense'? Does it best support or reflect a particular genre, source material, or the like? Or anything else.

Please vote, too! Thanks.

 

[Roadkill101]

None, Zero, Zilch, Zip.
I prefer games that utilize point-buy systems allowing characters to be built around skills and/or skill sets, like the Hero System (i.e. Champions) does.
I'm none too fond of level based progression either.

 

[Roadkill101]

Sorry. Double Post.

 

[Agback]

What's th differnce between having no classes in a games system and having one class?

 

[Aus_Snow]

What's th differnce between having no classes in a games system and having one class?

It's simply there to advance my agenda. This way, I will capture twice as many votes for um, classless games! Ha!

Oops. . .

 

[Arkhandus]

In general, I'd say 10. A good variety without necessarily ruining the uniqueness of each class. But I'd be fine with about half as many classes, or twice as many, or more.

I prefer class-based RPGs more than point-based, but I'll play or GM either. I like Shadowrun, for instance, but vastly prefer its priorities system while despising its point-system alternative (I don't have SR4, so I dunno if they made point-buy the default in SR4 or not).

 

[Flynn]

I'm a big fan of skill-defined characters, as is possible through Traveller and Savage Worlds. I answered the above question, however, on the assumption that the RPG had to be class-based, considering that it asks for the number of classes. In the D20 arena, I'm a fan of D20 Modern and Grim Tales, and followed that model somewhat in writing Fantasy Concepts, so I had to vote 6 classes. I am not a fan of more than, say, 10 or 11 base classes. In v3.5, I even removed the Paladin from my games as a base class and turned it into a PrC, if that tells you anything of my preferences. Of course, as always, YMMV, and I hope it does, simply because we all have to make the game our own at some point in the process.

With Regards,
Flynn

 

[Nifft]

Depends on the game.
I can't vote.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Aus_Snow]

Depends on the game.
I can't vote.

Fair enough. If there just isn't an approach you feel or believe works best in general, that's cool.

I probably should've added the good old 'pie' option or something. :\

As it is, it hacked off the last option I put on there. . .

 

[Nifft]

Fair enough. If there just isn't an approach you feel or believe works best in general, that's cool.

For example, I like many of the new classes for D&D: Binder, Duskblade, Beguiler, and Scout are among my favorites.

SW Saga seems to have gotten the right number of classes, but sometimes the division between Scout and Scoundrel seem forced. Evasion, for example, and the Outlaw Mechanic tree (and all the other goodies from Fringer that made it into Scout talents).

D20 Modern, on the other hand, seems to have TOO MANY base classes. I understand where they were coming from conceptually, but I think it could be simplified. I'd love to see D20 SAGA which did exactly that.

Cheers, -- N