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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tony Vargas" data-source="post: 5821445" data-attributes="member: 996">Traditionally, 4:  meat shield, heal-bot, skill monkey, and deus ex magica.The identified a workable set of 4 roles.  I'm certain there could be others.  In particular, the Controller is a shakily-defined role.Certainly.  The latter, it seems kinda like a grandfather clause to let wizards keep some of their excessive versatility and power.Roles work pretty well.  The controller role could certainly be re-examined, perhaps cut into more workable chunks.  For instance, you could break a 'blaster' role specializing in multi-target damage (like a 4e sourcerer or evoker) out of controller, leaving a role specialized in condition-infliction and action denial.Another option is to relate roles to the 'three pillars.'  There could be a variety of systematic aproaches.You could take the existing 4 roles and give them corresponding functions in each of the pillars.  Combat:Defender:  Marks/blocks/soaks damageLeader:  Buffs/heals/preserves actionsStriker:  high-damage,skirmishingController:  blasting/area-denialExploration:Defender:  Directly removes obstacles, takes risksLeader:  Provides bonuses/removes penaltiesStriker:  Spots trouble, directly removes enemies/trapsController:  Provides knowledge, changes circumstancesInteraction:Defender:  Counters threats of violence, presents a position of strenght/status, provides access.Leader:   Clarifies positions, offers compromises, smooths over objections Striker:  Engages in high-rist/reward strategies (deception, blackmail, etc)Controller:  Gains information, alters dynamicsOr,  you could have different roles in each pillar:Combat:  Defender, Striker, Leader, ControllerExploration:  Scout, Navigator, Expert, Trail-breakerInteraction:  Investigator, Researcher, Negotiator, AuthorityDifferent classes could have different combinations of roles.  Or some roles could be determined by class and others by theme.</blockquote>

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