Impressions of the classes so far

[Negative Zero]

so; it's a team game when it suits your argument, but when it doesn't, the whole "team" thing isn't that important? you sound like a gemini. (i should know i am one ) seriously though, tumble was too easy in 3.0/3.5. the new system is an improvement. it however still is worth it, at least in my opinion. although you may disagree (more to the point you seem to already be disagreeing )

also, you're quite right. the warmain does do more damage than the unfettered. that's because he's designed to. the value of the unfettered is not in his damage output but in his skill versatility and his mobility, while still remaining useful in combat.

~NegZ

 

[Rugger]

And yet the Assassin is an approved AU prestige class that gets sneak attack every other level...and first strike is there as a feat that can be taken up to 3 times, in addition to the Akashic and Unfettered getting sneak attack every 4 levels, and several feats that kick in for a sneak attack that do things like drain 1 point of strength (temp damage) with each sneak attack or first strike hit.

Oh man did you just get my brain going...

An Akashic/Assassin.

He/she knows EVERYTHING there is to know about killing. And everything anyone has ever know about killing. And ever will know about killing.

He's beyond the science or art of killing...he's the epitome of killing.

Think Rose Tattoo from Ellis's run on the comic Stormwatch....

<patters off to stat this idea up...>

-Rugger
"I Assassinate!"

 

[Hammerhead]

Actually, I'm Sagitarus or whatever, whatever that means.

AU/D&D is a team based game, but my point is that YOU are a part of that team as well. If an action does your harm but gives your team a greater benefit, it's good. If an action does you more harm than provides a benefit, it's bad. Seems logical enough.

Yes, the Warmain does do more damage, is tougher, etc. than the Unfettered. However, the Warmain also seems to possess a lot of maneuverability and versatility in their skill choices as well. They also get Jump as a class skill ( I think, going from memory here) and their high Str helps them overcome their AC penalty. Likewise for Climb.

In my opinion as a player, I liked the low Tumble DCs. They made tumbling pretty routine, instead of a life or death risk. Also, you didn't need to have many ranks in Tumble to do it well, allowing the Rogue or Monk or whatever to pump more skill points into other skills. However, I always disagreed with Tumble as a skill, particularily when Mobility was outclassed by Tumble all the time. Personally, my fix would be to make the ability to Tumble a feat, replacing Mobility, and making the skill Balance or something. (Like the Track feat).

 

[ES2]

My .02 coppers...

both the Oathsworn and Unfettered get an automatic Class bonus to their AC when they gain levels, which offsets some other disadvantages that they may seem to have...

Until it was pointed out that the Unfettered get that AC bonus with levels, I though the class sucked...some of their abilities are kinda lame, and yes the Warmain is gonna slice almost anything up because that is what it's supposed to do.

 

[Berandor]

How I attack and do damage with these figures?
BAB +5 (+4 class, +1 mojh)
Str 16 (+3)
Weapon Focus (scimitar)
Weapon Specialization (scimitar)
Ambidexterity
Two-Weapon-Fighting
Equipment: +1 dire scimitar, +1 dire sickle
Attack: Scimitar +10 (+5 BAB, +3 Str, +1 WF, +1 magic)[1w6 + 3(Str) +1 (magic) +2 (dire) +2 (WS)]
Sickle +9 (as above, without Weapon Focus)[1w4 + 1(Str) + 1(magic) +2 (dire)]
Yeah, My AC is fine, but not great. That's why I'll be picking up Mojh 3 soon

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

You don`t have to use tumble to get into sneak attack / Flanking position. Maybe you need a round and a 5 foot step longer to get there, but it can be done quite easily. (I know it, in our group, we do it all the time ).

There are also some feets that can help you, even if your tumble check is unsuccesful, the enemies AOO might not hit thanks to Parry (class ability) and Mobility (feat).

You can also use Bluff (Feinting) to get Sneak Attacks, though I must admit there is no Combat Feint feat in the game. (Though it probably would not be unbalanced to include it.)

Flight has also some more risks than in D&D - dispelling immediately ends it, and there is no "soft fall" or something like that. It might be better for a Warmain to stay on ground. (A flying Warmain will basically provoke a Dispelling Attempt by any enemy spellcaster - to dangerous to let such a combat machine in air)

Back to the Main topic:
We did not play an AU only game until now, but we already used two of the classes, Magister and Witch (Wood). The Wood witch did not survive the first session, but sometimes bad things happen, even to good characters. (Especially if the Fighter becomes dominated and attacks the own group). The Magister seems as good as just any other D&D 3.0 character, at least I did not get the impression he was over- or underpowered.

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Waylander the Slayer]

So what are your impressions about the other classes that you have played? What about the feats you have taken?
Interesting how easily things can devolve into "character A is better than character B"... the warmain is a sucky class because they are the worst when it comes to social interaction ...(just kidding!!!)

 

[Macbeth]

I just wanted to throw in my opinion about one of the best classes (in style, not as in "better then the other classes..."): the Mageblade. great concept: they have a weapon that lets them cast spells without somatic components, but if they lose that weapon their screwed. Finally we have a combat caster that can cast spells reasonably well, can wear armor, and can get toe-to-toe in combat. This class may see some use in my non Au campaigns, just because it fills that archtyple idea of the warrior mage, and the idea of Athames is just too cool.

 

[Mistwell]

And I will throw in my opinion that the Akashic is the most interesting character class to come along in a loooong time. I find it exceptionally creative.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I agree. It is the first time a roleplaying game might make it possible for me to play a "Jarod the Pretender"-type character.

And there are still thousand other character ideas for that class...