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<blockquote data-quote="(Psi)SeveredHead" data-source="post: 6112545" data-attributes="member: 1165"><p>Many classes are common, so they would be common knowledge. I would rule that any class in the PH1 would be common knowledge. This could be cultural too; a wild halfling community might have good knowledge of rangers but know nothing about wizards. (Yes, I'm running a Dark Sun campaign.)</p><p></p><p>Archetypes, subclasses, rare classes like the Cloistered Cleric, prestige classes and so forth might not be known to anyone without training in an appropriate skill.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Assuming it's not rare, I would assume the fighter would know. Of course, that's not the same thing as having "complete" information. The fighter might know a wizard needs a spellbook, but not why. The fighter might not know about wizard specialization. The fighter isn't likely to know any but the best known spells (Magic Missile, Fireball, etc). The fighter might be confused by the difference between a ranger and a scout, and not know about ranger magic.</p><p></p><p>Having said this, with just a little experience, either working beside a wizard (as part of a party or in their background) or having faced one or two, the fighter's knowledge is going to expand. Pretty much anything about a wizard that wouldn't require an Arcana check would be known to the fighter. Needs a spellbook? Check. Needs to sleep to prep spells? Check. Generally squishy and not combat-trained? Check.</p><p></p><p>IMO, "subtle" character abilities might not be known. Detect Evil and Smite Evil would probably be known, because it's part of a paladin's propaganda, but it's easy to see how someone might not know about the far more subtle Detect Evil. It's extremely unlikely anyone could tell the difference between a wizard and a loremaster; the loremaster's abilities are often subtle. Any wizard could call themselves an archmage. If you can cast 9th-level spells, people call you what you want them to call you, even if you don't have the prestige class.</p><p></p><p>It's also easy to confuse a class. A charismatic rogue who tells stories might call himself a "bard", and simple observation won't tell you anything. You never see them cast a spell ... well, there's many reasons for that.</p><p></p><p>You might expect Sir Victor to be a fighter, and be surprised when he's an Eldritch Knight instead.</p><p></p><p>Telling the difference between a cleric, adept and druid might be hard at first glance.</p><p></p><p>The "rogue" NPC turns out to just be an expert with lots of Open Lock... or maybe the locksmith turns out to be a rogue, and does stuff on the side. Unless you actually personally know a sorcerer, you might think they're a wizard.</p><p></p><p>If you can't make a skill check, a robed unarmored cleric casting Animate Dead looks awfully similar to a wizard casting the same spell.</p><p></p><p>If you see someone blasting their foes with magic continually, and the barbarian turns excitedly to the wizard and asks why they can't do that... they might be surprised when the wizard (who has the appropriate skills) says that guy is a warlock.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="(Psi)SeveredHead, post: 6112545, member: 1165"] Many classes are common, so they would be common knowledge. I would rule that any class in the PH1 would be common knowledge. This could be cultural too; a wild halfling community might have good knowledge of rangers but know nothing about wizards. (Yes, I'm running a Dark Sun campaign.) Archetypes, subclasses, rare classes like the Cloistered Cleric, prestige classes and so forth might not be known to anyone without training in an appropriate skill. Assuming it's not rare, I would assume the fighter would know. Of course, that's not the same thing as having "complete" information. The fighter might know a wizard needs a spellbook, but not why. The fighter might not know about wizard specialization. The fighter isn't likely to know any but the best known spells (Magic Missile, Fireball, etc). The fighter might be confused by the difference between a ranger and a scout, and not know about ranger magic. Having said this, with just a little experience, either working beside a wizard (as part of a party or in their background) or having faced one or two, the fighter's knowledge is going to expand. Pretty much anything about a wizard that wouldn't require an Arcana check would be known to the fighter. Needs a spellbook? Check. Needs to sleep to prep spells? Check. Generally squishy and not combat-trained? Check. IMO, "subtle" character abilities might not be known. Detect Evil and Smite Evil would probably be known, because it's part of a paladin's propaganda, but it's easy to see how someone might not know about the far more subtle Detect Evil. It's extremely unlikely anyone could tell the difference between a wizard and a loremaster; the loremaster's abilities are often subtle. Any wizard could call themselves an archmage. If you can cast 9th-level spells, people call you what you want them to call you, even if you don't have the prestige class. It's also easy to confuse a class. A charismatic rogue who tells stories might call himself a "bard", and simple observation won't tell you anything. You never see them cast a spell ... well, there's many reasons for that. You might expect Sir Victor to be a fighter, and be surprised when he's an Eldritch Knight instead. Telling the difference between a cleric, adept and druid might be hard at first glance. The "rogue" NPC turns out to just be an expert with lots of Open Lock... or maybe the locksmith turns out to be a rogue, and does stuff on the side. Unless you actually personally know a sorcerer, you might think they're a wizard. If you can't make a skill check, a robed unarmored cleric casting Animate Dead looks awfully similar to a wizard casting the same spell. If you see someone blasting their foes with magic continually, and the barbarian turns excitedly to the wizard and asks why they can't do that... they might be surprised when the wizard (who has the appropriate skills) says that guy is a warlock. [/QUOTE]
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