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Message: <blockquote data-quote="howandwhy99" data-source="post: 5865993" data-attributes="member: 3192">You know I think we're closer in agreement than I first thought. The D&Dn designers are talking about categorizing three focuses of play: social interaction (nominally role play), exploration, and combat. I suppose those spheres of engagement could be considered roles too, but I think a solid Class (role) should cover all three to some degree.For me Class == Role in D&D. 4E combat roles made sense in the rock-scissors-paper combat design that goes much farther back in wargaming and military science history than 71's Chainmail game. I've mentioned before I think they are a carryover of the infantry-cavalry-artillery theory, but with computer and console combat roles built in as well. I don't think these should be the first and foremost design considerations though. Interlocking role design like the above could conceivably be built into the designers' other two spheres of action as separate game designs, but I'd hesitate limiting classes even that much. It's good game design to be sure, it's simply predetermining a second level of class categorizing upon the first (actually named class) like 4E did with Roles & Classes. It isn't necessary. The classes themselves focus the sphere of adventure for the game by character. Enabling more activities, even more than the 3 suggested, can be done (perhaps with modularity) without taking anything away from the niche each class offers. Each class engages in combat as per their class abilities and advancement goals first, combat roles are secondary and decided upon by the player. Maybe the M-U wants to be a meatshield this time? That's their choice, but by historical design that means it is tougher for them.Socializing mechanics, exploration mechanics, and anything else they can dream up mechanics need only cover the classes they are being designed for. Crafting is generally outside of all the core classes, but a rule supplement could be provided that played it up for each, and each in their own specific way. Weapons, clerical implements, arcane book design, refining thieves' tools, etc. Personally that's beyond the scope of the game for me and more in the realm of NPC classes, but its possible the players want to spend some hours of gaming playing at crafting waterskins and whatnot.</blockquote>

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