Let Warlord be Warlord

[pawsplay]

Chuck Norris.

 

[Umbran]

This was pointed out by another user in the poll thread, but how likely is it that characters in the game would refer to themselves by class anyway? It's just a designation for the meta-game.

Well, considering how many Bardic Colleges, Thieves' Guilds, and Wizards' towers there are, I don't feel that calling it "just a designation for the meta-game" is at all accurate. I think as a practical matter the class names get used all the time in-game. Characters often need to communicate what they can do to other characters, and using the class name is a fast way of doing that.

As for Gandalf - Yes, he was a wizard. But you could also call him an archmage. Would you call a st level fighter an archknight? No. First level characters are not arch-anythings. Same problem here. "Lord" denotes and connotes a power level that doesn't (or at least to my mind shouldn't) apply to 1st level characters.

 

[Irda Ranger]

Now that the polls for a new name for Warlord are roaring again and I've put some thought into it, I say leave the name alone.

That's like telling me to ignore the itch in the middle of my back - not gonna' happen.

1) We're in the second round of proving that no other name fits. It might not be the best, but it's the best we have. (I think 'Warrior' would be perfect, but am almost alone in that. I dread every other name proposed, except 'Marshall,' but that could be confused with Martial powers, and it doesn't fit #2)

One, 'Marshal' is winning the poll, and two, the poll did not include the alternative I have just now come up with, but which is clearly superior: Herald.

Once more people are made aware of "Herald" as an alternative, I think it will have appeal. And even if they have the poor taste to not realize its superiority, I am going to use it going forward.

2) 'Warlord' is a fantasy archetype, as someone else pointed out.

I don't see it. The only warlords from fantasy I can think of epitomize both halves of the name: War, and Lord. As in, they've got a really big army they're the Lord of. No one is "the warlord" of a group of five people (including himself).

3) 'Warlord' is a class name you grow into.

Unlike all the others. If you can cast magic-missile, you're a wizard. Having to grow into the name would be like starting the Druid right at "Hierophant."

So, I think it'll survive because no other option comes close.

You're right; Marshal and Herald aren't close - they're better. I prefer Herald.

D&D will define a Warlord in D&D terms.

I prefer my English as dictionary friendly as possible. We have enough D&D-isms.

Irda "put your dukes up!" Ranger

 

[Erik Mona]

If WotC thinks the powers of the class make Warlord a good name for the class, I am inclined to go with their decision. It certainly sounds appropriate for D&D. As an editor I can see how the similarity between Warlord and Warlock might cause a minor pout, but Bard and Barbarian start with the same few letters to and the game has somehow managed to survive.

--Erik

 

[Lackhand]

Herald is pretty sexy.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

That's largely why I don't like it. Even if in 4e, starting PCs are already heroes, they probably aren't leading whole armies in war.

Warlord: "I am ruler of all I survey!"
Warlock: "You're first level, dude. How much can you really rule?"
Warlord: "Well, I have a really crappy Perception, so not very much, actually."

 

[fuindordm]

Warlord is a fine name with strong fantasy connotations.

I think the best solution is to rename the Warlock. There are dozens of terms for a magic-user that would fit the bill, including sorcerer--not so many that connote a martial leader.

 

[T. Foster]

Gandalf was a wizard. Merlin was a wizard. A first level PC is a... wizard.

Fie! Everyone knows that a first level PC is in fact a "medium" (or perhaps a "prestidigitator," if you're new-school) and if anyone says otherwise I'll have to call out the Diaglo

EDIT: and FWIW I think the name "warlord" is probably the least lame thing about this class, which probably wouldn't even make my top 30 of "classes that should be in the core rulebook"

 

[Reaper Steve]

Irda "put your dukes up!" Ranger

Scrappy!

Eh, don't like Herald, either. Totally not feeling it.

Yeah, one of the two or three current polls has Marshall winning. And as I stated, I like Marshall.

The whole 'warlord is too close to warlock'...I don't see that as a big deal. Most people aren't that dense. (Not attacking anyone... it seems like those that think it's an issue are worrying for someone else, I haven't seen anyone here state 'warlord/lock' confuses me.')

But Marshall/Martial as homophones could cause problems.

Since D&D as a game wants to enable a 1st-level leader (and I'm fine with that), I think I can also live with Warlord as its title. (I'll call them Warriors until they attain enough experience to be called a true Warlord.)

 

[Shroomy]

Warlord is no better or worse than fighter in my book.