On "p.94: Elven Primal Strike" - This looks like an Arcane Archer to me considering it is shooting what looks like an arrow-like blob of energy from a stringless bow. This combined with so many other hints in the book, would lead to indicate that Primal is a good hint at one of the new power sources. From the other hints in the book, I predict that even though classes may have the same "name" we're used to - the actual function and mechanics of the classes will change.
A Druid is not going to be a cleric with weaker spells. They have already stated it will be less on spells and more on shapechanging. They also state in R&C that with the implementation of new power sources they can customize a classes abilities to that class without having to base it on something another class does.
From the hints in the book, my bets are as follows:
* Barbarian - Primal Defender
Yes, barbarians are classically bruisers, but they also take lots of damage. You can't simply think of the barbarian in 3X mode. The class, if designed to be a defender, will get flavor appropriate abilities to make it exceed at its primary role. The old standby of 3E mechanics simply don't matter when designing a 4E barbarian. I suspect that their secondary role will be striker, whereas the fighter is mostly a Defender/Controller.
* Druid - Primal Leader
They have said "less" spells but not that they will not have magic. The druid's shtick has always been as the 'nature priest' and the R&C does correlate the druid to being akin to the cleric's role, thus I think the leader role with abilities to heal and buff. I think their secondary role would be controller as their spells have often filled this role and even their shapeshifting, if done with this intent, could also fall into a form of control just as a Fighter does.
* {Insert Class Name Here} - Primal Strike
The book gives us a pretty good indication that this idea has been tossed around enough to get artwork and appears from the art to be a ranged elementalist type class.
* Shaman {or some new class} - Primal Controller
The idea of a shaman could easily fill this roll with all new unique powers of primal energy and the elements, spirits, etc.
JMHO.
A Druid is not going to be a cleric with weaker spells. They have already stated it will be less on spells and more on shapechanging. They also state in R&C that with the implementation of new power sources they can customize a classes abilities to that class without having to base it on something another class does.
From the hints in the book, my bets are as follows:
* Barbarian - Primal Defender
Yes, barbarians are classically bruisers, but they also take lots of damage. You can't simply think of the barbarian in 3X mode. The class, if designed to be a defender, will get flavor appropriate abilities to make it exceed at its primary role. The old standby of 3E mechanics simply don't matter when designing a 4E barbarian. I suspect that their secondary role will be striker, whereas the fighter is mostly a Defender/Controller.
* Druid - Primal Leader
They have said "less" spells but not that they will not have magic. The druid's shtick has always been as the 'nature priest' and the R&C does correlate the druid to being akin to the cleric's role, thus I think the leader role with abilities to heal and buff. I think their secondary role would be controller as their spells have often filled this role and even their shapeshifting, if done with this intent, could also fall into a form of control just as a Fighter does.
* {Insert Class Name Here} - Primal Strike
The book gives us a pretty good indication that this idea has been tossed around enough to get artwork and appears from the art to be a ranged elementalist type class.
* Shaman {or some new class} - Primal Controller
The idea of a shaman could easily fill this roll with all new unique powers of primal energy and the elements, spirits, etc.
JMHO.
