Nethermancer

[gyor]

Thier has been some suggestion that because the illusionist was a character class of its own, seperate from the wizard in a previous edition, it may return in 5e.

The problem is that the illusionist became a wizard specialist later and having both maybe confusing so let me offer my solution.

The Nethermancer as illusionist 2.0.

The way I see it, it'll be based on a mix of the shadowcaster, the 3e illusion based shadow subschool, and the 4e nethermancer.

Just an idea.

 

[Oni]

If i had my druthers each of the specialists would be unique enough that they would play like their own class. Each one at least as unique from the generalist magic-user as the illusionist was back in 1e.

 

[Miyagi]

Magic

If i had my druthers each of the specialists would be unique enough that they would play like their own class. Each one at least as unique from the generalist magic-user as the illusionist was back in 1e.

I agree, but I would go even further and make every spellcaster of any sort a uniquely flavored class with a specific spell list and set of abilities. Wide-open classes like the mage, and the cleric in particular, can easily become unbalanced as the inevitable addition of new spells leads to potentially game-busting combinations.

But beyond the balance issue, I just think it's better for the atmosphere of the game. Magic being narrowly focused and thematic makes for really intriguing classes.

 

[Mokona]

The more I think about the hits and misses of 4th edition the more I think that long lists of classes is a better solution.

Trying to fit builds of Warlocks where some were Con-based and some were Cha-based didn't work very well. For one thing, in the character builder I had to keep looking at powers that were "not an option" because my Cha was 8 and my Con was 18.

Specialist wizards, including Abjurer, gave wizards more flavor and allowed the designers to provide more variety with less text. However, it is also more difficult to properly design systems like the specialist wizard subsystem. Probably better to have separate classes.

 

[Grazzt]

If i had my druthers each of the specialists would be unique enough that they would play like their own class. Each one at least as unique from the generalist magic-user as the illusionist was back in 1e.

I agree with this

 

[blalien]

I agree, but I would go even further and make every spellcaster of any sort a uniquely flavored class with a specific spell list and set of abilities. Wide-open classes like the mage, and the cleric in particular, can easily become unbalanced as the inevitable addition of new spells leads to potentially game-busting combinations.

I would do that, but also have a list of utility spells that are available to all arcane, divine, or primal classes. I think every spellcaster needs Detect Magic and Identify, every arcane caster needs Fly and Dispel Magic, every divine caster needs cure spells, etc. You should be able to pick a spellcasting class without worrying whether you can fulfill your party role. This doesn't even have to be explicit in the rules, just give each magic class a set of utility spells, and then give each class its unique spells. We definitely shouldn't have wizards and sorcerers cast from the same spell list again.