new playtest report by Steve Winter

[rounser]

So "on your feet soldier ! And watch for your guts, you have stuck your bowstring in your former lower intestine !".

They're not soldiers! ARGH! Doesn't this shoot anyone else's suspension of disbelief between the eyes? D&D is not Saving Private Ryan!

Sorry, will go find something constructive to do. :\

 

[Perun]

And the more I read and think about it, the less I think warlords will exist IMC. Suspension of disbelief is somewhat important to me.

We know warlord is supposed to be a martial leader, but we don't know what the exact definition of "martial power source" is, nor the exact abilities of the warlord.

It is quite possible that, although a martial class, the warlord will have some limited access to non-martial powers -- perhaps some limited form of healing a la divine classes (similar to how 3(.5)e paladins get a few divine spells).

Perhaps "reviving a character in combat" is one of the warlord's per day abilities.

Perhaps it is normally a mundane full-round (or a minute-long) action (Heal skill and healer's kit, for example), but the character spent an action point to do it as a standard (or full-round) action (much like an Eberron artificer can quicken his infusions).

Perhaps the warlord in the playtest took the Cleric Training feat, and is now able to use the 4e equivalent of cure light wounds several times per day.

Or, perhaps the character has the 4e equivalent of wand of cure light wounds and Use Magic Device... and so on and so on.

Regards.

 

[Ragnar69]

We currently have a dwarf bard/fighter playing as drill sergeant, using Command Feats from War of the Burning Sky. I don´t see any problems with this concept.
Of course he's not calling us maggots or anything ´cause 1) he's no jerk 2) we are not his subordinates and 3) we could kick his butt anytime

If your fellow players want to act like jerks, they will act like jerks, no matter what they play. I wouldn't ever play with idiots who use the "but my character acts that way" excuse.

 

[eve_of_dante]

We know warlord is supposed to be a martial leader, but we don't know what the exact definition of "martial power source" is, nor the exact abilities of the warlord.

It is quite possible that, although a martial class, the warlord will have some limited access to non-marital powers -- perhaps some limited form of healing a la divine classes (similar to how 3(.5)e paladins get a few divine spells).

Consulting R&C it states:
'the Warlord does not rely on magic... [his powers]'re all from his personal power.'

'they help others to recover from damage and shield them from harm'

It suggests multiple backgrounds, such as graceful elves and younger people who have tactical ability that will one day mature, so presumably it's not drill-sargent exclusive!

 

[Szatany]

The Warlord is reviving people? What does that mean? Why would a warlord be able to revive people? Anyone have an explanation? That just doesn't seem very warlord-like.

They are not giving every class healing ability are they?

Sure why not, he stands next to paladin pointing a finger at him and yells "Stand up you worthless piece of s..t, you call yourself a paladin!? Your friends need you!"

You know of any paladin that wouldn't revive after such speech?

I'd prefer "GET UP NOW, MAGGOT!"

And I like a quote from Quake 4:
"Back to war, marine"

 

[RPG_Tweaker]

Consulting R&C it states:
'the Warlord does not rely on magic... [his powers]'re all from his personal power.'

'they help others to recover from damage and shield them from harm'

It suggests multiple backgrounds, such as graceful elves and younger people who have tactical ability that will one day mature, so presumably it's not drill-sargent exclusive!

I hope so.

To me it seems even Fighters should be able to treat simple wounds. A profession that includes getting cut and bruised as part of the job description should impart some basic knowledge on the subject. Warrior -types throughout fiction are often depicted stitching a cut or cauterizing a puncture.

I really don't mind the Warlord class using motivational speech to encourage PCs to re-double efforts, I just don't want the basic concept of the class to be built as a drill-seargent.

Alpha-dog mentality in books or movies is fine, but it should never be encouraged in an RPG party as it will most definitely cause player conflicts that could ruin a campaign. That would be some serious suckage.

 

[Mostlyjoe]

I see the Warlord as a mix of tactical expert and field medic.

 

[Stogoe]

I see the Warlord as a mix of tactical expert and field medic.

Don't forget morale officer. HP are nearly half morale as it is.

 

[RigaMortus2]

The Warlord is reviving people? What does that mean? Why would a warlord be able to revive people? Anyone have an explanation? That just doesn't seem very warlord-like.

They are not giving every class healing ability are they?

Even in 3E, anyone with enough ranks in the Heal skill can revive (stablize) people.

 

[Fifth Element]

I don't like the idea of people fallig one, two, three times per encounter, and being revived during the fight.

Precisely this sort of thing already happens in 3.x. It' just the cleric doing the reviving, that's the only difference.