Newbie Game: Which class should I play?

[two]

Bard might be the best bet

I'm not sure what power levels you are talking, but a Bard/Paladin combo would be both effective and a lot of fun to role-play (lawful vs. chaotic, etc.).

The 3.5 bard "inspire courage" is not to be sneezed at (it gets more powerful as the bard ramps up). With a +2/+2 song going, a bard is a better fighter than a cleric (in general, over the long haul). Give the bard a wand of CLW and healing is covered (in a pinch, the Bard can also do arcane healing).

Put up a mirror image and the bard can melee, or put up a mirror image and the bard can do ranged/spell support. But, put up a mirror image at all costs. Just in case.

Plus, relatively good saves, can be fairly sneaky, etc. All bases covered.

 

[Henry]

wanderwanderwanderwander*move*wanderwanderwanderwander...

 

[Nifft]

Druid, Ranger, Rogue, Bard, Wizard, Cleric -- someone who's a decent generalist, since there's only two of you. 3.5e Druids are great, but so are 3.5e Bards and 3.5e Rangers. If you're in 3.0, consider a Rogue or Wizard.

-- N

 

[Nifft]

Ack! Double-post!

-- N, "the horror, the horror!"

 

[Emerald]

Thank you, oh great Moderator Henry.
[Curtsey]

 

[Tar-Edhel]

Cleric would be great to maximize your survival odds but you'll often be shadowing the paladin. From my experience, newbies should be left the best in their abilities. It helps getting them coming back for more week after week

You'll be a better healer, your Turn undead will be better and with the proper spells, you'll even be a better front-line fighter.

She'll cure diseases

I'd recommend druid, for a a party of 2. Powerful spellcaster, very versatile and a force to reckon in melee. Same as cleric in fact, except that you'll both have your own shtick.

Have fun!

 

[Herremann the Wise]

Hi Emerald,

This may be a silly suggestion but if it is her first game, I would suggest you play a fighter to her paladin. Since there are many similarities between the two classes, she will pick up the game and the rules a little bit more quickly. Importantly however, it will be the role-playing opportunities arising from the differences where she can digress from how you play your character and define her role-playing experience - Paladins can be difficult to play at the best of times but are certainly a "fun" introduction to the game.

As for survivability, two big melee types are perhaps a little bit over-focused with what may be required in that module, but hopefully there will be enough firepower there to get the job done - from memory, the game required a nice balance of physical force and wits so as long as your characters can encompass this, I'm sure you will be fine.

Look forward to hearing what you choose and how it eventuates.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Ranger, or Rouge. I would lean more to the rouge as your character got smarter... Those first level skill points are hard to ignore. The ranger on the other hand can do some healing, (skill) and is more effective in combat than a cleric.

First game as a paladin huh? Your friend is a brave soul indeed.

 

[Li Shenron]

For those following the Paladin Code for Paladin of Ehlonna Thread (http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=68823) you already know the specifices but here they are for those that don't:

My husband and I are introducing a friend into the game. She has never played before and my husband is going to DM the two of us through The Sunless Citidel. She is going to play a Paladin and I am trying to decide to make the party a viable force what would be the best complementary class to help keep us alive. I had thought maybe I should play two characters to help up our numbers but since she is more interested in the roleplaying aspect of the game than the rollplaying aspect, and I find it difficult to adequately roleplay two character simaltaniousely, I think I should stick to one. Maybe we should have an NPC to help us. I am not sure how much of a meat grinder Sunless Citidel is.

I have experience playing most classes and am comfortable with any class, race, alienment combo, but am unsure for party surviablitly what would be the best decision.

Are you actually saying that your husband is going to DM the two of you, and no one else? That is, you are going to be a 2-PC only party? In that case, it's a very difficult question what to play!

I did it only once as a mere try with my Gfriend, she played her Druid and I was DMing and also playing a NPC Bard through the free adventure The Burning Plague. We were 2nd level, so both of us could already cast at least Cure Light Wounds.

If you are only 2 PCs, I think you are never make it through the Sunless Citadel unless you either get NPC assistance, free healing potions or extraordinary equipment, or the DM undergrade the encounters a lot. Or you should start at higher level but I wouldn't recommend this with a newbie in general...

I won't tell you what awaits you in the adventure, but it is designed for a 1st level party of 4 PCs.

Anyway, I also think the best is probably if you play a Druid or a Cleric. If you get a few healing potions from the DM, the Druid might keep his spells to slightly cover the role of the arcane caster. A 1st level Bard is a bad choice IMHO: only cantrips and too few allies to boost.

 

[Shazman]

I'd probably go for bard or ranger/rogue. Keep search, open locks, disable device and use magic device maxed out. Both of these combos allow a lot of versatility to help compliment the paladin, while still letting her shine.