Other possible power sources

[Mouseferatu]

Okay, so we know that the classes in the 4E PHB draw on "arcane, divine, and martial" power. And we have reason to believe that future supplements will introduce characters with other power sources.

Just as an exercise, I'm curious what other power sources they might draw from pre-existing material. That is, I'm not interested in making up brand new ones; I want to see what potential sources already exist in D&D's rich history.

The ones that I'm absolutely convinced we'll see include:
Psionic
Ki
Aura (I don't know if they'll call it this, but that's essentially what it'll be)
Artifice (as in Eberron artificers)

Some that I think are possible, but I'm not certain of (and may not be able to support more than a class or two):
True Names
Binding
Shadow
Blood (I don't mean drinking, I mean like bloodlines or descent from demons, dragons, etc.)
Music (although honestly, I expect bards to be folded into "aura" characters, this one is possible)
Incarnum
Gadgets/alchemy

Honestly, I don't expect to see "celestial" or "fiendish" power split out into its own. I think that's handled by a combination of divine and bloodline/descent. But I could be wrong.

So what else? Again, I'm not looking for people to make up new ones, but to draw from existing material in older editions. What other sources of power do you think exist, and could potentially be used as the basis for a set of classes?

 

[Grymar]

Could elemental be its own?

 

[Mouseferatu]

Could elemental be its own?

Hmm...

I imagine it could, but I don't think I'd expect it to be. I'd imagine that between arcane, divine, and (if they happen) bloodline powers, it's pretty well covered.

But like I said, I've been wrong before. And we're all just speculating here anyway.

 

[Szatany]

What is the difference between artifice and gadgets?

 

[blargney the second]

Dragons. (bestowed, inspired, etc)
Badassery.
Outsiders. (possession or pacts with fiends, celestials, etc)
Flatulence.
Elements. (all five)
-blarg

 

[Knight Otu]

Mayhaps...

Monstrous/Transformational - Perhaps a bit broad, split into Elemental, Aberrant, Necromantic, ...?; flavorwise different from bloodlines, though
Fate/Destined (Fatespinner)
Sworn/Vow/Dedicated
Environmental - again, splittable (Frost, Desert, ...)
Elemental as above could also be used without the monstrous connection

 

[Aus_Snow]

OK, what are the power sources for the following:

Aura (I don't know if they'll call it this, but that's essentially what it'll be)
Artifice (as in Eberron artificers)

. . .?

And what is the official power source for arcane, and for martial, for that matter. . .?

 

[heirodule]

I wonder if it will be like Unknown Armies, where you have to power up your power sources by doing stuff.

 

[Knight Otu]

And what is the official power source for arcane, and for martial, for that matter. . .?

For martial, it is mundane training. For arcane, I would assume it is arcane magic.

 

[Plane Sailing]

The ones that I'm absolutely convinced we'll see include:
Psionic
Ki
Aura (I don't know if they'll call it this, but that's essentially what it'll be)
Artifice (as in Eberron artificers)

Some that I think are possible, but I'm not certain of (and may not be able to support more than a class or two):
True Names
Binding
Shadow
Blood (I don't mean drinking, I mean like bloodlines or descent from demons, dragons, etc.)
Music (although honestly, I expect bards to be folded into "aura" characters, this one is possible)
Incarnum
Gadgets/alchemy

Honestly, I don't expect to see "celestial" or "fiendish" power split out into its own. I think that's handled by a combination of divine and bloodline/descent. But I could be wrong.

My call?

Psionic - definitely.
Ki - also seems obviously in there.

Fiendish - surely must be there
Celestial - surely must be there
Fey - seems like a good bet
Draconic - seems like a good bet
Shadow - would certainly be nice to have
Far Realm - a possibility
Elemental - a good possibility


Aura - what on earth is that? I can't see that being a power source
Artifice - can't see that as a power source either, to be honest.
Blood - not really used anywhere at present, is it?
Music - can't see it
Binding/True Names - unlike Shadow they don't seem like 'iconic' general power sources, don't think either very likely.
Incarnum - I know nothing of it, but I guess it is a likely source considering what is already done with it.
Gadgets/alchemy - could happen, not sure if I'd like it.
Chaositech/Steampunk - could happen, might be a bit too 'out there' for core audiences

That's my take.