PC Roles (New Design and Development Article)

[Twiggly the Gnome]

If there's a separate Natural power source, then I'd have their four core roles as:

Defender: Beastwalker (kills 3e Wildshape Druid and THS.)
Leader: Bard
Controller: Druid
Striker: Ranger

I'd call the first one Skinwalker, but otherwise I agree. Unfortunately, I don't think that's in the cards.

 

[Rechan]

It would be nice if they basically took the Druid and made the person decide how they were going to progress the class from day 1. Either: Wildshaper with a little magic (Defender), 2) Nature-based Spellcaster (Controller) with a little bit of Leader, or 3) Something I'm MIssing. This would let the Druid's flavor expand to fit several roles while keeping what people WANT.

 

[Mouseferatu]

If there's a separate Natural power source, then I'd have their four core roles as:

Defender: Beastwalker (kills 3e Wildshape Druid and THS.)
Leader: Bard
Controller: Druid
Striker: Ranger

I'd rather druids keep wild shape (albeit toned down if it has to be). There's no reason barbarians couldn't be a nature-based defender, especially given the original origins of the "berserker" concept.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

1. Either: Wildshaper with a little magic (Defender), 2) Nature-based Spellcaster (Controller) with a little bit of Leader, or 3) Something I'm MIssing. This would let the Druid's flavor expand to fit several roles while keeping what people WANT.

1. Feral
2. Tree of Life?
3. Moonkin?

 

[Rechan]

1. Feral
2. Tree of Life?
3. Moonkin?

No tree of life.

 

[Felon]

Couldn't the monk be a controller? High speed tumbling all across the battlefield shoot-kicking and body-pushing monsters left and right. Add high throws and quivering palms for more martial, controller, awesomeness.?

This was exactly my thought.

High movement to reach multiple foes? Check.

Able to lash out at multiple foes even at 1st level? Check.

Ability to mez weak targets? Check.

It just needs the ability to move and attack--something that's stringently denied in 3e. I guess it's considered overpowered, even though a guy with a bow has this capability.

 

[Mercule]

I'd rather druids keep wild shape (albeit toned down if it has to be). There's no reason barbarians couldn't be a nature-based defender, especially given the original origins of the "berserker" concept.

Either that, or group the barbarian with the fop and the exotic dance master for those in the "clothing" power group.

 

[noretoc]

I dont really see it as giving you less choices, just changing the nature of the choices. It's no longer this OR that. It's Pick Option from List A combined with Pick Option from List B.

"I can attack this monster and rely on my healing aura to patch up my friends in the hopes it drops now, or I could drop everything and concentrate on healing him while providing a defensive bonus to the rest of the party, or maybe I can concentrate fully on attacking with a divine spell and hopefully this will trigger a healling boost anyways"

Sounds just like an MMORPG. Man I am really not liking 4ed.
Sorry to cut in..

 

[SCMrks]

If the ranger is in the PHB but the druid isn't then the ranger can't draw nature spells from the druid spell list, it won't exist. I would hope they don't make the ranger cast priestly cleric spells so this leaves no spellcasting or arcane.

 

[fuindordm]

You know, if even a martial class like the Warlord is going to provide some healing, I really hope they finally give the Wizard the opportunity to learn healing spells too.