PHB2 only adventuring party

[Cam Banks]

So, assume we start party of four adventurers with only the four new base classes from the PHB2:

1 x dragon shaman
1 x beguiler
1 x duskblade
1 x knight

What's missing in terms of abilities and niche coverage? What are the ideal races for these four individuals? I'm thinking of working them up as 1st level pregens for a short term campaign and wonder if folks who've used them already have some input.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Voadam]

Knight is the tank niche, duskblade is a combat niche, beguiler and duskblade are the arcane niche, beguiler is also the sneaky niche and the social niche, dragon shaman I'm least familiar with, they have a nifty little healing aura at 1st level that is nice though.

 

[Voadam]

I should also mention that I'm playing a beguiler in a 1st level party that also has a dragon shaman. See the pbp game of Malvoisin's Savage Tide.

 

[Klaus]

You're missing the big BOOM types. The Duskblade has arcane magic, but it's mostly to fulfill the Fighter niche. And the Beguiler has illusion/enchantment, but also lacks that magical punch.

For races, I'd have to look at the classes more closely.

 

[Cam Banks]

I figure the dragon shaman, with its breath weapon and ability to serve as front line melee next to the knight and duskblade, helps to make up for the lack of BOOM.

I'm playing a red dragon shaman half-orc in an Eberron pick-up game at the moment. I only have 2 skills, but he's one of the toughest SOB characters I've ever had.

One thing I'll be taking care to note is where the party is weak, and make sure I don't play that side too strongly in the opposition to avoid making the players frustrated. I've already figured out that undead, for instance, are not a good thing to toss at this group.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[clarkvalentine]

The first thing that jumps out at me is healing. There's no natural healer in the party.

 

[Cam Banks]

The first thing that jumps out at me is healing. There's no natural healer in the party.

I wonder if that could be taken care of with an NPC to supply potions?

Cheers,
Cam

 

[szilard]

Tank: Knight+++, Duskblade++, Dragon Shaman+
Damage-dealing melee: Duskblade+++, Knight++
Utility caster: Beguiler+++, Duskblade+
Artillery: Dragon Shaman++, Duskblade+
Healer: Dragon Shaman++
Sneaky/Skills: Beguiler+++

Healing is the weak point. Use the Reserve Point option from Unearthed Arcana, and you'll be fine.

-Stuart

 

[Cam Banks]

Healing is the weak point. Use the Reserve Point option from Unearthed Arcana, and you'll be fine.

Actually, that's a great idea. It also makes the game a little more action-adventure and less of a question of finding the magic healer.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Kafkonia]

Healing is the weak point. Use the Reserve Point option from Unearthed Arcana, and you'll be fine.

-Stuart

The feat that lets arcane casters access domain spells might help, but is very limiting as far as character concept and utility goes.