D&D 5E (2014) Should 5e have more classes (Poll and Discussion)?

[cbwjm]

The classes I most want to see are and Fighter-Mage class which follows along a similar class structure to the paladin and ranger, and a Psion of some sort which I know they have been working on psionics and it keeps getting pushed back due to player's not liking it, but I hope they come up with something. Although a robust system that can be added to existing classes similar to the feats they released might also work well for me. Those are pretty much it for me.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

The classes I most want to see are and Fighter-Mage class which follows along a similar class structure to the paladin and ranger, and a Psion of some sort which I know they have been working on psionics and it keeps getting pushed back due to player's not liking it, but I hope they come up with something. Although a robust system that can be added to existing classes similar to the feats they released might also work well for me. Those are pretty much it for me.

Those are my main ones, too. I do want a few more than that, though.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

I was actually thinking more like the scholar can create a plan and add their INT/WIS/CHA modifier to their or their allies attack rolls, damage rolls, AC, or saving throws.

You're could prepare a plan for big bonuses or craft one on the fly to get a small bonus in the specific aspect you wish.

So Lord Reginald might prepare Reggie's Turtle Gamble that add his Int modifer bonus to AC and Wis score as THP. But when facing a trio of ogres, he realizes that offense is the key to victory and cobbles together a quick plan that adds his Intelligence modifier as bonus damage on weapon and cantrip attacks for himself and 3 allies.

Sounds cool. I did something similar (lending superiority dice to allies) but it was always how to treat "The Plan" without stepping on those allies' toes that I was unsure of. Does the warlord actually have to come up with a plan and their allies get their bonuses when pursuing their objective, or do you treat is as a more metaphysical plot construct and however the encounter ends up is what the plan was all along.

Is there a resource cost when granting all the bonuses, or does it take time or a check?

 

[Mecheon]

Yet again this shouldn't be a class. There are already several classes capable of summoning and the could easily have subclasses that focus on that further like the druid has.

The issue is 5E doesn't handle pet classes well at all, as any BM ranger knows. There's def a space for a summoner focused class, and a lot of what I've seen takes notes from the Pathfinder summoner, so there's a space there that can be explored. Just, haven't seen it fully looked into

 

[Crimson Longinus]

The issue is 5E doesn't handle pet classes well at all, as any BM ranger knows. There's def a space for a summoner focused class, and a lot of what I've seen takes notes from the Pathfinder summoner, so there's a space there that can be explored. Just, haven't seen it fully looked into

I mean they should fix the pet rules, sure. Starting with the beastmaster. And once that is fixed they will have a functioning framework for pets, and can easily add pet-based subclasses for many classes.

But 'summoner' really isn't a class in any sensible sense. It is just one thing one can do with magic, and there are already way too many classes that do magic and their metaphysical themes are already muddled by overlap. We don't need any more of those. If dedicated summoner is needed, then that can be a subclass of some of those numerous already existing caster classes. Wizards are solid as a base class, but their subclasses are super meh, they're mechanically and thematically weak and could use a complete overhaul. Summoner would be good candidate for a next generation wizard subclass.

 

[Eric V]

But 'summoner' really isn't a class in any sensible sense. Sure it is. It is just one thing one can do with magic, and there are already way too many classes that do magic and their metaphysical themes are already muddled by overlap. We don't need any more of those. If dedicated summoner is needed, then that can be a subclass of some of those numerous already existing caster classes. It can also be its own class. Options are greater if it is its own class than if one tries to force everything into a subclass. Wizards are solid as a base class, but their subclasses are super meh, they're mechanically and thematically weak and could use a complete overhaul. Summoner would be good candidate for a next generation wizard subclass.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

The issue is 5E doesn't handle pet classes well at all, as any BM ranger knows. There's def a space for a summoner focused class, and a lot of what I've seen takes notes from the Pathfinder summoner, so there's a space there that can be explored. Just, haven't seen it fully looked into

A summoner class could be a Shaman, for those asking for what that would even look like.

 

[Mecheon]

But 'summoner' really isn't a class in any sensible sense. It is just one thing one can do with magic, and there are already way too many classes that do magic and their metaphysical themes are already muddled by overlap. We don't need any more of those. If dedicated summoner is needed, then that can be a subclass of some of those numerous already existing caster classes. Wizards are solid as a base class, but their subclasses are super meh, they're mechanically and thematically weak and could use a complete overhaul. Summoner would be good candidate for a next generation wizard subclass.

Summoner does have its niche. The thing is, rather than being a caster who focuses on doing stuff itself, it more has to do with controlling and buffing its summon. Could be ways this could be done such as swarms of summons, or a single beefy lad, or even summoning something you merge with, but there's an idea there with some promise. Basically rather than you becoming stronger, you raise your summon to be stronger. While D&D has things that can summon, it doesn't quite have that 'dedicated summoner' feel

A lot of what I've seen looks at Pathfinder's Summoner as a base where a lot of that class is basically building your own summon over time. I know in Pathfinder it got bloody ridiculous (couldn't you like, graft hundreds of arms onto it?) so, good luck balancing, but 'highly customisable minion spawners' is a thing. Plus thanks to a certain anime (Jojo), caster-specific summons you customise and do vastly different things is a bit of an in thing at the moment. And, well, the 'Pokemon Trainer' class, where you raise a stable of minions you can select to handle individual problems.

A summoner class could be a Shaman, for those asking for what that would even look like.

Shaman definitely has to do with summoning, but shaman also has a few other bits and pieces to it (Buffing, elementals, spirits) that split it from just a summoner

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Shaman definitely has to do with summoning, but shaman also has a few other bits and pieces to it (Buffing, elementals, spirits) that split it from just a summoner

It wouldn't have to be "just a summoner". It could be a summoner who buffs and heals others.

 

[Minigiant]

Sounds cool. I did something similar (lending superiority dice to allies) but it was always how to treat "The Plan" without stepping on those allies' toes that I was unsure of. Does the warlord actually have to come up with a plan and their allies get their bonuses when pursuing their objective, or do you treat is as a more metaphysical plot construct and however the encounter ends up is what the plan was all along.

Is there a resource cost when granting all the bonuses, or does it take time or a check?

Exactly. We abstract HP damage and what organs a rogue sneak attacks. So the scholar's plan can be a blob of abstracted plot bonuses too.

In my idea for scholar plan's, there is a resource. Basically there is a list of various element you can put into a plan.

Predictive Dodge adds you INT to AC
Intuitive Defense adds THP equal to your Wis score
Terrifying Strikes adds your CHA to weapon attacks
etc

You spend the resource to add an element to the plan. A prepared plan has a discount on the cost but you have to design the plans at level up.