D&D (2024) Should a general Adventurer class be created to represent the Everyman?

[Remathilis]

Take the shot!

Then you roll the damage for your Mega Hyper Death Critical

Then you die

(Insert Name)! Noo!

Someone heals you

That explains nothing.

I'm sure there might be a market for a fundamentally useless character who gets one shining moment of glory per session and is babied the rest of the game, but I don't know how big said market is nor am I sure that it warrants a whole class. I mean, sidekick characters (Tasselhoff, C-3PO, Samwise) are beloved, but I don't think they work in the context of an RPG. Not the way they work in literature and other media.

 

[ezo]

Yes, mechanically he took a feat and explained it as being son of a famous Jedi.

But any non-droid can take it-- the story/fluff doesn't really make someone an everyman or not IMO.

I don't consider Luke to be an everyman. C-3PO is the everyman. He's not all that heroic or brave, certainly not an action hero. He has useful skills (languages and protocol) but spends most of the Saga bumbling into and out of trouble. (Well, the movies he's actually in.) He has a few heroic moments, but he almost never sets out to be a hero.

I can see 3PO definitely more of an everydroid than Luke an everyman. I'm not sure how heroic Luke sets out to be initially, but once his "backstory" is set with the death of his aunt and uncle, he definitely is no longer the folk hero farmer-type for background and picks up some heroic levels (fringer or scout depending on edition).

I can agree with some of the thoughts upthread that any sort of Everyman Class should be limited to 5th level or so. For most of the game, that would keep you alive and viable to an adventure. Beyond that, you've stepped out into the spotlight of hero IMO.

 

[Minigiant]

That explains nothing.

I'm sure there might be a market for a fundamentally useless character who gets one shining moment of glory per session and is babied the rest of the game, but I don't know how big said market is nor am I sure that it warrants a whole class. I mean, sidekick characters (Tasselhoff, C-3PO, Samwise) are beloved, but I don't think they work in the context of an RPG. Not the way they work in literature and other media.

A Level 20 Everyman will mostly roll very high on most of their checks. They will eventually run out of luck and turn into a high HP ball of uselessness like a wizard without spells.

The party will leverage his or her luck by attempting to limit the need to spend too much luck and escort them to difficult challenges which can be powered through via high rolls or damage

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Luke being a farmer has nothing to do with it.

It's pretty clear that Luke has no interest whatsoever in being a farmer. Someone with levels of farmer would have farmer skills and abilities.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Look at the write up for the Fighter in 2024.

That's propaganda intended to sell the class to prospective players (and hide the fact that it's rubbish compared to a wizard). It doesn't reflect what they actually do.

Fighters rule many battlefields

There is no mass battles in 5e, and if there were, it would be a wizard with a few fireballs who would rule them.

And they are well acquainted with death

Having been resurrected by the cleric many times.

Fighter always has the right tool at hand for any combat situation.

So long as the right tool is a sword.

 

[GrimCo]

So, essentially, Everyman isn't really everyman regular Joe Shmoe. He/she is favored of lady luck with high chances of having "epic destiny" mixed into it and their main ability is plot armor. Characters like that work in fiction. In the game, not so much.

For me, everyman is basic mortal in WoD or regular Survivor in All flesh must be eaten. Characters without any special powers, destinys, bloodlines, etc. They live or die by their wits and few skills they have and any luck player has when rolling dice.