So how do you think of those new core classes in Miniatures Handbook?

[Shin Okada]

My takes.

*Favored Soul
Oh yeah, divine version of Sorcerer. But basically, I don't like this class. Wizards and Sorcerers are good rivals. But in case of Clerics vs Favored Souls, FSs seem very weak. Clerics already have spontaneous casting and very versatile at spell-casting. FSs can't turn undeads and have no access to domain powers and spells. They have some fancy abilities but those abilities do not worth giving up turning and domain access.

*Healer
Could be characterful as a NPC class. Maybe good for a cohort. But not so effective as an adventurer. I even doubt if they are better combat-medic than Clerics, as Healers can't commit spontaneous casting of cure spells.

*Marshal
This is the most interesting class in this book IMHO. They can do things which other classes can't do. They are characterful and very good as "5th PC".

*Warmage
Good nuker. That is all. But lacking versatility of other arcane casters. Even if they don't know themselves, Wizards and Sorcerers can cast wide variety of spells from scrolls and wands. On the other hand, the spell-list of Warmages are very limited. All of them are direct attack spells. So this class is another "good for 5th PC" class, IMHO.

 

[AeroDm]

I actually enjoyed all of the classes to my suprise (although I should preface that I do not own the book, only browse). Of course, they don't seem to be as well thought out as the core classes and most likely weren't playtested very well, so who knows once they see more use.

I thought the Marshal's auras were quite cool, but overall could be too powerful. In a party of 4 he'll be a very valuable "5th PC" as you said, but toss on Leadership and his army just got annoying.

I've seen some other threads about the Favored Soul. Looks pretty powerful actually, but depending on your campaign style that may have a larger or smaller affect.

 

[Hardhead]

My takes.

*Favored Soul
Oh yeah, divine version of Sorcerer. But basically, I don't like this class. Wizards and Sorcerers are good rivals. But in case of Clerics vs Favored Souls, FSs seem very weak. Clerics already have spontaneous casting and very versatile at spell-casting. FSs can't turn undeads and have no access to domain powers and spells. They have some fancy abilities but those abilities do not worth giving up turning and domain access.

Wizards and Clerics have similar "known spells". Clerics automagically know all Cleric spells, and Wizards, with some judicous buying of scrolls, can know pretty much any spell they want to.

Sorcerers give us this berth of spells for more per day, and also loose the Wizards' bonus feats. So, you'd think a Cleric-Sorcerer would look similar. NOPE!

The Favored Sould gives up berth of spells for more per day, and also gives up domain powers. So far, so good. But unlike the Sorcerer, it also gets special abilites the Cleric doesn't have, and better save progression (all good!).

The Cleric is already arguably the strongest core class. But the Blessed Soul is arguably better. Even if it's not the best, it's still *very* strong, and I believe it *is* the best. At the very least, it's the best "dip" class now. One level gets you +2 to all saves and healing magic.

*Healer
Could be characterful as a NPC class. Maybe good for a cohort. But not so effective as an adventurer. I even doubt if they are better combat-medic than Clerics, as Healers can't commit spontaneous casting of cure spells.

I think these would be very booring to play.

*Marshal
This is the most interesting class in this book IMHO. They can do things which other classes can't do. They are characterful and very good as "5th PC".

Yeah, I agree. Best class (in terms of blance and flavor) in the book. The saving throw minor auras might be a little powerful, if a character can get his CHA up real high, but that's only a first-glance impression.

*Warmage
Good nuker. That is all. But lacking versatility of other arcane casters. Even if they don't know themselves, Wizards and Sorcerers can cast wide variety of spells from scrolls and wands. On the other hand, the spell-list of Warmages are very limited. All of them are direct attack spells. So this class is another "good for 5th PC" class, IMHO.

*YAWN* Booring class.