D&D 4E So, which class will end up being the -Zilla of 4e?

[WyzardWhately]

Well, it looks like they've tried to bring most attacks into line with damage-dealing. That's how they measure classes against each other, and it's the standard they're going with. It's why undead turning is probably going to mostly deal damage, poison is going to deal damage, weakening effects cut your damage in half instead of changing your STR, etc.

So, the overpowered class is going to be one where their abilities aren't damage-dealing. Seriously, stay with me here. It's pretty easy to just run a lot of numbers and keep all the classes damage-dealing potential in-line with the "math." WotC has smart people, they have time, I believe they will succeed at this. Where the hole is going to be is in abilities that don't deal with to-hit, damage, or defense scores. You look at classes that move themselves in different ways, move enemies, make weird ranged attacks, counter-attack, hand out extra actions, etc. That's where they're going to accidentally break a class.

Somebody is going to come up with a way to make, say, an eladrin fighter with rogue cross-training who sneak-attacks and teleports away, or something bizarre like that. It's going to be a combo of different miscellaneous powers, not quadding power attack or throwing out save-or-dies.

 

[Sitara]

They are doing a great job at attempting to balance the game, they even have a mathematician on board. Great stuff. However, IMO its not really possible for there NOT to be a best class. There always will be.

In 1e and 2e it was the wizard at most levels. In 3e it was the cleric. In 4e? Let us see.I don't think it will be warlock though, since warlock is very easy tobalance, its main attack being the e-blast.

 

[Toryx]

I'm going to add my name to those who think it'll be the Tiefling Warlock.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Say it with me. Bard-Zilla

No other class has such a rich history of uselessness, and so much to prove. Thus are the seeds of overcompensation planted in the dawning of the new edition.

Or they could just be lame again. Either way works.

From what I understand the original DnD bard was actually quite powerful. So it wouldn't be too odd.

 

[The Ubbergeek]

Fighter, for irony?

 

[sirwmholder]

You know I'm not sure which class will be the -zilla... though I'm pretty sure it will be a Gish. Call me old fashioned but having a Fighter who trains as a Fighter his whole life... then one day crosstrains with the party Wizard so he can now sling a Fireball as good as a Wizard his level just doesn't work for me.

 

[MaelStorm]

It may be too soon for prediction. But, I'll opt for the Eladrin Wizard.

If its a popularity issue I have no problem. But if it's a game balance issue with PH1 this would not bode well for 4E.

 

[Sitara]

That wont be possible. It was only in 2e that fighter/mages were powerful. Even then they took a heavy hit to exp, esuring they were usually 2 levels behind the rest of the party.

Unless they come upwith a valid warrior-mage core class, multi-classing will never allow fighter/mages to be good. Look how bad they suck in 3e; only the EK prc and the raumathari bmage prc makes them playable.

 

[Protagonist]

Samuraizilla

 

[Howndawg]

Commonerzilla.