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

[Nahat Anoj]

I wanted to argue with this, but I actually think you're probably right. The focus on "roles" will likely move abilities around in such a way that it makes unlikely that any single class is going to be extremely powerful. If there is a "zilla" (ugh, what an ugly term), then it'll be a class which can perform multiple roles decently, I suspect, if there is such a thing.

I think you bring up a good point that I didn't consider - if there is a zilla, it will be indeed something that can act in multiple Roles. This is like the WoW Druid, which can function as a reasonably good tank, dps, or healer. Personally, I believe WotC will be on the lookout for obviously overpowered "multi-role" classes, so I'm not so worried about it.

 

[Kunimatyu]

I think Warlock is the most likely 'zilla contender, just because it'll have a lot of really cool and flavorful abilities, and designers are always more likely to bend the rules a bit when they're designing a really "neat" power.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Based on the playtest descriptions strikers seem a little underpowered to me compared to the other three roles. They don't deal enough extra damage and don't have much else going for them.

If any class will be zilla, and most likely none will, I predict fighter.

 

[Chimera]

Since I'm currently playing a Bard in a WotBS campaign that will switch to 4e once my character class comes out in the new version, I'm all for Bardzilla! That bid loud godzilla noise has gotta be Sonic energy, no? Verbal only, at-will?

 

[Belphanior]

Based on the playtest descriptions strikers seem a little underpowered to me compared to the other three roles. They don't deal enough extra damage and don't have much else going for them.

If any class will be zilla, and most likely none will, I predict fighter.

Strikers are more than just dealing damage to a single target, from what I've heard. It's also range and mobility. The warlock, at higher level, can teleport around a little. This'll get him out of hairy situation and place him in a better position to blast people. A fighter or paladin will in all likelyhood never learn to teleport. Rogues can tumble past people without drawing AoO's or run across walls. Again, not something you'd really imagine a paladin doing.

I addition I think it was mentioned that strikers (or was it just rogues?) had followup attacks. So they hit with an attack that deals some damage and then afterwards have a chance to twist the knife and deal a lot extra. Or cripple the target with an effect of some kind.

But strikers are certainly not simply "my sword hits harder than the fighter's sword".

 

[Mistwell]

Paladinothra

 

[Bold or Stupid]

Party-zilla.

The way they seem to be building system it will be specific party builds that get unstoppabel. One of the playtests has already run into issues with Two defenders synergising their 'stickiness' methods (paladin gives -5 unless you hit him, fight AoO's you id you don't attack him). The grim stuff will all be about team work. Which means that all the players have fun and the ref weeps into his cornflakes.

BTW My players already do this sort of synergising , If they have a plan they are seemingly unstoppable. So when 4th ed arrives, I'm boned.

 

[CleverNickName]

It will be the Vanilla-zilla...a sneaking, spellcasting, heavy-armored, teleporting healer who wields a spiked chain and picks locks. I don't believe it will be a base class per se, just an overused set of customizations that becomes the "133t build."

 

[Voss]

Probably warlock. Self teleportation, enemy teleportation (that send them to hell power) and damage. It looks like they'll be able to debuff (or outright stop attacks for a round) and deal damage. That tends to win D&D battles.

But it may still be wizards, if they have enough area control spells.

 

[Scholar & Brutalman]

Which class do you think is going to be the most uber in 4e core (i.e phb only)?

No idea. Ask the 4e character optimization boards in about a year. It could be any mix of single characters, multiclassed ones or weird synergistic party builds.

It probably won't be the first class that everyone tags as broken after they've first read the PHB. See the thread a few weeks back for how people responded to the 3.0 PHB: "Monks are so totally broken!"