The Expert-A Viable PC Class?

[smootrk]

Considering that a true expert in a magical world probably uses magic to help out at being an expert, I'd consider taking the expert as written, maybe adding a few bonus feats, and then adding bard-like casting ability. The spell list would depend upon what they are supposed to be expert at. So an expert weapon smith might get spells like magic weapon, keen, and the like. An expert sage might have divinational spells.

Might not work for all types of "expert" or character concepts, but would work well for some and shouldn't be more powerful than a standard PC class. Just a thought. Erberon has an NPC class like this as I recall...

Magewright is the NPC class you speak of. Truly the class for a Magical Smith or other magical inspired tradesman.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

Heh, that UA variant looks cool.

I looked at the Expert in the first place because I thought there needed to be a class that could have a lot of skills without having to be a Rogue or Bard.

Not too mention if I did pick a Rogue or Bard in my group I would be expected to Scout ahead or play songs, which would not be in my original character concept.

 

[Conaill]

But anyways, he still does not seem to bad. The ability to choose ten skills is really nice and it allows for a wide range of character options, and their hit die is not too bad either.

So, have you found the Expert ot be a viable PC class?

I've tried it - interestingly enough with a Tinker, like you did. Makes for a playable low-level character, but you'll wind up regretting that level of Expert as you get up higher in level.

Essentially, you get some choice of skills at 1st level, and then at later levels you get... NOTHING! There really isn't any reason to take any more levels in Expert beyond that first level, because you'd be missing out on all those extra goodies you get with normal PC classes.

Note that the "Expert" really is a misnomer. The class should really be called the "Generalist". Spreading your skill points out across 10 different skills without really getting any better at any one of hem than any other character doesn't make you an expert. For a real expert class, you should at the very least get some additional skill feats to allow you to exceed the usual max skill per level.

How about this: At every odd level above 1st, you get an "Expert Feat", which allows you to add a +1 bonus to any skill in which you have Skill Focus - cumulatively. Including Skill Focus, that can get you up to +12 by level 19. Considering that at that level anyone could easily get a +10 skill item, that doesn't sound too overpowered. Probably still doesn't make Expert a viable PC class by itself though!

 

[Jolly Giant]

Check out the Specialist class in Vikings D20 (coming soon!). It is essentially the expert class with all the extras that people seem to feel the expert lacks to be a viable player class, judging from the replies here.

Yeah, I know this is a shameless plug, but the class really does seem to be exactly what you're looking for.

 

[Conaill]

Check out the Specialist class in Vikings D20 (coming soon!). It is essentially the expert class with all the extras that people seem to feel the expert lacks to be a viable player class, judging from the replies here.

Sounds interesting. Care to spill any beans?

Of course, this does raise the question... what the heck does this have to do with Vikings!?

 

[kenobi65]

Heh, that UA variant looks cool.

I looked at the Expert in the first place because I thought there needed to be a class that could have a lot of skills without having to be a Rogue or Bard.

Keep in mind that the UA Expert has little or nothing to do with the DMG Expert. The UA Expert is one of three "Generic" classes (the others being Spellcaster and Warrior). This Expert is meant to provide a "generic" version of classes like Rogue or Bard...so it's no wonder that you like it as an alternative to Rogue or Bard.

 

[Arc]

The DMG expert can be very useful in certain situations. Mainly, I find myself contemplating it as an alternative way to qualify for odd skill requirements of PrC's. Choosing any ten skills makes it very useful, and with a decent int, you can dip for one or two levels and come out with a full set of requirements, without having to hop around 2 or 3 other classes for the same thing.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

Keep in mind that the UA Expert has little or nothing to do with the DMG Expert. The UA Expert is one of three "Generic" classes (the others being Spellcaster and Warrior). This Expert is meant to provide a "generic" version of classes like Rogue or Bard...so it's no wonder that you like it as an alternative to Rogue or Bard.

Heh, but it is still really cool and I may have to take another look at UA if it offers stuff like that.

 

[Jolly Giant]

Of course, this does raise the question... what the heck does this have to do with Vikings!?

Going into detail would take too long, but it fills several niches, actually. But it is a very generic class, much more so than any of the other new classes in Vikings D20. It should be suitable for any setting, but in a low-magic world like Midgard it really shines.

 

[billd91]

The expert is too weak to compete all the way up the level tree. They don't get the special abilities other classes get.
However, it works very well as an occassional multiclass level here or there to pad up a character's skills. Think of a level of expert as representing a concentrated study course or cross-training. It allows you to sink a bunch of skill points into a skill or two that might otherwise be too difficult for a skill point low class.