D&D (2024) Thematic 4 corners of the PHB subclasses

[Kobold Avenger]

Crawford mentioned that the Subclasses were chosen because they represent 4 different corners of each class.

Wizard was given as an example of Evoker (offense), Abjurer (defense), Illusion (deception) and Diviner (truth).

So lets determine what the other classes themes seem to be now that we know about all subclasses going into the PHB.

 

[Yaarel]

The contrasts seem less obvious for some of the classes.

Maybe ...

BARD
• Lore (mage) / Valor (warrior)
• Glamour (mind) / Dance (body)

 

[Yaarel]

The contrasts may "supposed" to be as follows. But Trickery includes illusion which Light fails to dispel or detect. They seem asymmetric.

CLERIC
• Life (healing) / War (damaging)
• Light (seeing) / Trickery (hiding)

 

[OB1]

Barbarian (this is a tough one)

• Berserker (Violence)/ World Tree (Vitality)
• Wild Heart (Nature)/ Zealot (Divine)

 

[Yaarel]

DRUID
• Stars (angelic) / Moon (beastly)
• Land / Sea

 

[Yaarel]

Maybe ...

MONK
• Hand (warrior) / Elements (mage)
• Shadow (negative) / Mercy (positive)

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

How about for Fighter...

• Battle Master (Complex Tactics) / Champion (Simple Tactics)
• Brawler (Natural Might Warrior) / Eldritch Knight (Magical Smart Warrior)

 

[aco175]

I'm thinking rogue will be;
thief- basic thief stuff like now
Assassin- mostly same as now
caster- few changes from trickster
swashbuckler- less thief more fighter

 

[Yaarel]

Barbarian (this is a tough one)

• Berserker (Violence)/ World Tree (Vitality)
• Wild Heart (Nature)/ Zealot (Divine)

I think you got the contrasts.

I might characterize them as follows?

BARBARIAN
• Berserker (self) / World Tree (world)
• Wild (beastly) / Zealot (angelic)

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

I think you got the contrasts.

I might characterize them as follows?

BARBARIAN
• Berserker (self) / World Tree (world)
• Wild (beastly) / Zealot (angelic)

Or BARBARIAN
• Berserker (Focused Individual Might for Personal Combat) / World Tree (Broad Team Support for Group Combat)
• Wild Heart (Respect for Primal Beasts) / Zealot (Worship of Divine Masters)