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Message: <blockquote data-quote="bert1000" data-source="post: 5823438" data-attributes="member: 29013">It is a bit muddled, because class is muddled.  I think it works best when Themes represent an affiliation to an in-game group or 'profession', often an affiliation that is class independent (although doesn't always have to be). Class then represents an archetype but has no in-game affiliation. No one identifies themselves as a "Fighter" in game, there are no "Fighter Guilds" etc. Class names are meant to represent very wide concepts represented by their particular mechanics. (note that this description isn't always true in D&D but I am trying to illustrate how it makes the most sense to have class and theme together) Themes in 4e provide small mechanical thematic benefits and sometimes the opportunity to swap out your class abilities for further theme abilities if you really want to emphasize that aspect of your character (but class still dominates). I liked the 4E Dark Sun implementation of themes because you could chose to emphasis more of your theme and to have it matter up to high levels if you wanted to (or not). So some examples -- Noble. Should there be a separate noble class or should you have Fighters, Mages, etc. that are also nobles? Unless you are playing in some kind of system (Game of Thrones) where Noble should have some district and defining abilities, then probably this shouldn't be a class in itself. So, you either just have it be roleplaying background or you could have a Noble Theme that gives you background fluff but also some mechanical benefits to any class that takes it. Bountyhunter. This is a profession that could have meaning within the game world. Are bounty hunters so distinct they need their own class mechanics? Why wouldn't some fighters, mages, thiefs, etc. be bounty hunters? Better to make it a theme. Veiled Alliance member (Dark Sun). This is an organization in Dark Sun that storywise mentions having members of all classes. If you want some mechanics behind it, themes work well. I think themes are a nice way to tie characters to the campaign world and give some mechanical differentiation to go along with the flavor. If you don't want that mechanical differentiation then yes, you can just note "noble" on your character sheet and go with it. Note: Themes in 4E were also available from level 1 which further differentiates them from prestige classes/paragon paths, which take some of the same role as themes but usually require higher levels to enter.</blockquote>

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