Warlock confirmed in PH1...

[Thurbane]

Hmm, IMHO, the Warlock is far better suited as an optional class, rather than a "core" one...

 

[Nyeshet]

To be honest, with 3 power sources and 4 roles, I would have expected 12 classes for the first PHB:

Martial Leader
Martial Defender
Martial Striker
Martial Controller
Divine Leader
Divine Defender
Divine Striker
Divine Controller
Arcane Leader
Arcane Defender
Arcane Striker
Arcane Controller

I'm still hopeful that this is how it will actually be in the first PHB, as it would showcase the great variety and versatility of the system. You might have a four PC team of just one power source or a mix of one or two from each power source. You could compare and contrast how the role is empowered by each of the differing power sources and how each power source is expressed in each role.

Thus, I really really hope the answer is 12 classes.

But, if it has to be 8 classes for the first PHB, well, I can deal with that, although I wonder which eight of the twelve possible combinations they will use in PHB1, if that is the case.


Anyone else hoping the Warlock is not as alignment shackled in 4e as in 3.5e? Didn't someone say that Paladins could be of differing alignments, somewhere? I wouldn't mind something similar for Warlocks. Especially since their background doesn't really mesh well with their alignment restrictions. A PC that gained power through an evil pact I would expect to have a lawful restriction, not a chaotic one, yet lawful is impossible in the current (official) class. Perhaps we can see:

LE warlock (pact with a devil)
CE warlock (tainted by demons?)
CG warlock (fae inspired?)
LG warlock (celestial agreement?)

or something like that? One can houserule a few various changes to make any of these work in the current system, but at present only demonic pacts - as contradictory as that sounds - or similar oddness seems necessary for the background of the class.

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

To be honest, with 3 power sources and 4 roles, I would have expected 12 classes for the first PHB:

Except there's a quote floating around from one of the designers saying that although the power source/role grid is a good place to look to start coming up with new class ideas, some of the combinations are nonsensical and some are more interesting than others.

Which means, there may never BE a martial controller and there may be more than one arcane controller or more than one martial strikers.

I have a feeling that they are aiming for the end results of a class rather than some arbitrary number of filled slots on the grids. They want someone to be able to play a Ranger because people want Rangers, not because "we need a divine striker in the PHB".

 

[JoelF]

Have they? While I've seen both of these statements theorized a great deal, I don't remember ever seeing the actual designers coming out and saying that each role, and each power source, will have two classes in PHB1.

I thought that an early blog/playtest entry mentioned that there were 8 classes in the PH, but from my reading, it was the PH draft that they had at the time. I haven't seen anything which confirms that the final draft will have 8 classes and only 8 classes.

 

[Scholar & Brutalman]

Except there's a quote floating around from one of the designers saying that although the power source/role grid is a good place to look to start coming up with new class ideas, some of the combinations are nonsensical and some are more interesting than others.

Which means, there may never BE a martial controller and there may be more than one arcane controller or more than one martial strikers.

Do you have an idea where that quote came from? The one I know is from Rich Baker and it's rather different:

Some of you have already observed that the "grid" created by lining up power sources on one axis and character role on another axis is a natural first place to look for class ideas. We don't intend to meticulously fill in each possible combination, or even limit ourselves to one class per cubbyhole, but it's an interesting place to start. "

It confirms your major point though: WotC are not limiting themselves to populating the role/power array.

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

It confirms your major point though: WotC are not limiting themselves to populating the role/power array.

I think this is the one I was thinking of. Yeah, and that`s my point. They don`t intent to fill the entire chart anyways and there may be more than one class in each power source and role combination.

 

[Cam Banks]

This reminds me of pure, semi, and hybrid spellcasters, and the division of power sources into essence (arcane), channeling (divine), mentalism (psionics), and arms (martial).

Which, you know. Makes sense given how much 3.X resembled Rolemaster to begin with.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Howndawg]

They've said that the ranger "killed the scout and stole his stuff". That's pretty solid confirmation that there's going to be a ranger.

There is going to be a ranger, along with a barbarian, bard, druid, monk, paladin, and sorcerer. It has been confirmed that all of the 3.5 PHB classes will make it into 4e. However, only the cleric, fighter, rogue, and wizard have definitely been confirmed for the PHB.

Howndawg

 

[JVisgaitis]

Have they? While I've seen both of these statements theorized a great deal, I don't remember ever seeing the actual designers coming out and saying that each role, and each power source, will have two classes in PHB1.

They have. Two of each role in the PHB for a total of 8 classes. I think it was in the same video as when they mentioned the 7 classes with their roles. I'm not sold on those 7 classes as definitely in there either. I'd also be surprised if both Controllers are arcane casters.

 

[breschau]

They have. Two of each role in the PHB for a total of 8 classes. I think it was in the same video as when they mentioned the 7 classes with their roles. I'm not sold on those 7 classes as definitely in there either. I'd also be surprised if both Controllers are arcane casters.

If you are referring to the roles video where James Wyatt explains the roles to Gamer_Zero, then no. There was no specifics on how many of each role, or power source, will make it into PH1.