Warlock confirmed in PH1...

[F4NBOY]

The designers have confirmed there are at least 2 classes per role, and they've confirmed there are exactly 8 classes in the PH1. They've also told us which role seven of the eight PH classes will play:

Leader -- Cleric, warlord
Defender -- Fighter, paladin
Striker -- Ranger, rogue
Controller -- Wizard

Unless I'm miscounting somewhere, the eighth and final class has to be a controller -- and an arcane one at that, since the PH will have at least 2 classes from each power source and there's only one arcane class in the mix so far.

SO it seems both arcane characters will be controllers. That happens when you are too intelligent or too charismatic

 

[Mouseferatu]

The designers have confirmed there are at least 2 classes per role ... since the PH will have at least 2 classes from each power source and there's only one arcane class in the mix so far.

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.

 

[GreatLemur]

It's confirmed that the wizard is a controller. It's in the PC Roles video on youtube.

Which is actually kind of weird, when you think about it. I mean, we're so used to Wizards that can basically do anything, depending on what they memorize each morning. But, I guess less Vancian spellcasting means less flexibility, in that sense...

 

[kerbarian]

I thought warlord was confirmed. Am I mistaken?

I'm not sure. We've heard enough about the warlord that I expect to see it in the PHB1, but I don't remember seeing any explicit confirmation that it's in the core 8. Does anyone have a source for that?

 

[mhacdebhandia]

I'm not too sure of what an arcane character without casting would be, unless you mean something like a bard where only part of his abilities are casting.

Something like a spellthief - okay, they do cast, but their real schtick is stealing spells and magical effects from enemies by acting like a rogue in combat. Sort of like the swordmage Rich Baker was talking about - he has spells, but he acts like a warrior who uses magic to fight better.

 

[kerbarian]

I'm pretty sure a Ranger was included in one of the playtests we've read about.

Yes, the ranger has definitely shown up in playtests, but I don't think that's confirmation that it will make the cut. The ranger has been with D&D for quite a while, but they seem to be making the classes more diverse for 4e. Ranger isn't that far from fighter or rogue, especially with talent customization. With only 8 classes, there's not room for everyone. I wouldn't be too surprised if the ranger is in, but things seem to fit better without it.

 

[Zurai]

Yes, the ranger has definitely shown up in playtests, but I don't think that's confirmation that it will make the cut. The ranger has been with D&D for quite a while, but they seem to be making the classes more diverse for 4e. Ranger isn't that far from fighter or rogue, especially with talent customization. With only 8 classes, there's not room for everyone. I wouldn't be too surprised if the ranger is in, but things seem to fit better without it.

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.

 

[alaric]

I'm not sure. We've heard enough about the warlord that I expect to see it in the PHB1, but I don't remember seeing any explicit confirmation that it's in the core 8. Does anyone have a source for that?

The Warlord is mentioned as a Leader in the roles youtube video, and he shows up in the Tomb under the Tor playtest as a PC. The Ranger shows up in both those sources as well.

What I'm really hoping is that the "only 8 core classes" turns out to be a bit premature. That information came close on the heals of developers saying "less than the current number", and "between 3 and 15". I've always thought it odd that most of the developers were saying very vague numbers, but one of them gives an exact number this far away from launch. If we had 10 classes to play with you could fit in druid as a divine controller, warlock as an arcane striker, then maybe a new arcane defender, or divine striker class (presuming rangers are martial).

 

[Daniel D. Fox]

I would not be surprised to see the Barbarian abilities fold into a Fighter talent tree of sorts.

 

[Deverash]

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.

While it's confirmation that there is going to be a Ranger, it's not confirmation that the ranger is going to be in PHB1.

I tend to agree with you though, I think the ranger is going to be in PHB1. We just don't have confirmation yet.