Several threads have popped up about what is "lacking" (fast hero, sneaky leader), so I thought I'd start a thread for putting all those ideas in one place, or brainstorming for more.
I'm not asking necessarily about the Necromancer.
We have an inkling that may be coming down the pike (Shadow, Elemental, wahtnot). What this thread is about is what archetypes, or possible ability facilitating classes are not present?
Some of these may very well qualify as "Builds" not full on classes. And some might seem to be "needless symmetry", but none the less, are worth mentioning if they fill a niche or offer a different avenue.
Here are mine:
Melee Arcane Striker: In the 3.5 PHBII, the Duskblade could be conceptualized as a striker. Either at ranged (with Scorching Ray et al), or Touch Damge Spell + Attack. So a melee arcane striker would operate much like the Swordmage, but doing more damage, and of course, being less defender-y. The Assault swordmage kind of gets there with damage output, but this would be the striker version of the Swordmage (Sort of like the Ranger might be the striker version of the Fighter).
Ranged Divine Striker: Rather than a bow user, I'm talking about a caster. If the Invoker is the divine Wizard, than this class would be the divine Sorcerer. But rather than just nuking the enemy with radiant lasers, this class in my mind would be more like the Warlock (but done well). Styled to be an Exorcist: single target punishment, both damage and status wise. This could be achieved with an Avenger build that lets the Oath work at ranged (and some more Implement powers), but I don't see that coming out of Wizards anytime soon.
Ranged Defender: I'm going to take some heat for suggesting that. But I do think that it's possible: either a ranged magical defender that further penalizes enemies with the mark or helps allies (given that the Swordmage's mark dose this, it's not unreasonable), or a weapon using defender that does the "Cover Me" trope well. I think these are feasible and doable, but of course that's IMHO.
"Trap" or Hazard Controller: By "trap", I do not mean mechanical traps, which would likely be hard to tote around and assemble mid-combat. But instead, think of an effect like Storm Pillar (doing damage to anyone who enters the area), but upgraded. It is now an attack that hits the target when it enters the area. Weakest would go away after the first attack. Some effects could last until the end of the next turn, and attack anyone that enters the area. Others could be fairly persistent. (Think the Glyph of Paralysis vs. Glyph of Repulsion from Dragon Age). Take a look at the Goblin Hexer's Vexing Cloud as another Hazard effect.
"Environment" Controller: This controller creates sustained environmental shaping powers. Lots of walls (possibly even movable!) to prevent or funnel enemy movement. Or creating pits/higher ground/other effects that shape the actual encounter area, forcing adaption on the part of the party and enemy. This could easily benefit from an Adjuration build, where zones grant benefits for allies (like concealment; again, see the Goblin Hexer's Vexing Cloud).
The above two could easily be rolled into one class.
EDIT: How could I have forgotten this one?
Mounted Class: Mounted characters are a classic, classic trope. And yes, that does mean that they are limited to an extent, needing to take their mount with them. I'd like to address that point elsewhere, but I do think that a mounted character is a clear archetype that could be handled.
I'm not asking necessarily about the Necromancer.
We have an inkling that may be coming down the pike (Shadow, Elemental, wahtnot). What this thread is about is what archetypes, or possible ability facilitating classes are not present? Some of these may very well qualify as "Builds" not full on classes. And some might seem to be "needless symmetry", but none the less, are worth mentioning if they fill a niche or offer a different avenue.
Here are mine:
Melee Arcane Striker: In the 3.5 PHBII, the Duskblade could be conceptualized as a striker. Either at ranged (with Scorching Ray et al), or Touch Damge Spell + Attack. So a melee arcane striker would operate much like the Swordmage, but doing more damage, and of course, being less defender-y. The Assault swordmage kind of gets there with damage output, but this would be the striker version of the Swordmage (Sort of like the Ranger might be the striker version of the Fighter).
Ranged Divine Striker: Rather than a bow user, I'm talking about a caster. If the Invoker is the divine Wizard, than this class would be the divine Sorcerer. But rather than just nuking the enemy with radiant lasers, this class in my mind would be more like the Warlock (but done well). Styled to be an Exorcist: single target punishment, both damage and status wise. This could be achieved with an Avenger build that lets the Oath work at ranged (and some more Implement powers), but I don't see that coming out of Wizards anytime soon.
Ranged Defender: I'm going to take some heat for suggesting that. But I do think that it's possible: either a ranged magical defender that further penalizes enemies with the mark or helps allies (given that the Swordmage's mark dose this, it's not unreasonable), or a weapon using defender that does the "Cover Me" trope well. I think these are feasible and doable, but of course that's IMHO.
"Trap" or Hazard Controller: By "trap", I do not mean mechanical traps, which would likely be hard to tote around and assemble mid-combat. But instead, think of an effect like Storm Pillar (doing damage to anyone who enters the area), but upgraded. It is now an attack that hits the target when it enters the area. Weakest would go away after the first attack. Some effects could last until the end of the next turn, and attack anyone that enters the area. Others could be fairly persistent. (Think the Glyph of Paralysis vs. Glyph of Repulsion from Dragon Age). Take a look at the Goblin Hexer's Vexing Cloud as another Hazard effect.
"Environment" Controller: This controller creates sustained environmental shaping powers. Lots of walls (possibly even movable!) to prevent or funnel enemy movement. Or creating pits/higher ground/other effects that shape the actual encounter area, forcing adaption on the part of the party and enemy. This could easily benefit from an Adjuration build, where zones grant benefits for allies (like concealment; again, see the Goblin Hexer's Vexing Cloud).
The above two could easily be rolled into one class.
EDIT: How could I have forgotten this one?
Mounted Class: Mounted characters are a classic, classic trope. And yes, that does mean that they are limited to an extent, needing to take their mount with them. I'd like to address that point elsewhere, but I do think that a mounted character is a clear archetype that could be handled.
Last edited:
