D&D 5E What Classes do you really want to see in D&D Next?

[Advilaar]

Some of the new 4e classes have almost become good on thier own like the Avenger, Invoker, Warlord, and Warlock.

The current playtest incarnation of Warlock, in particular, is looking like a pretty good nod to 4e.

I am very interested in what they plan to do to the druid. Some of the players were really upset about 4e nerfing druids hard and turning them into more of a shape shift class. But then again, druids have always been a tough thing to get right. In 2e, you had the level limits based on world druid rank. In 3e, druids were unstoppable munchin monsters if min/maxed right. 4e, they were made more into WoW druids and lost a bit of summoning and a lot of healing.

 

[TwinBahamut]

This thread reminds me that I've been meaning to revive the "D&D needs a hundred classes" movement. Maybe I'll get around to that sometime soon. Anyways, I certainly don't agree that 8-15 classes is sufficient. For quite some time now D&D has thrived on having far more options than that, and I prefer it that way.

Let's see here...

We need a few alternatives for each of the major D&D class concepts. A Fighter should be accompanied by a leadership-focused like the Warlord, and it would be nice to see a master of advanced fighting moves like a Warblade or Swordsage. Having a deadly Assassin or magical Ninja to complement the Rogue would be nice. The Sorcerer and Warlock are already a decent start for Wizard alternatives. Having a Runepriest or Invoker would create fun alternatives to the Cleric. Other classics like Paladins and Monks also need to return, of course.

On top of that, there needs to be a lot more classes that fill very different niches than those. I vastly prefer classes like the Duskblade over multiclass Fighter/Wizards (in no small part because multiclass characters can't channel a magic spell through a sword), and it is nice to have some different options for that role, as well. It might be nice to have both a Duskblade and a Swordmage, actually.

The Druid needs to be in, of course, though I'd like to see a continuation of the 4E split between the Druid who transforms and the Shaman that calls forth spirit companions. The Barbarian is a great iconic class as well, and I like having the Warden around as a more defensive variant of the idea. Bards are also nice, and I'd like to see the 4E Skald Bard in particular be built upon and implemented in 5E.

On top of all this, the thing I want to see most are classes that have not been seen before in D&D. I want to see totally new ideas that provide new options and expand the slice of fantasy that D&D supports. 3E and 4E both excelled at providing creative new options (even though the execution faltered quite often), and I'd like to see that continue in 5E.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Arcane "full casters": Wizard (including specialists), Sorcerers (various heritages), Warlocks (4ed style with a lot of available pacts); Shadowmage (possible Wizard or Warlock variant), Binder (possible Wizard or Warlock variant)

Divine "full casters": Cleric (including mechanical variations by specific divinity), Druid (could be a cleric variant), Totemist, Shaman (3.5Ed OA and 4Ed versions, maybe more)

Psionic "full manifesters": Psion (including subtypes), Wilder,

Warriors: Fighter, Ranger, Paladin (including holy warriors of various ethe), Rogue, Monk, Avenger (possibly as a Paladin or Monk variant), Soulknife (possibly as a PsyWar/Lurk/SK fusion), Duskblade, Battle-Sorcerer, Hexblade, Runecaster, PsyWar/Battlemind, Seeker

Skill focused classes: Rogue, Bard, Scout, Spellthief/Psithief, Lurk, Beguiler

Notes: some of these could disappear depending on 5Ed's multiclassing rules and which ones are done as variants or fusions of other classes.

 

[Advilaar]

I think I read somewhere a while back that every class that was ever in a PHB 1 would make it in the 5e PHB1. Not sure if that is still in the plan.

Anyways, knowing WotC, we can be assured there will be at least 20 splatbooks with every imaginable class, background, specialty, or kit. Until it is time for 6e!

 

[TrippyHippy]

I have to admit, the inclusion of such things as Duskblade and the like make me go yuk. would people be content to see these as Prestige Classes however?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Certainly!

My thing is that the character who mixes martial and magical might is pretty common in fantasy literature, and it simply isn't covered fully by the Bard. Classes like Hexblades, Duskblades and BattleSorcerers- not to mention classes from D&D cousins like AE's Mage Blade- fill that niche all in one base class.

But good prestige classes and/or multiclassing rules might also work.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I honestly think Pathfinder has done a wonderful job of balancing shapechanging without making it completly cosmetic.

do you still find the pathfinder method OP?

Is the Pathfinder druid over powered? I can't say. We (my group) play Pathfinder but haven't had a druid yet. Maybe someone else care to chime in.

 

[Frostmarrow]

Certainly!

My thing is that the character who mixes martial and magical might is pretty common in fantasy literature, and it simply isn't covered fully by the Bard. Classes like Hexblades, Duskblades and BattleSorcerers- not to mention classes from D&D cousins like AE's Mage Blade- fill that niche all in one base class.

But good prestige classes and/or multiclassing rules might also work.

Th original gish was the Bladesinger. Maybe Bladesinger could be available to any race. Or, even better, the Bard could snuggle further down into the gish niche.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'd really hate too much expansion of the Bard role.

The Hexblade, for one, has a very different flavor, in that the source of their arcane power is a ritual agreement. This works well for things like Adepts of the Blue Star (Thieves' World)- Bards would be a poor fit.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I'd really hate too much expansion of the Bard role.

The Hexblade, for one, has a very different flavor, in that the source of their arcane power is a ritual agreement. This works well for things like Adepts of the Blue Star (Thieves' World)- Bards would be a poor fit.

I'm thinking Inspiring music should be a Specialty and Storyteller a Background. What is left of the Bard is longsword proficiency and ability to cast arcane spells.

It's been a long while since I last read Thieves' World.