What classes haven't been done yet?

[smootrk]

You know, I never said that a character should be an 'expert' pirate at first level, much less a Dread Pirate Lord at first level.

What I mean, and I think most other folks here seem to acknowledge as well, is that if a profession, background, history, (whatever) makes for a reasonable base class or variant, then that option should be available.

Why should a person have to get multiple levels of classes, feats, and such to realize the basic upbringing or background that the character should possess even at first level. I'm not saying that just because you were raised on a farm that you will be an expert in agriculture at first level, but you might have a lot of insight that other characters would not have.

PRC's are still great, but they are advanced classes - reflecting organizations, advanced training or alternate training, or departures from standard paths. They are poor ways to retroactively define a character's history or background - rather counter-intuitive, if you ask me, to have a advanced career path to define a character's formative years.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

My question is more why do you need a class called Pirate to be a pirate? What class feature would you need to make you more pirate-y? You can be a pirate by playing as one through your character background, skills and feats.

I think most "thematic" character classes on people's wish lists on this thread could be covered by background, skill, feat and multiclassing choices. I would rather reserve new base classes for truly new mechanics outside the box like the Warlock, Book of Nine Swords, etc.

 

[Sejs]

Your wizard CAN be a pirate at 1st level with the right choice of feats, skills and later possible multiclassing.

Yep, some ranks in intimidate, some profession (sailor), parrot or monkey familiar, maybe spend a feat on cutlass proficiency. Bam. Pirate wizard.

 

[D.Shaffer]

Of course, it's hard to be a good pirate when a skill like Profession isnt on your class list. I'm looking at you Fighter.

Yeah, it's an easy fix, but you're still technically looking at an alternate class feature.

 

[smootrk]

Possibly Pirate was a poor choice for an example or name. Perhaps they should be called "Nautical Background Fighter",... Pirate/Privateer sounds better for a game.

In all reality, I just pulled Pirate for some example to illustrate my view. I agree that many concepts can be 'built', and a DM could make some class skill changes to accommodate certain choices, and so on... much like Wilderness Rogues or Urban Rangers, etc. Other folks don't monkey around with rules like that, and may need 'official' outlets to build their characters - hence new base classes, prestige classes, paragon, substitution etc.

I doubt that you will get satisfaction, as the new material sells books, and most people are interested in additional options (not restrictions - as the writers have stated). Pointing fingers at everyone who enjoys these things, seems like a poor way to get your point across.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

Pointing fingers at everyone who enjoys these things, seems like a poor way to get your point across.

It is not my intent to point fingers at anyone. Just expressing my opinion. If WoTC goes the route of creating new base classes to cover every possible profession without adding anything new then I won't buy their books. But give me something fresh, like the Book of Nine Swords, and I'm right there with my cash in hand.

 

[Moonstone Spider]

I'd like to see a way to build the classic "Lucky Hero" archetype, the guy who's not that good with a sword, not a powerful spellcaster, and even seems a little clumsy. But in the fight he'll inevitably trip over something that springs back and defeats his enemy, while searching for traps he'll accidentally open the doorway to the secret chamber full of gold, etc.
I envision something with 3 good saves, an evasion-like ability that can be applied to any save rather than just ref, and the eventual power to give the same bonuses to other party members x/day or something similar so the class isn't totally selfish.

I also second the need for a better way to make a Pirate, as I'm playing one in a campaign right now and it was a nightmare trying to figure out how to make him. Eventually I decided the Dread Pirate PrC was simply out of reach, only a Rogue could gain the skills and I'm a bit burned out on Rogues. Swashbuckler almost works but can't get a lot of key skills a pirate would need (Like Use Rope). Eventually I went with Urban Ranger as it was the closest thing I could find. But it was tough and the Dread Pirate PrC is a no-go because of it's demand for Appraise skill.

 

[Valesin]

It is not my intent to point fingers at anyone. Just expressing my opinion. If WoTC goes the route of creating new base classes to cover every possible profession without adding anything new then I won't buy their books. But give me something fresh, like the Book of Nine Swords, and I'm right there with my cash in hand.

Exactly my point (which I may have made a little tactlessly. Sorry, bad day at work).

My other point, while I realize that this thread is just an intellectual/creative exercise, is that there are an infinite number of 'new' (which I argue are far from new by any useful definition of the word) potential base classes that can be generated, and all are just minor variations of what already exist. It is simply impossible, and I would argue undesirable, to have a new base class for every possible PC concept. WotC has a finite amount of time and resources to devote to new material, and I think a base class to cover every contigency is a particularly bad use of those resources.

Clearly the majority of respondents disagree with that opinion, but it is still mine and I will express it (although I will try to do so a little more diplomatically in the future).

 

[Remathilis]

1) A non-oriental 3.5 Shaman, no "Spirit" Shaman, just a regular old Shaman.

Agreed. Though a Hybrid of the OA and Spirit shaman might work...

2) A spontaneous divine caster that doesn't grow wings mid-advancement (a flightless Favored Soul if you will).

Try the Mystic from Dragonlance Campaign Setting on for size...

3) Let's rework the Samurai AGAIN.

Lets not. If you want a classic samurai, use the OA one. If you want a stereotypical samurai, use the CW one.

4) A less martial, more spell-y priest class (perhaps the Cloistered Cleric variant from some issue of Dragon?).

Why? The Cloistered Cleric and the Archivist pretty much cover that niche.

5) An alignment universal Paladin/Holy Warrior type.

UA has paladins for the other core alignments, and Book of 9 Swords and Incarnum have alignment/deity champions as well.

6) A PC-viable Noble/Aristocrat.

Noble, from Dragonlance again.

 

[Voadam]

More classes using mechanics similar to the soulknife and psionic focus. Quick reloads of cool powers. Not certain times per day and no slots or points to track, just useable at will or spend actions to refresh abilities. Easy player/DM resource tracking.