What is the Worst Class in D&D?

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Am I the only person that can't really pick one? I've seen all the classes played well without any problems in the games I've run...*shrug* Maybe I just got lucky with a good group.

 

[Gez]

I wanted to say sorcerer (gah, too few spells, too late), I wanted to say psion (even worse), I wanted to say monk or bard, but I went with ranger. Heavy frontload (Track+TWF+Ambi), a silly ability (Fav. Enemy, terrains would have made more sense, and it's not logical beholders and illithids are considered "the same" when each humanoid subtype isn't).

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Actually, If I had to pick a "worst," it would be the Psion, due to the dependency on each stat to determine the strength of his powers, and what powers he could use at high level. Although it gives them a unique flavor, it is quite crippling above 8th level or so, because the higher your level, the more limited your pool of powers to choose from.

I agree with you and was forced to vote psion, even though I love the concept. The multiple stat dependence mechanic is just terrible, however, IMO.

Interstingly enough, Alan "Psion" Kohler doesn't agree with this. Will we see an ENWorld psion war in the future? Only time will tell.

I had a hard time choosing between ranger, bard and psion.

The ranger is still playable, even though it has both flavor and mechanical problems.

I just don't know what to do with a bard. I'm thinking now that it really should be a prestige class based on the rogue.

 

[Zappo]

I had to vote ranger. It doesn't offer a single reason to bring it to level 20. The spell list is almost worthless and the favored enemy isn't a big deal either.

 

[Merlion]

I just don't know what to do with a bard. I'm thinking now that it really should be a prestige class based on the rogue.

The Bard or something like it is a big part of western european mythology...and history. and in fact their ties with the Rogue are purely a DnD thing...not that I mind it especialy the social aspects...but I dont see Bard as a rogue type prestige class(of course I dont see any of the core classes as anything but core classes conceptualy). I think the 3e bard is pretty good and the 3er bard will be very good.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

About the bard... maybe you're right (I'm not too familiar with Middle Ages European singers) but I'm not sure how they fit into an adventuring party.

 

[A'koss]

The Bard. Even the ranger isn't half as bad. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great concept... for a Prestige Clase but as a core class I just don't get it.

The sorcerer... give him his own spell list and I'd have far fewer problems with it.

And as far as Psionics go, the fact that they aren't part of the core rules renders any issues I have with it null and void. I actually do like the concept of psionics, but I haven't seen D&D ever implement it to my (or my group's) liking.


Cheers,

A'koss.

 

[Merlion]

Well I havent extensively studied the historical specfics myself but I know most cultures seem to have a combination performer/lorekeeper/poet/muscian. Especialy western european ones(the Celtic Bard nordic Skalds etc). And since base DnD is based almost entirly off of western myth and legend, and since the concept of a muscian/poet/lorekeeper is so prevalent I think it makes perfect sense as a core class.
The Bard I played was mainly the face of the party. I got us our way through speech or music. I managed to talk/sing/play our way past a Gaurdian Naga one time(yes their good and so were we but it was avowed not to let anyone pass through a certain area or something along those lines).
In combat bards can be decent physicaly and provide extensive backup via their spells and bardic music abilities(this last shoiuld be increased further in 3er). Their skills and spells can also make them excellent spies and scouts, and their great at gathering information and intelligince.
Also bear in mind that the question of this poll is about how well the classed is designed...not wether or not its really good at a certain thing, or wether it should be a core class.

 

[toberane]

As of this time, 0 votes for Rogues. It's taken three years, but Rogues appeear to finally be getting the respect they deserve!

Oh, and I voted Psion. We don't play psionics, but I recall being very unimpressed with the psion class when I first looked at it.

 

[kenjib]

I was trying to decide between sorcerors and clerics and went with cleric in the end. The sorceror has the problem of being too similar to wizards, in my opinion. They need a little more to make them different. The fact that they have an innate source of magic is little more than window dressing, but should drive the mechanics of the class instead.

My problem with the cleric class is that it is the only faith based class and yet fails to represent most of the classic fantasy archetypes of priests, most notably the evil cultist priest. In addition, the differences between clerics of different gods of very different spheres of influence are so minimal as to be almost non-existant and many widely inappropriate abilities are given to all clerics, such as power of undead.

Because of this conceptual stumble (which has existed since the cleric was first introduced) it is still the most boring class to play, and the only reason most people play it now is because it is grossly overpowered mechanically -- meaning that they balanced a boring class by giving it kewl powers.