zoroaster100
First Post
I forgot about the bard. I definitely also want to see an Essentialized version of the bard, and perhaps also the monk.
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What New Essentials Builds Do You Want To See?
- Thread starter Dausuul
- Start date
Almacov
First Post
I suppose my hope would be for them to crack open the game enough that a binder could work. It doesn't seem too far-fetched to me. I mean, they're already reaching closer and closer into design space that might accomodate it with each rule they break/make in essentials class design. They've made replacements for encounter powers, replacements for dailies, we're seeing class features a step outside of the normal power structure gained as characters progress.
As disappointing as it was for some (especially from the standpoint of immediate usefulness), Schwalb's new Runepriest article just introduced items (or are they more like "grandmaster training", or "boons"? Is there a real difference?) that actually replace the core feature of that class when you wish them to, stepping into its shoes with a completely alternate effect.
That seems exactly along the lines of how a vestige could behave.
Heck, it's pretty close to how the Vestige Warlock dailies work. Except on a broader scale, perhaps. And the wider that aperture opens, the more readily the flavour of the original class can be emulated.
They just need to break-make-balance enough rules.
And, of course, they need to nestle it in really engaging flavour.
If they manage it eventually, I'll be rather happy.
Along this tangent, some vestige-ish feature-swap goodness could allow for some pretty cool Knights of the Sacred Seal, or Anima Mages...
I'm half tempted to write a "Heroes of the Hidden Echoes" for fun.
RangerWickett
Legend
So far we have:
Martial controller, defender, and two strikers. So I'd like a new warlord-y class. Maybe a class that is wholly Int and/or Cha-based. Create a flexible multiclassing system so that a knight can take a few of these feats if you want a "lead the charge" sort of warrior.
Arcane controller, striker. Divine leader, defender. To be honest, I'd just say these fit together to get a full set. I've never been a fan of the arcane/divine divide. They're all mages to me.
What I would like are just new spells, divided up by class role. So like a spellcasting defender could be an abjurer or wall mage. Handle swordmagery, again, through interesting multiclassing. Why not allow thief-enchanters or slayer-evokers with axes? Maybe necromancers are leaders who can steal and distribute health (in addition to animating the dead.
Martial controller, defender, and two strikers. So I'd like a new warlord-y class. Maybe a class that is wholly Int and/or Cha-based. Create a flexible multiclassing system so that a knight can take a few of these feats if you want a "lead the charge" sort of warrior.
Arcane controller, striker. Divine leader, defender. To be honest, I'd just say these fit together to get a full set. I've never been a fan of the arcane/divine divide. They're all mages to me.
What I would like are just new spells, divided up by class role. So like a spellcasting defender could be an abjurer or wall mage. Handle swordmagery, again, through interesting multiclassing. Why not allow thief-enchanters or slayer-evokers with axes? Maybe necromancers are leaders who can steal and distribute health (in addition to animating the dead.
KidSnide
Adventurer
Well, the biggest thing I'd like to see are hybrid rules for combining a PH1-3 class with an Essentials class. There are a number of hybrid character concepts where it would be nice to simplify a PH1-3 class with some static bonuses (instead of creating a super-complicated hybrid character).
Sorcerer - I'd like to see an essentialized ranged arcane striker that focuses on classic energy throwing (as opposed to something stranger, like the warlock).
Barbarian - I'd like to see a martial/primal version of the barbarian, although a Slayer/Barbarian hybrid might take care of that character type.
For the psionic classes:
Psion - I think there's potential for a character of warpriest level complexity that feels more different than the PH3 version of the psion.
Battlemind - There is design space for a nice psychometabolic striker version of the battlemind.
...and, for the existing classes, more cleric domains and wizard schools are always a plus.
-KS
Sorcerer - I'd like to see an essentialized ranged arcane striker that focuses on classic energy throwing (as opposed to something stranger, like the warlock).
Barbarian - I'd like to see a martial/primal version of the barbarian, although a Slayer/Barbarian hybrid might take care of that character type.
For the psionic classes:
Psion - I think there's potential for a character of warpriest level complexity that feels more different than the PH3 version of the psion.
Battlemind - There is design space for a nice psychometabolic striker version of the battlemind.
...and, for the existing classes, more cleric domains and wizard schools are always a plus.
-KS
WalterKovacs
First Post
I'd doubt they'd make that, if only because of how that already describes the hexblade to some extent, at least in terms of an arcane/blade wielding mix that uses Charisma Primary with Int (star) or Dex (fey) as a secondary and is a striker.
That is definitely something I'd love to see. I'm still waiting for the promised stat update for the Revenant.
WalterKovacs
First Post
Stuff I'd like to see get Essential treatment:
Warlord and the Bard. A few more leaders would work well, and the 'focus' of Essential builds tends to make most leaders into melee characters, and both can do that, especially the warlord. Also, it opens up more possibilities for Essentials + Dark Sun which is nice.
Monk and Barbarian. Both, like the Assassin and Ranger, could get some martial attacks with some psionic/primal utilities that would contrast with their more 'magical' original builds. Similarly, they fit into the more melee (unless you are controller) focus of the Essential builds.
The sorceror would be intersting, as the Essential builds have avoided non-controller characters being ranged as their primary focus, but the sorceror already follows some of the Essential ideas (it's static striker bonus damage, for example). Also, if it focuses on blasts and bursts, and could have some melee touch attacks as well, making it still be a bit more of a melee-ish striker.
A bit more out there, I'd like to see a more traditional warlock build, and a swordmage build, that uses some of the ideas from the martial builds in Essentials. Basically, taking from the 3e version of the warlock, having an eldritch blast as your basic attack, with multiple ways to modify it (similar to the attack options the hunter ranger has, or the stances the fighter gets, etc) and similarly, the swordmage could be similar to say the Duskblade with melee basic attacks that are modified by 'spells' they use to modify their attacks, perhaps things like the free action options like power strike or the 'attack that causes a modified MBA' like the hunter ranger, etc.
Warlord and the Bard. A few more leaders would work well, and the 'focus' of Essential builds tends to make most leaders into melee characters, and both can do that, especially the warlord. Also, it opens up more possibilities for Essentials + Dark Sun which is nice.
Monk and Barbarian. Both, like the Assassin and Ranger, could get some martial attacks with some psionic/primal utilities that would contrast with their more 'magical' original builds. Similarly, they fit into the more melee (unless you are controller) focus of the Essential builds.
The sorceror would be intersting, as the Essential builds have avoided non-controller characters being ranged as their primary focus, but the sorceror already follows some of the Essential ideas (it's static striker bonus damage, for example). Also, if it focuses on blasts and bursts, and could have some melee touch attacks as well, making it still be a bit more of a melee-ish striker.
A bit more out there, I'd like to see a more traditional warlock build, and a swordmage build, that uses some of the ideas from the martial builds in Essentials. Basically, taking from the 3e version of the warlock, having an eldritch blast as your basic attack, with multiple ways to modify it (similar to the attack options the hunter ranger has, or the stances the fighter gets, etc) and similarly, the swordmage could be similar to say the Duskblade with melee basic attacks that are modified by 'spells' they use to modify their attacks, perhaps things like the free action options like power strike or the 'attack that causes a modified MBA' like the hunter ranger, etc.
Cyronax
Explorer
This!
Wednesday Boy
The Nerd WhoFell to Earth
Aw man, I would love to see a 4E Binder that was more like the the 3.5 version than the Vestige Pact Warlock is. I never got to play one past one session but it is hands down the most flavorful class I've seen.
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