Pretend, for a moment, that D&D was created today and was laying down the framework for the way we talk about fantasy in gaming. Yes, I know it's impossible given how influential D&D has been on fantasy, but go with me here.
In 1974, there was the Fighting Man, Magic User and Cleric (and later thief), informed by Appendix N and wargames.
What do you think the core archetypes would be if D&D were invented today? What inspirational media make you think those particular ones would be foundational?
For my part, I think "fantasy hero archetypes" that aren't just derivative of D&D archetypes, and are represented in media, might look more like the core classes from D20 Modern: Smart Hero, Strong Hero, etc... if you think about characters in ensemble heroic action media, they tend to be defined more by those traits than their "class."
What do you think the core archetypes of an invented now D&D would be, in an alternate universe where D&D did not define gaming fantasy?
In 1974, there was the Fighting Man, Magic User and Cleric (and later thief), informed by Appendix N and wargames.
What do you think the core archetypes would be if D&D were invented today? What inspirational media make you think those particular ones would be foundational?
For my part, I think "fantasy hero archetypes" that aren't just derivative of D&D archetypes, and are represented in media, might look more like the core classes from D20 Modern: Smart Hero, Strong Hero, etc... if you think about characters in ensemble heroic action media, they tend to be defined more by those traits than their "class."
What do you think the core archetypes of an invented now D&D would be, in an alternate universe where D&D did not define gaming fantasy?