Which class makes the best 5th wheel?

[incognito]

Bard or Ranger

Bard is clearly the most versitile, picking up whatever is lacking is the parties arsenal

Ranger has a great skill set, and enough outdoor spells to help the aprty in out door asect of dungeoneering.

 

[Numion]

A second cleric.

If the first one is a melee cleric, make the another an archer. He can then support with his bow or his spells, if need be. Also there's never really too much healing (except on positive energy plane) or buffs.

 

[Chun-tzu]

If the party is low on social skills, because the Rogue and Cleric weren't built for it, then Bard is the best choice.

Otherwise, I'd go with Ranger or Cleric. They're the best utility characters, and I just don't see how you could go wrong with either one. As everyone above has pointed out, versatility is a better way to go for that fifth slot rather than specialization (because specialization means the party is lacking in another area).

 

[Nifft]

What's the party weakest in? Assuming that your choices are Bard, Monk, Paladin, Druid and Ranger, then if you need help:

... tracking outdoors & doing woodlore stuff: Ranger / Druid

... in melee / fighting generally: Ranger / Paladin

... with healing: Paladin / Bard

... in social situations: Paladin / Bard

... doing stealthy stuff, scouting, spying, etc: Monk / Ranger / Druid (with Wild Shape)

... killing spellcasters: Monk / Paladin

-- Nifft

 

[Moe Ronalds]

Monk. Their abilities aren't necessary to a standard group, but they're still useful. They're not just sneaks, and their hit die don't really make them out to be fighting types, but what abilities they do possess can really help, even if they aren't a necessity.

 

[Mistwell]

If the question is between a Bard and a Paladin, Bard all the way, preferrably the Monte Cook Alt. Bard. Here is why:

Use magic device - you can use any magic item, divine or arcane. wands, staves, rods, scrolls, wonderous items, armor, weapons, whatever.

All the charisma-based skills (Paladin is missing almost all of them as class-skills, and doesn't have the skill points to pump them up anyway, particularly not as cross-class skills. Besides, that alignment and oath might mess with some uses of Bluff).

Healing (far better than Paladin for the spells known, and again can Use Magic Device on any kind of healing wand or scroll, whereas Paladin is limited to the 3 spells on his spell list).

Combat: Paladin is better in Melee probably, but Bard is better at ranged attacks, particularly with their spells.

Buffs: Bard wins hands down, some of the best buffs in the game.

Scouting: Hide, Move Silently, Listen, Invisibility Spell, Silence Spell, Fly spell (or equivelant), Disguise, Gather Information, Bluff, Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Bardic Knowledge - Bards are GREAT at scouting and gathering intel!

 

[Oni]

Another wizard, you can never have too much arcane firepower. Wizards feed off of each other, they can share spells and share the burden of item creation. Having an extra one around makes it easier to have a good mix of combat, buffing and utility magic. Two wizards working together can go a long way toward helping the party past obsticles.

 

[cbatt]

A second Cleric. No contest.

If the first cleric is a tank, make this one a healer, or vice versa. Clerics are THE most versatile class in the game and this versatility shines through when they're freed from hitting things over the head with their trusty mace, and healing the wounded.

 

[Stone Angel]

I don't really know, almost any that aren't included in the big 4 would work. 'Cept maybe sorcerer. The fifth in our last campaign was a Barb/Cleric. He was bad, he was our archer, when the wizard could cast haste+ his composite bow that allowed +3 Str. bonus man he was a killer. Plus the extra buffs and healing were huge and you can never get enough.

 

[Balgus]

Oni :
Another wizard, you can never have too much arcane firepower. Wizards feed off of each other, they can share spells and share the burden of item creation. Having an extra one around makes it easier to have a good mix of combat, buffing and utility magic. Two wizards working together can go a long way toward helping the party past obsticles.

actually- a second wiz doesn't sound half bad...or better- a sorc. If the wiz doesnt mind being a utility caster- the sorc can be the blaster. Offensive spells galore.

Seems like a second rogue and fighter are the only two choices that have not gotten a vote. The real question would be "what do YOU want to play?"
Since the four main categories have been filled (thank goodness) youhave the option of being whatever you choose. But know that if youchoose one of the four main classes, you might be stubbing on someone's toes, and taking some flare away from their moment to shine.

My vote is still a druid- although a high CHA sorc blaster would be nice to play too. You are higher prized in a battle- and you are highly used for your bluff and diplomacy. But you are far from anything in any other situation-

Come to think of it- a sorc would be so danged powerful- considering you have a wiz to help you scribe scrolls all day. If you go BOEM sorc variant, you have a higher HD and if you get a familiar, you can up yuor stats a lil, and a high CON would make you pretty hefty (especially if you go race with con bonus)

i am now voting for a sorc >>blaster