Which PHB2 classes do you not find interesting

[gribble]

Only true playtesting will of course tell us the real answer, but after reading the classes, my gut says they are quite comparable.

It's not exactly exhaustive playtesting, but I played a 4th level (covenant of Wrath) Invoker alongside a Wizard using the preview material for a couple of sessions.

My observations:
1) The Invoker seemed to have a lot more "rider" effects on his attacks.
2) The raw damage output of the Invoker was noticeably higher.
3) Most of the Invokers attacks only targeted enemies, and consequently he was usually able to hit more opponents with his burst/blast attacks than the Wizard (and a few of his powers actually had beneficial riders when allies were in the AoE).

It's possible luck and/or optimisation played a part but in my opinion the Invoker was noticeably better.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I voted Shaman, just because i find the concept unapealling. I haven't had any real intrest in any incarnation of the class.

 

[Lord Sessadore]

I said the Sorcerer, mostly because nothing about it has really grabbed me so far. I personally like the flavour of the warlock a lot more, though I suspect that the sorcerer will likely be a more powerful striker.

That said, I'm looking forward to all of them. Especially the Avenger. I think the avenger will be made of pure, refined awesome.

 

[kenmarable]

In general, I think the PH 2 classes are definitely more polished and coherently designed than the PH 1 classes.

Also at least from the preview material and everything I'm hearing, it sounds like the PHB2 classes went for a bit more complexity as well. That, to me, is a good thing. (Not that the PHB ones need to be more complex, mind you, but it's nice having some variation in that regard.)

 

[Plane Sailing]

I've not got PHB2 yet, and my opinions might change once I have.

But at the moment I don't like the avenger (sounds like it is what the paladin should be, but shoehorned into the source+role matrix), the barbarian (because I like Conan style barbarians and this sounds like warp-spasm Slaine style barbarians), the Warden (something nebulous shoe-horned into the primal-defender part of the grid), the Invoker (ditto but filling in the divine-controller part of the grid), the Shaman because the mechanics sound iffy at the moment.

I'm looking forward to Bard, Druid & Sorcerer, who fill roles which I want to see in my games (and I mean roles in the generic player-character in the world sense).

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

I voted for Shaman and Druid, in my almost complete ignorance except what I saw in previews.

Shaman because I don't grok it.

Druid because the preview seemed silly.


Though I plan on keeping my rogue at least until the monk playtest.

Brad

 

[Rani]

I'm with the OP. There isn't a single class in 4e so far that I don't want to play. I was hesitant with the Invoker and the Warden at first but now that I have a better understanding of those classes I am really excited. Of course all of this is moot since I'm always a DM, never a Player.

This is pretty much my sentiments exactly. I really can see myself having a ton of fun with all the classes in the PH2, but alas, I'm always the DM.

Also, fissionessence, I'm curious as to why an animal spirit is offensive to you, but not either characteristic on it's own.

 

[chaotix42]

I voted for all classes. I think I was least excited about the shaman after the preview, but upon reading the full class I am pretty impressed. I like the flexibility the spirit companion offers, and when you're not using it just put it away and get to work with your other powers.

I'm gonna use the deathcap mushroom mini from Demonweb for my shaman's spirit companion. There's an evocation that lets you summon a second spirit companion for the encounter - lucky for me I pulled two mushrooms.

 

[Mercurius]

I really could have done with out the commentary in the poll answers.

I really could have done without the commentary about the commentary in the poll answers.

Perhaps the largest issue for me is that, if the PH 1 classes were designed according to PH 2 principles, the cleric, ranger, warlock, and paladin would all have one primary attack stat. I think the design team saw these warts quite some time ago - every new class since PH 1's release follows PH 2 design principles. Hopefully one of these days we'll see a major 4e update that redesigns these classes according to the PH 2 principles. But, with Wizards' design schedule - Martial Power is out, Arcane Power is imminent, and Divine Power will be out later this year - I don't think this will happen for another couple of years at the soonest, if it ever happens at all.

Interesting. If this is really as glaring as you make it sound, I don't see why WotC can't publish "updated versions" in Dragon. Or hopefully some ENWorlder will fix it for us, hint hint.

I voted Druid, Shaman & Barbarian.

Sounds like you hate nature

 

[Vayden]

Avenger seems made of win and probably the class I was born to play.

Sorceror also seems quite fun, though I'll have to look through it more.

Barbarian I'm tentatively hopeful for, though the preview one played out kind of boring when I played one at level 4 (back up, charge, repeat).

Warden I'm very psyched about, as they seem to have taken over the "I turn into a bear and eat you" aspect of druid, which is what I always liked about the class anyway.

Druid, slightly less excited about, as they are more casty now.

Invoker was my vote for uninteresting - I just haven't seen anything that grabs me about the class.

Shaman and Bard I like because I like leaders, pets, and multi-classing.