tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post7445231869894884315..comments2024-03-27T01:53:40.812-06:00Comments on Classic RPG Realms: Do we Need More Than Four Classes?Sizzaxehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-26559236129446193392011-09-02T07:14:27.270-06:002011-09-02T07:14:27.270-06:00Why do we even need four? What separates a wizard...Why do we even need four? What separates a wizard from a cleric, in terms of the archetype? Where is the inspiration for the cleric in the source fiction?<br /><br />I really like True 20's three-class system. Warrior, Adept, Expert. Add feats and skill selection to customize, and add an RP layer on top. <br /><br />Also, if you are going to stick to a small number of classes, it's a good idea to allow multi-classing. If you can build a ranger easily by alternating thief and fighter levels, then you don't really need a ranger class. If you can't alternate levels, though, then neither fighter nor thief really works.Marshall Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15647111558095583028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-64555838770749385822011-08-28T15:30:45.220-06:002011-08-28T15:30:45.220-06:00Yeah, I'll admit the archetype thing is the af...Yeah, I'll admit the archetype thing is the afterthought of game analysts, certainly not something the founders intended. That much is obvious b/c Gary added so many classes later in the game and Dave Arneson was the first to start adding additional classes. So I'll admit it's a weak reason to keep the class count low. I bring it up just to give another reason we may not want a proliferation of class options. But truthfully very few if any people play classes to achieve an "archetypal experience".<br /><br />And it seems like most here thus far prefer or at least don't see a problem with additional classes per se. Just that there is some sense to the method and not just class creating for its own sake. <br /><br />To be honest, that surprises me. Most old schoolers seem to foster a 0e or B/X style of play that supports fewer classes. Myself I am an AD&D child and extra classes were never really a problem for me. Though to be honest most of the classes we played were the core four. Not sure why it worked out that way, but it is interesting.<br /><br />Thanks for the feedback everyone.Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-10185007817675592642011-08-28T11:58:36.041-06:002011-08-28T11:58:36.041-06:00One reason to keep it down to the original four, a...One reason to keep it down to the original four, at least for me as the DM... it's easier to keep track of! If there's a dozen classes with fiddley powers and restrictions, that can be a lot do deal with and it's easier to overlook something in play than if there's only the big four which are all pretty simple compared to some of the others. <br /><br />When it gets right down to it, we don't even need any classes at all. We could run it classlessly like in those Fighting Fantasy novels. (But really, classless means "fighting-man hero type".) It might even be the best way to introduce new players, get them into the dungeon as fast as possible, unaware of game stats then slowly add more options. <br /><br /><br />>>"We all know that classes are a construct that facilitates archetypal roleplay."<br /><br />Ummm, yes and no. It probably didn't start with any thought about "archetypes". I'm guessing it was more along the lines of: "Hey DM can I play a sorcerer this time? How about a dwarf or something?" That's all it really is. Any archetype talk is just an attempt to organize it better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-30709937850834837462011-08-28T01:59:26.012-06:002011-08-28T01:59:26.012-06:00I don't mind having more then the base four bu...I don't mind having more then the base four but only as long as each class plays differently. Too me the reason the four work is that a fighter is nothing like a mage and although a cleric is similar too both only he can heal and then the thief is the only one with skills.<br /><br />The more unique each class is and the more they stand apart then the more justification for having them. I don't like the idea of playing a barbarian who is just a fighter with his shirt off. <br /><br />But also I like too know what exactly is official, I felt like 3.5e just had too many optional rules in all the books I even felt like the core classes were all optional and any race could be any class and basically you could just write a list of feats ad some BA and saves and call that a class.<br /><br />I don't mind sub classes as long as they again have a distinction or are harder too qualify for. But one reason I didn't like 3.5's prestige classes is too many seaming setting specific or optional. Basically I buy a book about martial combat and get 20 more optional classes that's just annoying.<br /><br />I think four is fine in fact I have sometimes made everyone just play humans with weapons and we had a great time. But if more are going too be added I just think each one needs a specific reason. Too me a true necromancer is far different then some guy who reads scrolls.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00899964934488037629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-58718984551525492072011-08-27T23:53:07.190-06:002011-08-27T23:53:07.190-06:00I personally am a huge fan of tons of classes. Th...I personally am a huge fan of tons of classes. The way I see it, you change a class, and you may change the assumptions about the world you create. You can roleplay a fighter several different ways, but if you change the name and slap a few different abilities on it, you may have a completely different animal that plays a different way. I am a fan of options, thus the reason I like Pathfinder so much, but I like having a lot of classes even in old school play. Not to mention they're fun to create!HitAdjacentAllyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08632582325567098655noreply@blogger.com