Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Andron 05-16-07, 10:00 AM	I'm starting up a completely urban campaign for my group of players. (We will be using Waterdeep as the backdrop.) I'm trying to create a base list of starting classes that the players can choose from. (They are starting out at 1st level. Pretty much any book is available except psionics) I thought I read someplace about different classes in an urban environment but cannot remember where. Any help with this or any type of list would be greatly appreciated.
Magrus 05-16-07, 11:20 PM	You are from about 20 miles west of me. O.o Wow. The game is based entirely in a city? Some variants that are on the www.d20srd.com site for you then: Fighter Variant: Thug (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#fighterVaria ntThug) Urban Ranger (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#rangerVarian tUrbanRanger) There are some others in that section as well you might want to just browse through there. Personally, I would say things like the standard Barbarian, Druid and Ranger wouldn't be good ideas. Everything else could be adapted fairly easily, from Core anyhow. The Scout class wouldn't be so good either. The Ninja would be a great alternative to the Rogue here. More non-combat action focused I suppose. I would probably do something like the warrior classes are set up in varying sectors. Some as a police force, and possibly a nobles/royal guard. Paladins perhaps for the royal guards if it is a capital of a "good" kingdom. Wizards and possibly Warmages as the arcane casters. Rogues in a guild type setting that is underground. Bards might end up being a variation of royal bards, or simple folks who amuse drunks in taverns as a background in the city. Monks might or might not be a good idea. Generally, I would say they would be not in a big city. Up to you on that one though. Hopefully this helps a bit?
Alyss 05-18-07, 10:35 AM	You can keep monks in if you think of them as well trained brawlers. A monk doesn't have to be Oriental. Just change some of the names of their class features, like 'Steel Guts' instead of Purity of Body, or 'Kidney Punch' for Quivering Palm. I also have an NPC class that you may find useful for Watchman (unoriginally called 'Watchman'). I found that neither the Warriors nor Fighters were quite right: WARRIOR VARIANT: WATCHMAN The watchman is the first defence of a city against the endless waves of crime that endlessly threaten to engulf it. At his best, the watchman is a tireless servant of justice, but the class just as easily allows for a selfish, corrupt individual who use his position to grow fat and rich. Class skills: Replace the warrior’s class skills with the following: Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (local) (Int), Listen (Wis), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str) and Use Rope (Dex). Skill points at 1st level: (4 + Int modifier) x 4. Skill points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier. Class features The watchman has all the standard warrior class features, except as noted below: Armour and Weapon Proficiency: Watchmen are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with light armour and with shields (but not tower shields). Bonus Feat: At 1st level a watchman gains Urban Tracking as a bonus feat. Hope that helps a little
Rechan 05-19-07, 12:28 AM	Barb and Druid function fine in the city. Barbarians dont' have to be literally savages. They could be soldiers with PTSD, homeless beggars living in the sewers and hunting things to stay alive (Remember, Drizzt has a level of Barb during his time in the Underdark), or pretty much any sort of group that goes into a 'combat phase' like a Zen Archery surge of adrenaline. Just remove some of their skills. Druids can be urban druids - there are lots of animals in the city. Birds, rats, horses, dogs, etc. It does limit the options, but not by a whole lot. I would try to style a Monk variant that's more a boxer/brawler capable of just doing lethal unarmed damage. But the standard Monk functions fine. I would go with the Urban ranger, and just call him Bounty Hunter.
MagicMouth 05-19-07, 09:04 AM	Urban Class Features (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a) OK, not actual classes, but still useful.
Andron 05-21-07, 05:08 PM	Yeah, that helps a lot, thanks guys. I forgot about the web enhancements. i think that must have been what I read a while ago.
turalisj 05-21-07, 06:09 PM	Psions, psychic warriors, and soulknives could easily be a secret police unit used to infiltrate organizations...