Best home-brewed core class? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTimePost
Turaj

01-31-07, 08:31 PM
What is the BEST home-brewed core class that is on any of these posts, or posts on other sites? (A link would be helpful too.) And why?
Turaj

01-31-07, 08:39 PM
No?
periscope

01-31-07, 08:51 PM
The Rebalanced Paladin
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=729837

The Magus
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=357534

Gemini Dancer
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=598478

pretty much anything in the Ultimate classes lists
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=690264

peach orchard,
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=751813

or kung fu compendium.
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=758520

The Sublime Way Variant Ranger
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=738077

Red Mage
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=776302

Blue Mage
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=137596

Society Mind
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=506284

Knights of Sin and Virtue
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=437446&page=4&pp=30

Thoughtsinger
http://www.bossythecow.com/TheThoughtsinger.pdf

Aryxbezian Hexblade
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=751028

New Martial Adept-Shade
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=754285

The Rune Knight Core Class
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=378718

War Medic
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=713780

White Mage 1
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?referrerid=406019&t=727364

White Mage 2
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=520674

Black Mage
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=520062

Sphereshaper
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=471564

and the Inventor
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=297060

All really good, very well built, either original or bring the class up to what it was supposed to be, too many to tell really, there are a lot of talented people on the boards.
frasmage

01-31-07, 08:51 PM
I get amazing reviews of the gemini dancer, in my sig. It is considered by many to be the best class on these boards.

IMO, the top three are blue mage, society mind and gemini dancer (but not necessarily in that order)
Seerow

01-31-07, 08:55 PM
None of those, excepting the Rebalanced Paladin and Sublime Way Ranger, are core classes. The rest are BASE classes.


And frankly, My Fighter (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=728493) is the best Core Class posted on these boards.

I'm not arrogant, honest
tiluvias99

01-31-07, 08:55 PM
I'll second the Society Mind and Blue Mage. Also Szatany's Ultimate Classes.


No love for the Bando Warrior?
Seerow

01-31-07, 08:57 PM
Society Mind and Blue Mage aren't core classes.
frasmage

01-31-07, 09:00 PM
I'm pretty sure from the way the OP worded it that he meant "base classes"
Seerow

01-31-07, 09:02 PM
Regardless, it's not what he asked for.
tiluvias99

01-31-07, 09:03 PM
Okay. So what? Who cares?

Yes, I know that Core actually means the ones from the PHB. What it actually means matters very little though, as his intent was quite clear.
Turaj

01-31-07, 09:09 PM
Yes sorry, I ment base class. Sorry for the confusion. Personally I was looking for a more fighter oriented BASE class, one who can both take and deal damage. The Gemini Dancer almost seems like a base class version of a Dervish, but i didn't read the entire class description. If not I'm sorry.
Xylem

01-31-07, 09:16 PM
What is the BEST home-brewed core class that is on any of these posts, or posts on other sites? (A link would be helpful too.) And why?
This is a rather silly question as asked. The best for what purpose? And who's definition of best?
frasmage

01-31-07, 09:16 PM
The Gemini Dancer almost seems like a base class version of a Dervish, but i didn't read the entire class description. If not I'm sorry.

there is a lot more to it than that :)
Otto the Bugbear

01-31-07, 09:19 PM
Despite what Seerow says, mine are the best. :tongue:

In all honesty, we developed a lot of the abilities off each others' work.

Anyway, time for some links.

Wizard, Mageblade and Bard (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=11101678&postcount=3)
Sorcerer (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=11101686&postcount=4)
Cleric, Archivist, Paladin, and Hymnist (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=11101692&postcount=5)
Druid, Mystic, Ranger and Skald (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=11101696&postcount=6)

Fighter and Swashbuckler (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=11179317#post11179317)
Barbarian and Hexblade (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=11179294&postcount=2)
Knight and Rogue (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=11179317&postcount=3)

Cheers

Otto :)
Seerow

01-31-07, 09:19 PM
Even though we shared a lot of the developement, my Fighter clearly beats Otto's ^_~



*insert this thread turning into an outlet for silly rivalries*
Otto the Bugbear

01-31-07, 09:21 PM
*insert this thread turning into an outlet for silly rivalries*

It certainly seems to have that potential.
Seerow

01-31-07, 09:22 PM
Yes, but you totally killed it by not returning the insistance that your Fighter beats mine D=
Turaj

01-31-07, 09:22 PM
Frasmage, nice class, just finished reading it. And all I can say is wow. There are no words for the dedication and hard work that must have gone into that. Kudos. :clap: :bow: :bounce: oh and :weep: of joy. I don't think I could ever do something like that.

Xylem, read the above post of mine. I state that I want a fighter-esk character. I for one like the Divine Protector or Duelist classes. Has anyone read these?
frasmage

01-31-07, 09:23 PM
*insert this thread turning into an outlet for silly rivalries*

ya, this thread does seem to encourage a bit of narcissism
Animana

01-31-07, 09:26 PM
I'm going to have to advertise my own creation, the Shinra Soldier, which seems to be rather well liked. Also, I put most of my favourites in my signature, too, so be sure to take a look through those.
Turaj

01-31-07, 09:30 PM
Nice job on the Shinra Soldier. I might just multi-class that with the Divine Protector, or this Revamped Paladin I saw. Thanks. :D
Turaj

02-01-07, 07:55 PM
Is there some kind of compendium for all of the home brew classes?
tiluvias99

02-01-07, 08:59 PM
Yep. Shadowfoot made one awhile ago, but it's a little outdated. It's a couple years back, I think. He also made a prestige class compendium as well.

Someone (can't think of who right now) made a second core class compendium, that's a little more recent than shadowfoot's, but I believe it stopped getting updated as well.

Aside from those, all I can think of is the Kung Fu Compendium and the Peach Orchard.



I'll see if I can find links to the compendiums.
Turaj

02-01-07, 09:03 PM
Ok thanks. I saw those, but like you said they were a little outdated, and I can't remember how I found them. So those links would be very helpful. :D
frasmage

02-01-07, 09:04 PM
Is there some kind of compendium for all of the home brew classes?

lets see now...

http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/User_Base_Classes_with_Descriptions
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=751813
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=751813
tiluvias99

02-01-07, 09:18 PM
Shadowfoot's Core Class Compendium:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=197561

Shadowfoot's Prestige Class Compendium:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=197541

Alutras's Core Class Compendium:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=519526

Note that all of these can be found in the stickied thread right at the top of the thread list that says "Please Read: Links to important threads on the boards."
Funny, eh? :D
Turaj

02-01-07, 09:29 PM
Im going to go sit in the corner now........:raincloud
ssvegeta555

02-02-07, 12:47 AM
[SHAMELESS PLUG]The best home-brew base class you say? Well of course it goes to the Yamabushi (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=673769) class.

If you need convincing listen (ok read) these amazing reviews:

IDon'tExist: "I love this class, it's great and it's cool!"

HeyICan'tAct: "I got a great rate and good coverage. Dept Consolidation Loans is the best."

ReviewerForHire: "5 out 5."

L33tUz3r: "ZOMG b3st class 3var. L33t City!!!"

*blinks* Umm... ignore the guy talking about dept...[/SHAMELESS PLUG]

BlaineTog's Soulknife Fix (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=310984) is badass as well. Easily one of my favs. I can hear the soulknife now...

"Yay, I"m useful!" *in Zoidburg's voice* :D
Damon_Caskey

02-02-07, 01:26 AM
I won't say its the best, but I will say I've worked very hard on it and I believe it shows. The Engetsu Shinobi found in my signature and its related prestige classes.

DC
deanruel

02-02-07, 01:38 AM
This one is in my humble opinion (or IMHO for you leet speakers) a no-brainer. There are a lot of really great home brew base classes out there but there's only one that I saw and favorited before I'd even finished reading it.

K's Monk from the dungeonomicon is in my opinion the best class that has ever been posted on these boards. Absolutely neccessary, absolutely fascinating, and absolutely brilliant.

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=659653

Give it a look. I'll bet you it's in your next campaign.

(No offense to anyone else who's posted truly awesome homebrews on these boards. I am huge fans of many of you ;-) )
Stado

02-02-07, 11:03 PM
I feel Dreamscarred Press' Society Mind (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=506284) and Aramek's Blue Mage (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=137596) are the best home-brewed base classes in the sense of creativity and viability.

And while the Gemini Dancer is nice and well balanced, I feel frasmage over advertises it, and is perhaps a little egotistical in his proclamation of it being the "best class on these boards!" No offense meant to frasmage, of course; that's just how I see it.
Saros

02-03-07, 08:46 PM
I'd promote my shaper mage (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=694863), but it's really more of a system than a class. ;)

~Saros
frasmage

02-03-07, 08:57 PM
And while the Gemini Dancer is nice and well balanced, I feel frasmage over advertises it, and is perhaps a little egotistical in his proclamation of it being the "best class on these boards!" No offense meant to frasmage, of course; that's just how I see it.

do I really over advertise it? I just quoted someone on the "best class" thing... because, well, yes, it is good advertising :P But that doesn't change anything about the class itself. I have two real gems under my name (GD and kytan), I can't help but feel proud

and have you seen aramek's sig? he likes to flatter his work too, and why not? When you have it, flaunt it. :D

If my sig is bothering you... just turn of sigs. :rolleyes:


edit: and ssvegeta555, if we are playing by those rules, check out post #4 of my class :P
ssvegeta555

02-04-07, 01:12 AM
edit: and ssvegeta555, if we are playing by those rules, check out post #4 of my class :P

Damn you one-upped me. Not only do you have more people praising your work, but they are all real people.
...
I mean, really firendly people. :incog:
Thugorp

02-04-07, 03:29 AM
I have personaly always liked the fairel animist (though i will admit that its mechanics are a bit complicated)
Stado

02-04-07, 03:36 PM
do I really over advertise it? ...Yes. It's not your signature I'm talking about (that's kind'a what they're for, afterall). It's the fact that you actually go into other threads and post direct links to your Gemini Dancer base class in an almost off topic manner. But again, I meant no offense. Really. I do, in fact, like your Gemini Dancer and think it's one of the more well designed home-brewed classes on these boards (not the best, however), even though it seems a little disorganized at points. I'm autistic, so disorganization really irks me the wrong way.
OneWinged4ngel

02-04-07, 03:43 PM
The Rebalanced Paladin
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=729837
:thumbsup:
frasmage

02-04-07, 04:01 PM
Yes. It's not your signature I'm talking about (that's kind'a what they're for, afterall). It's the fact that you actually go into other threads and post direct links to your Gemini Dancer base class in an almost off topic manner.

really? when have I done that, other than threads like this that are asking for your classes (peach garden, etc.). I don't remember posting about it anywhere else... :thinks:
RadicalTaoist

02-04-07, 04:22 PM
My baby the SMind got three recommendations? I'm touched.

Can I ask exactly what the criterion for 'best' is considered and (of the OP if he's still reading) why he started this thread?
Krusk

02-04-07, 07:29 PM
Im gonna have to throw my vote to OneWinged4ngel's reballanced palidin. My game group has taken to just using that instead of core paladin.
tiluvias99

02-05-07, 01:19 AM
I'd like to throw in Heretic888's Shinobi no Mono and Jaerom Darkwind's Martial Artist.

Also, props to Daemon Caseky's Engetsu Shinobi. Well written and well designed.
Turaj

02-05-07, 01:29 AM
taoist:

I posted this to see how many people would 1) actually do this and 2) I just wanted to get pointed in the right direction for some cool classes. All the ones I make either end up being bad or are "missing" something that no one can put thier finger on.
I just wanted to see what a good class in most peoples opinion was, and use those as a basis to balance mine on. There are so many home brew classes, and some of them aren't that good/balanced/thought out, and I (shamefully) didn't want to spend the time reading through ALL of them.
Tempest Stormwind

02-05-07, 01:34 AM
I feel Dreamscarred Press' Society Mind (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=506284) and Aramek's Blue Mage (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=137596) are the best home-brewed base classes in the sense of creativity and viability.

And while the Gemini Dancer is nice and well balanced, I feel frasmage over advertises it, and is perhaps a little egotistical in his proclamation of it being the "best class on these boards!" No offense meant to frasmage, of course; that's just how I see it.

I agree with this 100%.


For me, a good base class has to fit two criteria: It must be mechanically original and it must fill a niche no other base class can do. I'm willing to be lax somewhat on one if the other's particularly strong, though. The society mind (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=7311764) and blue mage (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=137596) do both of these quite nicely (summary of the two: The blue mage is the Final Fantasy archetype of learning enemy spells by experiencing them firsthand, and the society mind is a psionic support class that makes the team operate as if they were parts of a single greater being), while the gemini dancer doesn't fit the niche criterion at all and gets a ton of press as if it did. A lot of it looks like mechanics for the sake of mechanics, actually -- one of the major reasons I dislike Sztany's Ultimate series, in fact.

(On an unrelated note, by the way, if it wasn't clear before, the society mind was published in Untapped Potential, meaning several DMs who require print sources may now peruse it at their leisure. Dreamscarred hasn't forgotten about it, either, and it will be used in later books.)

Those two criteria can help you in designing other base classes. Step 1 is ALWAYS to ask yourself if your concept REALLY needs a new base class instead of just some imagination. From there, it's just a matter of mechanics. Untapped Potential's other base class, the Marksman, was designed as follows: We noted that there was no full-base-attack manifesting class, and when we looked at all the published full-base-attack classes, every one of them except the ranger (and even the ranger, to some extent) had a heavy, heavy melee focus. Thus, a ranged full-base-attack class would be mechanically original, and would be a good place to go. From there, we looked at places like archetypal "small-scale psionics" (i.e. Starcraft Ghosts, The Shadow) and archetypal ranged combatants (there's a very powerful ability there drawn from classic Western films, for instance), and came up with interesting ideas mechanically (such as the ability to develop a signature weapon style). Finally, we put it all together and pared it down until it looked reasonably balanced. Duskblade: Fills a niche no other single class can (fighter/mage, a popular niche; the psychic warrior comes close but feels completely different since it can't blast), sort of mechanically original (not so much, but what mechanics are there are solid). Conclusion: Good class.

Warlock: Fills a niche no other class can (and that niche can vary somewhat depending on what you choose, but always having magic at your fingertips has a certain appeal), mechanically original (Self-evident!). On the plus side, it's dripping in unique flavor (which was enough to lure my brother, who NEVER plays anything *but* The Half Orc Barbarian, into trying something new). Conclusion: Good class.

Samurai: Not mechanically original (all of its abilities are fighter bonus feats, essentially), fills no new niche (a Lawful fighter could do this). Conclusion: Bad class.

Swashbuckler: Doesn't fill a new niche (warrior rogue, light fighter), not mechanically original at all. Conclusion: Bad class. But insightful strike's good, so it's worth considering as a dip.

Beguiler: Doesn't fill a new niche (sneaky spellcaster; illusionist comes close), but executes it with mechanical elegance and brilliance. Conclusion: Good class. You'll note that this is the reverse of the duskblade (which fills the niche but isn't mechanically original), yet both are good because their better side is as good as it is.

All of these work without introducing a new system either. If I wanted to, I could laud the Expanded Psionics Handbook, Pact Magic section of the Tome of Magic, the Totemist from Magic of Incarnum, and the Tome of Battle classes as "good" (they all fill various niches and do so with mechanical elegance) and the rest of the Tome of Magic and Magic of Incarnum as "poor" for similar reasons (MoI doesn't fill any new niche except for the totemist, Truenaming fails on so many mechanical levels, and shadow magic is weak on both fronts but shows promise). Are you seeing how to design a good class from this by now? I'd hope I'm being helpful.



If we're including variants of existing base classes, then my money currently lies on (in no particular order) Seerow's Fighter* (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=728493), OneWinged4ngel's Paladin (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=761045), my own Marshal (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=752414), BlaineTog's Soulknife (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=310984), and RadicalTaoist's Ranger (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=738077) (even if the latter may need a bit of tweaking; it's getting intensive playtesting in our group now, right alongside Blaine's soulknife). All of these except the ranger are intended to "fix" an existing class, replacing it altogether (Seerow's fighter is the result of many, many long discussions of what the figher's lacking as a class, OW4's paladin is a reimagining from the ground up of what a PALADIN means, Blaine's soulknife fixes many weak mechanical flaws while giving the soulknife a niche of its own isntead of a bastard niche between stealth and tanking, and my marshal makes a dip class into something worth taking as a defining class). The ranger is meant as a variant that can be used in addition to normal rangers, trading mystical abilities for Tome of Battle maneuvers.

Hope that helps.


* I haven't yet read Otto's classes beyond a cursory skimming, but I like what I see there, particularly the hexblade.
OneWinged4ngel

02-05-07, 01:43 AM
I agree with this 100%.


For me, a good base class has to fit two criteria: It must be mechanically original and it must fill a niche no other base class can do. I'm willing to be lax somewhat on one if the other's particularly strong, though. The society mind (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=7311764) and blue mage (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=137596) do both of these quite nicely (summary of the two: The blue mage is the Final Fantasy archetype of learning enemy spells by experiencing them firsthand, and the society mind is a psionic support class that makes the team operate as if they were parts of a single greater being), while the gemini dancer doesn't fit the niche criterion at all and gets a ton of press as if it did. A lot of it looks like mechanics for the sake of mechanics, actually -- one of the major reasons I dislike Sztany's Ultimate series, in fact.

(On an unrelated note, by the way, if it wasn't clear before, the society mind was published in Untapped Potential, meaning several DMs who require print sources may now peruse it at their leisure. Dreamscarred hasn't forgotten about it, either, and it will be used in later books.)

Those two criteria can help you in designing other base classes. Step 1 is ALWAYS to ask yourself if your concept REALLY needs a new base class instead of just some imagination. From there, it's just a matter of mechanics. Untapped Potential's other base class, the Marksman, was designed as follows: We noted that there was no full-base-attack manifesting class, and when we looked at all the published full-base-attack classes, every one of them except the ranger (and even the ranger, to some extent) had a heavy, heavy melee focus. Thus, a ranged full-base-attack class would be mechanically original, and would be a good place to go. From there, we looked at places like archetypal "small-scale psionics" (i.e. Starcraft Ghosts, The Shadow) and archetypal ranged combatants (there's a very powerful ability there drawn from classic Western films, for instance), and came up with interesting ideas mechanically (such as the ability to develop a signature weapon style). Finally, we put it all together and pared it down until it looked reasonably balanced. Duskblade: Fills a niche no other single class can (fighter/mage, a popular niche; the psychic warrior comes close but feels completely different since it can't blast), sort of mechanically original (not so much, but what mechanics are there are solid). Conclusion: Good class.

Warlock: Fills a niche no other class can (and that niche can vary somewhat depending on what you choose, but always having magic at your fingertips has a certain appeal), mechanically original (Self-evident!). On the plus side, it's dripping in unique flavor (which was enough to lure my brother, who NEVER plays anything *but* The Half Orc Barbarian, into trying something new). Conclusion: Good class.

Samurai: Not mechanically original (all of its abilities are fighter bonus feats, essentially), fills no new niche (a Lawful fighter could do this). Conclusion: Bad class.

Swashbuckler: Doesn't fill a new niche (warrior rogue, light fighter), not mechanically original at all. Conclusion: Bad class. But insightful strike's good, so it's worth considering as a dip.

Beguiler: Doesn't fill a new niche (sneaky spellcaster; illusionist comes close), but executes it with mechanical elegance and brilliance. Conclusion: Good class. You'll note that this is the reverse of the duskblade (which fills the niche but isn't mechanically original), yet both are good because their better side is as good as it is.

All of these work without introducing a new system either. If I wanted to, I could laud the Expanded Psionics Handbook, Pact Magic section of the Tome of Magic, the Totemist from Magic of Incarnum, and the Tome of Battle classes as "good" (they all fill various niches and do so with mechanical elegance) and the rest of the Tome of Magic and Magic of Incarnum as "poor" for similar reasons (MoI doesn't fill any new niche except for the totemist, Truenaming fails on so many mechanical levels, and shadow magic is weak on both fronts but shows promise). Are you seeing how to design a good class from this by now? I'd hope I'm being helpful.



If we're including variants of existing base classes, then my money currently lies on (in no particular order) Seerow's Fighter* (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=728493), OneWinged4ngel's Paladin (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=761045), my own Marshal (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=752414), BlaineTog's Soulknife (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=310984), and RadicalTaoist's Ranger (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=738077) (even if the latter may need a bit of tweaking; it's getting intensive playtesting in our group now, right alongside Blaine's soulknife). All of these except the ranger are intended to "fix" an existing class, replacing it altogether (Seerow's fighter is the result of many, many long discussions of what the figher's lacking as a class, OW4's paladin is a reimagining from the ground up of what a PALADIN means, Blaine's soulknife fixes many weak mechanical flaws while giving the soulknife a niche of its own isntead of a bastard niche between stealth and tanking, and my marshal makes a dip class into something worth taking as a defining class). The ranger is meant as a variant that can be used in addition to normal rangers, trading mystical abilities for Tome of Battle maneuvers.

Hope that helps.


* I haven't yet read Otto's classes beyond a cursory skimming, but I like what I see there, particularly the hexblade.

I pretty much agree with everything there... I've never seen the Gemini Dancer as anything particularly special, let alone worthy of being callled the "best class on these boards" as Frasmage zealously declares in his sig. :rolleyes: (No offense meant to frasmage, of course)

The Society Mind looks great, though I've not tried it yet... but I certainly look forward to seeing it in action in the near future, since it's on the list of stuff I allow in my games. Definitely a cool-looking class.

As for what makes a good class, I agree with Tempest Stormwind's criteria (and indeed, have mentioned them before when discussing class design).
frasmage

02-05-07, 06:53 AM
let alone worthy of being callled the "best class on these boards" as Frasmage zealously declares in his sig. :rolleyes: (No offense meant to frasmage, of course)

meh like I said, just a quote. You don't have to agree with it
jktrondarr

02-06-07, 04:29 AM
Shadowfoots witch core class is really good, if a bit complicated by too many choices.

the munchkin in me also likes maverickwolfs spellfire warrior, even tho, or perhaps because it's overpowered for a core class.
benstundze

03-19-07, 03:48 PM
by Tempest Stormwind's lengthy but reasonable post (which is how i go mostly) my dragon bound class, although young and no ware near complete, dose have awesome flavor, and it fills a nich WOTC shunned. As well as being fairly customizable, and usable.
ben
dark_nony

03-19-07, 04:14 PM
I playd my Elite Archer in many games and he was a great class.
Check it out.
jay

03-19-07, 04:19 PM
Hong Ooi's martial artist (http://www.zipworld.com.au/~hong/dnd/martialartist.htm) is still the only one that has had the honour to be used in our games.

Perhaps somewhat obsoleted by all the new shiny toys in ToB, though.
benstundze

03-19-07, 04:38 PM
oddly this thread turned into the cookie contest lol
Qwicksilver

03-19-07, 06:13 PM
Mmmm Homebrew.... smells like... victory.

Uh oh yeah, Wohoo Otto's Swashbuckler

http://dsenchuk.googlepages.com/swashbuckler
tombowings

03-19-07, 06:21 PM
I'd promote my shaper mage (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=694863), but it's really more of a system than a class. ;)

~Saros

:thumbsup: :inlove:

Im gonna have to throw my vote to OneWinged4ngel's reballanced palidin. My game group has taken to just using that instead of core paladin.

:thumbsup:
Qwicksilver

03-19-07, 06:32 PM
Haha yeah, cool man. I'm enjoying all the suggested best core classes. I particularly like the shaper mage. Keep the suggestions coming, I like adding these to a list of "classes to try out" if i ever get around to dming.
tombowings

03-19-07, 06:42 PM
I run now run the "Ultimate" classes. And what I have to say is that they are meant to be fun to play and to give player options...not be the best and most balanced. And from the ones that I have played (I recently was put incharge), I can tell you that they are great fun.
Alpha_Moose

03-19-07, 07:23 PM
I like the Red and Blue Mages already mentioned. I also like Animana's classes the SOLDIER and Temporal Champion. Many small variant classes can be interesting, like this (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=498216)FMA version of the warlock. The Shadow Warrior class in my sig (shameless promotion) is interesting, but I haven't had the chance to play test it yet. It's not hugely amazing, mostly something I made because I was bored.
Leo

03-19-07, 07:29 PM
There are a lot of good classes out there. And bad ones. But it's also a matter of taste.

For example, the gemini dancer, it may not fill a new role, it may not be very powerfull, but it's COOL, and simple. Screw elegance, this baby is full of roleplaying potential and hilarious combat situations whitout much risk of becoming broken.

On the other hand, I see most of the base classes fixes out ther as slaughters of their namesakes.

But the main point is that you can't please verybody. Some people like raw power. Other wnat flashy things. And others want obscure abilites that can be abused in obscure ways, etc, etc.

It's very hard, impossible I would say to make a class that pleases everybody.

The basic ranger for example...I loathe it. Can't really explain why, but I hate it. Hate favored enemy. Hate the flavour. Hate the picture on the PHB...Could only play him once, and after 5th level I was just charging enemies randomly just to see If I could get myself killed and make a new character...

But then, If you look time enough, surely you'll find something that suits you.
BeyondFated

03-19-07, 07:53 PM
I've always been partial to BeyondFated's Sinchanter (http://boards.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=614289) class. But what do I know?