choosing a class for my first character [Archive] - Wizards Community

choosing a class for my first character [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Shanga the half-elf bard
06-11-05, 03:45 AM :D im just startin and tryin to create my first character so far its a half-elf
can anyone help choose a good first class
is bard an ok first class(and a good class for a half-elf)
BlaineTog
06-11-05, 03:59 AM Half-elf bards work well, but I would suggest holding off on the bard class for a little while. As cool as the bard is, it's not the easiest character to create well.
Quirriff
06-11-05, 04:03 AM No, No, No, No, NO!

Bards are not for n00bs.
Shanga the half-elf bard
06-11-05, 04:04 AM ok
so bards out but what about a monk
and please give me some suggestions for a good first class if monk is too advanced
HappyDragon
06-11-05, 04:06 AM Usually if someone is just starting I would suggest a non-magic user, just to keep it simple to begin with. Rogues, Fighters and Barbarians all make good choices your first time out.

However if you feel you have a solid enough grip on how spells work then Bards are fine. If you're still kind of unsure of how magic works something like the partial spellcasters,(Rangers etc.), may be a better choice, that way you will eventually work into magic but starting off it's a bit more straightforward.

It also depends on the style of character you want. If you really like the Bard, then play one. It is just a game and everyone has to start somewhere.

The only class I would suggest steering clear from at least til you get a bit more experience is the Paladin.

As for the race you want to play, again, nothing wrong with half-elves if that's what you want to play, then by all means do so. It's a fairly straightforward race that should help make your transition to playing easier.

Hope you enjoy playing :)
Shanga the half-elf bard
06-11-05, 04:11 AM what classes are partial spellcasters?
BlaineTog
06-11-05, 04:13 AM ok
so bards out but what about a monk
and please give me some suggestions for a good first class if monk is too advancedActually, monks work rather well as a first class. Not only are they hard to kill but you also don't have to worry about weapons and armor as much as with other classes.
HappyDragon
06-11-05, 04:15 AM Rangers and Paladins are the two main partial spellcasters from the Players Handbook. They are considered "partial' because they start getting spells later than everyone else and even when they do get spells it is at a very slow progression in comparision to the other spellcasters.
Shanga the half-elf bard
06-11-05, 04:17 AM are druids hard to start out as then?
Manyfist
06-11-05, 04:18 AM For a First character, a Human/Half Elf Fighter is the way to go. Fighters have simple mechanics, run up and hit the thing. If you can't hit the Thing, runaway. :P
HappyDragon
06-11-05, 04:29 AM are druids hard to start out as then?
Depends again on how solid a grasp on the magic system you have. In general I would say Druids would be difficult because they are heavy magic users and their added abilities can also add confusion to the equation.
BlaineTog
06-11-05, 05:08 AM are druids hard to start out as then?Yep, although it really depends on the person. I cannot play them, for example, as I simply cannot work with shapechanging magic (and druids use shapechanging magic a lot), and yet I have a good handle on most everything else in the game.
ILL34GL3
06-11-05, 05:17 AM Don't play a druid as your first character unless you are very organized. Keeping up with wildshaping, your summoned nature's allies and all of that buffing can be quite a bit to keep up with.

Personally I'd recommend that a n00b play a fighter, rogue, monk or barbarian for the first D&D experience. I'd choose the rogue. It's fun to be the recon guy and help out the big guys with the fighting.

Be sure to check out the various handbooks in the '3.5 build thread' in the Character Optimization forum to help you make choices that keep your character from sucking.

and one last word of advice: multiclassing usually sucks.

Have fun man.
Ehelonna
06-11-05, 05:21 AM :D im just startin and tryin to create my first character so far its a half-elf can anyone help choose a good first class
is bard an ok first class(and a good class for a half-elf)
Bard can be a great choice depending on your groups play style. You have access to quite a few social skills and languages are class skills. If the game is combat intensive, you can sing and buff the party. If you are out of uses of bardic music today, you are an OK secondary fighter... and also a fallback healer. As a half-elf you get a bonus to a few key bardic skills.

So, a low level bard is almost always is useful... but you rarely steal the spotlight.

The Bard is also a partial caster... you get a caster level at every level, but your spells per day (and maximum spell level) fall behind true casters.

To get the most mileage out of a bard, you need as much famliarity with the system as a cleric or wizard.

Fighters are almost as bad since they have so many feats...

Barbarians and Rangers are ideal for first time players since they really don't have to make many choices... For barbarians it is "is this fight worth using my rage ability?" while rangers have to chose between archery and two weapon fighting.
Manyfist
06-11-05, 06:02 AM I played a Dwarf Barbarian, he's at lvl 3. He's cool, the guy knocked another dwarf out the taveren, and killed a Man with just his bare fists. ;) :D I was in it for the RP experiance, he was a drinking handfightin Barbarian, that only raged when he droped his weapon. :D Then I play jack be quick; Jack Jump over the Bugbear stick. :cool:
Red_Decker
06-11-05, 06:43 AM My first character was an 8th level half-drow monk from Haluraa named Rizzen Xyltin. 40 point build Str 14, Dex 18, Con 14, Wis 18, Cha 10. Don't ask me how I remember. Dex and Wis started at 17. Good times indeed.
I didn't have character creation down very well so I had the feats: Snatch Arrow, Circle Kick, and Throw Anything. The first thing you should notice is all of them have BAB requirement and a 1st level monk doesn't have any. The DM didn't tell me that I had to have the requirements before getting the feat.

Yeah, I'm a little biased but I think a half-elf monk is an excellent first character.
Just remember Your abilities should have this priority: Wis, Str, Dex, Con, Int, Cha. Tumble is your best friend, and remember: "I know kung fu."

http://www.geocities.com/customsmiliesbyswordmaster/inthered.txt
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/lady1raven/meepo/Meepo_02.gif
Galahdeon
06-11-05, 01:22 PM I recomend that you take a class that you understand how they work like the fighter it is simmple mechanics, it is more of how much of the mechanics you understand that matters. if you have a class that you have read up on and know how to use then sure try it if not then look for something you do understand. ;)
Count Arioch the 28th
06-11-05, 01:31 PM I would argue that a druid is fairly simple.

However, I do recomend that you start at first level to learn. By the time you're throwing around more complex spells and shapeshifting, you've had some time to learn.
CaoSlayer
06-11-05, 02:03 PM umm, with a good guide a sorcerer it is very fun for a novice spellcaster, just have some veteran caster friend to check the spells you wants to get so you dont get something useless.

and more easy it is the new warlock, that it is blast the enemy every turn and there is not useless invocation.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shanga the half-elf bard 06-11-05, 03:45 AM	:D im just startin and tryin to create my first character so far its a half-elf can anyone help choose a good first class is bard an ok first class(and a good class for a half-elf)
BlaineTog 06-11-05, 03:59 AM	Half-elf bards work well, but I would suggest holding off on the bard class for a little while. As cool as the bard is, it's not the easiest character to create well.
Quirriff 06-11-05, 04:03 AM	No, No, No, No, NO! Bards are not for n00bs.
Shanga the half-elf bard 06-11-05, 04:04 AM	ok so bards out but what about a monk and please give me some suggestions for a good first class if monk is too advanced
HappyDragon 06-11-05, 04:06 AM	Usually if someone is just starting I would suggest a non-magic user, just to keep it simple to begin with. Rogues, Fighters and Barbarians all make good choices your first time out. However if you feel you have a solid enough grip on how spells work then Bards are fine. If you're still kind of unsure of how magic works something like the partial spellcasters,(Rangers etc.), may be a better choice, that way you will eventually work into magic but starting off it's a bit more straightforward. It also depends on the style of character you want. If you really like the Bard, then play one. It is just a game and everyone has to start somewhere. The only class I would suggest steering clear from at least til you get a bit more experience is the Paladin. As for the race you want to play, again, nothing wrong with half-elves if that's what you want to play, then by all means do so. It's a fairly straightforward race that should help make your transition to playing easier. Hope you enjoy playing :)
Shanga the half-elf bard 06-11-05, 04:11 AM	what classes are partial spellcasters?
BlaineTog 06-11-05, 04:13 AM	ok so bards out but what about a monk and please give me some suggestions for a good first class if monk is too advancedActually, monks work rather well as a first class. Not only are they hard to kill but you also don't have to worry about weapons and armor as much as with other classes.
HappyDragon 06-11-05, 04:15 AM	Rangers and Paladins are the two main partial spellcasters from the Players Handbook. They are considered "partial' because they start getting spells later than everyone else and even when they do get spells it is at a very slow progression in comparision to the other spellcasters.
Shanga the half-elf bard 06-11-05, 04:17 AM	are druids hard to start out as then?
Manyfist 06-11-05, 04:18 AM	For a First character, a Human/Half Elf Fighter is the way to go. Fighters have simple mechanics, run up and hit the thing. If you can't hit the Thing, runaway. :P
HappyDragon 06-11-05, 04:29 AM	are druids hard to start out as then? Depends again on how solid a grasp on the magic system you have. In general I would say Druids would be difficult because they are heavy magic users and their added abilities can also add confusion to the equation.
BlaineTog 06-11-05, 05:08 AM	are druids hard to start out as then?Yep, although it really depends on the person. I cannot play them, for example, as I simply cannot work with shapechanging magic (and druids use shapechanging magic a lot), and yet I have a good handle on most everything else in the game.
ILL34GL3 06-11-05, 05:17 AM	Don't play a druid as your first character unless you are very organized. Keeping up with wildshaping, your summoned nature's allies and all of that buffing can be quite a bit to keep up with. Personally I'd recommend that a n00b play a fighter, rogue, monk or barbarian for the first D&D experience. I'd choose the rogue. It's fun to be the recon guy and help out the big guys with the fighting. Be sure to check out the various handbooks in the '3.5 build thread' in the Character Optimization forum to help you make choices that keep your character from sucking. and one last word of advice: multiclassing usually sucks. Have fun man.
Ehelonna 06-11-05, 05:21 AM	:D im just startin and tryin to create my first character so far its a half-elf can anyone help choose a good first class is bard an ok first class(and a good class for a half-elf) Bard can be a great choice depending on your groups play style. You have access to quite a few social skills and languages are class skills. If the game is combat intensive, you can sing and buff the party. If you are out of uses of bardic music today, you are an OK secondary fighter... and also a fallback healer. As a half-elf you get a bonus to a few key bardic skills. So, a low level bard is almost always is useful... but you rarely steal the spotlight. The Bard is also a partial caster... you get a caster level at every level, but your spells per day (and maximum spell level) fall behind true casters. To get the most mileage out of a bard, you need as much famliarity with the system as a cleric or wizard. Fighters are almost as bad since they have so many feats... Barbarians and Rangers are ideal for first time players since they really don't have to make many choices... For barbarians it is "is this fight worth using my rage ability?" while rangers have to chose between archery and two weapon fighting.
Manyfist 06-11-05, 06:02 AM	I played a Dwarf Barbarian, he's at lvl 3. He's cool, the guy knocked another dwarf out the taveren, and killed a Man with just his bare fists. ;) :D I was in it for the RP experiance, he was a drinking handfightin Barbarian, that only raged when he droped his weapon. :D Then I play jack be quick; Jack Jump over the Bugbear stick. :cool:
Red_Decker 06-11-05, 06:43 AM	My first character was an 8th level half-drow monk from Haluraa named Rizzen Xyltin. 40 point build Str 14, Dex 18, Con 14, Wis 18, Cha 10. Don't ask me how I remember. Dex and Wis started at 17. Good times indeed. I didn't have character creation down very well so I had the feats: Snatch Arrow, Circle Kick, and Throw Anything. The first thing you should notice is all of them have BAB requirement and a 1st level monk doesn't have any. The DM didn't tell me that I had to have the requirements before getting the feat. Yeah, I'm a little biased but I think a half-elf monk is an excellent first character. Just remember Your abilities should have this priority: Wis, Str, Dex, Con, Int, Cha. Tumble is your best friend, and remember: "I know kung fu." http://www.geocities.com/customsmiliesbyswordmaster/inthered.txt http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/lady1raven/meepo/Meepo_02.gif
Galahdeon 06-11-05, 01:22 PM	I recomend that you take a class that you understand how they work like the fighter it is simmple mechanics, it is more of how much of the mechanics you understand that matters. if you have a class that you have read up on and know how to use then sure try it if not then look for something you do understand. ;)
Count Arioch the 28th 06-11-05, 01:31 PM	I would argue that a druid is fairly simple. However, I do recomend that you start at first level to learn. By the time you're throwing around more complex spells and shapeshifting, you've had some time to learn.
CaoSlayer 06-11-05, 02:03 PM	umm, with a good guide a sorcerer it is very fun for a novice spellcaster, just have some veteran caster friend to check the spells you wants to get so you dont get something useless. and more easy it is the new warlock, that it is blast the enemy every turn and there is not useless invocation.